November 29, 2007

BETHESDA, Md — Terry D. Portis, EdD, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA, formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, or SHHH) resigned during the November Board of Trustees meeting held in Bethesda. He will continue to serve as executive director for the near future. The Board has announced the convening of a search committee for a new executive director. 

 HLAA is the nation’s largest consumer advocacy organization for people with hearing loss with 250 chapters and 15 state organizations. The national headquarters is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

The search committee will be chaired by HLAA Legal Advisor Henry Fader of Pepper Hamilton LLP to review candidates. The executive director of HLAA manages the staff, oversees programs, and ensures the future and success of the organization through leadership and fundraising.

Pope says, “Throughout the last five years Terry has been a masterful educator. If you visit www.hearingloss.org, you know that Terry has positioned HLAA in the Internet era with a handsomely designed Web site that has vastly expanded content including interactive chat rooms and message boards. He helped HLAA fulfill its mission to educate, inform and support. During his tenure, Terry has been an advocate for communication access specific to the needs of people who are hard of hearing. With his wife, Denise, Terry has made legions of friends across the country while educating them with his informative and entertaining presentations on hearing loss and its impact.”

“The organization is well positioned for an expansive growth period and sustained success in accomplishing its mission,” says Portis. “No other organization is advancing the cause of hearing loss as well as the Hearing Loss Association of America. Serving as executive director was more of a personal cause than simply holding a professional position. My wife Denise and I plan to remain active members of HLAA and continue to support the Frederick (MD) Chapter. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as executive director for the past five years.”

For more information about the position and the search process, contact Fader at [email protected] or President Anne Pope at [email protected].

SOURCE: Hearing Loss Association of America