PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Amy Van Bergen
Cell phone: 407-619-3862
Email: info@dsabrevard.org
Contact: Craig Lewis
Cell phone: 901-201-1964
Email: director@dsabrevard.org
March 15, 2020, Merritt Island, FL–Brevard-based disability/family support organization Down Syndrome Association of Brevard (DSAB) has selected Craig Lewis, a nonprofit leader with 10+ years of executive management experience, as its first executive director.
Lewis first volunteered for the organization last year when he helped with social media content, served on the Buddy Walk™ committee and helped drive up family and donor engagement in the “virtual” COVID-19 world.
“Craig is a positive and energetic leader. His warm, practical approach to problem solving, and passion for helping individuals with Down syndrome and their families earned Craig the esteem of the Down Syndrome Association of Brevard’s volunteers, staff, board, and donors,” said DSAB Vice President Jimmy Rudolph. “The board is excited to work with Craig as our executive director and confident that the DSAB will be well positioned under his guidance to grow well in the years to come.”
Prior to officially joining the Down Syndrome Association of Brevard on March 15, 2021, Lewis served as the marketing manager for Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, a national trade association that serves the leadership of Down syndrome support organizations around the country. Lewis also managed nonprofit faith-based programs for more than seven years in both Orlando and Memphis, TN where he grew up and graduated from the University of Memphis in 2008. He is also a Special Olympics volunteer and a wellness and fitness coach in his spare time.
“I am so excited to roll up my sleeves and get started,” Lewis said. “I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a great organization. The DSAB has so much growth potential and I’m eager to build on our successes and expand the programs and services our families need and deserve. I’m especially grateful to the DSAB founders and leaders who developed a solid and visionary strategic plan.” As executive director, Lewis will work closely with the board and community at large to ensure that DSAB can continue to adapt to serve individuals with Down syndrome and their families through the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the organization, Lewis will be hosting the DSAB’s first in-person event of 2021 on Sunday, March 21 to celebrate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day at McLarty Park in Rockledge.
About Down Syndrome Association of Brevard:
DSAB is a non-profit organization formed in 2006 by parents who were committed to helping other families of those with Down syndrome and it has hosted an awareness walk since 2002. The DSAB is a proud member of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, and it is also affiliated with Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society. Recognized with a Guidestar Bronze Seal of Transparency, the DSAB vision is to build a culture of respect, inclusion, support, and education in Brevard County where individuals with Down syndrome can RISE to their full potential at all stages of their lives.
Its mission is:
To RESPECT the unique gifts of people with Down syndrome
To INCLUDE individuals with Down syndrome in all aspects of our community
To SUPPORT individuals with Down syndrome and their families
To EDUCATE families, medical communities, government and local agencies
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