Oklahoma ABLE Tech - ABLE Tech Staff

ABLETechStaff

ABLE Tech Staff pictured (back row left: Milissa Gofourth, Diana Sargent, JoAnne Pool - SERC Program Manager, Sherril York, Brenda Dawes, Linda Jaco. front row left: Carla Wilhite, Shannon Esmeyer - SERC, Shelby Sanders

	Linda Jaco joined the Wellness Center in October 1995 as Program Manager for Oklahoma ABLE Tech and is currently the Associate Director of the Seretean Wellness Center. Linda has a B.S. degree from the University of Houston and an M.A. in School Psychology from Columbia University (New York). She has worked with disabled populations as an educator and administrator in the public schools and in non-profit agencies. Linda and her husband William, who holds an endowed professorship in the department of mathematics on OSU's campus, returned to Stillwater in the summer of 1995 from Providence, R.I., where they lived for seven years. They have two sons, John and Andrew.
	Milissa Gofourth is the Program Manager of the Oklahoma ABLE Tech Program at the OSU Seretean Wellness Center. She previously held the position of Outreach/Training Specialist, and prior to her arrival to OSU she was a Supported Employment Project Director. In the eight years that she held that position Milissa directed services for individuals with disabilities to have opportunities to be employed in community work. She conducted ongoing educational programs for community employers, co-workers, and the general public with regard to the skills and abilities of individuals with disabilities. She was employed by the University of Oklahoma as a Training Specialist and consultant. Milissa graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Special Education, and an MS in Health Administration. She and her husband, Derrel, have lived in Stillwater since they both came to school at OSU. They have one son, Todd, who lives in Dallas, Texas.
	Sherril York is the Training/Outreach Specialist for Oklahoma ABLE Tech. Sherril has a Ph.D. from Texas Woman's University with emphases in biomechanics and adapted physical education. She has worked with people with disabilities in a variety of settings from toddlers in an early intervention program and children/adults in adapted aquatics and physical activity development, to elite athletes in sport programs for people with disabilities.
	Diana Sargent joined Oklahoma ABLE Tech in September 1997 as a Staff Assistant. Before joining ABLE Tech, Diana worked for the State 4-H at OSU. Diana and her husband, Les, have lived in Stillwater over 20 years after moving with their three children from Springfield, Illinois. Nancy is married and is also employed at OSU. Pam, an OSU graduate in interior design, is married and works at Fanny Bolen Interiors in Oklahoma City. Brian is married, lives in Oklahoma City and works in Norman at the "Norman Transcript" newspaper. Les and Diana are enjoying being grandparents to two grandchildren.
	Brenda Dawes is an Assistive Technology Program Specialist and Web Coordinator for Oklahoma ABLE Tech. She is involved in legislative issues regarding electronic and information technology accessibility and provides technical assistance to the state. She is a member of the state legislative electronic and information technology accessibility advisory council and appointed to the national Section 508 refresh committee, the Telecommunications Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC). Ms. Dawes has been an advocate in the disability field for many years. Joining Oklahoma ABLE Tech in March 1995, she worked as a training and evaluation specialist for a partnering program with the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center. Prior to joining Oklahoma ABLE Tech, she served as the coordinator for the Statewide Independent Living Council and the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council. Ms. Dawes graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's degree in English and Education with teaching certification. Brenda and her husband, Matt, have three daughters.
	Carla Wilhite is the AgrAbility Program Specialist and is primarily responsible for completing on-the-farm visits with a farmer, rancher, family member or agricultural worker in finding adaptive methods, equipment, or technology to enhance independent living and work participation. Carla graduated from the University of New Mexico and is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist. She has worked in rural health for seven years, including 3.5 years with the Colorado AgrAbility Project. She is currently completing a Masters Degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
	Shelby Sanders is the Alternative Financing Program Loan Coordinator. She assists individuals with the loan process to acquire a low interest bank loan for the purchase of assistive technology. Shelby attended the University of Central Oklahoma from 1994 to 1996 on a tennis scholarship. She transferred to Oklahoma State University and graduated with BA in Sociology. She maintains teaching certification in history and coached high school tennis for three years. She has been a realtor for five years with Pioneer Real Estate. Ms. Sanders has two daughters, daughters Brooklyn and Blair.