April 18, 2012

News Release

Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare announced Ernie Powell, former Senior Manager of Advocacy with AARP California, will be the new Grassroots National Director for the National Committee.

“Ernie Powell has a long and illustrious career mobilizing Americans in grassroots campaigns to ensure their voices are heard by our local, state and national leaders.  The fight to preserve Social Security and Medicare has never been more important, as some members of Congress continue to target these programs to reduce the deficit. Ernie, with his decades of experience on issues vital to America’s seniors combined with his grassroots advocacy expertise, will be a vital asset to the National Committee’s ongoing commitment to protect and strengthen the Social Security and Medicare programs.” Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO

Prior to becoming the Grassroots National Director at NCPSSM, Powell managed public policy issues on behalf of AARP’s more than three million California members as the state’s Senior Advocacy Manager since 2008.  Before that he was AARP’s Associate State Director for Advocacy in California, organizing statewide campaigns in opposition to privatization and served as the Western Region’s Medicare lead, supervising staff in eleven western states.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the National Committee team. Social Security and Medicare are incredibly important and successful programs for all Americans and the chance to join an organization whose mission it is to fight for both their preservation and improvement is very exciting. I look forward to being in the nation’s capital at this challenging moment and working to build a strong and effective grassroots force to stand up against cuts to these programs as well as the terrible idea that they should be privatized.” Ernie Powell, NCPSSM Grassroots National Director

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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org