Aneesah Furqan, President
Oregon Association of Disability Examiners (OrADE)

Aneesah Furqan is the 2009 president of NADE’s Oregon Chapter, OrADE, and chair of the 2009 NADE Pacific Regional Training Conference.

Furqan has more than 20 years of service and experience with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS) programs. She is currently branch manager of the Oregon DHS Seniors and People with Disabilities Federal Resource and Financial Benefits Disability Determination Services Office, a position she has held for 12 years.

Prior to joining the Oregon DDS, Furqan worked in a variety of executive level positions with the Los Angeles DDS programs. She moved to Oregon in 1990.

Furqan has been instrumental in forming numerous state programs to help people with disabilities obtain employment and become eligible for disability funds. She is also an active member of the Salem-Keizer School District Equity Issues Committee and is secretary of the Oregon Assembly of Black Affairs as well as a member of the Oregon State Hispanic Employee Network and the DHS Diversity Development Coordinating Council.

Furqan’s academic background includes specialization in business administration, science, behavioral psychology, nursing and public health. She currently serves as a mentor for area high school and college students. She is the proud parent of six children, including the youngest three who are now completing college degrees. She enjoys tennis, golf and Rollerblading.

John Owen, Deputy Director
Division of DDS Operations Support
SSA Office of Disability Determinations

John Owen is the deputy director of the Division of DDS Operations Support in the Woodlawn, Md., Social Security Administration Office of Disability Determinations. He supervises the Medical and Professional Relations (MPRO) Team, the DDS Operational Workflow & Analysis (DOWA) Team, and the Special Projects teams.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Owen graduated with honors from Oregon State University and began his professional career as a disability adjudicator in the Alaska DDS. Owen began working for SSA in 2007 where he has participated in numerous projects, including the Integrated Disability Process Past Relevant Work Workgroup and the current Occupational Information System Development Workgroup.

Owen has three daughters who recently graduated from or are attending Oregon colleges.

Marrion Phipps, Program Analyst
SSA Office of Disability Determinations

For the past two years, Marrion Phipps has been a program analyst in the Social Security Administration Woodlawn, Md., Office of Disability Determinations.

In her 20-year career with DDS, Phipps has served as a quality reviewer, professional relations officer, adjudicator and unit supervisor. She currently works in Maryland but formerly worked in various state and branch offices in Baltimore, Denver, Spokane and Texas. She has also worked as a hospice social worker, assistant administrator in a skilled nursing facility and as a specialized foster care worker.

Phipps received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas and a mater’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University.

Mary Gabriel, Director
Oregon Disability Determination Services

Mary Gabriel is the director of the Oregon Disability Determination Services. Her DDS career started in California as a disability evaluation analyst and continued in the state of Washington where she held progressively responsible positions. She became Oregon’s DDS director in August 2008.

Gabriel says that ensuring the Oregon DDS achieves its mission of providing excellent service to the people we serve is her primary focus. She says, “Although the context of our current economy is challenging, we are also presented with rewards when DDS staff achieve goals, maintain positive attitudes, and show care and compassion for claimants and coworkers.”

Gabriel enjoys living in Oregon, where drives to the ocean, mountains or metropolitan attractions are all close. Her education includes a master of arts degree in anthropology. She enjoys reading, museums and cultural events and, when not working, can usually be found digging in the dirt, planting flowers.

Joe Lynne Rader, Disability Analyst
Oregon Disability Determination Services

Joe Lynne Rader has been with the Oregon DDS for more than five years, serving presently as a disability analyst 2. She has served as OrADE president and on the 2009 Pacific Regional Training Conference Steering Committee. Before joining the Oregon DDS, she had a career in the Worker’s Compensation field of claims adjudication with large self-insured employers in Oregon and Washington.

Rader’s volunteer activities include six years as a disaster volunteer for the American Red Cross, She has been a member of Toastmaster’s International and has many years of experience in community and professional theater. She enjoys her family, traveling with her husband, and meeting people everywhere she travels (including NADE conferences).

