A note from Andy

A note from Andy Kirby, Executive Director,

A few weeks ago, I announced to our board of directors, staff, and participants that I would be leaving The Arc of Greater Boone County to go to The Arc of Indiana and serve as its Associate Executive Director and Executive Director of its Foundation. Leaving an organization like The Arc GBC was an extremely difficult decision to make. The culture, tradition, and history of excellence created an environment that allowed my leadership style and professional strengths to shine. Combined with a tremendous workforce and focused participants, we were able to build on past accomplishments and create an organization that is poised and ready to move forward as the provider of choice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Boone County area and beyond.

At The Arc of Indiana, I will have new and exciting opportunities to impact the individuals we serve across the state. The Arc of Indiana is a statewide association of member organizations that work as a collective network to advocate for and provide quality supports to individuals with disabilities. I am particularly excited about my opportunity to lead The Arc of Indiana’s Foundation, which operates a fully functional Marriott hotel. Within the hotel is the Erskine Green Training Institute which provides residential training opportunities for individuals with disabilities and focuses on a wide range of vocational options for its students. Students benefit from a “college experience” as they live at the hotel during their training sessions. The employment outcomes have been extraordinary for people graduating these programs and the impact is being felt throughout the state. I am anxious to work with the staff of The Arc of Indiana and the Foundation to ensure that individuals with disabilities, who live in Indiana, have access to whatever they need to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible.

I will miss my extended Boone County family, but look forward to watching great things to come from my new perspective at The Arc of Indiana.