People in Business
Jennifer Carter was recently promoted to voucher programs manager at Vancouver Housing Authority. Previously the agency’s voucher programs supervisor, she brings a wealth of experience to the role overseeing the housing authority’s rental voucher programs that serve thousands of low-income households in Clark County.
“Carter has already had a tremendous impact through her work in the voucher department and I am excited to see what her leadership will bring,” COO Andy Silver said.
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, headquartered in Vancouver, recently welcomed its first Idaho program manager, Sam Picciano, as the organization expands programming across the state. Picciano will oversee and lead program and service delivery in the state of Idaho helping Northwest Association for Blind Athletes increase its footprint with the goal of providing life-changing opportunities to individuals who are blind and visually impaired.
Picciano holds a master’s degree in visual disabilities education from Florida State University, is a certified orientation and mobility specialist via the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals and has certification as a teacher of the visually impaired.
“I am most excited to bring blindness sensitivity training and blindness awareness to Idaho. With blindness being the lowest incidence disability, there are few organizations specifically creating, maintaining, and scaling quality programming catered to the blindness population. Explicitly targeting sports and physical activity is poignant, as our programs fracture the stereotype of blind individuals leading sedentary lifestyles.” Picciano said. “However, our programming is not solely focused on being active; our programs champion bold and independent strides, foster community, and empower all who engage, to reach higher. I truly regard and embody NWABA’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities and look forward to continuing to develop the quality of Northwest Association for Blind Athlete’s programming and to bolster community commitment as I carry my diverse skillset into Idaho.”
Picciano will lead a team of two other program specialists based in Northwest Association for Blind Athlete’s new Idaho office in Boise — at 1444 S. Entertainment Way, Suite 201 — to expand and enhance programs and services across Idaho to improve the quality of life for more children, youth, and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
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