HLAA Announces ED Search

Editor: Terry Portis, the Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) for the past five years, announced his resignation at the November board meeting, and HLAA has commenced a search for a new ED.

I think Terry has done an outstanding job of reviving an organization that I thought had grown out of touch with its members, and I applaud him for his strong advocacy. HLAA will have a difficult time replacing this outstanding leader!

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November 2007

The Board of Trustees of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) announces the convening of a search committee for a new executive director. HLAA is the nation's largest consumer advocacy organization for people with hearing loss with 250 chapters and 15 state organizations. The national headquarters is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

The search committee will be chaired by HLAA Legal Advisor Henry Fader of Pepper Hamilton LLP to review candidates. The executive director of HLAA manages the staff, oversees programs, and ensures the future and success of the organization through leadership and fundraising. For more information about the position and the search process, contact Henry Fader, Esq. at faderh@pepperlaw.com or President Anne Pope at atpop24@aol.com.

Current executive director, Terry D. Portis, Ed.D., resigned during the November Board meeting held in Bethesda. He will continue to serve as executive director for the near future. Anne Pope said: "Throughout the last five years Terry has been a masterful educator. If you visit www.hearingloss.org you know that Terry has positioned HLAA in the Internet era with a handsomely designed website that has vastly expanded content including interactive chat rooms and message boards. He helped HLAA fulfill its mission to educate, inform and support. During his tenure, Terry has been an advocate for communication access specific to the needs of people who are hard of hearing. With his wife, Denise, Terry has made legions of friends across the country while educating them with his informative and entertaining presentations on hearing loss and its impact.

Terry Portis commented: "The organization is well positioned for an expansive growth period and sustained success in accomplishing its mission. No other organization is advancing the cause of hearing loss as well as the Hearing Loss Association of America. Serving as executive director was more of a personal cause than simply holding a professional position. My wife Denise and I plan to remain active members of HLAA and continue to support the Frederick (MD) Chapter. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as executive director for the past five years."

About the Hearing Loss Association of America