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Council on Developmental Disabilities executive committee outlines four upcoming vacancies, seeks diverse nominees
Summary
The executive committee heard a recruitment update that four council seats will become vacant by July 1 and staff are seeking nominees statewide, prioritizing geographic and lived-experience diversity.
The executive committee of the Council on Developmental Disabilities reviewed membership needs and heard that four seats will become vacant ahead of the July 1 appointment cycle, staff said.
Ashley, described in the meeting as the council’s membership quarterback, told the committee the four openings include a South Central seat (to replace Chrissy Hood), a Southwest seat (to replace Katie Moore), an Upper Cumberland seat (to replace Sarah Cripps) and at least one at-large position. Two at-large seats will be vacant July 1; staff said they hope to move one incumbent into an at-large slot and recruit to fill the geographic vacancy that creates.
Committee members said they have leads for several openings. Staff identified a candidate recommended by Chrissy Hood for the South Central seat and a student affiliated with Union Edge — the higher education program in that area — for the Southwest vacancy. The Upper Cumberland seat remained hardest to fill in the update, with members saying Sarah Cripps is the most qualified incumbent and no clear replacement had yet emerged.
Staff described the timeline: interest meetings with prospective nominees will be held in the next six to eight weeks, followed by a meeting between council staff and the governor’s office in April to pursue appointments effective July 1. Committee members asked colleagues to refer candidates who live in the affected counties or statewide for at-large consideration.
Members also discussed representation goals. Staff said they use a checklist to consider geographic, cultural and lived-experience diversity when recruiting and reported recent success appointing a broad spectrum of members. Committee members emphasized seeking nominees who expand the council’s reach beyond frequently represented groups.
No formal appointments were made at the meeting; staff said they will continue recruiting and update the committee at the end of the month.
