Atwood Announces Upcoming Retirement
Deb Atwood, a long-time presence at Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and the current Executive Director, has announced her impending retirement (she will stay on in her role until her replacement is hired).
Atwood first got connected to D&HHS, then called Deaf Etc., in 2001 when she and her husband were asked to foster a Deaf child. She recalled having “no experience with the Deaf community.”
That quickly changed and the energetic Atwood found herself being pulled into Deaf Etc. in various volunteer capacities.
“Between 2001 and 2005, I volunteered, attended events and was even on the Board for a while,” she said with a smile.
In January 2006, she began to work on a day-to-day basis for the organization, but still in a volunteer capacity, as the Board worked through some staffing issues. In December 2006 she became the paid Business Manager, filling that role until January 2014 when she became the interim Executive Director and then was named the permanent Executive Director in June 2015.
After almost a quarter of a century of connection to Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, the decision to retire was a tough one, she said, but the timing felt right.
“It was very hard at first,” she said. “I live, eat, sleep and breathe this job and its community members. “Starting out as a small agency, and at times stepping into each position when needed, lends itself to easily being a micromanager, but we have a staff of strong, independent thinkers, and I know they are prepared for new leadership, so I will hand over the reins with utmost confidence in the team we have at D&HHS.”
As she looks back on her career with the agency, Atwood beams with pride as she recounts where D&HHS has been, where it is now and where it is headed.
“When I came aboard, we were serving pretty much two counties, Kent and Ottawa,” she said. “We now serve 27 counties and are the largest non-profit agency in West Michigan offering services and programs to the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities. That’s gratifying.”
But she also knows there are challenges upcoming not just for D&HHS but for the state’s Deaf communities. She points to the reduced availability of in-person interpreters within the state as a significant challenge, one exacerbated by senior interpreters headed for retirement and far too few young people to take their place.
She and D&HHS have been involved in numerous discussions at the state level about the challenge, and she is confident solutions will be found.
“We need to grow these (interpreter) numbers and increase the awareness of this career,” she said simply.
Fundraising continues to be a challenge and an opportunity for D&HHS, she added.
“We do not receive any federal funding, and we receive a small amount from the state,” she said. “Most of our income comes from fee for services, grants, sponsorships and donations. I think we have good systems in place, but the new executive director will have opportunities in the area of fundraising that will be exciting.”
In retirement, Atwood is excited to spend more time with her husband of 43 years and with her grandchildren. She also had a son just move back to work at Michigan School for the Deaf, the first time he is back in the state since he was young, so that, and his work with the Deaf, are both exciting for her.
As she looks ahead, she said two quotes come to mind that do a good job summarizing her work at D&HHS.
The first is from Theordore Rosevelt who once said: “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” And the second is from Maggie Smith who said: “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.”
“They fit me to a T,” Atwood said smiling.
She added: “It has been a sincere privilege and pleasure to work for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities in West Michigan. I hope I have served you well.”