Kourpias to Step Down as Alliance Leader
Thursday, February 12, 2009
For Immediate Release
Kourpias to Step Down as Leader of Retiree Advocacy Group
Barbara Easterling to be new President of Alliance for Retired Americans
Washington DC - George J. Kourpias,
President of the Alliance for Retired Americans
since its inception in 2001, today announced
that he will be retiring from the
organization. Barbara J. Easterling, the
former Secretary-Treasurer of the
Communications Workers of America, is expected
to be named the new president by a vote of the
Alliance's executive committee later this
month.
"It has been a tremendous
honor to help grow and lead a progressive army
of grassroots retirees. We have fostered
lifelong activism among union and community
leaders, and I believe our collective voice has
made a difference," Kourpias said.
On the heels of the November election, Kourpias believes it is time to turn over the reins of the Alliance. "I have never been more proud of my fellow union retirees than I was on election night. But all that our hard work and great success guarantees us is an opportunity - nothing more. The time is right for a new leader, an outstanding woman Barbara Easterling, to mobilize our nation's retirees to seize this historic moment."
"George Kourpias can never be replaced," Easterling said, "but I will do all I can to continue his great work. By standing together and speaking as one, we can reform our nation's broken health care system, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and leave behind a better America for our children and grandchildren. I am both humbled and excited by this new opportunity. I congratulate George on his retirement, and wish he and his family all the best."
Ruben Burks, the Alliance's Secretary-Treasurer, said, "It has been an honor to serve alongside George since the beginning of the Alliance. Retirees owe George a large debt of gratitude for his energy, his vision, and his passion to grow the retiree movement. Thanks to George, Alliance members are politically savvy seniors."
"George is a close personal and professional friend," said Edward F. Coyle, the Alliance's Executive Director. "He taught me and many others enduring lessons about how to capture the power and passion of grassroots advocates. It has been a true pleasure to work with him."
Under Mr. Kourpias' tenure, the Alliance for Retired Americans developed into a 3.5 million member organization which was a leader in stopping then-President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security. In the 2008 presidential elections, Alliance activists were mobilized in key battleground states to highlight the stark contrasts between Barack Obama and John McCain on Social Security and Medicare. On Election Day, union retirees voted for President Obama 72-26 percent.
Prior to becoming Alliance president in 2001, Kourpias had previously served as president of the National Council of Senior Citizens. A member of the International Association of Machinists for 56 years, he served eight years as its president.
For more information on the Alliance, visit http://araorchid.orchidsuites.net/ or call 1-888/373-6497.
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Contact: Marcie Kohenak, (202) 637-5178 or mkohenak@retiredamericans.org
The Alliance for Retired Americans is a
national organization that advocates for the
rights and well being of over 3.5 million
retirees and their families.