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Thissen Elected National President of Federal Employee/Retiree Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Jessica Klement
September 2, 2014 703-838-7760
  jklement@narfe.org

Alexandria, VA – Richard G. Thissen of Lake Ozark, MO, was elected to a two-year term as the National President of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) at its 33rd Biennial National Convention in Orlando, FL, August 24-28. He has served as NARFE’s National Treasurer since 2011. Thissen will take office on November 1, 2014.

Delegates of the 250,000 member-strong organization determined NARFE’s direction for the next two years and set goals for the Association’s legislative program, including preserving the earned benefits of federal employees and retirees.

“I am honored to have been elected to serve as NARFE’s National President,” Thissen said. “NARFE has been a strong advocate for federal employees and retirees for more than 93 years. I am excited to have this opportunity to lead the Association as we continue to fight on behalf of our nation’s active and retired civil servants. I know we will have challenging days ahead. I pledge to do all that I can as NARFE National President to safeguard the compensation and benefits our federal employees and annuitants have earned through their unwavering service to the American people.”

A NARFE member since 1995, Thissen previously served as president of the Association’s Missouri Federation and later as NARFE Region V regional vice president from 2002 until 2011 when he was appointed to fill the post of National Treasurer.

Thissen spent 27 years in federal service as a civilian working for the Department of the Army and developed an extensive background in employee and retiree benefits and regulations.

Thissen is a native of Fort Dodge, IA, and attended Grandview College and Drake University.

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The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), one of America’s oldest and largest associations, was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the interests of nearly five million current and future federal annuitants, spouses and survivors.