PRESIDENT

  • Derek White

Derek White is a Program Manager for the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. He is responsible for the planning and contract activities for The Council, oversees the Council’s initiatives on Employment and serves as a member of APSE, the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (serving on the Executive Committee), Medicaid Purchase Plan Advisory Council, Work Pays Coalition, and the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant’s Strategic Plan High Level Leadership Council. Derek earned a Master of Science Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Psychometrics from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1996. Beginning work with OCDD in 1997, Derek has served in a variety of capacities in community-based and residential-based services as an associate to a psychologist, interdisciplinary team leader and a human resource development specialist. He is a member of multiple professional organizations.

VICE PRESIDENT

  • Merle Bumgarner

Merle Bumgarner, M.Ed. has 35 years of experience in supporting individuals seek and maintain personally meaningful employment. He has worked as a Job Coach, Special Educator, QMRP, and director of vocational programs in both public and private settings. For the past 23 years he has overseen supported employment services for a community services agency in North Carolina.

  • Patty Ghiossi

Patricia Ghiossi has worked in the field of disability services for over 30 years. In Louisiana she founded the Supported Employment Network, was director for the Supported Employment Training and Technical Assistance project and Project Manager for the Louisiana Supported Employment Systems Change Project. She currently works with Volunteers of America, Greater New Orleans, Supported Living Services Program. She is also a national board member for APSE.

SECRETARY

  • Jennifer Hebert

Jennifer Hebert is going into her tenth year as aspecial education teacher at Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish. She has helped develop and implement her school's Content Mastery Center for two years, spent five years as department chair, and has been working in Hahnville High School’s vocational/pre-GED program for the last two years. Jennifer works with students at all levels in her school's bookstore. She also teaches functional ELA and a transition class in order to prepare her students for the work environment and post-secondary living.

TREASURER

  • Jennifer C. Hebert

Jennifer has served as the Director of Adult Services at Magnolia for the past nine years. She has been employed at Magnolia for 17 years, and has worked in all of their programs. Jennifer is one of the founding members of LA APSE, and has served as President for the past three years.