Bruce Goldberg, M.D.
Director, Oregon Department of Human Services

Bruce Goldberg M.D. is a family medicine physician who has devoted his professional career to improving the organization, delivery and financing of public health services. He has been director of the Oregon Department of Human Services since November 2005.

During his time with DHS he has led efforts to improve children's access to health care and reduce hunger and food insecurity among Oregonians, has been instrumental in developing plans for revamping the state's mental health system and constructing two new state psychiatric hospitals, and has promoted education and prevention as the most effective means of protecting and improving the health of Oregonians.

Dr. Goldberg has extensive professional experience in public health and also was a faculty member at Oregon Health and Science University for more than 15 years.

Dr. Goldberg, who has published widely, is currently chairman of the American Public Human Services Association's National Policy Council.

Dr. Goldberg is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed his family medicine training at Duke University.

He and his wife, also a physician, are the parents of two daughters. In his spare time he plays the harmonica in a rhythm and blues band and roots for the New York Yankees.

Donald Schoening, Regional Commissioner (Keynote Speaker)
Social Security Administration

Donald Schoening is the regional commissioner for the Social Security Administration, Seattle Region. In this capacity he provides overall leadership and directs the administration of SSA programs in the four-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Schoening began his career with Social Security in 1974 in the Hannibal, Mo., office and has served in numerous management positions throughout his career.

Schoening was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in September 2003. He served as the deputy regional commissioner of the Seattle Region until his appointment as regional commissioner in June 2007. As part of his duties, Schoening serves as a national executive lead for diversity and succession management.

Born and raised in Detroit, Mich., Schoening received his bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College and his master’s degree from Western Illinois University. Prior to joining SSA he spent six years teaching high school English, speech, and drama. He is married and has two daughters and two granddaughters.

Georgina Huskey
NADE President

As a member of NADE since 1992, Georgina Huskey has been involved with the Los Angeles chapter on several capacities and worked in many national committees, most notably being honored as chair of the Litigation Monitoring Committee and the recipient of the Regional Supervisor’s Award in 2005. She served as the Pacific Region president for three years, and directed the Pacific Region for four years. Huskey has worked for the state of California Department of Developmental Service (DDS) for more than 20 years. During her tenure there, she has held many positions. Huskey is currently a disability evaluation team manager. She is honored to be our current NADE president.

 

Vicki L. Johnson, Director
Colorado Disability Determination Services

Vicki L. Johnson is the director of the Colorado Disability Determination Services. She has been the director in Colorado since August 2005. Prior to that, she worked for the Wyoming DDS for 22 years, working through all professional levels from trainee examiner, examiner, trainer, QA, supervisor to director. She has served in the administrator capacity for eight years.

She is the current president-elect of the National Council of Disability Determination Directors (NCDDD) and is on the Commissioner's Steering Committee for Disability Case Processing System (also known as the common system). She has been a NADE member since 1982.

Johnson graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills. She is a McGeorge Law School-certified disability hearing officer. Johnson began her career working in the private insurance industry with expertise in worker's compensation and medical malpractice. She has two children, Travis and Nicki.

Clyde Saiki, Deputy Director
Oregon Department of Human Services

Clyde Saiki (rhymes with Nike) of Salem has been DHS deputy director for operations since 2005. Prior to that he served for two years as the department's chief administrative officer. Saiki, who began his career at DHS in 1986 as volunteer services supervisor, also has managed agency contracts, facilities and personnel offices. Saiki is a 1980 health-education graduate of Oregon State University.

 

 

 

Senator Jackie Winters
District 10

State Senator Jackie Winters was elected to the Senate in 2002 and again in 2006 after serving two terms in the House of Representatives. She represents Senate District 10 and is deputy minority leader. Her district includes southern and western portions of Salem as well as Monmouth, Independence, Turner and Aumsville.

As an advocate for the neediest Oregonians, Winters has worked to improve healthcare in Oregon and to give a voice to various children’s issues. During the 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions, one of her top priorities was passing proposals to help stem Oregon’s methamphetamine epidemic.

