FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:

Kelly Buck

Centrists.Org

236 Massachusetts Ave, NE

Suite 205
Washington DC, 20002
Phone: 202-546-4090
Fax: 202-546-4091

http://www.centrists.org

Ed Lorenzen to Join Centrists.Org

(Washington, D.C.) -  Centrists.Org welcomes Ed Lorenzen as Executive Director, replacing Jeff Lemieux who recently resigned to become Senior Vice President directing America's Health Insurance Plan’s new Center for Research.

"I am excited about the opportunity to build upon the outstanding work that Jeff has done providing a forum for centrist policymaking," said Lorenzen.  "I believe that Centrists.Org has a vital role to play in finding constructive middle ground solutions which bridge the ideological divide on policy issues. Americans are best served when the best ideas of both sides are blended together to reach balanced, reasonable positions.”

When asked about the decision, Centrists.Org Chairman and co-founder Maya MacGuineas said,      “[w]e are thrilled to have Ed coming on board to lead Centrists. His vast knowledge of budget policy and his proven track record of reaching out to members of both parties is exactly what we need to build on Centrists successes.”

As Legislative Director for Congressman Charlie Stenholm (D-TX), Lorenzen helped coordinate the policy agenda of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of centrist Democrats in the House of Representatives, including drafting the annual Blue Dog budget alternative.  He has been actively involved in the Social Security reform debate, helping develop the only bipartisan Social Security reform proposal in Congress.  The Hill publication included him on the list of "Young Guns" on Capitol Hill, naming him one of the top Congressional staffers under 35.

Additionally, Lorenzen has worked on legislation on welfare reform, campaign finance reform, trade and other business issues.

“I think Ed’s appointment means Centrists.Org has a very bright future,” said Lemieux.  “If anyone can help members of Congress on both sides find compromise solutions on pressing issues like health care and Social Security, it would be Ed.”

Centrists.Org is continuing its search for a Director of the Health Care Policy Project and is exploring other projects.

Centrists.Org is dedicated to finding bipartisan solutions to the nation's most pressing domestic policy problems.