Convention Program Advisory Committee

The Convention Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advisory group assists CEC staff with the planning and development of the annual convention program. The PAC is responsible for bringing a comprehensive and balanced program that will provide the highest quality professional development that addresses the varied interests and needs of convention attendees. Along with CEC staff, the PAC works to improve the quality and diversity of presentations and improve the convention program planning process.

The PAC Co-Chairs represents a practitioner working in a school or early intervention agency and an individual from academia. The committee is comprised of a representative from each of the Council's special interest divisions and other individuals selected by CEC staff based on expertise and convention program topic area. Each division selects its own representative to serve as a member of this advisory group.

Members and Division/Topical Area Represented

• Joe DeMarsh, Co-Chair
• David Peyton, Co-Chair
• Jessica Perdue, Co-Chair
• Jennifer Webb, Co-Chair
• Mabel Rivera, Board Liaison
• Kindel Mason, Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
• Ramona Lee, Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
• Emily    Smith, Council for Educational Diagnostic Services, (CEDS)
• Lonna Moline, Division for Emotional and Behavioral Health (DEBH)
• Lauren Collins, Division for Emotional and Behavioral Health (DEBH)
• Autumn Bauer, Complex and Chronic Conditions: The Division for Physical, Health and Multiple Disabilities (CCC)
• Cate Smith, Complex and Chronic Conditions: The Division for Physical, Health and Multiple Disabilities (CCC)
• Barb Melnychuk, Division of Leaders and Legacy (CEC-DLL)
• Michelle Cumming, Division for Research (CEC-DR)
• Jason Chow, Division for Research (CEC-DR)
• Jordan Shurr, Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)
• Angi Stone-MacDonald, Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)
• Susan Harvey, Division of Visual and Performing Arts Education (DARTS)
• Nick Solomon, Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DCD)
• Dale Matusevich, Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT)
• Stacie Dojonovic, Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT)
• Julie Esparza Brown, Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL)
• William Proffitt, Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL)
• LaShorage Shaffer, Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
• Serra Acar, Division for Early Childhood (DEC)
• Jennifer Ward, Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES)
• Nicci Dowd, Division of International Special Education and Services (DISES)
• Brooke Moore, Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD)
• Adam Graves, Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness (DVIDB)
• Kathleen Stanfa, Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness (DVIDB)
• Sam Choo, Innovations in Special Education Technology Division (ISET)
• Mikyung Shin, Innovations in Special Education Technology Division (ISET)
• Katie Lewis, The Association for the Gifted (TAG)
• Andy Markelz, Teacher Education Division (TED)
• Brannan Meyers, Teacher Education Division (TED)
• Tammy Barron, Collaboration and Inclusive Practices
• Steph Boyer, Maltreatment
• Lisa Goran, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Kim Kramer, Parent/Family/School Partnerships (PFSP)
• Jennifer DeWaard, Parent/Family/School Partnerships (PFSP)
• Paul Riccomini, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.