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| Cliff Tallman, Chairman, Deafness Research Foundation Board of Directors |
He's a Yankee fan and a Mets fan, a Giants fan and a Jets fan. Cliff Tallman, who became chairman of the Deafness Research Foundation's Board of Directors on Jan. 1, 2010, has a knack for understanding all sides of an issue. "My wife is a big Mets fan and tells me I can't be a fan of both teams," he says. "But I am."
Tallman has had a distinguished career in magazine publishing, cable television and Internet advertising sales. He is currently the founder and owner of Soskin Tallman, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, marketing, sales and direct response, located in Norwalk, Conn.
In light of his magazine and marketing experience, Tallman was enlisted about two years ago as a consultant to Hearing Health magazine. After his contract concluded, Tallman says, "The Deafness Research Foundation wanted to continue the relationship, and asked if I'd consider being on the Board. I enjoyed working with DRF, so I was happy to be a part of the Board. It's been a labor of love."
Tallman sees that, "for all foundations, the key to success is fundraising. More than anything else, that entails smart marketing." Because of DRF's half century of work and the solid reputation built up during those years, "Many people know what we've done in the scientific community," Tallman says. "We have several Board members who are well known and well-regarded in the scientific community. Extending our message effectively into the marketplace to generate awareness will help us raise more money to support vital hearing research. A lot of people aren't aware of the foundation and the good work we do, so a big priority will be Cliff Tallman Brings broadening our appeal, our image and our name to secure more corporate, foundation and individual gifts."
Tallman is married to Connie, a director of guidance at a girls' school in Milford, Conn. They have a son, Matthew, who lives in Los Angeles and is married with an 18-month-old daughter named Megan. Tallman's daughter Sarah has her own business in New York as a decorator, floral designer and fragrance developer.
After playing as a defensive halfback for the Villanova University football team, Tallman went to Army officer candidate school, followed by parachute jump school and special warfare training. He became a Green Beret and served for three years in Germany in the late 1960s. An avid runner for 30 years, knee problems have forced him more recently to take up golf and walking his Rottweiler to stay in shape.
But he enjoys sports of all types. And if you press him, Tallman will admit that, deep down, he's most of all a Yankees and Giants fan.
Noteworthy
DRF has been named recipient of the Todd M. Bader Research Grant, which is generously provided by The Barbara Epstein Foundation. This new scientific initiative will provide direct support for advanced research programs in hearing loss. DRF is thrilled to have a partner as dedicated as the Barbara Epstein Foundation in our efforts to remain at the cutting edge of this critical work. DRF thanks The Barbara Epstein Foundation for their kindness, and looks forward to sharing the results of the work that they are helping to make possible in future issues of this publication.
Carey D. Balaban, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh, was elected a member of the DRF Council of Scientific Trustees in December 2009. Balaban will assist in strategic planning and advocacy for the DRF scientific agenda, including efforts relevant to the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
Congratulations to DRF Council of Scientific Trustees member DebraTucci, M.D. who was recently elected president-elect of the Association for Research in Otolar yngology (ARO). Tucci is a professor of surgery in the Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Duke University Medical Center. A former DRF grantee, her research interests have included the study of central auditory system development and changes in auditory anatomy and function following conductive hearing loss, as well as clinical otology and neurotology. Tucci serves on the editorial board and board of directors of the journal Otology & Neurotology, She is an elected fellow of the Triological Society, the American Otological Society, the American Neurotology Society, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, and is past president of the American Auditory Society. She has served the American Board of Otolaryngology as an oral board examiner, most recently as a senior examiner. For more information on ARO, visit www.aro.org.
