Walter Gramm Named Executive Director of
Business Executives For National Security's
New Jersey Business Force

Fairfield, N.J. – Business Executives for National Security (BENS) has named Walter P. Gramm as the new executive director of the New Jersey Business Force.  He begins on January 1, 2005 and will work out of the Business Force offices in northern New Jersey.  Gramm is currently the chief executive officer of the Metropolitan New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross.  During his seven years as Red Cross CEO Gramm was responsible for a broad range of human services, including emergency disaster relief.  The chapter played a major role in response to the terrorist attack on 9/11.

“Walter Gramm’s excellent leadership of the Red Cross in New Jersey during 9/11 is a testament to his commitment and skill,” said BENS President and CEO General Charles Boyd, USAF (Ret.). “BENS is delighted to have him on board.”

In 2002, Gramm was named by the American Red Cross National organization as the top Red Cross professional in the United States and received the National Tiffany Award.  He has also been honored with a state Senate resolution for his service to the citizens of New Jersey.

Gramm replaces Brian Dunlap, who helped found the New Jersey Business Force. Dunlap leaves to become an executive vice president of the CIT Group in Livingston, New Jersey.

“Brian was indispensable in starting the first Business Force in the country,” said BENS Senior Vice President Ern Blackwelder from BENS headquarters in Washington, D.C. “We thank him for his important contribution and we’re excited about working with Walter and building on the strong foundation in New Jersey.”

“It is an honor to be joining a well-respected and high-impact organization like BENS.  I am excited about the opportunity to leverage my skills and experiences across a broad range of New Jersey businesses and organizations in a way that will provide a significantly better preparation and response to the citizens of New Jersey should another terrorist attack or other major disaster occur,” said Gramm.

BENS is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving national security.  BENS uses the knowledge and experience of senior-level business executives to develop working solutions to security challenges. For further information, contact Michael Lucinski at (202) 296-2125 or visit www.bens.org.