Easterseals Elects Josh Jefferson as Board Chairman
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WHEELING -- The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center board of directors elected Regional Economic Development Partnership president and CEO Joshua Jefferson to a two-year term as chairperson at its annual organizational meeting on Sept. 15.
Jefferson joined the Easterseals board in 2018 and served as vice chairperson from 2021-2023. The Moundsville native and West Virginia University graduate has served RED in various capacities for 19 years, the last two as CEO.
Jefferson brings to the Easterseals board a wealth of experience in management, team building, marketing, development, communications and collaboration.
James Gardill, who has served on the Easterseals board for over 40 years and is the nonprofit's legal counsel, noted Jefferson's extensive knowledge of Easterseals combined with his RED contacts and networks will help expand the center's reach and support in the community.
"I look forward to his leadership and assistance in collaborating with other agencies and providers in the Ohio Valley to improve the lives of the children we serve," Gardill said.
"I'm very humbled and excited to work with such a tremendous organization," Jefferson said. "Having recently announced Eric Filberto as the new president/CEO and working alongside one of the most impressive and committed medical professional teams in the region, the entire board of directors anticipates great opportunities for growth and collaboration."
He added: "These efforts will directly result in expanding the essential services and support those familiar with Easterseals have always known and expected."
"Josh Jefferson and outgoing chairperson Dawn Zenner-Gaudi have been wonderful resources during our organization's transition in leadership," Filberto said. "Josh is energetic and extremely committed to our mission. I am looking forward to working with him, our board and our entire staff to find innovative and collaborative ways to address our community's most pressing needs."
In addition to Easterseals, Jefferson serves on several other local boards, including the West Virginia University Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale. West Virginia Executive Magazine named Jefferson to its Young Guns Class of 2022.
The board also elected Derek Redd, managing editor of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, as vice chairperson. Members retained Robert Cupp Jr., Deborah Joseph and James C. Gardill as treasurer, secretary and legal counsel, respectively. Zenner-Gaudi is immediate past chair.
Rounding out the board are members Robert Contraguerro Jr., newly elected Brenda Danehart, J. David Diosi, Lynn Hetzel, James Hurley, Denise Knouse-Snyder, Rabbi Joshua Lief, Paul Limbert, Kimberly Miller, newly elected Thomas Pleva, Barbara Strauss, Thomas Tuttle, Ann Wilson and Scott Winters.
For over 85 years, Easterseals has created life-changing solutions for tens of thousands of children with physical and developmental disabilities and their families. In addition to medical care, Easterseals provides outpatient pediatric speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Patients must be referred to Easterseals by a physician. Easterseals accepts all insurances, and staying true to its original mission, no one is turned away for inability to pay.