MWVA

Debra Willis - President
Debra Willis has over 30 years experience in Healthcare. She is an
advocate and resource for healthcare related issues.
She believes that making the most of life is a gift we can share with
infinite reward.

Bob Almond - Vice President
Bob has worked in public education at the elementary, secondary, and university levels for the past 34 years. He has served as a teacher, department head, coordinator,
assistant principal, state supervisor, college instructor, state director, consultant, and is currently serving as special assistant to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In addition, he currently serves as national executive director/consultant for the P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children?s Education, development officer for the Virginia
Career Education Foundation, and on numerous boards and commissions for both public and private professional organizations.

He has worked with Ms Wheelchair Virginia (MWVA) for the past three years and was elected vice president of the MWVA Board of Directors. He is a past president of the
Richmond Unit of Parliamentarians, Virginia Business Education Association, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education Alumni Board, Bellevue Civic
Association and P. Buckley Moss Board of Directors and former executive director of the Virginia Career and Technical Education Association (VCTEA) formerly Virginia
Vocational Association. Bob has served as a consultant for the Virginia Business Education Association (VBEA), Virginia Vocational Association (VVA), Virginia Association
of Secondary School Principals (VASSP), Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), Southern Business Education Association (SBEA), National Business Education
Association (NBEA), Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Virginia Education Association (VEA), Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Board,
Combined Campaign Virginia, March of Dimes Organization, American Cancer Society, Heart Association, Association for the Research of Childhood Cancer (Medical
College of Virginia), Richmond Technical Education Center, and Moss on the James Society Chapter.

Bob holds professional members in numerous professional and civic organizations and devotes countless hours of service throughout the year. In addition, he enjoys
working in his church with senior ministries and helping his 87 year old father continue his independence living in his own home. He enjoys collecting antiques, traveling,
spending time at the beach, and dinners and holidays with friends and family. Bob is a ?can do? person and likes a challenge with new and innovative programs, projects,
and organizations.

Pam Cobler - Executive Director/Secretary
Pamela C. Cobler, Ed. D.
Pam was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia March 13, 2004. She was born and raised in Martinsville. Pam earned a undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education, a
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and received her Doctorate Degree in Education Administration with her thesis on disability and public education. Pam
has been a model, has taught kindergarten, third grade, community college courses and has served as a coordinator for the Piedmont Tech Prep Consortium at Patrick
Henry Community College. Pam is currently the Executive Director of the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Program and is a Regional Sales Manager for Fortune Hi Tech
Marketing. Dr. Cobler will continue her mission of promoting education about available disability resources. Since Pam’s injury in May, 2001 she has continued to study,
work, exercise, serve on local, regional, state and national boards for civic, educational, and business duties. She served on the Governor’s Commission for Community and
National Services which focuses on non-profits and volunteerism and she was invited by the editor of Culpeper News to write her own monthly column for disability
awareness in Virginia! Pam was chosen the 2nd place winner in the 32nd annual Ms. Wheelchair America Program July 31, 2004. She travels throughout the state and
nation speaking. Pam has devoted herself to the education and awareness of issues for all Americans.

Bill Fuller - Treasurer
William Edward Fuller, Ph. D. had Polio at age two and began using a wheelchair in 1988 when wheelchair technology and general accessibility improved to the point
where he could travel more conveniently then on braces and crutches.

Dr. Fuller graduated from West Virginia University in 1973 with a degree in Social Work and began a career with the West Virginia Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation. Later he accepted an appointment as Director of Finance and Development at Grafton School in Berryville Va. a school for children with autism. Dr. Fuller
earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Shenandoah University where he concentrated in Finance and Information management. He served as
Executive Director of Access Independence, an independent living center serving people with disabilities. There Dr. Fuller developed accessible housing for people with very
serious disabilities. In 1995 Dr. Fuller designed the fiscal intermediary PAS system still in use in Virginia. In 1997 Dr. Fuller founded Paragon Consulting, to assist
organizations, like HOME, Inc. develop accessible, affordable housing for people with disabilities. He holds several prestigious awards including the President?s Award, The
Disabled Businessman of the year award, and the National Disabled Scholar Award. He is a former wheelchair athlete and four-time finisher of the Marine Corps
Marathon.

