Adult Congenital Heart Association names new executive director

The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and extending the lives of adults with congenital heart defects (CHD), announced today the appointment of Glenn R. Tringali as its new National Executive Director.

Tringali comes to ACHA with more than three decades of extensive experience working with small, mid-sized and large national and international healthcare organizations. He succeeds Gail Ober, who led ACHA as Interim Executive Director since October 2013.

“I am honored to join the Adult Congenital Heart Association as National Executive Director,” said Tringali. “With more than a million adults in the United States living with congenital heart defects, there is a clear and compelling need for greater awareness and support of ACHA’s critically important mission and programs. I am truly excited to have this opportunity to work in partnered leadership with our Board of Directors, Medical Advisory Board, staff and volunteers in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by CHD.”

ACHA Board Chair John Fernie commented, “The majority of those born with congenital heart defects are unaware of the need for continued care. An important aspect of our mission is to reach out, support and educate all of those with CHD. Glenn’s demonstrated success in expanding outreach, member support and funding brings strong leadership to these critical efforts.”

Tringali began his nonprofit career with the March of Dimes, where he served in Executive and Regional Director positions over the course of 10 years. He then honed his skills in development, volunteer coordination and fundraising events in various positions at organizations such as The National Conference for Community and Justice, the Cancer Research Institute and Juvenile Diabetes International. He also served as a Senior Manager Nonprofit Consultant for KPMG Peat Marwick.

He later became the Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), during which time he managed the expansion of research, development, public relations and government advocacy programs. Under his leadership, NAAR grew from a $4.2 million organization with a few thousand supporters to a $13.1 million organization with tens of thousands of supporters throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Tringali also grew NAAR’s research program commitments by $6 million. This exemplary success led to the successful merger of NAAR with Autism Speaks, where he assumed the role of Executive Vice President.

Since 2010, Tringali served as the CEO of the Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation, working to advance the organization’s research programs, community awareness and operational funding needs.

“Glenn has a fantastic track record of proven success and his breadth of experience is remarkable. This is an exciting new chapter for ACHA,” added Dr. Curt Daniels, Chair of ACHA's Medical Advisory Board and Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in the Division of Cardiology at The Ohio State University and Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Tringali received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University. He currently resides in central New Jersey.