Kourpias Retires as Alliance for Retired Americans President

by James Parks, Feb 12, 2009

George Kourpias

George Kourpias, president of the Alliance for Retired Americans since its inception in 2001, has  announced  his retirement as head of the organization.

Under Kourpias’ leadership, the Alliance grew into a 3.5 million member organization that was a leader in stopping then-President Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security. In the 2008 presidential elections, Alliance activists mobilized in key battleground states to highlight the stark contrasts between Barack Obama and John McCain on Social Security and Medicare. On Election Day, union retirees voted for Obama by 72-26 percent.

Kourpias said that on the heels of the November election, it is time to turn over the reins of the Alliance.

I have never been more proud of my fellow union retirees than I was on election night.  But all that our hard work and great success guarantees us is an opportunity—nothing more. It has been a tremendous honor to help grow and lead a progressive army of grassroots retirees. We have fostered lifelong activism among union and community leaders, and I believe our collective voice has made a difference.

The Alliance’s executive board will meet later this month and is expected to name Barbara Easterling, the AFL-CIO’s first female officer and former secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America, as the organization’s new president.

Easterling said Kourpias “can never be replaced,”

but I will do all I can to continue his great work. By standing together and speaking as one, we can reform our nation’s broken health care system, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and leave behind a better America for our children and grandchildren.  I am both humbled and excited by this new opportunity.

Alliance Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks added:

Retirees owe George a large debt of gratitude for his energy, his vision and his passion to grow the retiree movement. Thanks to George, Alliance members are politically savvy seniors.

“George is a close personal and professional friend,” said Edward Coyle, the Alliance’s executive director. 

He taught me and many others enduring lessons about how to capture the power and passion of grassroots advocates.  It has been a true pleasure to work with him.

Prior to becoming Alliance president, Kourpias served as president of the National Council for Senior Citizens, the predecessor organization to the Alliance, and was president of the Machinists for eight years.

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