Winters has served on and chaired a variety of legislative committees, including Business, Education, Ways and Means and numerous healthcare committees and sub-committees.

She was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Board of Visitors from 2006-2009. In 2005 Winters received the Oregon Healthcare Achievement Award from the Oregon Health Forum. She was instrumental in creating the Oregon Food Share Program. In 1985, she opened her first restaurant, Jackie’s Ribs, which expanded to include three restaurants and three franchises.

Winters was born in Topeka, Kansas, and moved to Oregon at age 6. She attended the Oregon State University System of Continuing Education. Winters has lived in Salem for 38 years. She has four adult sons, two stepchildren and 11 grandchildren.

Gary Schmidt, President
Schmidt and Associates

Gary Schmidt serves on the board of directors of Toastmasters International. He is president of his own political and communications consulting firm, Schmidt and Associates in Clackamas, Ore.

Schmidt received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration, which he used to work in public service in a variety of professional capacities. He has been a field representative for two U.S. senators as well as a speechwriter, office manager and constituent service coordinator.

Schmidt’s hobbies include reading, music, movies and politics. He has been active in Toastmasters International for 15 years.

Larry Hanken, P.h.D

Larry Hanken is a national consultant and director of the Pearson University Alliance Program (formerly AGS Publishing). He has worked as private training and organizational development consultant and director of training in education and business. Dr. Hanken has conducted training and educational consulting throughout the United States as well as internationally in reading, mathematics general instruction, special education, speech pathology, social work and school/clinical psychology.

In addition, Dr. Hanken has over nine years experience in public education as a teacher, counselor, psychometrist and administrator at all levels.

Larry's academic background includes his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in psychology and counseling psychology.

Major Cathie Raaf
US Army Reserve

Major Cathie Raaf serves in the Nurse Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve. A 24-year military veteran, she has served in Panama, Bangladesh, the Blakans and Afghanistan and is a registered nurse at Salem Clinic’s Allergy Department.

Raaf, who makes her home in Salem, is currently assigned to the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade in Southwest Portland. She has attended numerous military schools and courses and is presently enrolled in Command and General Staff College. Raaf received her bachelor of science degree from Graceland College in 1998.

 

Linda Ward, Physical Therapist
Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center

Linda Ward has been a physical therapist for 27 years. For the past 22 years, she has worked at Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center. Ward serves a neurologically impaired population including people with traumatic brain injuries. More specifically, she works with a vestibular population.

Ward graduated from Pacific University with bachelor’s degrees in biology and physical therapy. She received her national certification for competency in vestibular rehabilitation from Emory University in 2006.

Ward and her husband have two children.

Marjorie E. Garcia, Disability Analyst
Oregon Disability Determination Services

Marjorie Garcia has worked for DDS in West Virginia and Oregon for five years, joining the Oregon DDS in 2008 as a disability analyst II.

Prior to her DDS positions, Garcia worked on an FBI project to convert paper documents into electronic data. At the West Virginia DDS, she helped introduce electronic data conversion via the data management architecture process.

Garcia is an active member of NADE and the OrADE chapter. She is currently serving on the Pacific Regional Conference Steering Committee.

Garcia received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology in 1982 from Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia. She obtained a master’s degree in organization and management with a specialization in human resources management in 2006 from Cappella University in Minneapolis.

Rubie J. Toney, Director
Office of Quality Performance Seattle

Rubie J. Toney directs the SSA Office of Quality Performance in Seattle. She leads the staff and directs the work activities of Office of Quality Performance Northwest Field Site.

Toney began her career with the SSA as a claims representative in Kansas City, Mo. She held numerous positions within SSA. Most recently, she was the acting director of the Disability Programs Branch before being named to her current position.

Toney has received numerous awards including the Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management Citations. She graduated with honors from the Arkansas Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N), in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Janet Payton, Lead Branch Chief
Disability Quality Branch

Janet Payton is currently the lead branch chief of the Disability Quality Branch (DQB) in the Social Security Administration’s Office of Quality Performance in Seattle. She leads a staff of examiners and program leaders responsible for the quality review of disability determinations. In addition, the DQB also works closely with the DDSs and other SSA components to develop program improvements, policies and procedures.

