September 24, 2004

Vilsack announces appointments to Licensing Board of Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired

DES MOINES – Governor Tom Vilsack made appointments today to the Licensing Board of Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired. The Board was created by Senate File 2298, which was signed by the Governor on May 17, 2004. The Board appointees will serve three year staggered terms and must be confirmed by the Senate. The Licensing Board of Interpreters for the Hearing Impaired is charged with acting on matters concerning licensure and the process of applying for, granting, suspending, imposing supervisory or probationary conditions upon, reinstating, and revoking a license. The Board will also establish and collect licensure fees, administer the requirements for documentation to demonstrate competence as an interpreter, and process applications for licenses and license renewals. In addition, the Board will establish and maintain a public registry of licensed interpreters for the hearing impaired, will develop continuing education requirements for license renewal, and will evaluate interpreter license requirements in other states to determine if reciprocity may be granted. The Board is composed of seven members: Diana Kautzky of Johnston, President of Deaf Services Unlimited, sign-language interpreter; David Moorman Rice of Gilbert, Director of Interpreting Services, Deaf Action Center, sign-language interpreter; Carissa Huffman of Bettendorf, sign-language interpreter Judy Gouldsmith of Council Bluffs, Coordinator of Interpreter Services at Metropolitan Community College, sign-language interpreter Phillippe Gallant of Norwalk, Senior Account Manager, Sprint Dr. Bethany Sather of Ankeny, Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager at Medicap Pharmacy Stuart Thiessen of Polk County, Executive Director of Pass-it-On, a nonprofit deaf organization