Los Angeles, CA (January 20, 2017) – Celiac Disease Foundation, the nation’s leading voluntary health organization for celiac disease, announces the appointment of two officers to its Board of Directors. The new appointments are Chair James J. Watson of Park West Asset Management LLC and Treasurer Christopher J. Holland of AXIS Re US. The Foundation also announced the reappointments of Vice Chair Chad Hines of Sun Pacific Insurance Brokers and Secretary Bradley J. Herrema of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.
Reappointed for the 2017-2019 term are Directors Deidre Berman, Marvin Berman, Michael Karp, MD, Emily Luxford, RD, Jody Morris, RN, Jordan Ramer, and Rhonda Resnick, and continuing their 2016 term are Adrienne Bender and Linda Solomon.
“I am honored that this respected Board of Directors has granted me the opportunity to provide leadership and direction as we continue to make progress in celiac disease research, education, and advocacy,” stated James J. Watson, CDF Board Chair. “The entire Board looks forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in our quest to drive diagnosis, treatment, and a cure for celiac disease and non-celiac wheat/gluten sensitivity.”
Watson is the Chief Operating Officer of Park West Asset Management LLC, a hedge fund located in Larkspur, California, and is responsible for all operational aspects of running Park West. His responsibilities include overseeing marketing, investor relations, accounting, human resources, audit, legal, tax, information technology, and office management.
Watson was diagnosed with celiac disease in April 2012 and with microscopic colitis in August 2013. He attended his first Celiac Disease Foundation National Conference in the spring of 2014. At the Conference, Watson instantly connected with a brief speech given by the past CDF Board Chair, Marc Riches, and eagerly wanted to be a part of the CDF team. Watson is passionate about CDF’s role as an advocate for all of those afflicted with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity. He resides in Kentfield, California with his wife, Rebecca, and their two children.
To view the full biographies of the Celiac Disease Foundation Board of Directors, click here.
About Celiac Disease Foundation
Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1990 to improve the quality of life for all individuals impacted by celiac disease and non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity. Affecting 1% of the world’s population and with a prevalence doubling every 15 years, celiac disease is both a serious genetic autoimmune disorder and a growing public health challenge. Despite a simple blood screening test, only one in five celiac disease sufferers is diagnosed, leaving millions at risk for long-term health complications including type 1 diabetes, disease of the thyroid, liver, and heart, and intestinal cancers. CDF leads the fight to increase the rate of diagnosis, to improve treatments, and to find a cure.
James J. Watson Elected Board Chair of Celiac Disease Foundation