SEATTLE

            DEAF-BLIND

                     SERVICE CENTER

DBSC STAFF

JELICA NUCCIO
Jelica, originally from Croatia, now lives in Seattle and has been very active in the Deaf-Blind community since she moved here from Atlanta, GA in 1997. Jelica was former President of WSDBC, and a Board member of AADB. She also is a volunteer development officer for ASLIS. Jelica has an MA in Public Health from Emory and a BA in Biology from NTID/RIT. Her most recent employment was working as an employment placement specialist for DVR and HKNC in WA State. She has also worked for the University of Washington in fiscal management and research. Jelica says she is enthusiastic about working for DBSC and will do her best for the Deaf-Blind community.

KORIAN THOMAS
Greetings! My name is Korian Thomas.  I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas.  I am proud to be Deaf with Ushers Syndrome.  I obtained a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Gallaudet University (2003), and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of North Texas (2006).  In my spare time, I enjoy working out, reading, watching movies, museums and traveling.  I visited most beautiful countries: Tokyo, Japan, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Pretoria, South Africa, and Windhoek, Namibia.  My most recent employment was a vocational rehabilitation counselor for two years in Austin, Texas.  And I recently am located in Seattle, WA and employ as a Deaf-Blind Advocacy Specialist.

KELLY BALLARD
Kelly has always been a Northwest local. She was born in Bremerton Washington, and grew up Edmonds attending Meadowdale High School where she took her first ASL class. After graduation she continued her ASL training at Seattle Central Community College and went on the graduate from their Interpreter Training Program. Uncertain with what the next step would be after graduation; Kelly happily accepted the position at the Deaf-Blind Service Center as an Administrative Assistant, as a way to stay involved with the Deaf-Blind community. In addition to her love for the Deaf-Blind community, Kelly also has a strong interest in the arts and enjoys everything from drawing to photography.

JACKIE ENGLER-MORRIS
Jackie is the Program Director at DBSC. She manages the Senior Citizens Project, the Deaf-Blind Interpreting Mentorship Project, and the day-to-day agency business.Jackie grew up in a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Jackie and her family moved to Minnesota and Maryland. She attended various schools in a variety of oral, deaf and mainstream programs. She graduated from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Accounting in 1985. Jackie moved to Seattle in 1987 due to the wonderful support services for deaf-blind people.Before joining DBSC, Jackie was employed at the City of Seattle Parks & Recreation in Accounting for 7 1/2 years. She became self-employed as an educator and presented about deaf-blind culture to various groups such as ASL students at middle and high schools, nursing students, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors in Kentucky, and staff at group homes for deaf-blind developmental disabled people. In the summer of 2000, Jackie worked as Deaf-Blind Community Class Assistant and co-director for Seabeck Deaf-Blind Retreat at Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind. She joined DBSC in August of 2003.

WAYLON MATHERN
Waylon was recently hired (as of January 2008) as the bookkeeper for DBSC.  He was born in Wyoming and spent the first twelve years of his life there, mostly in Gillette, before moving to Great Falls, Montana, where he graduated from high school.  After high school, he went straight to Rochester Institute of Technology in upper state New York where he graduated with BS in Business Management with focus on Finance. Up through college, Waylon had the privilege of visiting most of the fantastic land and cities that the United States has to offer, and Seattle had always remained his favorite city!  As a bonus, he had some family members within the region.  So, he knew that once he graduated from college, he had to move here.  After spending some time in odd jobs, the opportunity to work for DBSC came up, and he had to grab the opportunity as it has the type of experience he is looking for.  So, here he is, and he is definitely looking forward to working with you and the individuals within the Deaf and also the Deaf-Blind communities!