About NLTC '09 Trainers

Mark D. Apodaca is the Director of Business and Finance at the New Mexico School for the Deaf (NMSD) in Santa Fe. Mark helped establish several nonprofit organizations such as the National Deaf Financial Officers Association and the New Mexico Leadership Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He serves as President of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf, and as Board Chair of the New Mexico Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and MBA from Pepperdine University.

Shane H. Feldman is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) where he directs all aspects of its operations. Shane was previously employed at the NAD for over five years where he served as Coordinator of Marketing and Communications. He received his Master’s degree in Management from the University of Maryland University College and Bachelor’s degree in Professional and Technical Communications from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He and his team manage the NAD Twitter account - follow @NADtweets.

Shilpa Hanumantha earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University and two master’s degrees, one in clinical psychology and the other in administration and supervision, both from Gallaudet University. Shilpa later completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Gallaudet in 2008. She is currently in her second year as a post-doctoral research fellow at Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) Center at Gallaudet, one of six Science and Learning Centers funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke is as the Chief of Community Services for the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Raleigh. Pam obtained her bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in Social Work and her master’s degree in Deafness Rehabilitation from New York University. She is a member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees. She also served as President of National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) and as co-chair of the NAD-RID Task Force on Interpreter Issues. She and her husband Aristotle Ogoke are the proud parents of Brianna and Robert.

James R. Macfadden has a 25 year career in software development for 10 private companies, large and small, and as a share holder in two start up enterprises. Jim is a retired business owner of 21 years (sold as an ESOP, at no cost to employees). He has had numerous successes and failures in hiring and promoting executives – “a president never sees people as they really are.” He serves on the Board of Trustees at Rochester Institute of Technology and Gallaudet University and including participation in the Presidential Search Committee for both universities.

Deborah S. Mayer is owner of Crossroad Solutions Coach, LLC in St. Louis, MO. As a certified leadership and life coach, Deborah is recognized by the International Coach Federation. She coaches one-to-one and leads interactive workshops, conferences and retreats for the deaf and hearing communities. She enhances the well-being and presence of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing. She designs highly interactive partnership programs that maximize potential and empower individuals to achieve the greatness in themselves. See also: www.crossroadsolutionscoach.com [1].

William P. McGee graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Bill has worked for over 26 years for the U.S. Department of Defense. Fourteen of those years have been in various supervisory or management capacities. He currently serves as Project Manager to implement an agency-wide software initiative. Bill resides in Sunbury, Ohio with his wife, Cheryl and three boys Max, Billy and Connor. He enjoys golf, horseback riding and playing with his sons.

Elizabeth “Libby” Pollard worked as Computer Programmer/Systems Analyst for 30 years, retiring in 2002. Libby currently manages independent living apartments at Columbus Colony. During the last 40 years she served on many local, state and national organizational boards including the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) with two terms as President (1998-2002). She regularly serves as conference parliamentarian and conducts parliamentary and leadership training workshops. She resides in Westerville, Ohio with her husband Henry. See also www.parlilibby.com [2].

Julie Rems-Smario, as founding Executive Director of Deaf Hope in Oakland, CA, brings a wealth of experience in violence prevention, organization development, and fundraising. Eleven years ago, Julie found her niche, passionately advocating for deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She graduated from California State University at Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a master’s degree in Deaf Education. She resides in Pleasanton, CA, with her husband, David Smario, along with their three children and three Chihuahua dogs.

Howard A. Rosenblum is a Senior Attorney at Equip for Equality in Chicago, IL. Howard has been an attorney for 17 years, ten of which were in private practice with Monahan & Cohen. He focuses his legal practice in the areas of disability rights and special education. He is the Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). He is also the founder and board chair of the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf. He received his law degree in 1992 from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, and in 1988 he earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Darlene Goncz Zangara is currently Senior Vice President for National Centers of Excellence at CSD. Darlene obtained her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Bowling Green State University and her master’s degree in Counseling from Gallaudet University. She is currently a doctoral student studying Leadership and Change at Antioch University, and provides presentations nationally and internationally. She has been and remains involved with many advisory committees and boards, including service as President of Deaf Women United from 2001 to 2005. She resides in Sioux Falls with her family.