John Kemp

President & CEO

The Viscardi Center

United States

Professional Summary

John D. Kemp, Esq. is the experienced and respected President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations providing a life span of services that educate, employ and empower people with disabilities. It is also considered a hub for leading edge approaches to education and employment, as well as pro-active efforts that aim to shape and influence policy changes that will benefit the people it serves. Mr. Kemp excels in leadership and fundraising, and The Viscardi Center has flourished under his stewardship and vision since February, 2011. Specifically, he serves as CEO of Viscardi Center and as President and CEO of the school, and his key responsibilities include raising money, creating inclusive policies, and managing what he describes as a diverse, wonderful staff, in addition to growing the organization. Originally, Mr. Kemp was drawn to this work based upon his own personal experiences. He was born with a disability and wears four prostheses. He has a great family, but his mom died when he was young, so his dad raised 3 kids on his own. His father instilled in John and his siblings a personal responsibility to take care of themselves, as well as others. Indeed, his dad is his hero. Thus, in his substantial professional life, with significant achievements in both the corporate and non-profit worlds, Mr. Kemp has committed to inspiring the world to incorporate more disabled people into their organizations. Mr. Kemp received his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in Kansas in 1974. For his undergraduate degree, he received an AB in History from Georgetown University in 1971. Mr. Kemp was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May, 2003. Mr. Kemp feels strongly that he has had a wonderful set of opportunities in his life. Some of his greatest career highlights included graduating from both Georgetown and law school, being selected for Horatio Alger membership in 1991, and being selected for the Dole Leadership Prize in 2014. He donated the $25,000 check to the Viscardi Center and he views serving as President and CEO of the organization to be a high honor, and the ultimate highlight of his career. Going forward, Mr. Kemp would like to gain more exposure for the school, networking to gain further knowledge on both a local and national level, to grow the endowment, and establish further financial security for the organization, while making them as responsive as possible to seniors, wounded warriors, and those who either develop disabilities, or were born with them.He gives 20 to 30 keynote speeces annually, and is the co-author of "Reflections From A Different Journey" with Dr. Stan Klein, published by McGraw-Hill. In March 2006, Mr. Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America's highest honor for disability leadership and service. Presented jointly by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Betts Award recognizes a person's work and scope of influence that have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past and who continues to be a force for change in the future. Certainly, with his 50 years of direct experience in the disability movement, Mr. Kemp has strongly influenced countless people and organizations. He has partnered with, worked for, and served as Board Member/Chair or CEO of some of the leading disability and nonprofit organizations including: United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Very Special Arts, HalfthePlanet Foundation, Independent Sector, The Abilities Fund Inc., Disability Service Providers of America, Easter Seals, Goodwill Industries of America, U.S. Business Leadership Network, and the U.S. International Council on Disabilities. In 1995, Mr. Kemp co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities with Paul G. Hearne. In 2001, he became a partner in the Washington, DC Law Firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C., where he developed an active federal legislative and lobbying practice. More recently, in 2012, he was asked to serve on the NYS READY Commission, established by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of critical infrastructure and key service providers that the state depends on to mitigate and respond to major disasters. In January 2014, Mr. Kemp received one of eight David Awards from Networking Magazine, which are bestowed upon ‘Renaissance men’ of Long Island, who have excelled in business or academics, and who have also accomplished outstanding heroic and humanitarian acts. When Mr. Kemp isn't busy positively influencing the world with his visionary work at this tremendous organization, he is a big sports fan. He enjoys attending and watching baseball and football, as well as the Kentucky Derby. John also jokes that after many years, he finally won his first Fantasy Football Team this year.

Skills

Specialization

Nonprofit Organizational Management