Betty Parker, CPTD

Betty Parker is a professional speaker, author, and trainer, and holds a degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University. She is a communications expert with nearly 30 years of experience. Betty began her career as a trainer in 1998 in the biotech industry. She started Sharper Development Solutions, Inc., a training and development company, in 2006. She is the 2013 winner of the small business accelerator program Count Me In. Betty has served as host of community affairs and news programs at radio stations in LA and SC. She is a highly sought-after speaker who brings a wealth of knowledge and motivation to her audiences. Betty is the author of Crushing Goliath: Winning Practices for Slaying GIANT People Problems (Spring 2021). She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and a Certified Professional Coach.

Stephen A. Wooderson, Chief Executive Officer, CSAVR

Steve Wooderson was selected as the CEO of CSAVR on November 1, 2010. Prior to joining CSAVR, Steve was the administrator of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. He oversaw the state VR and independent living programs, as well as the disability determination services bureau.

His experience in VR spans over 35 years of service in the vocational rehabilitation program. Steve started as a VR counselor in south-central Missouri in January of 1981 and he enjoyed a 20-year career with the Missouri VR agency. In March of 2000, Steve moved to Iowa to become the rehabilitation services chief and then was appointed agency administrator in December of 2002.  He has served at all professional levels in the public vocational rehabilitation program; which gives him a unique perspective of the local, state, and national implications of VR service delivery. During Steve's tenure in Iowa, he also was adjunct faculty in the Drake University rehabilitation counseling program.

Since his tenure with CSAVR, he has also led the way to an international partnership with allied vocational rehabilitation service providers in Western Europe and been a featured trainer and speaker with the European Platform for Rehabilitation headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Steve also has represented CSAVR and the US public VR program by presenting and meeting with members of the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, social services providers, and higher education officials in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He is a certified Dale Carnegie trainer and a retired Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel.

Joe Anthony

Joe Anthony was trained in mechanical engineering at the University of Akron in Ohio, is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and has nearly 18 years engineering experience. Joe has specialized in Rehabilitation Engineering for over 11 years and has been with the SCVRD for over 8 years where he currently serves as Rehabilitation Technology Manager.

Alison Cato

Ali Cato is the Comprehensive Program Supervisor at the VR’s Evaluation Center in West Columbia. She holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from USC School of Medicine. She has worked for the agency for 19 years and has been at the Evaluation Center since 2015.

Shaquenta Byars

Shaquenta Byars is the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at the Evaluation Center in West Columbia. She is a native of Marion, SC and has been with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation for 7 years.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Concentration in Exercise Science Degree in 2009 at College of Charleston. She later attained her Associate in Applied Science Degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program from Trident Technical College in 2011. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and traveling. Shaquenta is passionate about educating the community on life saving CPR skills and empowering others using self-care.

Audrey Brown

Audrey Brown is the Director of Communications and Governmental Affairs for SCVRD. She has more than 30 years of communications experience. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and is a Gamecock to her core.

Dr. Helene Goldsmith

Dr. Helene Goldsmith is the Consumer Services Supervisor at VR’s Palmetto Center in Florence, SC. She has worked in the clinical counseling field for more than 18 years, and with inpatient recovery services for 6 years. She is passionate about working with consumers and families to understand the perils of addiction, the fight for sobriety, and advocates for a shift in thinking towards current addiction-recovery processes.