The American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) has appointed Tracy R. Nasca as executive director.

In a release, the ASAA’s executive committee and board of directors thanked Edward Grandi, the former executive director, for his 10 years of dedicated service to the organization and to patients with sleep apnea. Grandi’s last day at ASAA was March 14. In a blog post, Grandi (a long-time Sleep Review editorial advisory board member) bid adieu to his position while stating his continued interest in promoting sleep health. Grandi says some of his major successes include the first Sleep Apnea Awareness Day lecture with David Rapoport (2005), a remake of the “What Is Sleep Apnea?” video with Deborah Papier (2008), the first Sleep Apnea and Trucking Conference with Reid Blank and Bob Stanton (2010), and a proposal to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute for a Patient-Powered Research Network with Susan Redline, Steve DeCelle, and Carl Stepnowsky (2013).

The ASAA says it looks forward to working with Nasca in growing the organization and serving the needs of sleep apnea patients and families. Nasca has served as a board member of the ASAA for the past 2 years. She was diagnosed with sleep apnea 25 years ago and is a passionate patient advocate. Nasca has worked in the sleep field since 1999 and brings her successful business and leadership skills to the ASAA.

The ASAA also announces the appointment of Adam Amdur to the position of chief operating officer. Amdur is the former chairperson of the ASAA board of directors, and a committed patient advocate who has overcome 35 years of undiagnosed sleep apnea. In the role of chief operating officer, Amdur will facilitate the ASAA’s role in the Sleep Apnea Patient Centered Outcomes Network.