PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jerrica Thurman, Director, Communications, jerrica@amputee-coalition.org
(June 21, 2022, Washington, D.C.) The Amputee Coalition welcomes John F. Register as its new interim president and CEO effective immediately. Register was appointed by the Board after the former president and CEO Mary Richards departed on June 15, 2022.“Mary Richards joined the Coalition in 2019 at a time when it was transitioning to the next level in its role as a leading amputee advocacy organization. Since that time, she demonstrated real strength in identifying longer range strategies which are necessary to evolve an organization, as well as the courage to lean in to ensure that those strategies come to fruition. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the organization, and the community we serve, we thank Mary Richards for her service, to the organization. We wish her much success in her future endeavors,” said Lorraine Riche, chair of the Board of Directors for the Amputee Coalition.As the Acting President and CEO, John Register will lead the organization to convene its 2022 National Conference and Youth Camp, strengthen staff capacity, and deepen relationships with community members and partners. Register joined the Amputee Coalition Board of Directors in January 2018, bringing not only his personal experiences living with limb loss but also a passion for empowering the community to share their stories and enhance perception, policy, and passion. He is a Gulf War Army Veteran, a four-time track and field All-American and a two-time Olympic trials qualifier. After amputation of his left leg, he won the long jump silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000. He has appeared on national television, counseled U.S. Secretaries of State on Disability Foreign Policy, and is a well-respected public speaker and coach. He founded the United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Military Sports Program helping wounded, ill and injured service members use sport as a tool for their rehabilitation and is associate director of the U.S. Paralympics. He also hosts a blog talk radio show entitled “Life’s New Normal,” where listeners are introduced to and interact with guests who have overcome a life challenge.“John Register has served on the board and is an advocate for those with limb loss and limb difference. An amputee himself, he is a man of resiliency and passion. He is committed to advancing the organization through this transition period. He is the perfect choice to usher in our next phase of the Amputee Coalition,” said Riche.Register will serve as the acting president and CEO until a permanent replacement can be named.Richards wished Register well in his new leadership role during her final remarks. “After three years serving this community, I’ve made the hard decision to step down as president and CEO of the Amputee Coalition. I’m incredibly proud of the work this team has done to modernize the organization, reach people when they need us most, enact new legislation for the community, and better serve the diverse range of people who experience limb loss or limb difference. The organization is ready for its next chapter, and I am looking forward to taking some time off before moving on to mine. I wish the new leadership and the team the best of luck in building on the work we’ve accomplished together,” she said.###Amputee Coalition: The Leading Voice on Limb Loss and Limb DifferenceThe Amputee Coalition is the only national nonprofit that serves all individuals who experience limb loss or limb difference. We are dedicated to ensuring that no one faces limb loss alone. Our mission is to reach out and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through support, education, advocacy, and prevention. We work to provide vital resources to people with limb loss and limb difference, as well as their families and caregivers. With these resources, they can recover, readjust, and live the life they most want to live. Learn more at www.amputee-coalition.org.