Dr. Fuller was granted a Ph. D. in Urban Services from Virginia Commonwealth University where he concentrated in disability policy and real estate development. He has
published several books and articles in the field of disability policy and collaborated on a Legislative Housing Study for the Virginia General Assembly, Disability
Commission. Dr. Fuller was appointed to the position of Housing Initiatives Officer with the Virginia Housing Development Authority where he has continued to develop
housing for people with disabilities.

Dr. Fuller has been appointed by Governor Warner to the Olmstead Planning Task Force, Serves as Vice Chairman of the Olmstead Community Integration
Implementation Team and serves on the Disability Commission Housing Work Group. He has served on the Board of Directors of Virginia Supportive Housing and the
Virginia Housing Coalition. Dr. Fuller was appointed by the Speaker of the House of the Virginia General Assembly to the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia
Protection and Advocacy Office and the Virginia Community Integration Commission.

Donna Foster - Policy
Donna L. Foster started her healthcare practice as a Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General?s Office in the Mental Health/Health Services
Department representing several state agencies that serve the disabled including the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, The Department for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, The Virginia Industries for the Blind, and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. While an Assistant Attorney General Ms. Foster also participated in
investigations conducted at Virginia?s mental health hospitals by the Virginia Attorney General?s Office and the Justice Department pursuant to the Civil Rights of
Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Ms. Foster also served as substitute counsel for several state licensing Boards including the Board of Psychology, Board of Medicine,
Board of Nursing and Board of Dentistry.

In 2000, Ms. Foster entered private practice at LeClair Ryan, where she became and still remains one of the go to persons for healthcare practitioners that request
representation before the various state licensing boards within the Virginia Department of Health Professions including the Board of Social Workers, Board of Psychology,
Board of Medicine, Board of Dentistry, Board of Veterinary Medicine, and Board of Funeral Home Directors and Embalmers, and various credentialing committees.

Ms. Foster also defends hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, dentists and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. Ms. Foster has won medical
malpractice trials in Richmond, Newport News, Henrico, Hampton, Roanoke, Martinsville, and Williamsburg. Ms. Foster has successfully resolved cases in other venues
such as Norfolk, Fredericksburg, Nottoway, Chesterfield, Christiansburg, Danville, Charlottesville and Henry County.

Ms. Foster also counsels hospitals, physicians, and managed care organizations in patient care issues, medical staff relations, risk management. Ms. Foster frequently
lectures on issues regarding medical records, informed consent, duty to warn, and the healthcare regulatory process.

Ms. Foster belongs to the Defense Research Institute, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, American Bar Association, and the Virginia State Bar.

Bob Henderson - Finance and Public Relations
Robert L. “Bob” Henderson holds an under-graduate degree from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech. He is now a full-time
instructor for Virginia Commonwealth University, providing training for social work employees all over Virginia in issues related to protective services for the elderly and
people with disablilites. He has been listed in the Who’s Who of Professional Management since 1997 and was the recipient of a National Volunteerism Award from the
YMCA of the USA. He is also an amateur photographer whose work has appeared in such publications as the Roanoker Magazine, Bella Magazine, The Roanoke Times,
and the Senior News, and on the websites for other local media.
Bob is Co-Executive Director for Roanoke Scholarship Pageants, Inc. in Roanoke, Virginia. RSPI sponsors the Miss Roanoke Valley, Miss Teen Roanoke Valley, and the
Miss Pre-Teen Roanoke Valley Pageants. In addition, Bob was the Associate Producer of the Miss Virginia Revue, a one-hour television special leading into the LIVE
state-wide telecast of the 2006 Miss Virginia Pageant. Bob has judged local pageants in both Virginia and Tennessee, and, this past July, he was a national judge for the
Ms Wheelchair America Pageant in Washington, DC.
.
Paige Moore - Program Planning and Recruitment
Director of Occupational Therapy at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Paige graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1987 with a degree in Occupational
Therapy. She has served as adjunct faculty for the Roanoke College of Health Sciences and Shenandoah University. Additionally, she has guest lectured for the Medical
College of Virginia and James Madison University. Her academic endeavors have focused on educating future health care professionals in spinal cord injury care and
seating and positioning issues. She has presented at numerous professional conferences on topics related to spinal cord injury rehabilitation and assistive technology.

