Cindy Ray - President

 I am Cindy Ray. I have spent most of my life in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. I was a student at the Iowa Orientation and Adjustment Center for the Blind when the library was very new—1964-1965--and Florence Grannis was the librarian. I have always been an avid reader, and I love Braille.

Music is my love, and I received an organ performance degree from the University of Kansas. Then in 2001 I went to seminary to become a Presbyterian pastor. I have done a number of things such as chaplaincy at Broadlawns, preach in pulpit supply, studied spiritual direction and Stephen Ministry. Currently I write quite a bit of the liturgy used at our church, Windsor Presbyterian.

I am studying the NLS Braille Proofreading Course and look forward to its completion.

I am very happy to be a part of Friends.

Don Shepherd - Vice President

I was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia.  I graduated with a BA from West Virginia University and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame.  I taught for six years at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.  After that I worked at the Iowa Department of Public Health.  I retired at the end of 2017 and since have been becoming more active in volunteer activities.

As soon as I arrived in Iowa in 1979 I contacted the Library at the Department for the Blind to get established.  Reading is my favorite activity as I have a love of learning.  I am also fond of music.

I was married but am now divorced.  I have a daughter who lives in Kansas City and three grandsons who are all smart as whips.

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