SALF Brings Former Sec. Tommy Thompson Aide To Board

July 17 , 2006

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Schiller Park, IL – Save a Life Foundation, (SALF) announces the addition of Andrew Knapp, former aide to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson, to its National Advisory Board.  Knapp, who served Thompson as Deputy Chief of Staff, provided daily briefings on a variety of issues including homeland security.  Knapp also served on the Secretary’s Budget Council. Currently Knapp is the Vice President of Government Relations for Magellan Health Services.

Knapp additionally served as the Acting Deputy Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  In that role, Knapp’s duties include that of Chief Operating Officer overseeing a $3.3 billion budget and over 500 employees. 

“We couldn’t be more honored to have someone of the caliber of Andrew Knapp join our board,” said Carol Spizzirri, SALF’s President and Founder. “His extensive experience and government service at the highest levels in Washington will be a great asset to SALF in our mission to save lives.”

Knapp is no stranger to Illinois, where SALF is headquartered.  He is a native of the state and grew up in Libertyville.  Knapp graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in the James Madison College International Relations program and Spanish.

Save A Life Foundation is a national not for profit organization that advocates and teaches life supporting first aid skills to the public with an emphasis on children.  In 2003, the US Government recognized SALF’s important work, making it an affiliate of Homeland Security’s Citizen Corps.  To date, the organization has trained millions of students in CPR and first aid skills.