Press Releases: 2004 Releases

Actor William H. Macy Elected to UCP Board of Trustees (4/15/04)

Acclaimed Film and Television Star One of 15 Distinguished Leaders Tapped to Lead One of America’s Foremost Disability Advocacy Groups

Washington, DC, April 15, 2004 – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leader in national disability issues and advocacy, announced today that William H. Macy and fourteen experts in the fields of healthcare, finance, law, public policy and philanthropy were unanimously elected to the UCP Board of Trustees at the organization’s annual conference in Boston earlier this month.

An Oscar® nominee and Emmy Award winner, Macy established himself as a prominent advocate of people with disabilities when he co-wrote and starred in Door to Door. The TNT network movie won six Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actor. The film tells the true story of Bill Porter, an award winning door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy. For the past year, Macy has supported fundraising and public education campaigns as a UCP volunteer Goodwill Ambassador.

An accomplished film, television and stage actor and writer for over thirty years, Macy is one of the leading performers of his generation. Some of William Macy’s recent film credits include Magnolia, Pleasantville, Happy Texas, State and Main, Jurassic Park 3, A Civil Action, Fargo, Boogie Nights, Wag the Dog and Ghosts of Mississippi. He can be seen this spring in the Showtime Original Picture Stealing Sinatra and the CBS mini-series Reversible Errors.

"Bill Macy and the new Board of Trustees represent an extraordinary spectrum of experience and influence, and UCP will be even stronger with these proven leaders at the helm. They are united in their dedication to protecting and advancing the independence and civil rights of all people with disabilities," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy.

The United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees, in addition to its fiduciary responsibilities, oversees the long-term strategic vision and policy of the organization consistent with UCP's mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

Other Members of the New Board of Trustees

Loreen Arbus, of Beverly Hills, CA, is an entertainment executive, accomplished author and activist for people with disabilities. Ms. Arbus is the daughter of UCP founders Leonard and Isabelle Goldenson.

Rick Fleetwood, of Little Rock, AR, is CEO of Snell Laboratories and an expert in the health care products field. Mr. Fleetwood is a board member of the Arkansas Governor’s Commission of People with Disabilities.

Debbie Francis, of Dallas, TX, is the former Chairperson of the United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Dallas Board of Directors. She was also appointed to serve on the Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities by Governor Perry. She was also a member of President Bush’s Inaugural Committee in 2000.

Eric Hespenheide, of Detroit, MI, is an Internal Audit Services Global Managing Partner at Deloitte & Touche. He is also the former President of UCP of Metro Detroit.

James Introne, of Syracuse, NY, is President of the Loretto Management Corporation. He is a former Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and a former Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy.

Kevin Kelly, of Memphis, TN, is President of the Pentad Group. He is a decorated combat veteran, a person with a disability and a successful real estate businessman.

Dr. John “Jack” Maguire, of Concord, MA, is a physicist, professor, community leader and Chairman of Maguire Associates. He previously served as Dean of Admissions of Boston College.

Lowell Marks, of West Hollywood, CA, is the former Chairman of the Southern California Association of Philanthropy, where he led the collaborative efforts of 120 corporate, community and private foundation members.

Thomas O’Donnell, of Kansas City, MO, is an attorney and past Chair of the Health Care Practice Group at the law firm Polsinelli, Shalton & Welte, P.C. He is an expert in the fields of managed care, provider issues and regulatory matters.

Anita Porco, of Dallas, TX, Anita Porco is President and Owner of Nurses Today, Inc., which provides in-home nursing services throughout the Dallas metro area. Anita was most recently Chair of the Interim Board of Trustees of United Cerebral Palsy Associations. This leadership role is the result of years of advocacy for people with disabilities including a 14 year history with UCP organizations.

Anne Rader, of New York, NY, is Deputy Vice President of SeedCo. She serves on the President’s National Council on Disability and was a Special Assistant to Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole.

James Stearns, of Washington, DC, is a Managing Partner at the law firm of Halloran & Sage. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education during the Reagan Administration.

Karen Holmes Ward, of Boston, MA, is Director of Public Affairs and host of CityLine on WCVB-TV Boston. She is a well-known civic leader in the Boston market and a leading advocate of women and people of color in media and business. Duncan Wyeth, of Holt, MI, is Executive Director of the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns. He is an author and has been an advocate for disability issues for over 30 years. Mr. Wyeth also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Services.

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with disabilities, through an affiliate network.

UCP is comprised of 99 affiliates in 36 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.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of the consumers serviced by UCP affiliates have disabilities other than cerebral palsy. United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s most efficient charities, with a system-wide average of 85% of all revenues going to programs and services.

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