NAE Names New Executive Director

(NAE 1.18.07) - W. Todd Bassett, former National Commander of The Salvation Army, has been named Executive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

"Todd Bassett brings the highest level of leadership and experience to his new position asExecutive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals," said Leith Anderson, NAEPresident. "He is well known and respected among evangelicals and the broader religiouscommunity of America. I am thrilled to have him join our leadership team."

Bassett has served on the association’s Executive Committee for four years, representing The Salvation Army, one of the organization’s 60 member denominations. In his new role as Executive Director, he will oversee NAE’s administrative, financial, and communications functions and help formulate and implement organizational vision and strategy.

"As former National Commander of The Salvation Army, one of the premier serviceorganizations in the world, Todd will bring a wealth of experience to this new role," said Richard Cizik, Vice President for Governmental Affairs. "We all look forward to working with him. He’s a man of great integrity and spiritual stature," Cizik said.

"I’ve watched first hand his handling of a national crisis, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it wreaked, and can say that the credit The Salvation Army received for its splendid response, can in part be given to his leadership. Moreover, Todd has a special burden for the poor and he’ll be able to lend his commitment and experience to this aspect of our governmental affairs work," Cizik said.

Todd and his wife Carol were commissioned as officers in the Salvation Army in 1965 and have served in ministry for nearly 42 years in a variety of appointments. Their assignments have included youth ministry, the School for Officers' Training, and divisional and territorial leadership. They also served for two years at the Army's International Headquarters in London.

Bassett was appointed National Commander of the Salvation Army in 2002 and served in that post until April 2006. (Source: National Association of Evangelicals, www.nae.net)