The Chairman’s Corner

I have great news about The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia):  The board of directors has elected Jeffrey B. Lane to be its new Chair beginning February 1, 2012.  Since joining the board last year, Jeff has been co-chair of our investment committee.

Jeff has enjoyed a distinguished career in the financial field and maintains a deep interest in health care.  He is a director of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital System (which includes Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan) and co-chair of its investment committee.  His career includes positions as Chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Shearson Lehman, and Vice Chairman of Lehman Brothers and of Travelers Group.  He is a graduate of New York University and holds an MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.

Jeff is enthusiastic about taking on this task and the board and I are even more enthusiastic that he will be chair of CASA Columbia.  I will become Chairman Emeritus and at Jeff’s request remain on the board.  I look forward to helping him.

This is a major step forward for CASA Columbia as it moves to build on its reputation as the premier institution that brings together all the skills needed to research and combat all substance abuse in all sectors of society, continues to seek effective means to prevent and treat this devastating disease, maintains its interest in helping kids grow up healthy and drug free, and expands its influence in the field.