Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only Congressionally chartered Veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. Learn more about Our Mission.

You can find our experts in the nation’s capital, in the field, and across the country, providing services, research and resources to catastrophically disabled veterans, their caregivers, and their families.

General Counsel

Leonard Selfon

  • Corporate and Business Law
  • Nonprofit Law and Governance
  • Association Law
  • Veterans Law and Benefits
  • General and Appellate Litigation (State and Federal)
  • Chapter Programs and Operations
  • Disability Law
 

Government Relations

Heather Ansley

Chief Policy Officer

  • Veterans issues
  • Disability Civil Rights
  • Legal Advocacy
 
 

Marketing & Communications

Oname Thompson

Director of Marketing and Communications

  • Public Relations

  • Social Media

  • Brand Management

  • Media Relations

  • Graphic Design

  • Storytelling Content

  • Website Management

  • PSA Development

Kris Packard

Associate Director of Communications


Veterans Benefits

Peter Gaytan

Associate Executive Director

  • Veterans Budget Appropriations
  • Gulf War Illness
  • Veterans Homelessness Issues

Joseph Badzmierowski

Director of Field Services

Marco Rossi

Associate Director of Field Services


Medical Services

Angela Weir

Director

[email protected]

  • Healthcare Advocacy
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Healthcare Policy
 
 

Accessibility

Mark Lichter

Director of Architecture & Facilities

  • Accessibility
  • Design & Construction
  • ADA Compliance
 
 

Adaptive Sports and Recreation

Fabio Villarroel

Director, Sports and Recreation

  • Adaptive Sports and Recreation
  • Emergency Medical Procedures
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
 
 

Appellate Services

Nicole Smith, Esq.

Associate General Counsel, Appeals


Veterans Career Program

Genia Hachenberg

Associate Director, Veteran Employment

  • Paid employment (part-time and full-time)
  • Educational and training opportunities
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Resume writing, interviewing, and networking
 

Prosthetics

Fred Downs, Jr.

Prosthetics Consultant, Purple Heart Recipient

Prosthetics, Sensory Aids, Spinal Cord Injury, Vietnam War, Veterans Affairs Material Management, Orthotics, POW/MIA Affairs, Veterans Affairs Data Management, Medical/Surgical Standardization