Board members identify the needs of people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. Members then help to promote good policies, programs and services. These actions should meet the needs of people with DD in a way that is respectful.
Who Serves on the Board?
The Governor appoints 31 of the VBPD’s 40 Board members. The remaining nine members are from state agencies and other groups, as required by the DD Act. Board members serve four or eight years. At least 60% of our members must be people with developmental disabilities (DD) and family members of people with DD. The Board must be as diverse as Virginia’s citizens. We welcome applications each year.
Board Members
Executive Committee
- Chair: Dennis Findley
- Vice-Chair: Allison Coles-Johnson
- Secretary: Mary Vought
- At-Large: Nadia Rauhala
- At-Large: Olivia Price
- At-Large: Mick Sladic
- AOT Committee Chair: Jennifer Greene
- IC Committee Chair: Matthew Shapiro
- PAC Committee Chair: Karen Grizzard
State Agency & DD Group Members
- Marcus Allen, Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- Ann Bevan, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
- Parthy Dinora, VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities (UCEDD)
- Rick Mitchell, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
- Richard Kriner, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
- Deanna Parker, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
- Eric Raff, Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH)
- Samantha Hollins, Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
- Colleen Miller, disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV)
Chosen by the Governor
- Kristie Bowie-Young
- Tim Capaldo
- Brandon Cassady
- Allison Coles-Johnson
- Conner Cummings
- Cesar Dulanto
- Cathy Edwards
- Dennis Findley
- Adrian Frierson
- Jennifer Greene
- Karen Grizzard
- James Hall
- Melinda Hanko
- Kyle Jones
- Amaan Karim
- Jeffrey Katz
- Jennifer Kelly
- Thomas Leach
- Amber Lee
- Dennis Lites
- Rob Matuszak
- Lindsay Pearse
- Cynthia Pettus
- Olivia Price
- Nadia Rauhala
- Melanie Rice
- Erika Rogers
- Shay Ruff
- Matthew Shapiro
- Nicholas Sladic
- Sarah Taylor
- Mary Vought