Press room ... 1999 archive

Project Inform Announces
Appointment of New Executive Director

January 27, 1999

San Francisco, CA—Project Inform, the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS treatment information and advocacy source, announced the appointment of Avi Rose, LCSW, as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective February 1, 1999. Mr. Rose will take over from Annette Brands, MFCC, who has steered the organization for the past five years.

As Executive Director, Rose will oversee Project Inform’s unique approach to providing comprehensive HIV treatment education and advocacy services. Project Inform operates with a staff of 22 employees and 190 volunteers. Its annual budget is $2.1 million.

“Annette has done an excellent job, and we are all sorry to see her go,” said Ken Turner, Chair of Project Inform’s Board of Directors. “But we are delighted with Avi and the experience he brings to us, and pleased to see how the two of them are organizing a smooth and productive transition.”

Avi Rose has been involved with HIV services in a number of different communities since 1985, working as a social worker, therapist, community organizer, public policy advocate, and administrator. He worked previously in San Francisco during the 1980’s, coordinating the HIV program at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Most recently, he served as HIV Services Manager and then Interim Executive Director of Tri-City Health Center in Fremont, CA. Rose was one of the founders of AIDS National Interfaith Network and in recent years has spoken and written publicly about the psychological issues faced by people living long-term with HIV. Rose also served for four years on the East Bay’s HIV Planning Council.

“I am thrilled to come to work for Project Inform,” said Rose. “Both personally and professionally, I have seen for years how people depend on PI for its town meetings, its publications, its hotline, and its bold advocacy. I feel deeply honored now to come to work for this organization, which I have always seen as being absolutely clear about its mission to keep people alive and to end this epidemic as quickly as possible.”

Martin Delaney says, “Avi Rose comes to Project Inform as the result of an exhaustive and highly professional search process. Over the years we have learned what it takes for someone to succeed in this job. Avi was our unanimous choice. I fully expect that Avi Rose, like Annette Brands before him, will make an outstanding partner for myself, the board, and the staff of Project Inform in the pursuit of our mission. I couldn’t be happier with the choice.”

Annette Brands added, “I have been honored to participate in the critical work of Project Inform. am especially proud to have served in an organization that increasingly reaches those people most under-served in this epidemic: particularly women, young people, and people of color. As Avi Rose takes on the leadership of the organization, I am certain he is the perfect person to continue the vital work of ensuring that that all people living with HIV have the information they need to live longer and healthier lives.”

Mr. Rose is a graduate of the University of Southern California (MSW 1983) and Brandeis University (BA 1975). He is a licensed clinical social worker with a private psychotherapy practice. Rose is also a co-editor of the anthology, Twice Blessed: On Being Lesbian or Gay and Jewish. Rose is a native of Connecticut and currently lives in Oakland.