Coastal Center for Developmental Services is proud to announce that CCDS Executive Director Kathy Thomson and board member Daniel Massey were each recently honored by The Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities at their spring conference in Augusta.   
 
Thomson was selected to receive the SPADD Trail Blazer Award which honors an organizational leader who has, through leadership, advocacy, program development or some other meaningful contribution, has made a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities within their own community, or across the state.  Thomson, who will be celebrating 40 years with CCDS this year, has not only advocated strongly for individuals at CCDS, but also across the state by serving on several committees and boards that determine state policy on service.  Additionally, during her time as executive director, CCDS developed three new programs to meet its people’s needs, moved the agency onto a stronger technological path, and encouraged strong community partnerships for all facets of the agency.
 
Massey received the inaugural SPADD Employer of the Year Award for hiring, supporting, and advocating for people with disabilities in his business.  Currently, he is the Clerk of Superior Court for Chatham County, an office he has held since 2004. In his current role, Massey has made significant improvements in technology availability and data sharing in the court system, even moving to a paperless environment for one division. Massey has served on the CCDS Board of Directors since 2010 and has hired two individuals through the CCDS Community Employment program.
 
Both Thomson and Massey were recognized at awards ceremony the last evening of the SPADD conference.