Alpha-1 Foundation Names Henry Moehring President and CEO; Walsh Becomes Founder and Chief Visionary Officer

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Moehring has been named President and CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation. John Walsh, who co-founded the Foundation in 1995 and has been President and CEO ever since, will take the new title of Founder and Chief Visionary Officer. Walsh was injured in a fall on an icy street in Washington, DC in January and is on extended medical leave.

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"Henry was the personal choice of John Walsh to become the second President and CEO in the history of the Foundation – a choice enthusiastically approved by the Board," said Board Chair Gordon Cadwgan, PhD, who announced the appointments.

Ab Rees, who has been serving as Acting CEO and President since February, said that Walsh brought an executive transition plan to the Executive Committee of the Foundation Board in October of 2015. That proposal, for Moehring to take over as President and CEO and for Walsh to continue with the Foundation as Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, was accepted unanimously.

Moehring thanked Walsh and the Board for their confidence in him as the new CEO. "There is so much that is happening now in research and support. But there is much left to be done – push to find the cure, advocate for our community, support those affected, and educate providers and those impacted. We have a great Foundation team and an energized community. We will get the job done – we will find the cure!" he said.

Cadwgan read a message from the Walsh family, thanking the community for their outpouring of love and prayers. "John continues to receive excellent care and is progressing in his recovery," the message read. "It will take time, but we ask you to 'Keep the Faith,' as it is our hope that we will join you next year for the Celebration of Life."

"Keep the Faith" has been for many years one of John Walsh's favorite phrases at the close of a conversation or email.

Moehring has been involved with the Alpha-1 community since 1997, the year he was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, and served as Chair of the former Alpha-1 Association before the 2014 merger of the Association into the Foundation. He has a Master of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University and has been a healthcare administrator for 30 years. He was Executive Director of Asbury Methodist Village, a not-for-profit retirement community with more than 1,300 residents and 840 employees, before resigning to take the Foundation post.

Following the Foundation bylaws, Moehring, who has been Vice Chair of the Foundation Board, will leave the Board as he becomes CEO.

Cadwgan also announced the promotions of two senior Foundation executives. Marcie Ritchie was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office, and Robert Barrett was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as well as President and CEO of AlphaNet. They will report directly to Moehring.

About the Alpha-1 Foundation: The Alpha-1 Foundation is committed to finding a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and to improving the lives of people affected by Alpha-1 worldwide. For more information, visit www.alpha1.org.

For information contact:
Bob Campbell
Director of Communications
Email
305-567-9888 Ext. 230  

SOURCE Alpha-1 Foundation

Related Links

http://www.alpha1.org