DALLAS (November 23, 2004) — Mike Whalen has been named policy chairman of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) by the board of directors of the Dallas-based public policy research organization. Whalen will assume his new duties immediately.

“There is a unique opportunity today for important, fundamental changes in public policy,” Whalen said. “And I look forward to the NCPA taking an even more active role in public debate about important issues like health care, Social Security reform and restructuring the tax system.”

As policy chairman, Whalen will provide direction for NCPA initiatives in several critical areas of public policy, including:

• Health care: NCPA President John C. Goodman has been recognized as the “Father of Health Savings Accounts” (HSAs) by The Wall Street Journal, National Journal and WebMD, and the White House has adopted HSAs as the cornerstone of health care reform.
• Social Security: The NCPA favors personal retirement accounts and through its Team NCPA program was active in bringing the issue of Social Security reform to the forefront in the recent Iowa caucuses, including a TV ad that featured Whalen.
• Tax reform: The NCPA has proposed a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code to provide incentives for savings and investment.

In promoting private-sector solutions to public policy problems, the NCPA also advocates major initiatives in education, energy and the environment

“As a valued NCPA board member, Mike Whalen has proved his commitment to providing private-sector solutions to public policy problems,” said NCPA President John C. Goodman. “We are looking forward to his leadership on these important issues.”

Whalen is president and CEO of Heart of American Restaurants and Inns, and is often referred to as an accidental entrepreneur since his career began with a failed 100-seat coffee shop in Davenport, Iowa. Today, he operates restaurants and hotels in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also is an honors graduate of the University of Illinois and Harvard Law School. Whalen, his wife, Kim, and their children reside in Bettendorf, Iowa