The Board of Directors for the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (CILNCF) is pleased to announce the selection of their new Executive Director. After an extensive nationwide search, the CILNCF has found an individual with long-standing community roots and a history of active involvement with local organizations and named Anthony (Tony) T. Delisle, PhD as its new Executive Director.
“Interestingly, although candidates were interviewed from all over the country, the CILNCF was able to take advantage of the incredibly rich pool of talent the Gainesville area has to offer,” said CILNCF Board President Joe Dyke.
Dr. Delisle’s commitment to working with youth and adults with disabilities is a common thread found throughout his educational and professional experience, including his current position as a Post-Doctoral Associate with the University of Florida’s Department of Health Education & Behavior. He has strived to enable individuals to maximize their personal health and to achieve their goals of becoming contributors to society as a whole.
According to Dr. Delisle, part of his desire to become Executive Director for the CILNCF stems from his own experiences in accessing and utilizing disability support services. “I am legally blind. I can testify to the fact that I would not be where I am today (professionally and personally), if it were not for the compassionate and talented professionals who provided me the resources, training, and support I needed to live the type of independent life I desired. To this day, I often find myself… drawing upon their support for guidance and inspiration on how I might be able to return the favor to others, and I strongly believe the CILNCF provides this type of opportunity.”
In addition to his education and work experiences, Dr. Delisle also serves as the chair of the Southwest Advocacy Group (SWAG). In this role, he helps coordinate the efforts of both governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as individual efforts to help improve health, safety and education inequities within Alachua County.
A statement from the Center’s board of directors said, “The board is incredibly proud of what the CIL has become thanks to the hard work and long-time dedication of the CIL staff, Associate Director Amy Feutz, Business Manager Colette Gromoll, and retired Executive Director William Kennedy. We know that Tony will make an excellent addition to the team. The CILNCF is already a strong organization, and we believe that by making Tony a member of the CILNCF family, he and his passion will help it grow into an even stronger entity.”
“I was struck by the passion everyone at the CILNCF has for their job, the incredible talents they possess in performing their duties, and the tight-knit cohesive relationships that exist at the CILNCF,” Dr. Delisle said of his new team. “I am both humbled and honored by the trust the CILNCF has placed in me, and I am fully committed to continuing its great services, bolstering the CILNCF’s profile in our community, advocating for disability rights, and ensuring a long and fruitful future for the CILNCF.”
Dr. Delisle will officially join the CILNCF in mid-August.
For additional information, please contact Amy Feutz, Associate Director at amy@cilncf.org