National Council For Adoption President Joins Bush
National Council For Adoption President Joins Bush
Administration; Board Names Public Policy Vice President As Interim President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Lee Allen
Mobile (24/7):
FAX: 703-535-1901
Email: lallen@infantadopt.org
Alexandria, VA, September 16, 2002 - After seven years of dedicated and effective service to the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), the last two years as President and CEO, Patrick Purtill is leaving NCFA to join President Bush’s administration as Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Department of Justice. NCFA’s accomplishments during Purtill’s tenure as President include the successful launch of NCFA’s nationwide Infant Adoption Awareness Training Program (an HHS-funded program in which NCFA trains social service professionals on issues involved in adoption and adoption counseling); the enactment of legislation strengthening the federal adoption tax credit; advising the drafting process for the regulations implementing The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption; NCFA’s first member-agency delegation trip to China; and NCFA’s re-location to a new headquarters building in Alexandria, VA.
NCFA Board Chairman Robert Parker said of Purtill’s imminent departure, "Patrick has an impressive record of accomplishments during his two years as NCFA’s President. But our loss is President Bush’s gain. We are pleased for Patrick and proud to see him move on to an important position in the government."
The Board of Directors has named Thomas Atwood as Interim President. As NCFA’s Vice President for Public Policy and Research for the past year, Atwood directed NCFA’s policy analysis and government relations, represented NCFA as a media spokesperson, and served as a liaison to NCFA’s agency members. An adoptive father, Atwood brings to the job nearly two decades of experience with national research, education, and advocacy nonprofits. He has also served on the board of an adoption agency in Virginia for six years.
Of Atwood’s appointment, Purtill said, "I am very pleased to pass the leadership of NCFA to Tom Atwood’s able hands. Because of his passion for adoption and his experience in the nonprofit world, I know Tom will build upon NCFA’s record of achievement and take the organization and the cause of adoption to new heights."
Founded in 1980, the mission of the National Council For Adoption is to promote the well being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by advocating for the positive option of adoption.
About NCFA
Since 1980, the NCFA has been a leading voice among national child adoption and welfare organizations. NCFA is a research, education, and advocacy nonprofit that provides adoption information, promotes ethical adoption practices, works to shape public policy and legislation regarding adoption issues, and serves as a continuing resource to women with unplanned pregnancies, adoptive families, and those seeking to adopt.