Executive Director of the largest trade association for disability service providers in the state of Kansas. Serves as spokesperson on behalf of thousands of professionals, persons with disabilities and their families. Develops and maintains strong, productive relationships with policymakers. Communicates at a high level, both through written and verbal means.Develops and executes the governmental affairs strategy of the association and secured more than $175 million in new funds for disability service providers within the past six years.Engages staff in innovation that produced new types and increased amounts of revenue for the association.Highly-skilled in managing personnel in order to improve quality of services, cultivate better cohesion among staff and reduce personnel costs. Upon being retained, provided immediate leadership and management expertise to the association at a critical time in its history. Acted decisively to preserve the association's integrity and viability for the future. The association is stronger than it has ever been as a result.

Provided dynamic leadership in ensuring high-quality service delivery to more than 500 persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) within a Medicaid managed care environment. Responsible for oversight of the residential, day, employment and case coordination program areas of the agency, which encompass the work of more than 250 employees and an annual budget of $24 million. Provided enthusiastic leadership in empowering the professional growth of staff and in developing innovative responses to changes in state and federal policy affecting service delivery. Served as the Executive Director's official designee in human resource-related matters, and was responsible for determining appropriate corrective action consistent with the policies and procedures of Johnson County Government. -2016 graduate of the Leading Educating and Developing (LEAD) program offered by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, which provided intensive training on the High Performance Organization methodology. -Guided program staff in preparation for the agency’s 2016 CARF accreditation survey, which yielded a three-year accreditation renewal with no significant findings for program improvements.-Steered development of an agency-wide strategy for implementation of Positive Behavior Support for all individuals who receive services. -Facilitated the building of a new social enterprise entrepreneurial project that created innovative work opportunities for clients of the agency. -Introduced the Ohio Association of Direct Support Professionals “DSPaths” direct support professional credentialing program to the agency and facilitated the planning process to offer credentialing for agency DSP’s. -Shepherded staff planning efforts to develop an orientation session for new employees on essential communication skills for supporting non-verbal individuals.

Provided essential support in furthering the trade association’s advocacy mandate on behalf of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Assisted in association management, membership relations, and public affairs. Assisted in the management of staff, and in the financial management of the association. Responsible for grant-writing, and successfully pursued grants and contracts totaling more than $500,000. -Tracked all legislative activity related to the association.-Researched, prepared and delivered written and oral testimony to legislative committees on I/DD issues.-Educated policymakers on issues related to the Kansas community disability service network.-Developed the grassroots advocacy strategy of the association.-Prepared advocacy materials for grassroots advocates. -Planned and implemented several large-scale advocacy events that drew thousands of individuals to the KS State Capitol.-Collaborated with stakeholder groups at the federal, state and local level for the purpose of advocacy.-Coordinated data collection efforts in order to further policymakers’ understanding of I/DD issues.-Coordinated staff and member efforts to pursue financial development opportunities for the association such as entrepreneurial endeavors, grant opportunities and membership recruitment.-Acted as a liaison to the membership of the association to assist in maintaining member satisfaction.

Responsible for the creation of all marketing materials of the trade association. Coordinated all public relations efforts, created all media-related materials and maintained positive relationships with media representatives across the state of Kansas. Developed and maintained the association's online presence. Assisted in the planning of large-scale advocacy events. Provided video production expertise that generated additional revenue for the association. Wrote and secured grants for the purpose of conducting statewide media campaigns on I/DD issues. Received two Golden Quill awards from the Topeka, KS chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators for media campaigns. Worked with external business partners to develop a software package for I/DD organizations that yielded additional revenue for the association.

Directed all public relations efforts of the agency. Responsible for distributing vital public health knowledge to the community in a timely manner via the media. Developed crisis communications strategies and led the organization's media outreach during health-related emergencies. Responsible for cultivating good media relationships. Developed an educational program for youth on the importance of preventative health measures.

Instructor of introductory computer skills courses for adults. Responsible for developing lesson plans, providing in-class instruction including lectures, demonstrations and facilitation of student dialogue. Responsible for evaluating students, grading assignments and tests, and providing an overall grade for the course.

Designed and implemented a pre-vocational training program that provided skills training to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Developed a computer learning lab and led daily classes on basic computer skills, Windows operating system basics, Microsoft Office basics, keyboarding, internet website design, desktop publishing, and basic computer repair. Facilitated opportunities for clients to 'job shadow' different types of employment. Formed a speakers bureau of clients that presented to civic groups, schools and universities, as well as an international conference on mental health.

Provided high-quality supports to a caseload of adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Secured resources in the community, such as housing and employment, for those individuals.

Professional on-air talent for KAYS and KHAZ radio stations. Produced high-quality content for broadcast. Served as a reporter and prepared news for radio newscasts.