Lambda Legal Elects New Members to Board of Directors

(New York, October 31, 2008) — Lambda Legal announces the election of four new outstanding leaders to serve on its Board of Directors and they are: Ramona Alves of Greenbae, California; Eric J. Nilson of Cleveland, Ohio; Brad Seiling of Los Angeles California; and Richard B. Weiss of Indianapolis, Indiana.

"We're grateful that these talented and dedicated people have volunteered their time to be leaders for Lambda Legal. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to make the case for equality for LGBT people across the country," said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal.

Ramona Alves, the Northwest General Manager of Glotel, Inc, joins Lambda Legal's Board of Directors from Greenbae, California. In her 22 years of overseeing operations and managing network development for wireless and wireline providers, Alves has been a seasoned and expert business team leader. She has extensive experience in product development, process improvement, and building innovative business solutions. Her prior work includes a position as the CEO/ COO of Rapt Industries and as CEO of Chat Communications Services, a startup telecommunications EF&I Service Company. Alves served on Lambda Legal's National Leadership Council from 2002-2004.

"I have had the pleasure of working with Mona for many years," Cathcart said, "and I know how strategic she is. We are very fortunate that she will add her vision and leadership skills to our work at Lambda Legal by serving on our Board."

Eric J. Nilson, the Managing Director and Investment Officer at Wachovia Securities, joins Lambda Legal's Board of Directors from Cleveland, Ohio. Nilson has extensive skills in market, risk, and technical analysis. He has been featured in magazines such as Inside Business, On Wall Street, and Sales and Marketing  Management Magazine. He was a National Board Member and Treasurer of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and was also the Mayor's Representative of the Citizen's Committee on HIV/AIDS in Cleveland.

"Eric has been an active member of the LGBT and HIV movements for civil rights for many years and joining Lambda Legal's Board is one more demonstration of his dedication," Cathcart said. "During these difficult economic times, we are particularly happy to have a person with his considerable financial expertise join our Board of Directors."

Brad Seiling has been a partner at Manatt Phelps & Phillips in Los Angeles since 1996. He has significant bench and jury trial experience and specializes in defending class actions, representative lawsuits, and handling litigation in the financial services industries. In addition, Mr. Seiling has extensive experience in employment litigation and counseling.  He has also defended race and age discrimination case as well as sexual harassment cases.

"Brad has served on our National Leadership Council for three years and he has been a powerful advocate for equality in Los Angeles," Cathcart said "We are so pleased that he is bringing his great expertise as an attorney to our national Board of Directors." 

Richard B. Weiss is the Senior Vice President of American HealthCare Group, Inc., a health insurance consulting firm in Indianapolis which he started with his brother eight years ago. Weiss has been committed to various organizations that defend LGBT and HIV rights such as Bread and Roses and GMHC.  He began his active involvement in Lambda Legal as a volunteer and eventually became co-chair of the 2006 and 2007 Indianapolis Lambda Legal benefit dinners. In 2007, Weiss provided the commitment for a matching grant, and co-funded, with an anonymous donor, an additional grant this year.

"Rick has shown terrific leadership and has really helped us expand our work in Indianapolis," Cathcart said. "And as we expand our work at Lambda Legal in the area of health care fairness, we will be fortunate to have someone with his deep level of expertise in the health care insurance industry."

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Erin Baer 212-809-8585 ext 267; E: ebaer@lambdalegal.org