Elmer L. Cerano is a nationally recognized advocate for people with disabilities. His impact as an uncompromising advocate has been recognized in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and throughout the nation.  Mr. Cerano has served as the Executive Director of the Arc Maryland (formerly The Association for Retarded Citizens of Maryland) as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Metropolitan Detroit. In addition, Cerano served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy Service and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.   Cerano earned a bachelor degree from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Sociology from Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan. In addition, Cerano earned a Certificate from the University of Grenoble and successfully completed course work in Governing for Nonprofit Excellence through the Harvard Business School.

Gary R. Rose is currently President of an independent Health Systems Consulting company.  Formerly, Rose was a Senior Vice President with Hyde Park Communications.  His work included health systems consulting for clients including  Hoffmann-La Roche Public Policy and Government Affairs; Bristol Myers Squibb Public Policy, Community Affairs and Reimbursement Divisions; Pfizer; The Title II Community AIDS National Network; Cooley’s Anemia Foundation; ADAP Working Group; and TAEP Project.  Previously, Mr. Rose was a Vice President at Nelson Public Relations in New York.  Earlier, he served as the Research and Treatment Coordinator for the AIDS Action Council in Washington, DC.  While at AIDS Action, Mr. Rose helped to form the ADAP Working Group and the Patients’ Coalition for Responsible FDA Reform.  He also served as a co-chair of the National Associations Responding to AIDS (NORA) and on the International Issues and Research Working Groups and as an official advisor to the committee that developed the Guidelines for the Use of Antiviral Therapies in HIV-infected Adults and Adolescents.

John D. Kemp, 2006 recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award (regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service) is widely respected for his many achievements, both in the corporate and non-profit worlds.  As a person with personal disability experience who uses four prostheses, John inspires others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and persistence.  Mr. Kemp graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and from Washburn University School of Law in 1974. Mr. Kemp was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May, 2003.  With more than 45 years of direct experience in the disability movement, is a principal at the Washington, D.C. Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.   He presently serves as CEO of ACCSES, Executive Director of the One Percent Coalition and Executive Director & General Counsel of the US Business Leadership Network.

Bishop Joyce Turner Keller has lofted the term “southern hospitality” to an entirely new level. She is not only the founder and CEO of Aspirations, a non-profit faith-based community service organization, but someone who is living with HIV/AIDS herself, and has dedicated herself to educating, supporting and inspiring others living with HIV/AIDS throughout the nation.  In May 2006 she received proclamation from Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana for hosting the first Hepatitis Awareness Day, shortly after hosting the first National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March of that year. Over the years, Bishop Joyce has incurred an extensive list of certifications, recognitions, and awards for her extensive work in community awareness and development in the HIV/AIDS arena.  She is a certified HIV/AIDS – Hepatitis C Community Educator by the Louisiana State Office of Public Health and the Shreveport Office of Public Health through the Atlanta Center for Disease Control.  She has been an ordained minister for thirty five years, is matriculating in the field of Psychology at Southern University Baton Rouge, and is the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren!

Keita Simmons is a 27 year old resident of Florida who has been living with HIV since March of 2005. Simmons is enrolled in graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University for a Masters in Public Administration, with an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management. He received his Bachelor in Public Administration in 2007 from Florida International University in Miami. He has been asked to be Co-Spokesperson for LIFEAIDS through the Black Aids Institute, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. He has also completed a graduate research position with FIU's Coalitions to Reduce HIV in Broward's Minority Communities. This research position was under the supervision of Dr. William Darrow and is one of 42 REACH 2010 programs funded through the Center for Disease Control. Through this he was HIV 500/501 counseling and testing certified. Simmons is currently a client of Project Response in the Treasure Coast and brings to the association a personal knowledge of living with HIV/AIDS and the case management process.  He is also a former ADAP recipient.

Philip A Haddad, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAHA is currently an Assistant Professor at the Louisiana State University Department of Medicine.  Dr. Haddad specializes in Hematology/Medical Oncology and is licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.  He received his Doctorate of Medicine from the American University of Beirut-School of Medicine.  In 1997, Dr. Haddad completed his Internship in Internal Medicine at the University of South Dakota and his Residency in Internal Medicine two years later from the University of South Dakota-School of Medicine.  In 2002, Dr. Haddad received his Fellowship in Hematology, Oncology & Transplantation, from the University of Minnesota-School of Medicine.  He is an active member of 24 professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, HIV Medicine Association and Infectious Diseases Society of America.  He has been published on numerous occasions.

William "Bill" Arnold is a longtime HIV/AIDS activist and consumer organizer and has been active in developing HIV/AIDS Organizations and HIV/AIDS policy at the local, state and national level since the mid 1980’s.  Arnold is a founding director (1996) of The Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN) and is currently its CEO.  He is also a founder (1995) of The National ADAP Working Group, a Washington, DC based advocacy coalition of HIV/AIDS organizations.  His involvement with grassroots AIDS work has included roles from Board Chair and Board Member, to “Buddy” to AIDS Educator, Community Outreach Director, & pre & post test HIV Counselor.  Arnold has testified on HIV/AIDS issues before several county legislatures, the New York State Assembly and the United States Congress on numerous occasions.  In addition, Arnold has been active in global AIDS activities as Secretary & Treasurer of AIDSETI (AIDS Empowerment and Treatment International).

DIRECTOR EMERITUS:

Rani G. Whitfield, M.D., a board certified family physician with a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine, has become known as "Tha Hip Hop Doc" or "H2D" to many of the young adults in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he practices medicine. Dr. Whitfield is an impassioned advocate for increasing the awareness of health related issues, such as HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse affecting African American youth.  Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Thereafter, he completed his internship and residency in family medicine at St Elizabeth's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio in 1999 and a sports medicine fellowship at Ohio State University in 2000.  In the most important book ever written about HIV/ AIDS in the African American community, "Not In My Family," by Gil Robertson, IV, Dr. Whitfield was featured in chapter 50 for his views on this important topic along with Jesse Jackson, Jr., Al Sharpton, and Patti Labelle, just to name a few.