Hamilton Relay Recognizes Leader in Rhode Island

From: Hamilton Relay - Sep 27, 2006

In honor of Deaf Awareness Week, Hamilton Relay is pleased to recognize Steve Florio as the 2006 Deaf Leader of the Year for the State of Rhode Island.

Steve is the first Deaf Executive Director of Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RICDHH). He is responsible for providing leadership and guiding all aspects of the Commission’s activities to ensure that the quality of life of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Rhode Islanders is improved. Prior to joining the RICDHH staff, Steve was employed by J.P. Morgan, Chase and Company for 9 years as an accounting/financial specialist, where he was responsible for financial reporting, analysis, and control of a commercial loan portfolio valued at $9 billion dollars.

Before moving to Rhode Island, Steve was twice appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to serve on the PA Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He assumed the Council chairperson position in his last two years of his residency in PA. He has also devoted his time to the PA Society of Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) as both a Board Manager for 5 years, and President for 4 years.

Steve is serving his third term as a Board of Trustees member on the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia, PA. He also served on the Rhode Island School for the Deaf Board of Trustees for two years (2003-2005).

Steve provides leadership series and workshops, and has presented several keynote speeches at the national, state, and local levels including NAD Regional Conferences, State Associations of the Deaf Conferences, the National Association of the Deaf’s Junior NAD, and other non-profit organizations.

He was appointed by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) as chair of a restructuring committee known as Fulton III Committee focused on revamping the organization.

Steve is married to Michelle (Majeri) and has two Deaf sons, Kyle, 2; and Luke, 8 months. They reside in Warwick, RI.