Ellen Shackelford - Program Planning and Recruitment
Ellen L. Shackelford
President, Connections Access Consulting Services, LLC (CACS)
As founder and president of Connections Access Consulting Services, LLC, Ellen is dedicated to a service which will enhance the awareness and unconscious injustice of the
aging population and Citizens with disabilities. The CACS team goal is to serve as advocates by providing education through training and disability awareness programs
necessary to address the importance of inclusion in an aging society. Ellen was employed as a Youth Transition Coordinator at Insight Enterprises Inc. Peninsula Center
for Independent Living and has attended leadership programs: Partners In Policy Making, sponsored by Virginia Board for People with Disabilities; The Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services of the U. S. Department of Education Rocky Mount Technical Assistance & Consulting Center and Dan Hopkins & Associates, Inc.

Ellen is active in the disability community and holds several leadership roles such as past Vice Chairperson for the Hampton Mayors Committee for People with
Disabilities, Chairperson for Accessibility; Victims Advocate (trainee) M. A. D. D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving); Peninsula Literacy Council Tutor Volunteer. She is
also a member of other committees such as: State Wide Independent Living Council (SILC); Toast Masters International – CC (Competent Communicator); Citizens Unity
Commission, as Liaison/Facilitator for the Diversity College; Facilitators Team Certification & RGB training Certification issued by Quality of Work Life Consultants and
Age & Abilities Expo (former Secretary) and member of National Speakers Association.

Ellen received 1st runner up in the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Pageant (2007 -2008) held in Fishersville, Virginia and now serves on the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Board of
Directors. She lives in Hampton, Virginia and has a daughter who has graduated from Fordham University, May 2009 and three grandchildren by her late son Jason R.
Freeman.

Carrie Weeks - Finance and Business
Carrie Weeks is President/Dealer Operator at Independent Lifestyles Mobility Specialist
in Madison Heights, Virginia. She is a member of: VIADA (Virginia Independent Auto Dealers Association); NIADA National Independent Auto Dealers Association);
NMEDA (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association); and ADA (Adaptive Driving Alliance). Her civic and community sponsor activities include: Muscular
Dystrophy; Children’s Miracle Network; Various Youth Baseball and Softball teams; Virginia Relay Partner; Rebuild Together Lynchburg; Ms. Wheelchair Virginia; local
Chamber of commerce events; and Sun wheelers. She has been a member of: Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce; Amherst County Chamber of Commerce; Board of
Directors Amherst County Chamber of Commerce. Awards include: President of Amherst County Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors Amherst County Chamber of
Commerce; and for Nominee Amherst County Small Business. Ms. Weeks has served and supported: Lynchburg Area Center for Independent Living with legislative
activities; vans for individuals to go to Richmond for legislative reviews Through Lynchburg Center for Independent Living; Legislative luncheon for Amherst County
Chamber of Commerce; Amherst Planning commission; Lynchburg Beard Center on Aging; Senior Network Group; vans to MS society for yearly outing at Smith
Mountain Lake; Ms. Wheelchair Virginia and provide transportation for contestants when needed; and Volunteer Rebuild Together Lynchburg. Carrie is a member of Elon
Baptist Church and lives with her daughter, Allie.

Laura Wimmer - Planning & Nominating Committee
Laura Wimmer has been working as a health educator for the past 21 years. Her background includes a Masters of Library Science from Kent State University. After
positions in an engineering library and medical library, she began her career in health education at the American Lung Association where she spent 7 ½ years. She went
on to the American Cancer Society for 5 ½ years and the Arthritis Foundation for 2 ½ years. Laura currently works with a grant from the CDC (Centers for Disease
Prevention and Control) in heart attack and stroke prevention through the Virginia Department of Health.
Laura’s volunteer activities include the American Association of University Women, (AAUW), Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Asociation, Women’s Health
Virginia and the Henrico Pops Chorus.