[Athen] Voting Begins on November 18 for ATHEN Executive Elections ...

[Bishop, Jeff - (jeffbis) via athen-list]

Hello,

Just a reminder about voting for ATHEN members ... See below ...

Jeff Bishop
ATHEN President


From: athenpresident at gmail.com <athenpresident at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2024 12:24 PM
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu
Subject: Voting Begins on November 18 for ATHEN Executive Elections ...

Hello ATHEN Family:

All voting members with whom we have contact information for have been notified on how to cast a ballot for the upcoming election. For full transparency, we are posting the candidates here for everyone to read.

If you feel you are a voting member and have not received information on the process for voting then please reach out to board at athenpro.org<mailto:board at athenpro.org> for assistance.

Thank you everyone and have an awesome weekend!

Jeff Bishop
ATHEN President

Jeff Bishop for ATHEN President: Leading with Vision, Empowerment, and Impact
Jeff Bishop is a transformative leader in accessibility, education, and assistive technology, making him uniquely qualified to serve as ATHEN<http://www.athenpro.org> President. With over three decades of experience spanning academia, corporate innovation, and advocacy, Jeff has empowered individuals, built inclusive communities, and driven impactful change.
His proven ability to inspire action, foster collaboration, and deliver results ensures ATHEN will thrive as a global leader in accessibility. Jeff's commitment to fostering partnerships, inspiring a diverse community, and providing resources for success positions ATHEN to expand its influence, deepen its impact, and lead the charge in shaping a more inclusive future.
Under Jeff's leadership, ATHEN<http://www.athenpro.org> will:
- Strengthen partnerships with organizations such as AHEAD.
- Foster collaboration with members, technical companies, and diverse groups.
- Empower individuals through education, training, and opportunities to thrive.
- Expand its reach to create greater accessibility, inclusion, and innovation.
Why Jeff Bishop for ATHEN President?
Jeff Bishop's extraordinary blend of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and heartfelt advocacy makes him uniquely suited to lead ATHEN<http://www.athenpro.org>. His proven ability to inspire action, foster collaboration, and deliver transformative changes ensures ATHEN<http://www.athenpro.org> will continue to thrive as a global leader in accessibility.
Jeff's unwavering belief in the power of partnerships, coupled with his dedication to fostering a diverse, uplifted community, highlights his commitment to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and innovation. Under Jeff's leadership, ATHEN will not only achieve its goals but redefine the possibilities of what accessibility can accomplish in education and beyond.
Candidate Introduction for Jeff Bishop - President of ATHEN
Jeff Bishop is a transformative leader in accessibility, education, and assistive technology. With over three decades of groundbreaking work spanning academia, corporate innovation, and advocacy, Jeff has dedicated his career to empowering blind individuals and fostering inclusive communities. His unwavering commitment to equitable access, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships makes him the ideal candidate to advance ATHEN's mission and vision.
Career Excellence and Expertise
Jeff's professional journey exemplifies a rare combination of technical expertise and visionary leadership. Over his 19 years at the University of Arizona<http://www.arizona.edu>, Jeff served as a software developer, accessibility consultant, and liaison with third-party technology providers, driving advancements that bridged universal design principles with real-world applications. His work established sustainable solutions that advanced accessibility across the university's digital landscape.
At Microsoft, Jeff's influence was transformative. He spearheaded enhancements to the Windows screen reader, Narrator, and championed cultural shifts within the company to prioritize accessibility at every level. His efforts directly impacted millions of users worldwide and improved the experiences of Microsoft employees by embedding accessibility into the core of the organization's operations.
Leadership and Advocacy
Jeff's leadership is distinguished by his ability to inspire action and deliver a measurable impact. As President of the Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS)<http://www.bits-acb.org>, Jeff has overseen the organization's phenomenal growth, increasing its membership from 180 to almost 1,000 members globally. This exponential expansion reflects his strategic vision, focus on empowerment, and ability to cultivate a dynamic, collaborative community. Under his leadership, BITS has evolved into an influential organization that provides opportunities for blind individuals to learn, contribute, and lead in the technology sector.
In the American Council of the Blind (ACB)<http://www.acb.org>, Jeff has held numerous elected positions, including serving on the Board of Directors and Board of Publications. He has driven national and state-level initiatives that expand education, employment, and advocacy opportunities for blind individuals.
Jeff's belief in the power of collaboration is demonstrated through his partnerships with key organizations. His work with Pneuma Solutions<https://pneumasolutions.com/> and Remote Incident Manager (RIM)<https://pneumasolutions.com/products/rim/> has resulted in innovative tools that increase independence and inspire users to take control of their technology. These partnerships exemplify how shared vision, and collaboration can amplify the reach and impact of assistive technologies, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Commitment to Education and Empowerment
Jeff's dedication to education extends far beyond his individual contributions. He has led a team of educators and contributors to deliver training to over six hundred students in essential skills such as Python programming, Office 365, software development best practices, and Windows accessibility. By fostering a collaborative environment and leveraging the collective expertise of his team, Jeff has ensured that these educational initiatives are not only impactful but also accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
This commitment reflects Jeff's deeply held belief that education is a catalyst for empowerment. By providing free training, resources, and technology, Jeff has enabled individuals to build confidence, develop valuable skills, and succeed in competitive fields. The ripple effects of these efforts extend beyond individual achievements, enriching the broader community and demonstrating the transformative power of equitable access to knowledge and tools.
Visionary Impact
Jeff's leadership is guided by the principle that partnerships are the foundation of lasting success. He has cultivated collaborations with organizations such as Perkins, Bookshare, the National Library Service (NLS), Vispero (Freedom Scientific), Microsoft, Apple, the American Printing House (APH), Zoom, Pneuma Solutions, and many others to create opportunities that uplift communities while delivering measurable value to partners. His work exemplifies the ability to align shared goals and deliver results that inspire excellence across all stakeholders.
By uniting technical expertise, advocacy, and education, Jeff has broken down barriers to inclusion and shaped a future where accessibility is a universal standard. His dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration has created opportunities for individuals and organizations to thrive, proving that the greatest impact comes from motivating others to succeed.
Looking Ahead: The Future of ATHEN
Jeff envisions a future for ATHEN that is built on the strength of its community and its unwavering commitment to accessibility, empowerment, and inclusion. ATHEN is more than an organization-it is a family and a community where diverse voices rally together vitalized to contribute, innovate, and thrive. Jeff believes that the true measure of leadership lies in providing others with the opportunities and tools they need to flourish, unlocking the collective potential of every member to achieve even greater possibilities.
To strengthen ATHEN's reach and impact, Jeff is committed to forging dynamic partnerships with organizations such as AHEAD, fostering deeper connections with members, and collaborating with technical companies and diverse groups. These alliances will not only expand ATHEN's influence but also create a foundation for groundbreaking advancements in accessibility and inclusion.
Under Jeff's leadership, ATHEN will inspire innovation, build bridges between academia, industry, and community, and amplify its voice as a global leader in accessible education and technology. By fostering collaboration, nurturing talent, and championing diversity, ATHEN will lead the challenge in shaping a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
Personal Dedication
Jeff resides in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Keri, their two sons, David and Brian, and his guide dog, Chief. His personal values of family, community, and lifelong learning align seamlessly with his professional ethos. Whether enjoying podcasts, engaging in creative projects, or collaborating on accessibility advancements, Jeff remains steadfast in his dedication to making the world a better, more inclusive place.

