AAhomecare hires veteran lobbyist as new president

May 12, 2003 ALEXANDRIA, Va. - AAHomecare has named a veteran healthcare lobbyist to replace outgoing CEO and President Tom Connaughton, effective June 1. Kay Cox has more than 20 years experience in the health care industry. She most recently served as vice president of the Washington office and Political Action Committee of Beverly Enterprises, a $2.4 billion company that operates skilled nursing facilities in 26 states. Prior to this position, she served as president and CEO of a health care consulting group that advised nationally known health care providers on public policy issues. In addition, she has managed and coordinated federal contracts with several government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and the Veteran's Administration. Connaughton, 60, has accepted a new job as head of the Washington D.C. office for the Cook Group, a medical technology manufacturer headquartered in Bloomington, Ind. As AAHomecare president and CEO, Cox will serve as the official representative of the association and its spokesperson on public policy. “We are very pleased to have a seasoned Washington professional like Kay coming on board,” stated Steve Knoll, Chairman of the AAHomecare Board of Directors. “In addition to being well known in Washington, she also has extensive experience in bringing disparate groups together as one voice, a leadership strength that's particularly essential as AAHomecare represents many facets of the homecare profession.”