Steve Suroviec, a long time friend of The Arc and the former Executive Director of The Arc of PA (’03 – ’11) has been appointed starting July 1 as the new Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs.

Steve is currently the Executive Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which assists people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.  Steve has over 20 years of disability policy experience.

Prior to this advocacy role, he held several positions within local, state, and federal governments, including:  Director of Human Services for Erie County, overseeing the county’s MH/ID, Drug & Alcohol, and Children & Youth offices (’02 – ’03); Policy Director and Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention for the Pennsylvania Department of Health (’99 – ’02); Executive Policy Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare where his efforts were focused on increasing the use of home & community-based Medicaid waivers in lieu of institutional settings (’95-’99) – while in this position, Suroviec chaired then-Governor Tom Ridge’s “Disability Policy Team” — a cross-disability, cross-agency team charged with implementing public policy changes that reduced barriers and increased opportunities for people with disabilities; and, Legislative Assistant in then-Congressman Tom Ridge’s Washington D.C. office where he handled issues ranging from health care reform, aging, disability, social security, veteran affairs, national defense, and foreign affairs (’91- ’95)

Steve holds a Master’s Degree in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from National University.  He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and currently lives in Mechanicsburg with his wife, Sherry.

Congratulations Steve!!!