Braille Monitor                                                           May 2007

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On his April 3 presidential release, NFB President Marc Maurer announced important changes in the professional staff leadership at the National Center for the Blind. Jim Gashel, executive director for strategic initiatives, and Betsy Zaborowski, executive director of the NFB Jernigan Institute, will both be leaving their current posts, he in July and she in September or October. Mr. Gashel, who is the longest-serving employee of the Federation, having begun as director of governmental affairs on January 1, 1974, has become vice president for marketing at the newly created company K-NFB Reading Technology. He will leave his position with the NFB following the 2007 national convention. Dr. Zaborowski will leave her position as executive director of the Jernigan Institute in the early fall to take another leadership position with the NFB.

John Paré, NFB director of public relations, will succeed Mr. Gashel as director for strategic planning, and Mark Riccobono, director of education at the Jernigan Institute, is now serving as interim executive director of the Jernigan Institute and, following a transitional period this summer, will officially become executive director when Dr. Zaborowski begins her new position. The presidential release in which these changes are discussed in more detail is available for download at <www.nfb.org>.

It is impossible to put into words the organization�s gratitude to Jim and Betsy for their dedication and service to the National Federation of the Blind and to blind people everywhere. We can all be thankful that, though they are leaving their current positions, they will continue to dedicate their talents to improving life for all of us.

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