Resolution 2025-3: Commendation of Governor Reynolds in Appointment of New Iowa Department for the Blind Director

Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-3

Subject:  Commendation of Governor Reynolds in Appointment of New Iowa Department for the Blind Director

Whereas, Emily Wharton resigned her position as Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind as of July 18, 2024; and

Whereas, Governor Reynolds now has sole authority to appoint a new Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

Whereas, at its Thirty-Sixth Conference and Convention in August 24, 2024, the Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) passed Resolution 2024-4 requesting that Governor Reynolds consider the following qualifications in hiring a successful Director:

1. a blind person who has intimate and valid knowledge of blindness;

2. a person with a thorough knowledge of and belief in a positive philosophy of blindness and substantial and successful experience in implementing this philosophy in blind rehabilitation programs; and

3. a person aware of the importance of current technologies in use by the blind who will further the technological education of blind Iowans; and

Whereas, the Governor considered these qualifications in the hiring of Stacy Cervenka as the new Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Director effective July 8, 2025.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this day, August twenty-third, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that Governor Kim Reynolds be commended for her willingness to consider ICUB’s recommendations in the selection of the new IDB Director; and

Be it further resolved that the President of ICUB deliver a copy of this resolution to Governor Kim Reynolds and the three Commissioners by August 31, 2025.

 Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-3

Subject:  Commendation of Governor Reynolds in Appointment of New Iowa Department for the Blind Director

Whereas, Emily Wharton resigned her position as Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind as of July 18, 2024; and

Whereas, Governor Reynolds now has sole authority to appoint a new Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

Whereas, at its Thirty-Sixth Conference and Convention in August 24, 2024, the Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) passed Resolution 2024-4 requesting that Governor Reynolds consider the following qualifications in hiring a successful Director:

1. a blind person who has intimate and valid knowledge of blindness;

2. a person with a thorough knowledge of and belief in a positive philosophy of blindness and substantial and successful experience in implementing this philosophy in blind rehabilitation programs; and

3. a person aware of the importance of current technologies in use by the blind who will further the technological education of blind Iowans; and

Whereas, the Governor considered these qualifications in the hiring of Stacy Cervenka as the new Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Director effective July 8, 2025.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this day, August twenty-third, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that Governor Kim Reynolds be commended for her willingness to consider ICUB’s recommendations in the selection of the new IDB Director; and

Be it further resolved that the President of ICUB deliver a copy of this resolution to Governor Kim Reynolds and the three Commissioners by August 31, 2025.

 Iowa Council of the United Blind

Resolution 2025-3

Subject:  Commendation of Governor Reynolds in Appointment of New Iowa Department for the Blind Director

Whereas, Emily Wharton resigned her position as Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind as of July 18, 2024; and

Whereas, Governor Reynolds now has sole authority to appoint a new Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and

Whereas, at its Thirty-Sixth Conference and Convention in August 24, 2024, the Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) passed Resolution 2024-4 requesting that Governor Reynolds consider the following qualifications in hiring a successful Director:

1. a blind person who has intimate and valid knowledge of blindness;

2. a person with a thorough knowledge of and belief in a positive philosophy of blindness and substantial and successful experience in implementing this philosophy in blind rehabilitation programs; and

3. a person aware of the importance of current technologies in use by the blind who will further the technological education of blind Iowans; and

Whereas, the Governor considered these qualifications in the hiring of Stacy Cervenka as the new Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) Director effective July 8, 2025.

Now therefore be it resolved by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in Convention assembled this day, August twenty-third, 2025, in the city of Urbandale, Iowa, that Governor Kim Reynolds be commended for her willingness to consider ICUB’s recommendations in the selection of the new IDB Director; and

Be it further resolved that the President of ICUB deliver a copy of this resolution to Governor Kim Reynolds and the three Commissioners by August 31, 2025.