Jerry Bernard

Dr. Gerald Bernard is currently the CEO of the Charles Lea Center a multi-service provider in South Carolina and North Carolina. He earned his doctorate degree from the University of Vermont in Leadership & Policy Studies. He has also earned the Executive Certificate in Non-profit Leadership from Duke University and a Graduate Certificate in Adult and Organizational Learning from Northeastern University. He is also a certified trainer in person centered thinking. Jerry, has over 30 years’ experience supporting individuals with disabilities in a variety of professional and leadership positions throughout New York, Connecticut, Vermont and most recently in South Carolina. He has been successful in assisting and supporting other organizations throughout the United States and Canada to move away from traditional service models to one that is driven by principles of person-centered thinking, innovation and enabling technology. Using a servant leader approach Jerry has been successful in supporting the Charles Lea Center to effectively use enabling technology in a variety of day, employment, and residential setting. This includes looking at technology as a way of improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by giving them greater control over there environments. He believes that enabling technology has the potential to open doors and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, however cautions that using technology needs to a be thoughtful and person-centered process. It is just one of many tools in a toolbox, when used correctly can open doors to wonderful opportunities. In his free time Jerry likes spending time hiking, traveling as well as reading historical crime novels. He is married to his wonderful wife Wendy who is a Teacher in Boiling Springs and has two grown daughters Hannah and Ellie.