Natalie Davison - Secretary
Natalie is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) with a Bachelors of Science in Disability and Community Services and a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Natalie is the Assistant Director of the Educational Access Center at Boise State University in Idaho. Natalie has a collective 8 years experience in higher education disability resource centers. She has also worked with people with disabilities in community day programs and group homes. Natalie is Secretary on the ATHEN Executive Board currently and finds great value in the constant exposure to Access Tech information and experts. Natalie's goal to enhance the ATHEN community is to further assist with the coordination of organized, efficient communication of plans and resources via emails and the website. Natalie enjoys spending time in nature, winning board games, preparing healthy meals, and weightlifting.

Tisha L. Marzewski - Member at Large
Tisha works with disabled students on the campuses of ASU-Beebe as the coordinator for disability services. In the ebb and flow of managing the office of disability services since 2007, Tisha recognizes the fluid changes impacting the diverse landscape of disability services, assistive technology and accommodation access. Tisha has held leadership board positions with the Arkansas affiliate of AHEAD, has volunteered for the Accessibility Summer Camp committee for the last four years, and currently serves as member at large with ATHEN. Tisha earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Lyon College in 1996 and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Arkansas State University in 1999. Her background before she entered the world of higher education and disability services was in the world of vocational rehabilitation. She worked for both Missouri and Arkansas as a counselor assisting disabled people to gain competitive employment. Tisha's passions are supporting the voices from the disabled community, all things chocolate, listening to her husband's Star War rambles, and loving her fur baby family.

Alex Marositz - Member at Large
My name is Alex Marositz, and I would like to nominate myself to run for the member at large on The ATHEN Executive Council for the upcoming term. I am eager to continue advocating for collective best practices in AT within higher ed. I am the section 504 program manager at the California Community College Accessibility Center. The CCCAC provides guidance, training, tools, and technical expertise to all 116 California Community Colleges in proactive accessibility efforts including an accessibility capability maturity model, and section 504/ADA accommodations such as assistive technology and alternate media. Prior to my role at the CCCAC, I served as an Accessible Technology Initiative coordinator within the California State university system, and prior to that, 12 years as an assistive technology specialist at Pasadena City College. I have served on various campus shared governance committees, lead student accessibility organizations, and presented at conferences and state-wide workshops. As I said, I am eager to continue advocating for the success of our students and the inclusiveness of our institutions through technology on an international level within, and through, ATHAN.


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