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: Structured Settlements 4Real

NSSTA President Clarifies Story Concerning Executive Director Search

By John Darer

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On January 31, 2008, Smith Bucklin released a press release which announced that Diane Swenson would be the Executive Director of two associations it manages, one of them being the National Structured Settlements Trade Association(NSSTA). That release was followed by a February 8, 2008 post reiterating the same on DealFlow Media's Structured Settlements Wire ( as an aside, in the same post DealFlow Media inaccurately reported that Randy Dyer had been "ousted". He remains involved in the NSSTA as an executive)

The following news release by NSSTA President Henry L. Strong was sent on Friday night to members of the NSSTA:

"This afternoon, some NSSTA members started receiving second-hand reports about a NSSTA personnel matter that were flat-out inaccurate. Given the need to set this record straight immediately, please read this important notice.

As you know, NSSTA is considering candidates to be executive director. One very qualified candidate had seven years experience with the trade association that represents the nation?s credit unions. She had extensive experience not only in management but also in consumer advocacy. Additionally, she was familiar with structured settlements.

At issue was what she did prior to this: serving as lobbyist and chief financial officer for a large tort reform coalition.

You should be assured that the Board takes very seriously NSSTA?s commitment to work with both the plaintiff and defense bar. As Joe Jamail said in his speech in Austin, ?You in the structured settlement field are intricately entwined with the lawyers in protecting [the plaintiff?s financial security].? All of us understand that charge.

Based on assurances that this person?s tort reform activities were a decade or more in the past, the Board tentatively agreed to allow her to become involved in some managerial activities.

On Tuesday, however, we became aware that, as part of her employment at Smith Bucklin, she was working for an organization that was lobbying in support of a tort reform law involving injuries due to lumber transportation. At that point, the Board IMMEDIATELY notified Smith Bucklin that this person must be withdrawn from consideration and would not be allowed to serve as NSSTA?s executive director.

That?s the whole story. She was not ?fired? as NSSTA's executive director because she had never been hired! Period. Those with other agendas involving a plaintiff?s financial settlement can try to misrepresent this but facts are facts!

As a NSSTA member, you should be assured that NSSTA is adamant about hiring an executive director who can build a good relationship with state and national trial lawyer associations.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Henry Strong
NSSTA President (2007-08)"

Full post as published by Structured Settlements 4Real on February 15, 2008 (boomark / email).