W. Roy Grizzard was nominated by President Bush to be the first
Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy and was confirmed by the
Senate on July 26, 2002. Dr. Grizzard, who himself has retinitis pigmentosa, is
responsible for advising the Secretary of Labor on issues related to the
employment of people with disabilities. He works with all agencies within the
U.S. Department of Labor to provide leadership in the Department's efforts to
increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities.
Prior to joining the Department of Labor, Dr. Grizzard served for six
years as Commissioner for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision
Impaired. This state agency provides comprehensive services to Virginia's
citizens who are blind, visually impaired and deaf blind. In this post, Dr.
Grizzard was responsible for administering the federal Randolph-Sheppard food
service vending program and the state highway vending program, providing
cooperative educational services to state public school divisions,
administering programs for low vision services and for special services to
senior citizens with visual impairments, and providing vocational
rehabilitation services. He was also involved in the development, procurement
and use of adaptive equipment, computer systems, and other technologies, as
well as library and media services such as Braille materials, large print and
talking books.
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Dr. Grizzard was a teacher and
administrator in Henrico County Schools. His tenure included service as
Assistant Principal at the Harry F. Byrd Middle School and the George Moody
Middle School and as Personnel Administrator for Employee Relations and Special
Staffing for the Henrico County Public Schools System. As Personnel
Administrator, his responsibilities included interviewing, hiring, placement
and counseling of special education teachers, school psychologists, school
social workers, Chapter I teachers, Head Start teachers, construction and
maintenance employees, and temporary employees. In addition, he had
responsibility for the Employee Assistance Program, drug testing, teacher
recruitment and teacher award programs.
Dr. Grizzard serves on the Board of Directors for Prevent Blindness of
Virginia. He is a former board member of the Council of State Administrators of
Vocational Rehabilitation, where he was Chairman of the Research Committee. Dr.
Grizzard earned his Doctor of Education degree from Nova Southeastern
University. He also has a Master of Science degree in Education Administration
and Supervision and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from
Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Grizzard and his wife Nancy have three
sons and four grandchildren.
Office of the Assistant Secretary
W. Roy Grizzard, Jr., Ed.D., Assistant Secretary J. Kim Cook, Chief
of Staff Robert Brostrom, Special Assistant Nancy Skaggs, Executive
Assistant
Office of Policy and Research
Susan Parker, Director Brian Parsons, Supervisory Policy Advisor,
Employer Team Christopher Button, Supervisory Policy Advisor, Adult
Team Rhonda Basha, Supervisory Policy Advisor, Youth Team Mike Reardon,
Supervisory Policy Advisor, Employment Supports Team Richard Horne,
Supervisory Research Analyst, Research and Evaluation Team
Office of Operations
John Davey, Director Charles Conaty, Supervisory Program Manager,
Division of Education and Outreach Paul Meyer, Supervisory Program Manager,
Division of Strategic Planning and Budget Lisa Lahrman, Supervisory Program
Specialist, Division of Program Management
Director of Public Affairs
for ODEP, Michael J. Volpe, (202) 693-7909
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