The Board of Directors of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc (TDI) is delighted to announce that TDI will have a new Chief Executive Officer, Eric Kaika!
Eric will succeed Claude Stout, TDI’s Executive Director for 23 years. By design, Eric will assume his role as CEO on April 1, 2020 and Claude will remain as Executive Director until he retires on May 31, 2020. The two-month period of overlap will allow Claude to provide in-depth orientation to Eric on his new role and ensure a smooth transition at TDI.
Eric joined TDI in 2016 and currently serves as TDI’s Director of Public Relations, overseeing TDI’s marketing/branding strategies and project plans for products, donor giving, memberships, and sponsorships. He has been instrumental in strengthening TDI’s external communications through various channels such as TDI’s website, social media, TDI World, the Blue Book, and events such as TDI’s annual Holiday Party and 50th Anniversary Gala. Eric also has made critical contributions in the area of policy through his engagement with representatives of government and industry on behalf of TDI. Eric earned his BA in Government, with a minor in Communications Studies, from Gallaudet University.
Jan Withers, President of TDI’s Board of Directors, stated, “Eric’s expertise in the areas of non-profit executive and board support, communications, organizational efficiency, and budget management as well as his in-depth understanding of the accessibility needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Deaf Plus individuals render him highly qualified to lead TDI. The Board and I look very much forward to working with Eric in his
new capacity as we strive to ensure full accessibility in the increasingly complex world of information and communication technology.”
On his promotion to the position of TDI CEO, Eric noted, “I am honored and energized by the opportunity to assume executive leadership of TDI. It is an exceptional agency with a long history of promoting equal access for deaf and hard of hearing people through public policy. I want to note my deep respect and appreciation for the wonderful work Claude has done to transform TDI into a leading national consumer organization. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the board, our members, our industry and government partners, and the many outstanding individuals working in the field of accessibility. I am committed to working with everyone over the coming years to continue to grow and shape an accessible world.”