Gwendolyn W. Young Becomes American Lung Association of California's Board Chair -- Jim Wilgus Named American Lung Association of California's New President and CEO

Editor's Note: Photos for These Individuals Are Available Upon Request

The American Lung Association of California recently elected Gwendolyn W. Young, president of Los Angeles-based Young Communications Group, as its first African-American board chair, effective June 30, 2007. In addition, Jim Wilgus has been selected as the organization's president and CEO, effective July 30, 2007 and Michael Peterson, MD, has been selected as the organization's medical section president.

Young, having served as a volunteer with the American Lung Association of California for nine years, opened the doors of her marketing communications and public relations agency in 1991. She is an award-winning professional with more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, issues management and media relations. Known among her peers as an expert in the areas of health and human services, environmental issues, cultural institutions and education, she works with nonprofit organizations, as well as corporations. Moreover, she has developed a subspecialty for her agency in managing public awareness and social marketing campaigns directed at the emerging majority(SM), with an emphasis on African American communities.

"I have lost too many family members and friends to lung disease," said Young. "Facts show that underrepresented communities are at greater risk and I am personally committed to being a part of changing that disturbing reality. Every minute of every day, the American Lung Association of California is speaking up for and directly helping people who need and want healthier air."

The majority of Young's professional career has been focused on developing marketing communications campaigns for health and human service organizations, including many of the leading corporations in Los Angeles and Southern California. She holds a journalism degree from California State University, Northridge.

Wilgus is the former executive vice president for the American Heart Association's Pacific/Mountain Affiliate. He brings 20 years of non-profit leadership, fund raising and management experience with the American Heart Association, has worked on anti-tobacco legislation in several states and has a degree in public and corporate communications from Butler University in Indianapolis.

"It is important to me to ensure that the American Lung Association of California continues to be the leader in the fight against lung disease through community programs, professional development, legislation and advocacy initiatives, as well as fundraising and community development," said Wilgus. "Building an enhanced culture of philanthropy and a volunteer spirit around fundraising and program involvement will be key to our future successes; in that as we raise more funds at the community and state-level, more initiatives and efforts can be successfully implemented statewide to help everyone breathe easier."

"The combined efforts of these two outstanding leaders will have a significant impact on lung health throughout California," said Rick Donaldson, Ph.D., RCP, immediate past board chair of the American Lung Association of California.

Michael Peterson, MD, professor of medicine with University of California San Francisco, Fresno Department of Medicine, was elected to lead the California Thoracic Society, the American Lung Association of California's medical section, a 600-member organization that includes pulmonary physicians, critical care specialists, sleep specialists, pediatric pulmonary specialists, allergists, thoracic surgeons, advanced practice nurses and respiratory therapists. The society keeps its members and other providers, agencies and payers up-to-date on the latest advances in pulmonary care through educational papers and publications and its annual conference in Carmel, which attracts top pulmonary specialists from around the country.