Payton began her career with the Social Security Administration as a claims representative in the Mount Vernon, Wash. office. She took a position as a disability examiner in the Seattle DQB in 1996, followed by several promotions. She was permanently selected as the lead branch chief of the Seattle DQB in December 2002.

Payton received her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University. She is married and has a 9-year-old son who keeps her busy. In her free time, she enjoys music and photography.

Cheri Tebeau-Harrell, Assistant Administrator
DHS Human Resources

Cheri Tebeau-Harrell is the assistant human resources administrator for the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). She has a broad range of experience working with several state agencies. In addition, Tebeau-Harrell has owned and operated a small cottage industry designing, manufacturing and marketing hand- knit sweater wear. She also has worked as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker.

Tebeau-Harrell has held management positions in state government during the past 13 years. Prior to her current position, she was administrator of the Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business at the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), manager of the Recruitment and Retention/Diversity Management Outreach Units for DHS and human resources manager at the Oregon Employment Department (OED).

Tebeau-Harrell has been a member of DCBS and OED executive teams, DHS Human Resource Executive Team, DHS Diversity Development Coordinating Council, DHS and DCBS workforce management planning teams. She is a graduate of the DHS Leadership Academy and the state Leadership Oregon program. Her participation and leadership in these groups and several additional ones have helped improve the quality of state government services.

Andrew Martinez
NADE Pacific Region Director

Andrew Martinez received a bachelors degree in recreation therapy from Brigham Young University in 1988. He started his career with the state of California as a therapist for the Department of Mental Health and has worked in various positions at the State Prison in Vacavile, the Napa State Hospital. Martinez transferred to the Oakland State Programs Branch of the Disability Determination Service Division in 1991, where he has held various professional positions including his current one as team manager.

As a NADE member, Martinez served as the program chair for the 2006 National Conference and chaired the 2008 Pacific Regional Conference He currently serves on the NADE National Board as director of the Pacific Region.

Although semi-retired from acting and dance, Martinez still performs on occasion in the San Francisco area.

Matthew Rieke, Branch Manager
Oregon Disability Determination Services

Before coming to Oregon DDS, Matthew Rieke worked for 12 years as a vocational counselor in the private sector, assisting workers who filed claims with Oregon's Workers' Compensation system. Rieke has been an Oregon DDS employee since 1997 and a branch manager since 2001.

Rieke has a bachelor of science degree from Oregon State University and a master’s degree from California Pacific College of San Diego in business and human development.

He lives in Albany, Ore., and is married with three adult children.

His hobbies include hiking, running and traveling. He is a licensed pyrotechnician who is involved with approximately 10 shows a year.

Kent R. Zwicker
Social Security Administration

Kent Zwicker is a special agent for the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA/OIG), Seattle Field Division, Oregon Office. He is currently the Salem, Ore., Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Unit team leader. The CDI Unit was created to assist DDS and SSA in making timely and accurate decisions by gathering evidence to support or refute suspicious claims, and prosecuting individuals and groups who knowingly facilitate and promote fraudulent claims. The CDI team is comprised of SSA-OIG, SSA, DDS and Oregon Department of Justice employees.

Kent Zwicker began his career with the Oregon State Police in 1989 and later became a sergeant in the Oregon State Police Investigations Division/Major Crimes Section. Zwicker began his federal law enforcement career with SSA-OIG in 2002. He has a bachelor of science degree from Western Oregon University and a master of business administration (MBA) from the Willamette University Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

J. Scott Pritchard, D.O.
Oregon Disability Determination Services

Dr. J. Scott Pritchard has been a DDS Oregon medical consultant since 1997. Since joining NADE/OrADE in 1998 his focus has been on training and continuing education. He has been involved in the training and mentoring of new analysts as well as providing updates and new trends in medical care. He has been awarded the Pacific Region Medical Consultant Award three times for his efforts.

