National Association of the Deaf

Bobbie Beth Scoggins

President

2010-2012

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

2010-2012

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.

Sheri Farinha

Secretary

2010-2012

Sheri Farinha (California) attended California State University, Northridge where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, and master’s degree in Special Education-Deaf focus. She obtained certificate of business administration from California State University, San Diego. For twenty six years she has served in administrative capacity of community-based nonprofit organizations in California serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Sheri is currently serving as CEO of NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, based in Sacramento serving 24 northeastern counties. Sheri is nationally known for her leadership and advocacy for system reforms in the areas of education, employment, and telecommunications and in fact has been recognized by many professional and national organizations for her achievements. Sheri has been a member of NAD for over 25 years. Sheri works all the time and doesn’t take vacation as often as she should, but enjoys the simple things in life, time with close friends, discussions about politics, shopping for new shoes, leisure time at the ocean, walks and playing with her dogs, but above all else in the world Sheri values the most: quality time her children, Ryan and Alexandra.

Michael Michner

Treasurer

2010-2012

Michael A. Michner (California) has more than 20 years of nonprofit accounting experience and as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in private practice, he currently controls the accounting departments for Public Counsel, California Women's Law Center, Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Deaf West Theatre and numerous other small organizations and businesses. He attended California State University at Northridge (CSUN), where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration: accounting theory and practice.

 
 
 

 

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 Deaf & Hard of Hearing Kaleidoscope, which coordinates Deaf Awareness Week in New York City, and as president of the Kappa Phi Theta Alumni Association. Dedicated to the field of information technology and access, Sean currently works as director of National Operations Development & Support at Snap!VRS. Sean lives outside New York City with his wife Rebecca and sons Asher and Rowan, who are three his biggest supporters in his passion for deaf rights advocacy.
 
 

Margie A. English

Region I Representative

2010-2014

Margie began her career in a non-profit environment, which laid her foundation in consumer-driven services. Through her work with several telecommunications companies during a time wireless Internet became a feasible solution, Margie cultivated a special interest in marketing, interpreting and telecommunication services. Margie currently works with Access Interpreting, Inc. as a Contracting and Marketing Specialist. She recently passed the Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) written test, and will soon be taking the performance test. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing from Gallaudet University in 1998. She studied Marketing online at the University of Phoenix and received her Master’s in Business Administration. For fun, Margie likes to spend time with her dogs, read books, watch procedural drama (like all spin-offs of Law and Order), or work on home-improvement projects around her home. Also, she often volunteers her time for District of Columbia Association of the Deaf, NAD and special events.

 

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."

 

Richard McCowin

Region II Representative

2010-2014

Richard D. McCowin graduated from Nebraska School for the Deaf (now closed) and Gallaudet University with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. For over 26 years, Richard has been employed at the U.S. Postal Service in Omaha where he has been an union steward for the Omaha Local Area of American Postal Workers Union (APWU). He has been recognized by APWU's National Deaf & Hard of Hearing Task Force for his many outstanding contributions on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing postal workers. For over 17 years, Richard has been part-time Amercian Sign Language instructor at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha where he was given award recognition for Teaching Excellence. Richard has been involved with NAD for 30 years as part of his lifelong passion for advocacy and community activity, and has held various positions in different organizations. He was the Vice President of National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) and Midwest Athletic Assocation of the Deaf (MAAD). Now, he is President Emeritus of the Nebraska Association of the Deaf (NeAD). He strongly believes that NAD is the true organization which preserves and protects the rights and welfare of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. In his spare time, he enjoys reading books on non-fiction and documentary issues. He has an adult daughter, Megan.

 

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.

 

 

Christopher Patterson

Region III Representative

2010-2014

Currently a doctoral student Adult Education at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Christopher M. Patterson is passionate about his advocacy work on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, having served as president of the Georgia Association of the Deaf and now as a member of the NAD Board of Directors. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Chris became deaf at one week old. He began his career in 2002 as a Deaf Services Coordinator with Living Independence for Everyone, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah and went on to work Deaf Education and Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Mercer University in Atlanta, he joined the faculty of the Interpreting Training Program at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Chris currently divides his time between Troy and Atlanta with Stephen Patterson, his partner of 14 years and their dog, Foxy.

 

 

 

John Patrick Evans

Region IV Representative

2008-2012 (appointed April 2010)

John Patrick Evans joins the NAD Board from the great State of Washington. One of three brothers in his family who are deaf, John is a 1977 graduate of the Washington State School for the Deaf. He attended Gallaudet for several years prior to graduating at Seattle University in Public Administration and Human Resource Development. John is employed as a statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator for Employer Relations. He has over 25 years of public service with the State of Washington where he has earned a reputation as a “notable contributor and model of exceptional public service” locally and nationally for promoting the community integration and employment of individuals with disabilities. A member of the Board for the Washington State Association of the Deaf, John resides in Woodinville with his wife of 28 years Kathy, and their daughter Amanda.

 

 

Julie Rems-Smario

Region IV Representative

2010-2014

As the founding executive director of DeafHope, Julie passionately advocates with Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Deaf since birth, Julie started her career in 1990 with Five Arces-Deaf Program, working with at-risk families on child abuse prevention. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with an MA in Deaf Education, Julie worked at the California School for the Deaf at Fremont. After receiving her MS in Counseling, she was hired as a counselor at Ohlone College Deaf Center in Fremont. In 1998, Julie joined the first national training held by Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services which inspired her to change her career. Her work at DeafHope has been recognized with several awards such as CNN Heroes and E-Women Network Interntional Humanitarian Award. She resides in Pleasanton, California with her Deaf spouse and three children.

 

 

Melissa S. Draganac-Hawk

Appointed Member

2010-2012

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

2010-2012

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.

Howard A. Rosenblum

Ex Officio Member

Chief Executive Officer

Howard A. Rosenblum started as the Chief Executive Officer of the NAD in April 2011 and also serves as an ex officio member of the NAD Board of Directors. He comes to the NAD after 19 years as a lawyer, focusing his practice on disability rights and special education law. For the past nine years, he was a Senior Attorney at Equip for Equality, the designated Protection & Advocacy entity for the State of Illinois. Previously, he worked ten years as an associate at Monahan & Cohen, a private law firm, and briefly as a legal counsel at Access Living, the center for independent living for the Chicago area. In 1997, he founded the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf, to address the lack of access to the legal profession for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and oversaw its operation as the Board Chair until 2011. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Rosenblum to serve on the United States Access Board, which is responsible for setting accessible design and technical criteria used to promote compliance with federal disability rights laws. Mr. Rosenblum has a bachelor of science degree in computer engineering from the University of Arizona and a juris doctor degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law. Born and raised in Chicago, Rosenblum is a diehard fan of Chicago sports teams. He also enjoys traveling the world to meet deaf people in other countries and learning their sign languages.