National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) announces the retirement of Anita B. Farb, Director of Communications and Operations, with deep appreciation for her commitment to NAD and the American deaf and hard of hearing community over the last 24 years.

One of the longest-serving staff members, Farb first joined the NAD in 1985 as a part-time employee answering phones two days a week, and was promoted to increasingly accountable positions over the years.  As second in command, she was responsible for communicating the work of the NAD to constituents and the general public through various channels, including the NADmag and website. With the support of her team, she successfully managed the association’s transition from traditional print media and marketing to today’s electronic and digital processes. In addition to duties managing NAD publications and administrative operations, she oversaw events planning for biennial national conferences and related activities. She also received the Chief Executive Officer’s Award in 1992 and 2008.

“A veritable gem, Anita has been the major pulse in the life of the NAD. When I served as interim executive director, she was always available and ready to act whenever needed,” said Mervin D. Garretson, Past President. “All through the years she has been loyal, productive and supportive, and could well be called Mrs. NAD, or Ms., if she would rather! Her blood is intermingled with that of the NAD – we all love her.”

“Anita has been a bastion at the NAD, always committed to the highest professional standards. The stature of the American deaf and hard of hearing community has skyrocketed to new heights, thanks to her tireless and dedicated enthusiasm in furthering the mission of our organization,” said Nancy J. Bloch, Chief Executive Officer. “She will leave tremendous shoes to fill, and she holds a very special place in my heart. I will greatly miss her passion and the many wonderful times we have shared during all these years.”

“The NAD has achieved so much and I am honored to have been a part of it. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with a great deaf leader and role model in Nancy,” said Farb. “My world has revolved around the NAD for so many years, and I am confident that we are in great hands with my successor. The NAD can count on my support as I move on to pursue new interests in retirement.”

In her stead, the NAD has hired Shane H. Feldman as its Chief Operating Officer. He was previously employed at the NAD for over five years where he served as Coordinator of Marketing and Communications as well as Editor of the NADmag, under the supervision of Farb. Since then, he worked as a consultant for a federal contracting firm and as sales director at a video relay communications company. He received his Master’s degree in Management with focus on nonprofit financial management from University of Maryland University College and Bachelor’s degree in Professional and Technical Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology.

In his new role, Feldman will direct all aspects of the NAD under the oversight of Bloch, who will place greater focus on fundraising and donor relations. His work also includes planning for next year’s 50th Biennial NAD Conference in Philadelphia, PA.

“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Anita who was my mentor,” said Feldman. “The NAD has achieved so much with so little throughout the years. A solid strategy and dedicated focus on maximizing resources will enable the NAD to step up its efforts to protect the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. With the support of our staff and community, we will achieve this objective.”

“We are thrilled to have Shane back on board in a leadership role and we look forward to exciting changes and growth opportunities that lay ahead,” said Bloch. “Anita has planned to retire for some time, so with Shane’s availability, she decided that the time was right. I appreciate her regard for the future of the NAD, and more so, the benefit of her continuing connection with the NAD as a volunteer and consultant, as we move forward.”

“Anita B. Farb has been a wonderful support to the NAD Board, and we will miss her greatly,” said Bobbie Beth Scoggins, President. “Stay tuned for announcement of a special benefit event to honor and celebrate her work with the NAD, open to all who want to wish her well as she enters a new chapter in her life journey.”