Job Placement Division (JPD)

The Job Placement Division (JPD) was originally created by a group of individuals primarily interested in job placement. The Iowa chapter was created in 1971 and has a history of being one of the most well respected and active chapters across the country. Much of this is due in large part to the annual one day training conference known as "Brag N' Steal" considered to be the idea of VR Counselor Frank Potter in or around 1981. The name of the conference came from the idea that placement professionals would meet, brag about their successes and allow others to simultaneously steal ideas for their own use. Iowa JPD also, at one time, was the largest JPD state chapter in the country. Iowa JPD annually presents the Bill Donohue Memorial Award to a professional in the field who has demonstrated exemplary achievement in job placement for persons with disabilities. In turn, it is the tradition that the Donohue recipient is nominated for the National JPD Margaret Fairbairn Award. This award is named after one of the original members of the group which created the national organization, and who was tragically killed in an automobile accident.

Several IRA members have utilized their leadership experience at the State level to move on to positions of leadership on the National stage. In 2001, Ellen Sokolowski (also a Past President) served as President of NRAJPD. Gordon Quitt and Frank Strong have also served as President of NRAJPD. Past Presidents John Lee-Egan and Roger Carter have also served on the Board of NRAJPD and Roger currently (2009-2010) the President of NRAJPD.

One might say that Iowans and members of IRA have dominated the Margaret Fairbairn Award since its inception. Gerry Byers, Bonnie Linquist, Greg Phelps, Brenda Criswell, Sue Helmick, Rosie Thierer, Ida Jilek, Roger Carter, Melanie Rasmussen, Peg Testroet, and most recently, Bev Fredrick all have been honored with this award.

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