LAVERDIA TAYLOR ROACH, Acting Executive Director

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Laverdia Taylor Roach earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and Speech Pathology and Audiology from Southern University and A&M College, and a Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Her professional career began as Assistant Professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Southern University. Mrs. Roach began her career in Federal Government in 1970, and has assumed responsibilities that include: serving as Program Assistant in the Developmental Disabilities Office, where she helped write regulations governing implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Act and served as Acting Chief of the University-Affiliated Facilities Branch; serving as PCPID Prevention Program Specialist/Project Officer responsible for initiating and facilitating planning, coordination and implementation of PCPID initiatives in the area of prevention; serving on Administration transition teams; serving as Special Assistant to the PCPID Executive Director and often serving as Acting Executive Director of the Committee.

As PCPID Acting Executive Director, Mrs. Roach serves as a policy advisor on intellectual disabilities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families (ACF) regarding the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and the PCPID Executive Order, Charter, and mandated annual Report to the President. As Designated Federal Official (DFO), she is responsible for opening the Committee’s quarterly meetings, and for administration and operation of the PCPID. She is also responsible for submitting the Committee’s annual Report, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for transmittal to the President.

Mrs. Roach supervises HHS staff assigned to support the Committee and oversees the administration of the PCPID budget, designated office space, and is responsible for upkeep of equipments and supplies assigned to the PCPID. She servers as a liaison with other Federal Departments and Federal agencies; particularly, with ex officio members and their representatives serving as members of the PCPID. She interacts with officials of State and local agencies and public and private associations and organizations for exchange of information, data, and expertise on matters relating to intellectual disabilities. She is responsible for addressing the goals, advisory role and mandates of the President as listed in the Committee’s Executive Order and Charter.

Mrs. Roach responds to correspondence and inquiries from The White House, general public and the media. In March 2009, she served as a speaker for the “Census 2010: Joining Hands with the Disability Community” Mini Summit, delivering a presentation addressing Challenges and Opportunities in the Disability Community.

From 1994 until 1998, Mrs. Roach served as Project Officer for the PCPID initiative to plan and implement five annual National Collaborative Academies on intellectual disability and Related Disabilities. She also served on numerous Federal ad hoc groups and task forces concerned with disabilities.

Mrs. Roach is the PCPID representative to the National Child Health and Human Development Advisory Committee; Honorary National Chairperson of the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center Prevention Commission; and Chairperson of the Southern University Special Education Advisory Council. She holds membership in national and local organizations including the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the American Speech, Hearing and Language Association, the Art and Drama Therapy Institute, Phi Delta Kappa, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been recognized for outstanding government service and named an “Outstanding Woman of America.”

SHEILA WHITTAKER, Administrative/Budget Officer

Sheila Whittaker started her Federal career in 1979 with the U.S. Department of Labor as an Intern from Mt. Ida Jr. College, Newton Center, Massachusetts , where she received her Associate's Degree in Human Services in May, 1983. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Southeastern University in 1996 and a Master of Science degree in Public Management from the University of the District of Columbia in 1998.

From 1983 –1987, Ms. Whittaker worked in the Office of General Counsel, Inspector General Office as a Claim Examiner for the Office of Appeals. In 1987, her career began at the Administration for Children and Families where she continues to work today. Ms. Whittaker worked in the Office of Refugee Resettlement from 1987-1989. From 1989–1997 she worked as a Budget Assistant within the Office of Budget and Legislation Affairs, ACF. Ms. Whittaker started her career within PCMR (now PCPID) in 1997 as PCMR's Administrative/Budget Officer.

Ms. Whittaker is responsible for logistical and administrative services for all Presidential appointees to The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities; and for the provision of technical advice, guidance and support to management in administrative and budget services.

Ms. Whittaker's key responsibilities include the preparation of the annual PCPID budget, and accounting for all costs and expenses incurred by PCPID.

MADJID (MJ) KARIMI, Project Specialist

Mr. Karimi is a Project Specialist at the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID).  He is responsible for providing technical advice, assistance, and guidance in the development of plans and objectives necessary to the fulfillment of the established Presidential goals.  He also has responsibility for assisting the Committee in the collection of statistical data in the areas of health, education, housing, community living, individual family support, and employment and aging as these areas relate to intellectual disabilities.  From April 2007 through August 2009, Mr. Karimi served as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of the PCPID.  He was responsible for providing assistance in planning, organizing and coordinating quarterly meetings; assisting senior staff in analyzing new and proposed regulations to determine impact on policies, procedures and practices.  He consulted and maintained liaison with officials of the Committee, the Administration for Children and Families, Health and Human Services, and private organizations concerned with a broad range of topics related to intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, MJ assumed a leadership and coordinative role in preparing the PCPID Reports to the President for 508 Compliance and Internet access.

Mr. Karimi is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in Public Health Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the George Washington University (GWU) with a projected graduation date of May 2011.  MJ Karimi earned several degrees in behavioral and social sciences field.  He received his MBA from the University of Phoenix in May 2007; B.S. degree in Health Care Management from the Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in January 2006; A.S. and A.A. degrees in Pre-medicine and Environmental Science and Policy from the Montgomery College in May 2005.

In 2007, he was a Medical Coordinator for HIV patients at the Washington Hospital Center in the District of Columbia.  From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Karimi served as the Research Data Analyst and Quality Control Manager to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Drug Registration and Listing (DRLS).   

Mr. Karimi is certified in Grants Management, Contract Negotiation Procedures and Management, Government Travel Policy and Procedures.  He is currently an active member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), a member of the American Cancer Society, and a member of the International Honor Society of the United States Colleges and Universities.

GENEVIEVE SWIFT, Executive Administrative Assistant

Genevieve Swift began working as the Executive Administrative Assistant for the PCPID on August 17, 2009, following the completion of a successful summer internship with the Committee.  She is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado.  In the winter of 2006, she moved to Provo, Utah to begin undergraduate study at Brigham Young University (BYU).  Ms. Swift has since received her BS in psychology, with a primary interest in social psychology, and a minor in sociology.  During her time as an undergraduate, she had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant in the undergraduate psychology lab and a teaching assistant for an introductory psychology course.  In addition, Genevieve worked as a research assistant, conducting comprehensive research in the area of aggression and pro-social behavior.  She plans to work for a few years before starting a graduate program in social psychology.

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