GREENFIELD, NH — James C. Piet of Manchester, NH was elected to the Crotched Mountain Foundation board of directors during the fall trustees meeting held at the rehabilitation center on October 2nd.

In his role as public relations specialist for the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Mr. Piet promotes its services to high school students with disabilities, their families and others. Previously, at the UNH Institute on Disability, he helped create the New Hampshire Assistive Technology Partnership Project.

While serving on New Hampshire's State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Mr. Piet held the post of chairman from 1993-2001. Simultaneously, as a member of the National Association on Developmental Disabilities Council, he was vice-president from 1997-1999. His work with these organizations allowed him to testify before the U.S. House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and to travel throughout the United States sharing his story and vision.

Mr. Piet is the first graduate of Crotched Mountain School to serve on the board of directors. After receiving his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from New Hampshire College in 1995, he went on to earn his master's degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield College in 2000. He and his wife, Patricia Vincent-Piet, also a disability rights advocate, have recently launched their own website: www.ablewriter.com. They live in Manchester with their daughter, Katelin.

"We are delighted to welcome Jim as a new director," remarked Crotched Mountain president, Donald L. Shumway. "His experience, education, and insights into the needs of people with disabilities and their families will be a great resource to our organization."

In addition to naming its newest board member, Crotched Mountain Foundation elected the following officers: Chairman – Roger C. Ball of New Castle, NH; vice chair and treasurer – David H. Barnes, Esq. of Temple, NH; secretary – Benjamin F. Gayman, Esq. of Manchester, NH; and assistant secretary – Deborah DeCicco of Jaffrey, NH. Those re-elected as directors include: Roger C. Ball; Grenville Clark, III of Wilton, NH; Harold D. Losey, Jr. of Chichester, NH; Lucas M. Merrow of York, ME; and Cynthia Yuknewicz of Amherst, NH. Philip M. DuBois of Peterborough, NH and B. Cairbre McCann, MD of Portland, ME were each named director emeritus.

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing more than 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.