CSD Appoints Robert Davila as Senior VP of Newly Formed National Programs

From: CSD - Jul 16, 2004

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PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

Release Date: July16, 2004
Contact: Rick Norris
CSD Communications Office

CSD Streamlines Services and Appoints Robert Davila as Senior Vice President of Newly Formed National Programs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — In order to provide the wide array of services CSD offers as an entire organization to all consumers, CSD has merged the human service offices and marketing outreach offices, making all CSD services available wherever you find CSD. CSD has appointed Dr. Robert R. Davila as the senior vice president of this new division, the National Programs division. Davila will oversee all marketing and human service operations, incorporating nearly 30 different offices across the United States.

In the past, not all programs were available to consumers in all areas of the service sector. Having cultural programs like domestic violence in limited areas created a service gap that is now going to be addressed via improved video technology. Under the developing arrangement, consumers may connect to a domestic violence counselor, drug and alcohol counselors, or any available CSD service via video connections, at no cost.

This biggest change involves adding the video aspect to human services. While CSD already has video relay and video interpreting, video human services is the logical next step in the evolution of CSD. While this service is not available at this moment, it is being implemented and will soon be accessible. The outreach and human services offices are integrating their efforts — a new aspect to their responsibilities as well. Davila was brought on board to spearhead this new fusion of marketing and human services.

"Setting up a CSD office in every city in the U.S. is just not a realistic option," said Benjamin Soukup, chief executive officer. "But part of our mission is to provide the tools conducive to a positive and fully integrated life for all deaf and hard of hearing people, and this new structure will go a long way in reaching more consumers and having greater impact."

Davila was most recently a vice president at the Rochester Institute of Technology and was responsible for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). Prior to NTID, Davila was appointed by George H. Bush in 1989 to serve as the assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services in the U.S. Department of Education. He was also appointed by President George W. Bush in 2001 to serve on the National Council on Disability and was recently re-appointed to a second three-year term by President Bush.

"With the increasing growth of CSD, we are thrilled to have Bob on our staff," said Soukup. "His reputation, experience, leadership and vision are a great match for our organizational strategies. I am confident he is the right person to take CSD to the next level."

Davila earned his bachelor's degree from Gallaudet University, a master's degree in special education from Hunter College and a doctorate in educational technology from Syracuse University. He has an impressive career spanning over 30 years as a teacher, dean, vice president, headmaster, administrator, board member, diplomat, humanitarian, activist and role model.

"My goal is to help CSD maintain its leading role as the major provider of human services for deaf and hard of hearing people, both nationally and internationally," said Davila. "CSD is a great business model, and with the right kind of controlled expansion, CSD will continue to be pace-setting pioneers in this industry."

About CSD — CSD (also known as Communication Service for the Deaf) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs approximately 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human service programs, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private, nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

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