Dr. James R. Harding II

 

Disability Expert

Proactive consultant for the disabled community with a track record of success enacting change

at the local, state, and national levels to improve the quality of life for more than 60 million Americans.

Highly dedicated and policy-oriented executive committed to maximizing the independence and self-sufficiency of persons with disabilities by applying America’s public and private policies and procedures to the built environment and employment sector. Partner with state and national organizations to ensure the highest degree of reasonable accommodation and integration of diverse disabled populations.

Recognized as a community ambassador and change agent with a solid ability to influence board member elections through presidential and gubernatorial connections. Expertise in driving change across a broad spectrum of industries including the employment, education, transportation, and building code sectors. Outstanding communicator, effective negotiator, and motivational team builder; able to communicate needs and merge teams in support of overall objectives.

 

Core Skill Areas:

 

w        Executive Board Leadership w        Strategic / Tactical Planning w        Presentations / Negotiations w        Public / Community Affairs

w        Public Policy Development w        Legislative Appropriations w        Budget Administration w        ADA Compliance

w        Cross-Functional Communication w        Staff Development / Training w        Organizational Development w        Team Building / Leadership

 

Selected Professional Achievements   ·    Appointed twice by President Bush to the United States Access Board to develop and maintain design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology. ·    Appointed seven times for gubernatorial service within the state of Florida by Governor Crist (3), former Governor Bush (2), and former Governor Chiles (2). ·    Serve as Chairman of the Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged to ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective, and quality transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons; manage a $360 million annual operating budget. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve as Chairman. ·    Negotiated and procured $420 million 6-year contract with the agency for healthcare, state of Florida to transport safely, cost effectively and reliably, non-emergency medical transportation.    ·    Recognized as the first disabled graduate of Leadership Tallahassee and the only disabled graduate of Leadership Florida; represented the disabled community by challenging and educating existing community leaders on various issues and facilitating positive change. ·    Procured in excess of $360 million from the Florida Legislature for disability issues; led the charge to pass  House Bill 1175 and House Bill 4871 – two critical transportation disability bills that enhanced outdated legislation.  ·    Secured more than $3.5 million to fund and develop Billy Joe Rish Park, a 98-acre virtual paradise that includes a park, multipurpose event hall, and residential living that are completely accessible to all citizens. ·    Served as member of transition team, for Governor Elect, Charlie Crist (Education and Disability Team.) ·    Eagle Scout 1981

 

 

 

 

Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Tallahassee, FL                                     2009-Present

External Affairs Manager

Serves as lead representative to initiate and manage employment, transportation and community affairs within a $1.2 billion state agency. Unit supervises 25 employees throughout all 15 area offices across the state. Activities include the management of a $1 million federal employment grant, $39 million in transportation services, contract development, and the facilitation of the 300 member Family Care Council (all appointed by the Governor of Florida).

 

 

Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee, FL                                                            2002-2009

Partnership Specialist III

Served as a key advocate for persons with disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), and the Florida Department of Education (DOE), acting as a valued representative for multiple national and statewide committees and organizations, including the United States Access Board, Transportation Disadvantage Commission, and the Florida Building Commission. Educate lawmakers and the community regarding VR services for persons with disabilities and conduct frequent presentations at state and national conferences.

 

Policy    Development

¨       Shaped policy that resulted in persons with disabilities achieving, retaining, and / or maintaining gainful employment; secured 52,000 competitive fulltime jobs across the state. ¨       Administered a $360 million budget as Chairman of the Transportation Disadvantaged Commission to bring more choices and self-sufficiency to disabled and elderly citizens throughout the state; lead  8,900 employees who deliver more than 52 million trips annually.

ADA Compliance

¨       Elected as Vice-Chair of the Waiver Counsel and voting member of the Accessibility Technically Advising Committee within the Florida Building Commission to ensure that buildings comply with Florida Vertically Accessibility issues as well as related access issues to all structures. ¨       Collaborated with more than 800 Florida businesses to assist them in meeting ADA requirements; served on a tribunal that made recommendations to expedite the compliance process.

 

Self-Employed, Tallahassee, FL                                                                                                   1990-Present

Disability Consultant

Work closely with national and statewide organizations to promote a specific agenda that supports the integration of the disabled population into the mainstream of American life, including employment, education, business, politics, healthcare, and recreation. Travel across the country to meet with business leaders, speak at national events, and tour public facilities to ensure that the disabled community is being included in all facets of life.

Legislative Initiatives

¨       Serve on Governor Charlie Crist’s Commission on Disabilities (Vice Chairman); currently leading a team to deliver the State of the State Disability Report to the Governor’s office on July 1, 2008. ¨       Co-authored multiple legislative initiatives, including the new Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines in 2004 and the Volunteer Voting System Guidelines in 2006. ¨       Successfully guided the passing of two separate state laws (HB1175 and HB4871) and three executive orders effecting disability policy.

Organizational Development

¨       Co-founded and lead a Florida Disability Mentoring Day, raising more than $500K for the program; placed 7,000+ individuals with disabilities in jobs of their choosing across the state. ¨       Provided training for any private, not-for-profit, or government entity to improve compliance with ADA rules, and implemented a one-stop clearinghouse for disability issues.

 

Additional professional experience includes:

 

Program Specialist – Office of the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (2000-2002)

Interim Executive Director – Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission (1999)

Special Assistant to House Appropriations Chair – Florida House of Representatives (1996)

 

 

 

 

Ed.D. – Doctorate of Education in Higher Education (1999)

Specialization in Leadership and Public Policy

Ed.S. – Educational Specialist in Higher Education (1996)

Specialization in Public Policy

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

 

Master of Education – Educational Leadership / Curriculum and Instruction (1993)

Specialization in English

University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL

 

Bachelor of Arts in English (1991)

Wright State University, Dayton, OH

 

 

U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Advisory and Technical Guidelines Committees

Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

Governor’s Working Group on Americans with Disabilities, Florida

Florida Building Commission (FBC) Waiver Council Member

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Commissioner for Department of Education

Tallahassee Transportation Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC)

Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tallahassee Class XIX

Leadership Florida, Class XXVII

UWF and FSU Alumni Board of Directors

Big Bend Business Leadership Network Member (Greater Tallahassee)

The Florida Family Network on Disabilities (FND)

 

 

Presidential:

2007-2010 and 2002-2006 – United States Access Board (Vice Chairman, 2005-2006)

2004-2006 – United States Election Assistance Commission Advisor and Technical Boards

 

Gubernatorial:

2006-2010 – Chairman, Transportation Disadvantage Commission

2007-2009 – Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, Vice Chairman

1999-2006 – Governor’s ADA Working Group

1996-1997 – Board of Regents, State University System, Florida (2x appointed by Dem. governor)

 

Secretary / Cabinet:

2001-2005 – Florida Building Commission

2001-2006 – Transportation Disadvantage Commission

Mayor:

2001 – Tallahassee Transportation Planning Advisory Committee (TPAC)

1996 – Citizens Search Committee for new Police Chief, Tallahassee, FL

 

County Commission:

2003 – Tallahassee Transportation Citizen’s Advisory Committee (TCAC)

 

 

Highly recruited to speak in front of a variety of audiences, including US Congressional testimonies, state Congressional testimonies, university lectures, high school graduations, organizational fundraisers, and various conferences.