John Eisenberg to lead Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities Council
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) is pleased to announce that John Eisenberg has been selected as Executive Director, effective August 25, 2026.
Eisenberg most recently served as Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Prior to this role, he worked at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for over 15 years, during six of which he served as Assistant Superintendent of Special Education & Student Services. In that capacity, he also served as the VDOE representative to the Board.
“We are delighted to welcome John Eisenberg as the Executive Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities,” said Allison Kay Coles-Johnson, Chair of the Board. “John brings an impressive record of public service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with a collaborative leadership style and a deep commitment to improving the lives of Virginians. We look forward to working with him as we continue advancing the Board’s mission of promoting independence, self-determination, and full community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.”
Eisenberg has remained dedicated to improving outcomes for people with disabilities and their families throughout his career. His career achievements include positioning Virginia among the nation’s top-performing states in special education and driving national improvement in special education systems across the United States and its territories. Eisenberg earned his M.Ed. in Special Education from Hunter College and his B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from New York University. He is also a graduate of the Virginia LEND program and the Virginia Executive Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“I am deeply honored to join the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities as its next Executive Director,” said John Eisenberg. “I stand on the shoulders of the dedicated leaders, advocates, self-advocates, families, and partners who have built a strong foundation over the years. Their commitment has transformed lives across the Commonwealth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to carry that legacy forward. Together, we have the opportunity to make Virginia not only a national leader in advancing the rights, independence, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities, but the model that other states aspire to follow.”
La Junta de Virginia para Personas con Discapacidades (VBPD, por sus siglas en inglés) sirve como el Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo para el Estado de Virginia.