Abrmamowitz has long history of advocacy and
volunteerism on behalf of vulnerable populations
The Arc of Florida is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan F. Abramowitz, Esq., as its Chief Executive Officer.
Abramowitz currently serves as the Executive Director of the Florida Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office representing more than 35,000 children per year and managing a network of more than 10,000 court appointed volunteers who represent children in child welfare cases. Abramowitz has served in this capacity for more than 10 years under Governors DeSantis, Scott and Crist. Prior to this, he held leadership positions at the Florida Departments of Children and Families and Juvenile Justice. In addition, Abramowitz served as a JAG officer in the Army Reserves and the National Guard, and was a Peace Corp volunteer.
According to Senator Aaron Bean, President Pro Tempore of the Florida Senate and Chair of the Health and Human ServicesAppropriations Subcommittee, “Alan is an excellent choice to be the new CEO of The Arc of Florida. He has the respect of people throughout government, including the Legislature. He also has the leadership skills and experience to lead The Arc in its mission. Most important is that he has the heart for the critical advocacy and service the organization provides for vulnerable Floridians.”
Mark A. Swain, Board Chair of The Arc of Florida and long-time advocate for people with disabilities said, “We are very fortunate to have someone with Alan’s experience, skills, leadership qualities, passion, and commitment to excellence as our new CEO. He has the full support and confidence of The Arc’s Board as well as our many community stakeholders. We look forward to working with him as we face unprecedented challenges and seek new opportunities to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Jim DeBeaugrine, former Executive Director of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities and current interim CEO of the Arc of Florida said, “I believe The Arc of Florida hit a home run when it recruited Alan as CEO. I look forward to handing over the reins to him and to supporting him and the organization moving forward. As a family member whose life has been directly touched by The Arc, I am extremely happy that the organization will be in such good hands moving forward.”
Abramowitz added that he is “excited to join The Arc of Florida as its new CEO to support community-based organizations that advocate for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am committed to ensuring that every person and family we serve has access to information, advocacy, and opportunities to support full participation in the community. Inclusion, opportunity, and support are the foundation for each person to reach their full potential. I look forward to traveling around the state and listening to and learning from our community partners.”
Abramowitz holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Florida State University and a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Central Florida. He will begin in his new position on June 1.
The Arc of Florida for almost 70 years has been Florida’s preeminent grass roots advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. With 28 chapters across the state and private partners that are committed to the same mission, The Arc of Florida advocates to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy full inclusion in their communities and access to supports and services that make community living possible. In addition to its advocacy work, the organization manages a network of more than 300 dental providers who have made access to dental care possible for thousands of Floridians who would otherwise go unserved.