Prior to joining the DDS, he completed his undergraduate training at the University of Washington where he was also a member of the championship UW lightweight 8 crew team. He completed his medical training at the Kansas City University of Health and Biosciences.

Dr. Pritchard practiced medicine in both solo and group settings in Portland, Oregon. As assistant clinical professor of medicine, he trained students, interns and residents at Eastmoreland Hospital.

Dr. Pritchard is an avid gardener and very active in community affairs for Silverton, Ore.

Adam Nelson, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist/Neuropsychologist
Portland VA Medical Center

Dr. Adam Nelson received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Fresno, Calif., in 2005. He completed his clinical psychology internship at the Portland VA in 2004/2005 and then completed a two-year post-doctoral residency in neuropsychology at the Veterans Administration (VA) Northern California Health Care System in Martinez. Currently, he is on the staff of the Neuropsychology Service at the Portland VA Medical Center. Dr. Nelson focuses the majority of his time on evaluating the neuropsychological functioning of veterans returning from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He also has strong clinical and research interests in geriatric neuropsychology.

 

Judge David J. DeLaittre, Chief ALJ
SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Social Security Administration Regional Chief Judge and Federal Administration Law Judge David J. DeLaittre received his law degree from the University of Washington. In 1991, the Washington Bar Association presented him with the Courageous Award for demonstrating exceptional courage in the face of adversity.

Judge DeLaittre began his career in law as a staff attorney for the Federal Power Commission in Washington D.C. He returned to Seattle and began a private law practice specializing in criminal defense and real estate. In the late 1970s, Judge DeLaittre became a Washington state hearing examiner, issuing decisions on Employment Security claims. He subsequently became a state administrative law judge for the state of Washington. In 1991 Judge DeLaittre was selected as a federal administrative law judge for the Office of Hearings and Appeals. In July 2000 he was appointed, as Region X’s chief judge.

Judge DeLaittre has been an instructor at the University of Washington Business School and, in 1980, was appointed as Washington state’s commissioner for the blind.

DeLaittre enjoys reading and continues to participate in judo, having received his black belt in 1991. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Ingrid, and has two daughters.

David McGourty, Ph.D.
Psychologist

David McGourty, Ph.D., of Salem, Ore., received a bachelor’s degree from California State College in Long Beach in 1963 and a master’s degree in general psychology in 1965. He completed his doctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970.

His clinical experience began at the Pediatric wards of Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, Calif. Dr. McGourty has since worked at various state and residential facilities across North Carolina, California and Oregon. He also has maintained a small private practice.

Dr. McGourty’s clinical work specializes in behavioral assessment, measurement and interventions for dual diagnoses; assessment and intervention programs for severely-profoundly retarded individuals with serious self-injury; positive reinforcement programs in residential facilities, schools and homes; conducting psychological assessment to determine eligibility for Oregon Developmental Disability Service programs; and learning about alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders

Carla Van Dam, Ph.D.
Clinical and Forensic Psychology

Carla Van Dam, Ph.D. is a clinical and forensic psychologist, licensed in Washington state and registered in British Columbia. She has worked with individuals and organizations in the United States, as well as in Canada and Mexico. She consults with organizations, provides psychological evaluations, and trains professionals and community groups on issues regarding child safety. In 1986 Dr. Van Dam received the Canadian Medal of Bravery. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, and has published articles, books and pamphlets on child sexual abuse. Her newest book is The Socially Skilled Child Molester: Differentiating the Guilty from the Falsely Accused (2006).

 

Trevor Waskin, Operations and Policy Analyst
DHS Seniors and People with Disability

Trevor Waskin is an operations and policy analyst with the Oregon Department of Human Services in the Seniors and People with Disabilities Division. He provides training and technical assistance related to the Presumptive Medicaid Disability Program for department staff and the advocate community.

As a disability examiner, he received several commendations for both his individual work and his team contributions at DDS. He has also held clinical research positions in the private sector and been a paramedic.

