National Association of the Deaf

Bobbie Beth Scoggins

President

2008-2010

Bobbie Beth Scoggins (South Dakota) attended Gallaudet University and then transferred to California State University at Northridge, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in administration and supervision. She obtained her doctoral degree at Pepperdine University. For twenty years she served as administrator of a drug and alcohol recovery center and as the executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Currently, she is the chief operations officer of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). In addition to her business success, Bobbie Beth is admired nationwide for her career as an actress, and she has been recognized by many professional and philanthropic organizations for her achievements. She has been involved with the NAD since 1972, because “the NAD works for a better quality of life for all deaf Americans. I wanted to be part of a team process making a difference in a person’s life.” In her free time, Bobbie Beth enjoys Harley-Davidson motorcycle riding, reading, exercising, going to the beach, and walking to her heart’s content!

Christopher D. Wagner

Vice President

2008-2010

Chris Wagner (Florida), currently vice president of marketing for The Z(tm), received a bachelor's degree from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY. Prior to assuming his current role, Chris served as a consultant and as executive director of non-profit agencies in Florida. He has served on numerous boards, including the Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc. (FAD) and the Governor's Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group (ADAWG). Currently he serves on the board of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and the NTID Foundation Board. Chris is a recipient of several awards for his outstanding leadership and advocacy on both state and national levels. He is involved with the NAD because he “strongly feels that in order to achieve our goals as a community, we must contribute our skills and knowledge as a volunteer. The NAD has given me the opportunity to give back to the community." In the little free time he has, he enjoys traveling and spending quiet time with his family and close friends, and escaping to his summer retreat in North Carolina.

Lynn Z. Null

Secretary

2008-2010

Lynn Null (Oklahoma) attended Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, and Tulsa Junior College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is an independent living coordinator and advocate at a non-profit agency in addition to serving as an adjunct ASL/Deaf Culture instructor in the Interpreter Education Program at Tulsa Community College. Active in the deaf community, Lynn is secretary of the Oklahoma Association of the Deaf (OAD), where she also was president for two terms. She represents the OAD on the Oklahoma Registry of the Deaf Board and the Tulsa Association of the Deaf and is also co-chair of the Oklahoma Interpreter Licensure Task Force. Lynn is involved with the NAD because she grew up in a family ignorant about the deaf community. She eventually discovered and accepted her deaf identity in high school and into adulthood, not blaming her parents, who believed they were doing their best for her. She came to realize that “the NAD is here for you, me and everyone.” She loves to spend time with her children and seven grandchildren, visit art museums, and explore presidential history. She was a whiz at nine years old, knowing detailed facts of all of the US presidents and their wives, including their birth and death dates.
 

Ronald E. Sutcliffe

Treasurer

2008-2010

Ronald Sutcliffe (Maryland) graduated from Gallaudet College with a major in business in 1959. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Now retired, Ron was a faculty member of the Department of Business Administration at Gallaudet before becoming dean of the School of Management. Currently, he is the executive director of the National Deaf Business Institute. For the past 50 years Ron has been active in the deaf community and involved with the District of Columbia Association of the Deaf, Maryland Association of the Deaf, American Athletic Association of the Deaf, World Games for the Deaf committee, St. Barnabas Mission of the Deaf, and many others. Ron is involved with the NAD to ensure its viability and strengthen the organization. In his free time he enjoys reading, being at the beach, and watching documentary movies on TV.

 

Julie Bourne

Region I Representative

2006-2010

Julie Bourne (Maryland) received a bachelor of science degree in professional and technical communication from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY and a master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Currently employed as a financial program analyst at Discover Logic, Julie has served in various volunteer capacities with the Maryland Association of the Deaf (MDAD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (DHHIG), and the Deaf Professional Network (DPN). In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful boys pursuing various art projects, beautifying her home, and traveling to visit her far-flung relatives. As a mother of deaf boys, her involvement with the NAD stems from a lifelong passion about issues associated with the deaf community, and is especially concerned about the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program and educational services for deaf people.

