U.S. Military Academy alumnus and U.S. Army veteran Carl Blake recently became interim executive director for the Washington, D.C.-based Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Having worked as the group’s associate executive director of government relations over the past several years, Blake has created and implemented legislative and advocacy measures regularly and developed budgeting, programming and publishing projects, according to a press release.
Additionally, he has acted as its liaison to several federal agencies. His appointment was welcomed by his colleagues.
"Carl Blake has shown unfailing dedication and commitment to the members of Paralyzed Veterans of America, all veterans and the greater disability community for more than a decade," National President David Zurfluh said in the release. “We are confident he will continue to put the needs and concerns of our paralyzed veterans first, and do everything possible to improve the lives of our members and their families, as well as the lives of all veterans and disabled Americans."
Raised in Virginia, Blake graduated from West Point in 1998; served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; attended additional military schools; and received several awards, the release said. He retired from the military in 2000 with injuries sustained during parachute training.
"I am honored and privileged to be asked to carry the responsibility of advancing the mission of Paralyzed Veterans of America," he said in the release. “I take seriously the organization's commitment to the men and women who rely upon us to be their advocates.”
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