Date: Sunday, September 8, 2013
Category: General

RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America, has named Michael Brogioli as the organization’s Executive Director, succeeding the retiring M. Nell Bailey.

Brogioli brings over twenty years of experience working on behalf of organizations that benefit vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities. Prior to RESNA, he was Executive Director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the first Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Special Olympics International, and Executive Director of the Autism Coalition for Research and Education. He has built strategic partnerships that strengthened advocacy programs, increased fundraising capabilities, and worked with federal, state, and local agencies to improve services for people with disabilities. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame.

RESNA conducted a nationwide search for the Executive Director position, following an announcement from Ms. Bailey that she was retiring after 23 years with the organization (7 of those years as Executive Director).  “Michael brings with him a deep understanding of the issues people with disabilities face, along with valuable expertise in building partnerships and strengthening programs,” said Alex Mihailidis, President of RESNA’s Board of Directors. “We believe that with his leadership, RESNA will continue to grow its stature and international presence in the fields of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering.”

“I am delighted to be joining the RESNA team at this time; the organization’s work is more important than ever,” said Brogioli.  “The effective development and implementation of assistive technologies are making real differences in the lives of people with disabilities, and the potential for growth is tremendous.”