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John Walsh, Term: 2008–2012
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 Mr. John Walsh was diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1), a rare genetic disorder, in 1989. He is the co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Alpha-1 Foundation in Miami, Florida. Under his leadership, the organization has become internationally recognized and has invested more than $35 million to support Alpha-1 research and related projects, which includes funding grant awards to more than 60 academic institutions in North America and Europe. Mr. Walsh is also co-founder and President of AlphaNet, Inc., a not-for-profit health management services company providing comprehensive care exclusively for individuals with Alpha-1. AlphaNet provides services to more than 2,500 individuals with Alpha-1 in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Because of the infrastructure and support provided by the Foundation and AlphaNet, several companies have drugs in development for the treatment of Alpha-1.
Mr. Walsh has an extensive background in business management and government relations. He served three terms on the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability, is a member and past Chairperson of the National Health Council’s Board of Directors, and was the Presidential Appointee to the American Thoracic Society’s Board of Directors. He is a member and past Chair of the American Thoracic Society Public Advisory Roundtable (ATS-PAR).
Mr. Walsh is also co-founder and President of the COPD Foundation, which addresses the needs of those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, he has held leadership roles with the Center for Genetic Research Ethics and Law (CGREAL) at Case Western Reserve University, the Foundation of the American Thoracic Society, and the International COPD Coalition. Mr. Walsh is a member of the U.S. COPD Coalition’s Executive Committee and immediate past chair of the International COPD Coalition.
In 2002, Mr. Walsh’s contribution to pioneering collaboration in orphan drug development was recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the Commissioner’s Special Citation.
He and his wife live in Coconut Grove, Florida, and have an adult daughter.
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