Press Releases: 2003 Releases

UCP Appoints Stephen Bennett To CEO

Respected Healthcare and Business Executive Brings More Than 30 Years of Broad Experience to Lead One of America’s Leading Charities Dedicated to Improving Lives of People with Disabilities

Washington, DC - April 21, 2003 - United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc. (UCP) today announced that Stephen Bennett has been named Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective May 1, 2003. In his new role, Bennett will lead the national organization in working with its nationwide network of 105 affiliates as they continue to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities across America.

Bennett brings more than 30 years of health care and business leadership experience to UCP, the premier organization in the country serving individuals with disabilities. His demonstrated success in business development, strategic planning, financial management, marketing, event production, and local and national public policy made him an ideal candidate for the leadership position.

“Stephen is a strong leader with a distinguished track record, and he embodies all the characteristics that make him uniquely suited to be UCP’s CEO," said Hal Nolan, President of the Board of UCP. "Stephen’s vast and successful professional experience and his vision for the organization complement our current staff and our goals. His marketing expertise, brand building strengths, creativity, passion for public health, and reputation for setting and achieving high standards and goals, makes him an obvious choice for this role.”

"It is with great excitement and honor that I join the UCP family—of talented staff, volunteers and affiliates around the country—who have been working diligently to advance the rights of people with disabilities for more than 50 years,” said Bennett. "UCP is a powerful organization driven by a dedicated workforce, and I am eager to lead this group to its next level of growth. This is a unique opportunity that I embrace with great passion."

Bennett is no stranger to UCP. From 1978-1986 he served as Executive Director of UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, during which time, he developed housing and assisted living facilities for people with disabilities in the Los Angeles area in addition to furthering extensive public policy work on both the state and federal levels.

Bennett was the President of Pallotta TeamWorks from 2001-2002, where he managed 380 employees and an operating budget of $76 million as the company produced fundraising events for breast cancer and AIDS. From 1992-2001, he created and headed a national consulting practice in business strategy with a focus on health care in 1992-2001. The firm developed business strategy and managed projects in managed care, financing, regional strategy, market strategy, public policy, and e-health. From 1989-1992, Bennett was the CEO of AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), where he was credited with saving one of the nation’s largest AIDS service organizations from bankruptcy. He established APLA as a national model for charitable events and public awareness.

Bennett received his BA in Political Science from Pepperdine University and has taught at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and at Pepperdine University’s MBA programs.

About UCP
UCP’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. UCP is a leading source of information on cerebral palsy and an advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers and providers of essential programs and services.

UCP is comprised of 105 affiliates in 37 states who offer a broad array of programs and services for people with disabilities, such as employment services, early intervention programs, assistive technology training, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. 65% of the consumers served by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. UCP is one of the nation’s most efficient charities, with a system wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services. For additional information about UCP, visit www.ucp.org.

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