Firman called “the leader when it comes to reframing age in an era of a just society”

Arlington, VA, August 2, 2019: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is proud to announce that James Firman, President and CEO, has been named to The NonProfit Times Power & Influence Top 50 list for 2019. The editors of the respected publication wrote of Firman: “He’s making a difference in reversing the concept that interventions for older Americans were designed for impact, not scale. He is the leader when it comes to reframing age in an era of a just society.” This is the sixth time in the past seven years that Firman has been included in this prestigious list, which places him in the organization’s Hall of Fame.

“I am honored and humbled by this award, but even more honored and humbled by the efforts of my NCOA colleagues and NCOA partners who collaboratively have improved the lives of 10 million older adults in the past decade,” said Firman. “At NCOA, we are committed to reaching 40 million older adults by 2030 as part of our vision of a just and caring society where every person can age with their best possible health and economic security.”

For more than 35 years, Firman has been a leading force for innovation in services, programs, and public policies for older adults. Since becoming president and CEO in January 1995, Firman has led NCOA to become the national leader in benefits access, economic security, falls prevention, evidence-based healthy aging programs, and public policy for older adults, especially those who are struggling.

Firman is the creator of two NCOA signature services that have impacted the lives of millions—BenefitsCheckUp®, a free online tool that screens older adults for benefits to pay for daily needs, and the Aging Mastery Program®, an innovative effort to develop new expectations, norms, and pathways for people to make the most of their gift of longevity.

“I read once that vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world,” said Firman. “I'm incredibly proud to be co-creating a vision for aging well in America and taking action with so many individuals and organizations who want to make it possible for all of us.”