COPD Foundation Hires New Executive Director

January 12, 2012

AARC’s partner in many COPD awareness initiatives, the COPD Foundation, has announced the appointment of Dave Barringer, former senior vice president of Member Relations for Goodwill Industries International, as COPDF’s new executive director effective January 1, 2012.

Barringer leads efforts to improve awareness of COPD’s causes and the importance of early identification and treatments that help people with COPD continue to lead fulfilling lives.

“COPDF is proud to welcome Mr. Barringer, who is a recognized expert in exceptional mission branding, operational change dynamics and problem-solving in complex social services and health organizations,” says John W. Walsh, president of the COPD Foundation. “With his extensive experience at one of the nation’s largest charities, Mr. Barringer will deliver significant results in organizational development, fundraising, marketing and communications, risk assessment, finance and HR. We are confident he will be a driving force for improving every aspect of our organization and bettering the lives of the individuals we serve.”

In his role as executive director, Barringer leads initiatives to raise funds, advocates for more research into COPD’s causes and therapies, and develops patient and professional education materials and patient registries for clinical trials. Prior to joining COPDF, Barringer served as senior vice president of Member Relations, Goodwill Industries International, a membership organization representing 180 agencies forming the nation’s third largest charity, which annually serves a million people with disabilities and those in poverty.

“COPD is the nation’s third largest cause of death, yet many people don’t know about the disease and its symptoms,” says Barringer. “COPDF has reached a critical turning point in its fight against COPD, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to play a role in serving its goals. I look forward to pushing the organization to the next level as it continues to inform, empower and engage individuals living with COPD.”