Morgan Downey Named Executive Vice President of NAASO, The Obesity Society

(SILVER SPRING, MD, June 1, 2006) – Officials from NAASO, The Obesity Society, are pleased to announce the appointment of Morgan Downey, JD, as the new Executive Vice President of the Society. Mr. Downey comes to The Obesity Society with a record of accomplishment in health care advocacy, having spent his career working to improve the lives of persons affected by obesity and other medical conditions.

“Morgan Downey is the ideal person for this position,” said Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, President of NAASO, The Obesity Society. “He is passionate about advancing research on obesity to improve the lives of the millions of Americans who are affected by this condition. He will bring remarkable energy, expertise, and know-how to his new role.”

Mr. Downey brings nearly 30 years of association management experience to The Obesity Society. Since 1997, he has served as Executive Director and CEO of the American Obesity Association (AOA), an organization dedicated to obesity education, research, prevention, and treatment. At AOA, Mr. Downey spearheaded efforts to shift public and political perception of obesity from a personal lifestyle issue to a legitimate medical condition worthy of research and treatment. Mr. Downey also has served as Director of Governmental and Legal Affairs for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and has maintained a private law practice specializing in the representation of health care clients.

“I look at this position as a great opportunity to advance our efforts to address the obesity epidemic through both enhanced scientific research and advocacy based on that research,” said Mr. Downey.

NAASO, The Obesity Society, is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. Since 1982, The Obesity Society has been committed to encouraging research on the causes, treatment, and prevention of obesity as well as to keeping the scientific community and public informed of new advances in the field. The Obesity Society’s 2,000 members are basic and clinical researchers as well as health care professionals involved in preventing and treating obesity.  Mr. Downey will assume the role of Executive Vice President beginning September 5, 2006.

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NAASO, The Obesity Society, is the leading scientific society dedicated to the study of obesity. The Obesity Society is committed to encouraging research on the causes, treatment, and prevention of obesity as well as to keeping the scientific community and public informed of new advances in the field. For more information, please visit www.naaso.org.