EmployAbility announced that Dr. Ken Boyd will be retiring as Executive Director on January 31st.  A longtime board member before taking the helm as the Executive Director, Boyd has been a tireless and passionate advocate for community integration and supported employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping to bring attention to the ways that adults with IDD enhance the community through their participation.

Brendan Ferrara, Director of Training and Supported Employment, will move into position of President/CEO of EmployAbility effective February 1, 2020. Ferrara’s selection is a result of the organization’s leadership succession plan put into place more than a year ago. Before joining EmployAbility, Ferrara spent 20 years at Savannah Technical College, first as an instructor, and finishing his tenure as the Dean of the Business and Public Services programs.

Ferrara said, “I’m excited for the future of EmployAbility. The program participants here have so much to offer – and I’m looking forward to helping everyone in our community see that people with IDD have a place at the table, both in the workplace and in the community.”

Boyd and Ferrara worked shoulder-to-shoulder at EmployAbility for nearly two years enhancing EmployAbility’s Pre-Vocational Training program which remains one of the foremost leaders in the special education space.  Under Ferrara’s  guidance, EmployAbility launched The Academy, a training program with a keen focus and renewed rigor to meet employment needs in local industries, including hospitality, medical, warehousing and logistics, and many others.

“With Brendan’s years of experience in academia and leadership throughout our community, he is the natural choice to succeed Dr. Boyd.  The Board of Directors has the utmost confidence that under Ferrara’s leadership, EmployAbility will continue to be a shining example of what an IDD service provider should be,” said Board Chairman Michael T. Owens. “He has strong track record of creating solutions in a vocationally-centric academic environment, which will enhance our workplace development efforts well into the future.”

Dr. Boyd looks forward to moving closer to family with his wife, Kathy, to enjoy retirement with his extended family.  The entire organization expresses its sincere and deep gratitude for his visionary leadership and years of service and wishes him a wonderful retirement.