Trevor holds a master of public health cum laude degree from Oregon State University in health policy. His bachelor’s degree is in psychology from Western Michigan University.

Trevor and his family live in Corvallis and enjoy camping, hiking, gardening, playing music and raising chickens.

Mellanie Calvin
Central City Concern

Mellani Calvin has assisted people through the SSI/SSD application process for more than eight years, working as a Social Security disability paralegal for 3-1/2 of these years.

She began working at Central City Concern in November 2004 as a benefits specialist and currently manages the SSI/SSD Homeless Outreach Team and the Benefits and Entitlements Specialists Team (B.E.S.T.). Since December 2005, she has been one of three Oregon trainers for the SSI-SSD Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) curriculum, which helps social workers and case managers learn to navigate the Social Security Disability process.

Liv Jenssen
Multnomah County Department of Community Justice

Liv Jenssen manages the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice Transition Services Unit. The unit’s goal is to ensure community safety by providing support and resources to special needs offenders so they can successfully integrate into the community from prison, jail or residential treatment, In addition, Jenssen helps implement the department’s and county’s efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities for its clients (offenders), especially those with special needs such as severe/persistent mental illness, alcohol and drug addiction, physical and developmental disabilities and sex offenders.

She received her bachelor’s degree in social welfare from Humboldt State University and her master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Oregon.

Bruce Pease, Disability Analyst
Disability Determination Services

Bruce Pease has worked for Oregon DDS and the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs for 10 years. He has recently been involved with the inception of QDD and CAL determination, and has also been a member of a self-directed team and the screening branch and is currently a disability analyst 2.

Pease holds a doctor of chiropractic from Western States Chiropractic College and was a practicing chiropractor for several years. He also received an associate degree from Ferris State University in Michigan and spent 30 years in the heavy equipment field.

Pease lives in the Silverton Hills with his wife. They have four children between them. He enjoys home remodeling projects, outdoor cooking and is also a licensed pyrotechnician.

Rebecca Smallwood, Disability Analyst
DHS Children, Adults and Families

Rebecca Smallwood has been a disability analyst with the DHS Children, Adult and Family Services Division for the past six years and currently works in the State Family Pre-SSI program. She connects people with disabilities with benefits and services and provides training. Smallwood also enjoys coaching others to improve service quality and quality of life. She currently provides services in five counties and seven offices in the Central and South Central Oregon Region.

Smallwood previously spent six years with the DHS Seniors and People with Disabilities Division, where she worked in the General Assistance program.

After college, Smallwood continued her education in psychology, social work and business management. As a graduate of the DHS Human Services Leadership Academy, she continued to be involved with various committees.

Smallwood is married and has two young children. She enjoys gardening, fishing, reading and leading Girl Scout troops as well as volunteering at church, her children’s school and in SEIU-Sub-Local 210. She also has a photography business.

Paul Rethinger, Ph.D

Psychologist Paul Rethinger has worked in psychiatric hospitals, pain clinics, chemical dependency units and in private practice. For the past 13 years he has been psychological medical consultant for Oregon DDS.

Rethinger received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Ohio University.

 

 

 

Eugene Jerry, Ph.D
Government Liaison Association of Disability Examiners

Eugene Jerry has worked in the Social Security Office of Quality Performance since January 1997 as a social insurance specialist and medical and vocational expert. From 1998 to 2008, he served as a key member of SSA’s Limited English Proficiency Workgroup. Jerry worked as a technical specialist in the Maryland DDS from 1982 to January 1997.

Jerry has served as national chairperson for one of SSA’s six advisory councils and directed a committee of 16 people to identify complex issues and develop strategies for viable solutions.

He has been an active NADE member since 1985, and has served at chapter president, regional director, regional legislative chair and national secretary.

Jerry is an entrepreneur and a professional motivational speaker, consultant, workshop leader and management team developer. He is also a world traveler and author of one published novel.

Jerry holds a degree in pre-law, a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in business administration and a doctorate in public administration.