Wheaton resident Bill Repke receives Earl B. Beagle Award, the American Heart Association's highest staff leadership honor

The American Heart Association has chosen Bill Repke to receive the Earl B. Beagle Award for staff excellence. Mr. Repke is the Heart Association's Midwest Affiliate senior vice president of Youth Market, and he lives in Wheaton, Ill.

The Earl B. Beagle Award is the American Heart Association's most prestigious staff leadership honor, given annually to a staff member who exhibits leadership, professionalism, dedication and excellence in performance.

Under Mr. Repke's leadership, the Midwest Affiliate's Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs have reached unprecedented levels of success, and he has built a model of strategic vision and best practicies that have been adopted by the organization nationwide.

Mr. Repke joined the American Heart Association in 2000. Prior to that, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases - America's No. 1 and No. 5 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.