The Arc, an advocacy group that promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout their lifetimes, has unveiled a roster of new national board members. The group includes activists in the intellectual and development disability (I/DD) movement and leaders from a wide range of professions and business. The new board includes a vice president of one of the world’s leading investment groups, a former policy director for a United States Senator, a corporate attorney, an executive with MetLife, and a coach with the Washington Redskins football team.
“It is my privilege to serve as the new president of The Arc,” said Mohan Mehra, who has served on The Arc’s board of directors since 2004. “This remarkable group shares the quality of being deeply committed to improving the lives of people with I/DD and each brings talent, energy, insight and experience. This is an exciting time for The Arc as we assume our position as the largest human service organization in this country serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I look forward to working with board members to move us into the future,” Mehra said.
“The Arc is moving in a clear, new direction as we experience rapid growth including plans to launch a fresh and powerful brand identity this spring. These leaders will help to reinvigorate our organization and propel us even further with their passion and energy. The board brings additional bench strength to The Arc in their communities and nationally; their unique skills will complement and enhance the board’s collective contributions,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.
The new national board roster includes: President Mohan Mehra, formerly The Arc’s secretary (board member since 2004); Vice President Nancy Webster (board member since 2002); Treasurer Ron Brown (board member since 2006); and Secretary Michael Mack, a previous vice president and treasurer.
Also serving in new positions are: M.J. Bartelmay, Hermitage, Pa, the immediate past president of The Arc of Pennsylvania (second board term); Barbara Coppens, Cherry Hill, NJ, self-advocate, advocate assistant with disability Rights New Jersey; Hugh M. Evans, CFA, Baltimore, MD, VP of T. Rowe Price Group Inc; Connie Garner, PhD, Burke, Va, a policy director with the law firm of Foley Hoag LLP, Garner is former policy director, Special Populations for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where she worked with late Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass).
Additional board representatives includeGary Horner, CRO, ACHIEVA, (elected to serve a 2-year term by the National Conference of Executives); attorney Thomas A. Judd, Minneapolis; Joe Meadours, Sacramento, Calif, self-advocate and executive director of People First of California (elected to a second board term); Pat Napoliello, San Francisco. founder of the California Alliance for Inclusive Communities and former president of The Arc of San Francisco (second term); Kurt Rutzen, Minneapolis, self-advocate, program specialist for the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration’s Research and Training Center on Community Living; Lou Spanos, Pittsburgh, linebackers coach for the Washington Redskins and former defensive assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Directors-at-Large include: Doug Church, Oak Hill, Va, vice chair, Virginia Heritage Bank; Kelly Piacenti, Chester, NJ, director of the MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning; and Stacy Taylor, San Diego, Ca, partner DLA Piper, international law firm.
For more information visit www.thearc.org.
