Officers
David Ervin – Chairperson
Makom
David Ervin has worked in the human services field for more than 35 years. He serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Makom, a provider organization supporting people in Maryland and Virginia. David is also a published author and speaker, covering topics such as healthcare systems for people with IDD, organizational development, agency transformation, and more.
LEARN MOREDavid Ervin – Chairperson
Makom
Chris Stewart – Vice Chairperson
The Arc of Central Alabama
Chris Stewart is the President and CEO at The Arc of Central Alabama. In this role, Stewart is responsible for oversight of more than 650 employees across 89 locations, who manage a wide range of programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
LEARN MOREChris Stewart – Vice Chairperson
The Arc of Central Alabama
Laura Vegas – Treasurer
NASDDDS
Laura Vegas is the Director of National Core Indicators for the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS). Laura has more than 27 years of experience working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
LEARN MORELaura Vegas – Treasurer
NASDDDS
Margaret A. Nygren – Secretary
AAIDD
Margaret A. Nygren Executive Director & CEO of AAIDD since 2010, is responsible for the executive direction, leadership, and management of operations of the organization. Dr. Nygren oversees the organization’s core functions of education, publications, public policy, and member services.
LEARN MOREMargaret A. Nygren – Secretary
AAIDD
Desiree Loucks Baer – Immediate Past Chairperson
NADSP
Desiree Loucks Baer serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the Supported Decision-Making Coordinator for the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation.
LEARN MOREDesiree Loucks Baer – Immediate Past Chairperson
NADSP
Directors
Thane Dykstra
Trinity Services, Inc.
Thane Dykstra is the Chief Executive Officer at Trinity Services, Inc. Thane has expertise in contemporary therapy models including Positive Psychology and its role in person centered planning. Thane is credited for the creation of the National Association of QDDPS (NAQ) in 1996 and he continues to serve in a leadership role for the organization.
LEARN MOREThane Dykstra
Trinity Services, Inc.
Celia S. Feinstein
Independent Consultant
Celia Feinstein, FAAIDD, is currently working throughout the country as an independent consultant in the areas of quality assessment and improvement. She is the Emerita Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Pennsylvania's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Training, Service and Advocacy.
Celia S. Feinstein
Independent Consultant
Chester Finn
NYS OPWDD
Chester Finn works for the NY State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and serves as Chair for the NADSP Board of Directors. He is a nationally-known disability rights activist who served as National President of SABE and is a past president of SANYS.
LEARN MOREChester Finn
NYS OPWDD
Katherine Neas
The Arc of the United States
Katherine (Katy) Neas is the CEO of The Arc of the United States. She leads The Arc’s Washington, DC-based national office and network of nearly 600 state and local chapters. Katy has a deep commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities, exemplified by her 35-year career spanning government, nonprofit, and association sectors.
LEARN MOREKatherine Neas
The Arc of the United States
Nancy A. Ward
SABE
Nancy A. Ward is a lifelong, renowned advocate for people with IDD, being at the forefront of a wide range of issues involving rights, legislation, healthcare, and more. For 20 years, Ward served as the voting rights advocate for the Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. She has been actively involved in various national organizations including People First and SABE.
LEARN MORENancy A. Ward
SABE
Angela Weis
Mosaic
Angela Weis is the Senior Vice President of Mission Support for Mosaic. For more than 20 years, Weis has held various leadership positions throughout the human services field. Before joining Mosaic, Weis worked for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
LEARN MOREAngela Weis
Mosaic