Vocational Rehabilitation ADA Expert Witness

Expert Witness No. 32

Southern California

Credentials

Certified Case Manager

Certified Employee Assistance Professional

Certified Disability Management Specialist

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Credentialed Mediator

Specialized Professional Competence

30 years professional experience managing employment decisions about people with disabilities

21 years activity training of supervisors regarding workplace accommodation determination

14 years as designated Medical Review Officer at University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

18 years of responsibility for determination of valid basis for medical separation of employees

20 years of professional experience as subject matter expert regarding employment actions and people with disabilities

10 years as designated Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for UCSD

Superior Court of California County of San Diego Mediation Panel

Principal Investigator on U.S. Department of Education grant contract

UCSD Extension Disability Management Training Instructor

County of San Diego Board of Supervisor's Representative on Community Advisory Committee

Education

San Diego State University, Master of Arts Degree, Educational Leadership & Disability Management (12/97)

San Diego State University, Disability Management Certification Program

San Diego Community Mediation Center, Mediation Skills Credential Training

University of California, San Diego Extension, Certificate in Continuing Education in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies

Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science Degree, Psychology Major with full academic scholarship

Awards

Most Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector

Best Instructional Video, 1989 – Co-executive Director -- The Road to Rehabilitation

Professional Affiliations

Association of Industrial Rehabilitation Representatives (AIRR), Vice-president, 1982

California Association of Rehabilitation and Reemployment Professionals (CARRP), Founding Council Member of San Diego Chapter

Center for Municipal Dispute Resolution, City Attorney's Office Volunteer, 1994

County of San Diego Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Board of Supervisor's Representative

Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC), San Diego Chapter Board Member

Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA), Professional Development Approval Committee, 1992

National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector (NARPPS).

San Diego Depression/Awareness, Recognition and Treatment (D'ART) in the Workplace Committee, 1995

San Diego Community College District Disability Issues Advisory Committee, 1993

San Diego Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Employer Advisory Council Member

San Diego Institute for Worker Health and Rehabilitation, Advisory Committee, 1994

San Diego Community Mediation Program EEOC Dispute Resolution Panel

Professional Experience

1994– Present, Principal, Consulting Services, Carlsbad, CA

Vocational Expert Consultation, Evaluation and Testimony of Retained or Reduced Earning Capacities for Legal Proceedings.

1991 to Present, Principal, to Disability Cost Management Consulting Services, San Diego, CA
Co-founded and developed firm providing Disability Cost Management Consulting Services. Interventions Disability Management System subcontractor.

1985 to Present, Manager, Campus Employee Rehabilitation Program, San Diego, CA

Provides a wide range of services designed to assist disabled academic and staff members and their
managers in job retention and placement efforts. Designs and delivers presentations regarding
disability awareness and management, ethical issues in the vocational rehabilitation process,
Workers' Compensation claims management techniques, and the legal aspects of employing
individuals with disabilities. Devises ergonomic evaluation, disability prevention and management,
and other cost containment procedures. As a Division Head reporting to Human Resources Director,
performs a wide range of administrative tasks including the supervision of four subordinates and the
management of program budget. As Principal Investigator of U.S. Department of Education Grant
Subcontract, manages Distance Learning Project.

1989 to 1993, Cofounder, Rehabilitation Audio Visual Education (RAVE), San Diego, CA

Served as Co-executive Director during creation of a training video, The Road to Rehabilitation, and
study guides. Developed and delivered training presentations regarding innovative disability
management techniques.

1983 to 1985, Rehabilitation Coordinator, City of San Diego, San Diego, CA

Participated in the development of a viable broad brush Employee Assistance Program and
supervised its operation. Provided assistance in problem solving for troubled employees and their
supervisors. Performed injured and ill employee case management in accordance with the City's
Vocational Rehabilitation, Light Duty, Long Term Disability Programs, and Retirement Systems.
Designed and conducted training and orientation workshops for all levels of city employees and
supervisors.
As a Department Senior Staff Member and Division Head reporting to Director of Risk Management
Department, managed a wide range of administrative responsibilities including establishing
departmental procedures; preparing program evaluation reports; and hiring and supervising three
subordinates.