 

Sean Gerlis

Region I Representative

2008-2012

Sean Gerlis (New York) grew up outside New York City and attended the New York School for the Deaf, known as “Fanwood”. He attended Gallaudet University and then transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in information technology. Sean has a lifelong passion for advocacy and community service. Currently he serves as president of the New Jersey Association of the Deaf. He is also president of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Kaleidoscope, which coordinates Deaf Awareness Week in New York City, president of the Kappa Phi Theta Alumni Association, and a board member and occasional director, producer, and actor in New York Deaf Theatre, LTD. Dedicated to the field of information technology and access, Sean currently works as director of Field Services & Outreach at SnapVRS! Sean lives outside New York City with his wife Rebecca and son Asher, who are his two biggest supporters in his passion for deaf rights advocacy.

 

Jack Cooper

Region II Representative

2006-2010

Jack Cooper (Kansas) attended Gallaudet University, 1964-1966. After 40 years of service he retired from Mid-America Coca-Cola Bottling Company as a professional and certified forklift operator. Active in local and national community service, he currently serves on the boards of the Midwest Athletic Association of the Deaf (MAAD), Kansas Association of the Deaf (KAD), and was recently appointed by the governor as a member of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) for a three-year term, 2008-11. He was a former International/USA Deaflympics athlete in 1965, 1975 and 1977. Jack is involved with the NAD because it is the most prestigious disability organization that serves deaf and hard of hearing people in America and he enjoys working with people. During his free time he loves going on adventures, traveling, attending sports events, and activities with his family.

 

Michael Berger

Region II Representative

2008-2012

 

Michael Berger graduated from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and attended the Rochester Institute of Technology at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). He taught printing at NTID and was a faculty member at RIT/NTID for three years. For the past twelve years, he has been in the field of desktop publishing, working for several companies. His deaf community involvement includes serving as president of the Illinois Association of the Deaf (IAD), when he received the NAD State Association Award and the Deaf Illinois Outstanding Membership Organization Award. He is now president emeritus of IAD. He also coordinated the "Duppies" (Deaf Happy Hour) in the Chicago area. Mike is involved with the NAD to contribute his leadership skills and to encourage deaf and hard of hearing people to join NAD for leadership training and education. He strongly believes that “the NAD offers excellent benefits and resources and can assist people with whatever they need."
 

Lissette Molina

Region III Representative

2006-2010

Lissette Molina (Florida) graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. She then attended Barry University in Miami for a dual master's degree in mental health and family and marriage counseling. Formerly a middle-school teacher of deaf students with special needs in the Miami-Dade Public Schools, she currently works at ZVRS, LLC as a Z-Video solutions manager. Lissette was crowned Miss Deaf Florida in 2001 and competed in the Miss Deaf America Pageant. She has served in various volunteer capacities with Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD), currently in her first term as vice president. Making a difference is her reason why she wants to be involved with the NAD, with special interest in issues associated with the deaf community. In her free time, she loves traveling to different parts of the world and spending time with her family and friends.

 

Judith M. Gilliam

Region III Representative

2008-2012

Judith M. Gilliam (Alabama) attended Gallaudet University, Western Maryland College, and the University of Alabama. Prior to retiring, Judith was an educator and administrator for 27 years. Long involved with interpreting issues, Gilliam serves as vice chair of the Alabama Licensure Board for Interpreters and Transiliterators, is vice president and past president of the Talladega Chapter of the Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and co-chairs the National Council on Interpreting. Additionally, she is active with many state and national organizations. Judith is involved with the NAD because for years and years the NAD has done so much to improve the lives of deaf people; in return, she wants to give back to the NAD. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling.

