UA Law School Graduate Elected Chair Of American Heart Association National Board

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama School of Law graduate William J. Bryant has been elected chairman of the national board of the American Heart Association.

Bryant, a tax attorney in Birmingham with the law firm of Feld, Hyde, Lyle, Wertheimer & Bryant, P.C., received both his juris doctorate and his LL.M. from the UA School of Law in 1974 and 1980, respectively. A member of the board of trustees of the American Institute of Federal Taxation, Bryant practices primarily in business organizations, mergers and acquisitions, finance and general taxation. He was the managing shareholder in the firm from February 1998 to February 2000.

Bryant’s new post was announced during the American Heart Association’s recent annual Delegate Assembly. He will serve during the 2000-2001 fiscal year. In his role as chief volunteer executive officer, Bryant will preside over meetings of the board of directors and administrative cabinet and oversee the administration of all of the association’s affairs, including public relations and fund raising.

Bryant began volunteering for the American Heart Association in the 1980s with the Selma-Dallas County Chapter, later serving as the board chairman of the Alabama Affiliate. He now serves on the board of the Southeast Affiliate, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

With more than three million volunteers, the American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. It spent more than $320 million during the 1998-1999 fiscal year on research support, public and professional education and community programs.