News

Arlington, VA, October 30, 2006 - The National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC), the nation's leader in developing programs to bring the experience of older workers to the changing workplace, today announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Gregory A. Merrill as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2007.

Mr. Merrill has extensive experience in nonprofit management and advocating for older Americans. He spent 19 years with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), moving from research and planning to legislative affairs. For seven years, he served as the Director of State Legislation of AARP, during a period when the association was becoming more involved with older worker issues. In 2001, he joined the NOWCC Board of Directors and served as Chair from 2002 until August of this year.

Larry Anderson, NOWCC's outgoing President, stated, "I am so pleased to see our Board of Directors place NOWCC into the experienced and capable hands of Greg Merrill. Under Greg's strong leadership, I know that NOWCC will build even greater opportunities for government and private-sector business to leverage the skills and talents of our nation's experienced workers."

In accepting the offer from the Board, Mr. Merrill stated, "NOWCC and the larger community of older workers owe Larry Anderson a debt of gratitude for his ceaseless efforts on their behalf. I look forward to building on his legacy, and to continuing the productive relationships Larry has established and to carry out his vision."

Over the past 15 years, Mr. Merrill has managed legislative, policy, and political activities for three national nonprofit associations. Most recently, he served as the Managing Director of the Chlorine Chemistry Council, a business unit of the American Chemistry Council, the nation's leading trade association representing the business of chemistry.

NOWCC, chartered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in December 1996, expands choices and opportunities for individuals age 40 and over through training, job placement, civic engagement, education, and research. Based in Arlington, VA, and with field offices in Dallas and Denver, NOWCC directly serves mid-career and older workers through the unique Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program operated and funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This year NOWCC expanded its operations via the ACES program based on the successful SEE Program model, serving the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both programs provide complete employment services in cooperation with federal and state agencies to over 650 full and part-time workers.

NOWCC's mission is to meet employers' needs for competent workers by providing access to individuals age 40 and over, and to enhance lifelong employment opportunities of experienced workers through training, job placement, education, research and advocacy.