 

Astrid Amann Goodstein

Region IV Representative

2006-2010

Astrid Amann Goodstein (Arizona) attended the Oregon School for the Deaf and the California School for the Deaf (CSDB) in Berkeley, close to the former NAD headquarters. Not only did her mother work at the NAD but NAD President Byron B. Burnes taught her at CSDB. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Gallaudet. Astrid taught English at Kendall Demonstration School and was a professor of English at Gallaudet before assuming administrative responsibilities. In the last 15 years of her career at Gallaudet she was executive director of Enrollment Services. Over the years, she became increasingly involved in community activities, holding several positions within the Maryland Association of the Deaf. Among her accomplishments are the co-establishment and coordination of the NAD College Bowl and the Gallaudet University high school academic bowls. She received the NAD Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her work. In her free time, she enjoys being Nana to her six grandchildren, traveling and learning with hubby Harvey, and reading, in addition to doing many projects--e.g., family genealogy.

 

James "Manny" Johnson

Region IV Representative

2008-1012

Manny Johnson (California) attended the University of Georgia and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration: marketing. He is regional sales manager for Z VRS and in his free time enjoys working on his new home, raising his first child, romancing his wife, watching and participating in sports, and reading. Active in his community, Manny is involved with KODAWest and Deaf West Theatre and attends CSUN gatherings and many local, state, and national Deaf events. Manny is involved with the NAD to make a difference.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Melissa S. Draganac-Hawk

Appointed Member

2008-2010

Melissa Draganac-Hawk (Pennsylvania), a first-generation American of deaf immigrant Peruvian parents, received a master’s degree in Linguistics and two bachelor’s degrees in production/performance and American Sign Language from Gallaudet University. Currently she is adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Involved in the deaf community, Melissa is president of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is a consultant to the Tri-State Latino Deaf Association, and is executive director of Deaf Women United. Melissa has been involved with the NAD throughout her life in various capacities. As a youth, she participated in the Junior NAD and the Youth Leadership Camp, and as an adult she directed the Miss Deaf America Finals in 2002 and 2008. She has been an NAD member since 1988, focusing on issues affecting youth and diversity because of the difference NAD has made in her life and the lives of others. In her free time, she enjoys being with her husband, Sam, and son, Etzio.

 

Kirsten Poston

Appointed Member

2008-2010

Kirsten Poston (Maryland) is a native of Philadelphia, PA. She majored in social work at the Rochester Institute of Technology and later attended Gallaudet University, where she received a bachelor's degree in communications arts. She currently works in Washington, DC, for the U.S. Department of Transportation as a Disability Policy Analyst. Kirsten has been actively involved in the coordination of many educational and outreach activities aimed towards the deaf and disability communities. She co-chaired and coordinated the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (DHHIG) 2008 Employment and Technology Forum and currently serves as a board member at large of the DHHIG; previously she was that organization’s vice executive director. She is a member of the National Black Deaf Advocates and an associate member of the D.C. Chapter of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters, Inc. She also is the president of an employee organization that supports deaf employees at the U.S. Department of Transportation, DEAF/DOT. Kirsten remains committed to the principles of leadership empowerment, and is a lifelong advocate of the deaf community. She and her husband live in Maryland with their three daughters and one son.

Nancy J. Bloch

Ex Officio Member

Chief Executive Officer

Nancy Bloch (Maryland) has served since 1992 as executive director and now chief executive officer of the NAD; she is also an ex officio member of the NAD Board of Directors. Long passionate about advancing the rights of the American deaf community, she derives great satisfaction from seeing the successes of local and state activists on issues of national importance. Raised in Miami, FL, Bloch holds an M.A. degree in counseling and guidance from Gallaudet University and a B.A. degree in psychology from the University of Miami. Previously she was director of the Management Institute and adjunct professor in the School of Management at Gallaudet University. Since 1977, Bloch has been actively involved with nonprofit, community, and education-based organizations serving deaf and hard of hearing children, adults and families. She enjoys boating on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband, traveling around the world, reading on a wide range of subjects, and spoiling her three grandchildren.