National Association of the Deaf

Glenn Anderson (at-large representative) is a faculty member in the Interpreter Education program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Glenn previously was director of training at the University of Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. He also served as chair of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, second vice-chair of the National Council on Disability, chair of the State Rehabilitation Council for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and board member of National Black Deaf Advocates.

Mark Apodaca (state association representative) is the director of business and finance at the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe. Mark serves as president of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf and as board chair of the New Mexico Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He previously served three terms as board treasurer of the National Association of the Deaf, including one term as vice president.

Kelby Brick (at-large representative) is vice president for Regulatory Affairs at Purple Communications. Kelby, who resides in Maryland, was previously director for Law and Advocacy at the National Association of the Deaf. He currently serves as board member of American Association of People with Disabilities and chairs the Federal Communications Commission’s consumer advisory board on telecommunications relay services issues. He also speaks regularly at NAD events, including those targeted to youth.
 

Melissa Draganac-Hawk (board representative and vice chair) is a first-generation American of deaf immigrant Peruvian parents. Melissa is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Involved in the deaf community, Melissa is president of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing, appointed board member of the National Association of the Deaf, consultant to the Tri-State Latino Deaf Association, and past executive director of Deaf Women United. She lives in Philadelphia, PA and spends her free time with her husband Sam and son Etzio.

Larry Forestal (affiliate representative) is continuing a lengthy career as an ASL professor with his current lecturer/coordinator position at San Diego State University. Larry is vice president of the American Sign Language Teachers Association. He has taken on leadership roles on frequent occasions, including two terms as vice president then one term as president of the National Association of the Deaf and four years as president of the Illinois Association of the Deaf. He and his wife Geraldine Francini live in Surprise, AZ.
 

Jennifer Pfau (state association representative) has advocated on many fronts, including co-founding and administering a non-profit agency in Denver, CO, and serving as a chair for the Colorado Legal Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee. Jennifer previously participated as a member of the Civil Rights Subcommittee of the National Association of the Deaf and currently co-chairs the NAD State Association-Affiliate Committee. She currently works as a manager for Sorenson Communications and resides in the California Bay Area.

Kirsten Poston (board representative and chair) is a native of Philadelphia, PA and works in Washington, DC as disability program manager for the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. Kirsten serves as appointed board member of National Association of the Deaf and as president of an employee organization that supports deaf employees at the U.S. Department of Transportation, DEAF/DOT. She is former vice executive director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government. She and her husband live in Maryland with their three daughters and one son.

Tom Wells (staff representative) is director of finance at the National Association of the Deaf, with oversight of financial integrity and compliance processes. Tom began as an intern during his senior year at Gallaudet and steadily moved his way up the ranks to his present position, and is currently the fourth longest-serving employee. He has attended three Deaflympics as an athlete and lives in Gambrills, MD, with his wife and two children.
 

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