<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">---------- Forwarded message ---------</span><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Gaston, Pamela</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov">Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Oct 1, 2021 at 9:50 AM<br>Subject: Two Announcements form CBVI<br><br></div>




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<span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Greetings Everyone,</span><br>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Pat looks forward to
 being part of the team and identifying new possible avenues for collaboration and innovation. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;background:white">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. 
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:black">Please join me in congratulating and wishing Assistant Division Director Pat well in this very important leadership role.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span></p>
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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">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.
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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">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. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span><br>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">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.  </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Since joining the Commission, Dr. Whitmore has made significant contributions to the overall provision of services at the Commission.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#201f1e;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> 
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Under her leadership, the Commission has achieved and maintained compliance with federal and state regulations, enhanced
 its policies, procedures, and safety measures.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#201f1e;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"> 
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">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.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#201f1e;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">  </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">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. </span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:106%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">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. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Please join me in applauding Dr. Whitmore and welcoming her to the new role of Acting Assistant Division Director. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">All the best, </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Bernice</span></p>
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<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:106%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">
<i style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-weight:inherit"><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Dr. Bernice M. Davis</span></i><br>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Executive Director</span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"></span></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired</span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"></span></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">153 Halsey, 6^th<span style="margin:0px"> </span>Flr.</span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"></span></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">P.O. Box 47017</span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"></span></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black">Newark, NJ 07101 </span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"></span></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black"><span style="margin:0px;color:rgb(0,120,215);text-decoration:underline"><a href="tel:+19736483160" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="margin:0px;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192)">973-</span><span style="margin:0px;color:rgb(12,100,192)">648</span><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192)">-</span><span style="margin:0px;color:rgb(12,100,192)">3160</span></a></span></span></i></p>
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<i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black"><span style="margin:0px;color:rgb(0,120,215);text-decoration:underline"><a href="mailto:Bernice.Davis@dhs.nj.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="margin:0px" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(12,100,192)">Bernice.Davis@dhs.nj.gov</span></a></span><span style="margin:0px;color:rgb(12,100,192);text-decoration:underline"> </span></span></i></p>
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<span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.cbvi.nj.gov/__;!!CHCva4lQ!W985DM81F3T725ANNPQKl2RGZXyGDU79K4-LmKUtqw8qwhBPxjJCrdCGXQkXiMVhOg$" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="margin:0px;color:rgb(0,120,215);text-decoration:underline" target="_blank"><i><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:rgb(12,100,192)">www.cbvi.nj.gov</span></i></a></span></p>
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<i style="font-size:12pt"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black"><i style="color:rgb(32,31,30);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;text-align:start;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="margin:0px;padding:0in;border:1pt none windowtext;font-size:8pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><img width="168" height="84" style="margin:0px;width:168px;height:84px" src="cid:17c3c552998d79f49a41"></span></i></span></i></p>
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<i style="font-size:12pt"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"Book Antiqua",serif;color:black"><i style="color:rgb(32,31,30);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;text-align:start;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="margin:0px;padding:0in;border:1pt none windowtext;font-size:8pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Image
 NJCBVI Logo: </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:8pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">Dark blue </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:8pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">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.</span></i><span style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-size:8pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(32,31,30);text-align:start;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </span></span></i></p>
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