The Amputee Coalition of America's board of directors has elected Marshall Cohen, a partner of Cohen & Perfetto LLP, as chair of the board. Having served on the organization's board for the past six years, he has played a pivotal role for the ACA. "Marshall brings a level of experience and strategic know-how to our board leadership that will be immensely important as the organization begins to implement its new five-year strategic plan in 2010," said Kendra Calhoun, Amputee Coalition president and CEO. "He is a tireless champion for the limb loss community, and I look forward to working with him this year as our board chair." "It is truly an honor for me to serve as chair of an organization that makes a clear and tangible impact in the lives of people affected by limb loss," said Cohen. "Working with this fine board, which includes a majority of amputees, including myself, is a great pleasure, as we are able to direct strategic decisions that set our agenda on issues such as volunteerism, public policy lobbying efforts, healthcare and research agendas as well as the overall branding for the ACA." When he was 64, Cohen, with the medical input of his orthopedist, decided that amputation was the best quality-of-life solution for the deteriorating condition of his right leg, which had been malformed from birth. "I decided in September 2003 that my quality of life would be much improved if I could gain increased functionality with a prosthetic device," said Cohen. "While this was a difficult decision, it was the right decision for me." Cohen became a founding partner of Cohen & Perfetto LLP shortly after his surgery. Along with Louis Perfetto, the firm's managing partner, they have been able to cement a spot in the legal real estate market for their boutique firm. Cohen hopes to apply his experience in helping to lead a successful law firm in his role as chair. As an active ACA board member, Cohen served as chair of the development committee. In 2009, he was a key figure in inaugurating the Pebble Party program, which raised more than $50,000 for the Amputee Coalition of America's Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp. On behalf of individuals with prosthetics, he has vigorously supported lobbying efforts for equitable insurance coverage. Also an accomplished scholar, Cohen has taught at Harvard, MIT and Columbia Law School. He holds a BA in American Civilization from Rutgers University, a PhD in American History from Harvard University and a JD from Columbia University. Cohen lives with his wife, Jean Keh, in New York City and Great Barrington, Mass. His passions are opera and tennis. Cohen also serves on the board of the Aston Magna Music Foundation in Great Barrington. For a link to the Amputee Coalition of America's Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp: amputehttp://dev/tools/news_clean.php?id=40769e-coalition.org/youth_camp.html.