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CCFA Announces New President, CEO, Chairman, Board Members
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The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has announced the appointment of Michael Osso as its next president and CEO, Vance A. Gibbs as chairman of the board of trustees, and the election of three new board members, according to CCFA press releases.
“Michael’s passion for our mission and commitment to the patients we serve, coupled with his proven success and vast experience, make him the ideal person to lead CCFA into the future,” Richard J. Geswell, president and CEO of the CCFA, said in a press release. “Vance Gibbs has been a valued and trusted presence on the board, and a key contributor to the CCFA’s recent record of growth and success,” he said in a separate release. “His appointment will help to ensure that our board has the skills and vision to guide our organization into a future where we can realize the promise of improving the lives of patients and families living with IBD.”
Michael Osso
Osso has previously served the CCFA as chief business development officer, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for his entire career. He will assume the role of president and CEO on August 1.
“The progress we have made over the past 10 years under Rick's leadership has been tremendous, and I look forward to being able to build upon that success,” Osso said in the release. “I believe the Foundation is on the brink of game-changing breakthroughs for our patients.”
Gibbs has served the CCFA as general counsel for several years, according to the release. He is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller, has practiced in commercial litigation in the health care industry for more than 25 years, and has served as a CCFA volunteer. He was also instrumental in rebuilding the Louisiana/Mississippi Chapter after Hurricane Katrina, according to the release.
“There has never been a more exciting time at CCFA than now,” Gibbs said in the release. “We are on the cusp of huge breakthroughs and I am privileged to be in this leadership role. I look forward to working with all of our incredible staff and volunteers to achieving a future free from Crohn’s and colitis.”
The three newly elected board members are Christopher L. Collette, senior vice president of corporate services for UnitedHealth Group in Minnetonka, Minn., Jennifer O’Neill, director of operations and chief of staff for Deloitte’s U.S. Financial Services practice in New York, and Andrew Stern, a partner and co-chair of the Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice at Sidley Austin, New York. “All have been active and appreciated contributors to CCFA’s efforts at the chapter and national levels,” according to the release.
“These three professionals bring unique skills, energy, and vision to CCFA, and preparing us to meet our goals and vision for the future,” Geswell said. “They are representative of the amazing commitment and dedication that have allowed the CCFA to achieve so much, and will help us sustain momentum as we strive toward our goal of curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
Disclosure: Geswell, Gibbs and Osso are affiliated with the CCFA.