[NFBNJ] Fwd: Two Announcements form CBVI

Fri Oct 1 14:50:27 UTC 2021

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From: Gaston, Pamela <Pamela.Gaston at dhs.nj.gov>
Date: Fri, Oct 1, 2021 at 9:50 AM
Subject: Two Announcements form CBVI

Greetings Everyone,

I would like to formally welcome the most recent addition to the Executive
Management Team at CBVI, Charles Pat McKenna. Pat is the Commission’s
Assistant Division Director, where his focus is primarily on enhancing our
Vocational Rehabilitation programs and services.  In this role, he works
closely with Amanda Gerson, Susan Engstrom, and Deacon Truesdale, and will
be playing an integral role in contributing to the continued success of
CBVI’s VR services including the Joseph Kohn Training Center, Deaf-Blind
services, Business Relations Unit, and Business Enterprises of New Jersey
Program, to name a few.  Pat looks forward to being part of the team and
identifying new possible avenues for collaboration and innovation.

Pat is a New Jersey native whose relationship with the Commission began in
1979, after losing his vision to an auto-immune disease. Born and raised in
Morris County NJ, Pat embraced the philosophy of independence from a young
age. Pursuing his interest in the natural world, he earned a bachelor’s
degree in Environmental Science, and then a master’s degree in
Micro-Biology. After being matched with his first Seeing Eye dog in 2001,
his education journey continued to law school where he earned both a Juris
Doctorate degree and a certificate in Conflict Management. Currently, he is
a licensed attorney with 17 years of advocacy experience in the fields of
Social Security Benefits, Veteran’s benefits, Service Animal Access,
Consumer Rights, and Family Law.  Pat is a co-founder of The Community
Justice Center in Trenton, and has worked at The Seeing Eye where he headed
the organization’s Advocacy Team and took a lead role in public and donor
relations. Most recently, he worked for The Family Resource Network where
he developed and implemented the Employment, Development, Guidance and
Engagement (EDGE) program for blind and low vision students ages 14 through
21.

Pat lives in central New Jersey with his wife, two sons, and their three
dogs. In his spare time, he is committed to physical fitness and prior to
the pandemic served as a personal trainer and certified spin instructor at
his town gym on weekends. Additionally, Pat is a frequent presenter on the
topic of Service Animal Law and has spoken at venues including, the
American Bar Association, the New Jersey Bar Association, Rutgers
University, the Mid Atlantic ADA Conference, and the National Federation of
the Blind. Beyond physical fitness and service animal access, some of his
other passions include gardening, writing, and horse-back riding.

I must share that Pat and I have been working closely over the past two
months, and I am extremely confident that his knowledge, skill, and
dedication will lead the Commission's VR program through the next phase
of enhancements, as well as build on the success we have achieved over past
years.  Please join me in congratulating and wishing Assistant Division
Director Pat well in this very important leadership role.

I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Michelle Whitmore, CBVI’s Quality
Assurance Director, has accepted my invitation to serve as Acting Assistant
Division Director for the Commission with responsibility for Quality
Assurance, Management Services, Purchasing, Regulatory Office, Commission
contracts, and will soon oversee Management Information Services.

In 1999 and several years thereafter, Dr. Whitmore began her career of
service working as a direct service professional with individuals who were
intellectually disabled, and deaf-blind.

Dr. Whitmore has served the Department of Human Services since 2008. In her
previous position with the Division of Developmental Disabilities, she
served in a variety of roles including Director of Community Transitions,
Assistant CEO of two Developmental Centers, and the Special Assistant to
the Assistant Commissioner. In this capacity, she was responsible for the
conversion of contract-based services to the expanded Fee-For-Service
model, which provided a larger array of services for individuals with
disabilities.

Since joining the Commission, Dr. Whitmore has made significant
contributions to the overall provision of services at the Commission.  Under
her leadership, the Commission has achieved and maintained compliance with
federal and state regulations, enhanced its policies, procedures, and
safety measures.

Dr. Whitmore is a skilled administrator, knowledgeable professional, and a
dedicated, caring, advocate. Her strong leadership skills, coupled with the
depth of her understanding of issues that impact our consumers, their
families and communities and service providers, will ensure her success in
this new role. Having worked in planning, policy, and program
implementation throughout her career, Dr. Whitmore brings a breadth of
knowledge and experience in programming, operations, and the delivery of
services within the human services field.  Dr. Whitmore is also a professor
teaching Business Law.  Additionally, she serves in the capacity of owner
and volunteer of a mobile food pantry, serving individuals who are hungry
or where food insecurity is imminent.

Dr. Whitmore holds a doctorate in business administration with a specialty
in leadership from Capella University, a master’s degree in business
administration from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor of arts
degree from Rutgers University.

Please join me in applauding Dr. Whitmore and welcoming her to the new role
of Acting Assistant Division Director.

All the best,

Bernice

*Dr. Bernice M. Davis*

*Executive Director*

*NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired*

*153 Halsey, 6th Flr.*

*P.O. Box 47017*

*Newark, NJ 07101 *

*973-648-3160 <+19736483160>*

*Bernice.Davis at dhs.nj.gov <Bernice.Davis at dhs.nj.gov> *

*www.cbvi.nj.gov*
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.cbvi.nj.gov/__;!!CHCva4lQ!W985DM81F3T725ANNPQKl2RGZXyGDU79K4-LmKUtqw8qwhBPxjJCrdCGXQkXiMVhOg$>

*Image NJCBVI Logo: Dark blue Braille cells that depict NJCBVI, with a gray
hand hovering over the letter "N" with the finger pointed to read; to the
right and directly under the Braille cells is NJCBVI in large, bold, blue
block letters under which in all caps is New Jersey Commission for the
Blind and Visually Impaired in gray letters. *

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