BOC Elects New Board Chair, Executive Committee

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (Jan. 1, 2014)—The chair and executive committee of its board of directors were recently announced by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC). James L. Hewlett, BOCO, who has served two terms as vice chair of the board, assumed the role of chair beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The executive committee is tasked with leading BOC’s strategic efforts, hiring and providing ongoing support to the president & CEO, and providing financial oversight of the organization. John P. Kenney, MURP, BOCO, who has served two terms as chair, said of Hewlett’s election, “Jim will fill the role well. As vice chair, he already has played an important part in BOC’s strategic direction, and he brings vast experience in orthotics, prosthetics, and durable medical equipment.” Since he joined the BOC board in 2008, Hewlett has served as member-at-large, vice chair, and now chair. In each role, he has contributed his passion for the profession and experience as a business owner and manager. Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE, BOC president & CEO, notes, “Jim has helped shepherd BOC to a prominent place in the credentialing community. We look forward to continued success with him at the helm.” Hewlett has volunteered with BOC as a subject matter expert in many capacities and has been an integral part of BOC’s board leadership team. He has been a BOC-certified orthotist since 1997 and, beyond his service on the board of directors since 2008, has volunteered in many capacities including the test development and review processes. He was BOC’s first male certified mastectomy fitter, and his orthotic and mastectomy fitter courses are approved by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). He also has been a BOC representative on the O&P Alliance, a coalition of the leading national organizations representing the O&P profession. As owner of Yuma Brace and Splint for eleven years, Hewlett has hands-on experience with facility accreditation and Medicare compliance. Joining Hewlett on the Board’s Executive Committee will be: • R. Jeffrey Hedges, CDME, vice chair • William J. Powers, MBA, LFACHE, secretary • James Newberry, Jr. BOCPO, BOCPD, treasurer • Mark L. Parris, Pharm D, RPh, COF, member-at large • John P. Kenney, MURP, BOCO, immediate past chair Hewlett enthusiastically accepted his new role as chair, stating, “I am humbled and excited by my colleagues’ confidence in me, and I recognize the responsibility of leading this important organization through a challenging climate. I look forward to advancing BOC’s mission to assure patients, physicians, professional organizations, the public-at-large, and government agencies of the competence, professionalism, and safe practice environments of BOC-certified professionals and BOC-accredited facilities.” Stepping down from the board in 2014, after eight years of service, is Sharon Nichelson, CMOF, who has served as immediate past chair on the EC for two years after two years as chairwoman. “It has been a pleasure serving on the BOC Board,” said Nichelson. “I have witnessed BOC grow and prosper with the direction of the Board and the work of its tremendous staff, and I expect to see continued growth in the coming year under Jim’s leadership.” Visit bocusa.org.