Board of Directors

ric nelson, president

Ric Nelson is the Outreach and Advocacy Manager with The Arc of Anchorage. He is a graduate of the University of Alaska with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Public Administration. He served many years on the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, State of Alaska’s Vocational Rehabilitation Committee, Statewide Independent Living Council, as well as many other boards. He is continuing to serve on many boards. He was the recipient of the Top 40 Under 40 award in 2015, founder and president of the non-profit Peer Power, and was honored by the National Association of People Supporting Employment First with their National Personal Achievement award in 2016.

Ric experiences Cerebral Palsy and requires full-time assistance to manage his physical needs but is increasingly expanding his advocacy, policy, and education efforts beyond the state of Alaska to support advances in all 50 states.

Lori Rogers, Vice President

“I am extremely passionate about advocating for people who experience disabilities to have the right to live independently in the community of their choice.  Barriers that hinder access need to be removed.  From upkeep of snow removal on sidewalks to lack of assistive technology.  ALL people should have access to their community and the world around them.”

Lori’s experience has mainly been in the non-profit sector.  Lori operated a Board of Directors consulting business for ten years and had the opportunity to work for many different Boards.  Lori also served as Executive Director for the Hilo Medical Center Foundation for ten years and was key in starting and establishing the first Medical Residency Training Program on Hawaii island.  “Due to lack of Medical Doctors, this program was crucial to the island to help train and retain Physicians.”  Lori currently works for the State of Alaska.

“I have always found fulfilling work through involvement in the community I live in.”  In her free time, Lori enjoys painting as well as fishing and hunting with her family and friends.

Art Delaune, Treasurer

I am the parent of 5 children, 2 of which have been diagnosed with FASD. I have lived in Fairbanks for 50 years and am currently twice retired; once from Lynden Transport after 25 years of service and also from Access Alaska, where I worked for 10 years. Since I retired, I have volunteered as an advocate working to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and have also been working as an advocate for senior citizens.

My work at Access Alaska began in 2007; first as an Information and Referral Specialist and later as the Independent Living Services Supervisor. At Access Alaska I assisted people with disabilities and seniors to live independently in our community. I also am a certified Medicare counselor and certified Community Work Incentive Counselor.

Some of my current volunteer work is: a member of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, a board member for Access Alaska, a board member for the Fairbanks Senior Center and a board member for Peer Power.

I am a member of WallBusters, a grassroots advocacy group comprised of people with disabilities that advocate for system change in our Fairbanks community. I am most proud of their successful advocacies to removing barriers in transportation, voting, education and access to public facilities like the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds. They were instrumental in Passing HB16 in 2018; a bill that mandated training police officers to better interact with people experiencing hidden disabilities.

Laronsia “Ronnie” Reynolds, member

Laronsia “Ronnie” Reynolds is a Florida native, and relocated to Anchorage, AK 1982. Ronnie attended Alaska Pacific University – where received the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Development and Masters in Counseling Psychology. Ronnie’s credentials include being a Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor and Chemical Dependence Certification I. Currently Ronnie is working in group practice providing outpatient therapy and clinical contract work for a mental health/developmental disabilities organization. Ronnie’s past experiences include 30+ years in the non-profit sector performing various roles in direct services and management within community health agencies. Ronnie has extensive experience working with children and adults with varying abilities, diagnosis, and challenging behaviors. This includes working successfully with those experiencing symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, transitions, Dementia, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbances, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Adapting therapeutic treatment strategies and approaches, being open-minded, and flexible has been key in my work.” Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology techniques are the core of Ronnie’s orientation in therapy. “My faith and spirituality are very important and instrumental in allowing me to do the work to help others. I believe there is nothing like doing work you are passionate about…….it makes it enjoyable and more than just a job.”

Angela Gray, member

Angela Gray has been an Alaskan for most of her life, living in the greater Anchorage area.  She has had a passion for disability support and advocacy work since early childhood and has never strayed far from this passion in her career.  She received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Services from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has been working for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for over 15 years.  She is fluent in American Sign Language and is the Statewide Coordinator of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind services for her agency.  While she enjoys every aspect of her work, her favorite part is helping individuals with disabilities discover their strengths, explore their interests and values in ways that allow them to discover their purpose, and provide them with the information and resources necessary so they can apply their sense of purpose to the world of work.