Biography

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In August 2003, Brian Parsons assumed the position of Advisor for Employer Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). In his role at ODEP, Mr. Parsons leads the work of a policy team that examines the issues and barriers facing employers as they seek to hire, accommodate, and advance employees with disabilities. Currently, building upon his team's expertise on emergency preparedness and individuals with disabilities, Mr. Parsons chairs the Interagency Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace, under the President's Executive Order 13347. His leadership on disability and workplace preparedness earned him the Secretary of Labor's 2005 Exceptional Achievement Award. In his previous capacities, Mr. Parsons served as the Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities from 1996-2002 and President of the National Consortium of Developmental Disabilities Councils from 2000-2002. In January 2003, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 623 which commended Mr. Parsons for his service to Virginians with Disabilities. Mr. Parsons holds Masters Degrees in Urban and Environmental Planning and in Public Administration from the University of Virginia. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science from Mary Washington College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa.