For further information, contact:
Larry Swabe, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, 919-850-2901, Larry.Swabe@dhhs.nc.gov
Roy Wallace, The Wallace Group, 877-832-4548 or roy@wallacegroup.com

NC COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
ELECTS OFFICERS TO SERVE IN 2011

Robert Rickelman of Charlotte will continue to serve as chair; Lourdes Fernandez of Raleigh and Walter Ruff II
of Sylva elected vice chairs, and Debra Wilson of Richlands to serve as secretary and treasurer

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, led by Chairman Robert Rickelman of Charlotte, has elected Lourdes Fernandez, of Raleigh, and Walter Ruff III, of Sylva, to serve as vice chairs, and Debra Wilson, of Richlands, as secretary and treasurer. All members of the Council are appointed by the governor, who also names the chair of the 34-member panel.

I. Azell Reeves, of Greensboro, was selected to chair the Community Capacity Building Committee and Mike Whitley, of Charlotte, and Caroline Ambrose, of Raleigh, will continue as committee chairs. Officers and committee chairs serve on the Council’s executive committee. All board members are either individuals with disabilities or a parent of an individual with a disability.

The NCCDD is guided by its 34-member, governor-appointed body in accordance with its federal mandate to “promote self-determination, independence, productivity and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life for people with developmental disabilities and their families.”

The NCCDD is based in Raleigh and awards grants for systems change, advocacy and capacity building activities to grass roots advocacy groups, government agencies, disability nonprofits and other community organizations.  

# # #