Shemaine Bakir, an experienced leader in human resources, operations and organizational transformation, joined Franklin County DD in March as the agency’s HR director. She most recently served as a regional executive director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she headed HR and administrative operations for more than 400 staff across eight countries. …
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Amy Comford, an occupational therapist who has spent almost all of her 30-year career in schools, has joined Franklin County DD as principal of West Central School and Transition Services. Comford replaces Rebecca Holthaus, who retired in June. “Amy is a conscientious and dynamic leader. Her enthusiasm for our students and their families and support …
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Eric Horvath, an experienced investigator who spent more than 27 years with Franklin County Probate Court, recently joined Franklin County DD to lead the agency’s MUI Department. He and the MUI team also are moving from Service Coordination oversight and will report to Legal Counsel Gwynn Kinsel. “Any internal investigative arm of an agency should …
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No matter how many screens of text or pieces of paper he sifts through, Leonard Fears always reminds himself of the people behind the information. “No one is a number,” Fears, a service coordinator at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said with a smile. State Rep. Ismail Mohamed of northeastern Franklin County recently …
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The Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently selected Joe Petrarca to serve in the new position of Director of Educational and Shared Services. Petrarca oversees School and Transition Services, Transportation, Facilities, Human Resources and Information Technology. A veteran educator, Petrarca started out as a speech-language pathologist and last served as Associate Director of the …
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The Psychology Department at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently marked the end of a decades-long journey – then quickly began a new one – moving from the public agency to a private nonprofit organization. FCBDD psychology staff transitioned in July to positions at ARC Industries, a disability-services provider that is adding behavioral …
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By his own description, Josh Komives is “a bigger guy,” and there’s usually no shortage of giggles as he takes part in cartoon-led yoga sessions with a classroom of preschoolers. Both students and teachers “get the biggest kick out of me being silly,” said Komives, a service coordinator at the Franklin County Board of Developmental …
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Dr. Kathy Lawton, an experienced educator with both professional and personal connections to central Ohio’s disability and early intervention communities, has begun her new role as Director of Early Childhood Education at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “I was really excited for the opportunity to make an impact at the county level,” Lawton …
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Dot Yeager, current Chief Business Officer, will be the next Superintendent/CEO for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities starting Jan. 1, 2024. Yeager succeeds Jed Morison, who is retiring at the end of December after a 54-year career in public service. Yeager has worked alongside Morison for the past 21 years. Board members unanimously …
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Even after so long, Becky Love says, the days still don’t feel like work. There has always been so much to do and share and learn – and so many staff members on board with the mission – that it all seems more joy than job. “It’s been good,” said Love, who is retiring at …
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