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Richard J. Salem
Founder and Chief Executive Officer

In 2002, Richard Salem founded Enable America to eliminate the significant barriers to employment, civic involvement, and social inclusion for the 54 million Americans living with disabilities. The organization reflects Richard’s belief that good things happen when people have jobs.

Richard, who lost his eyesight as a teenager, has been practicing law for more than thirty years. He is the founding partner of the Tampa-based Salem Law Group and manages an active business and governmental practice. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, the American Blind Lawyers Association, and the International Bar Association.

Richard has been quoted in Self Magazine as one of Seven Highly Effective People and was named “Best of a Generation” by Esquire Magazine in 1984. He received the Rick Douglas Advocacy Award for outstanding work in the field of disability rights in 2001. John D. Kemp, co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities, has said that "Richard Salem brings new and exciting ideas for political participation and active civic involvement to our diverse and, oftentimes, fragmented disability community. Richard is no overnight sensation; simply looking at his career, his life, shows us all what major contributions he's made to the quality of everyone's lives he's touched in so many different circles."

Richard serves on the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Eye Institute, the Professional Advisory Board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Board of Visitors of Duke Law School. He also serves on the boards of the National Organization on Disability, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, and the Michael Stern Parkinson’s Research Foundation. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind from 1979 through 1986.

A native of North Carolina, Richard graduated cum laude from Belmont Abbey College in 1969. He graduated from Duke Law School with distinction in 1972. Richard and his wife, Eileen, have two daughters, Susan and Lizzi. His hobbies include reading, swimming, yoga, listening to music, cycling, hiking and snow skiing.

Susan E. Wood
Executive Director

As the Executive Director of Enable America, Susan is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s daily operations, program development and management, and strategic planning.

Before joining Enable America in 2006, Susan was an attorney in private practice in Atlanta. She graduated from Duke University magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science and later received her J.D. with honors from Duke Law School. Between college and law school, Susan spent several years in Tampa working as an assistant to Richard Salem, attorney and founder of Enable America.

Sara G. Royer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer

Sara Royer is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Enable America. She manages the finances and shares in the management of all planning and programs.

Sara holds degrees from the University of South Florida in both criminal justice/psychology and accounting. Before joining Enable America in 2005, she worked for a public accounting firm where she specialized in accounting for non-profits.

Scott Heintz
Director, VetConnect

As the Director of VetConnect, Scott is responsible for the development and management of Enable America programs that are focused on the needs of our nation’s injured service members and disabled veterans.

Before joining Enable America, Scott served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2005 as a Medical Service Corps colonel. He has a BS in Sociology, an MS in Personnel Management and graduated from the U.S. Army War College program of International Strategic Studies. Throughout his career, Scott has held a variety of leadership and staff positions with an emphasis on medical planning, operations and emergency preparedness programs.

Armando Sánchez-Aballí
Director, Community Connections

As the Director of Community Connections, Armando is responsible for engaging the disability community through outreach programs and facilitated meetings to identify and alleviate barriers to employment.

Prior to joining Enable America, Armando held leadership positions for various non-profit organizations focused on community outreach and community organizing. He also held executive positions at a state trade association and advocated for business interests before the Florida Legislature.

Armando earned a B.A. degree in English from Davidson College, an M.A. degree in English from the University of Georgia, and an Ed.S degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia.

Chip Collins
Director, Business Connections

As the Director of Business Connections, Chip Collins is responsible for cultivating and maintaining a network of business leaders dedicated to increasing employment among people with disabilities.

Prior to joining Enable America, Chip served in corporate, community and government relations positions for a variety of organizations including The American Red Cross. Chip also served fourteen years as the Executive Director of The Florida Council of 100, a statewide business leadership association.

Dave Mikes
Communications Manager

Dave Mikes is the Communications Manager for Enable America. He handles media and public relations along with web development.

Prior to joining Enable America, Dave worked as a broadcast journalist for various network TV affiliates, both on-air and in internet development. He also has experience in marketing, advertising and PR. Dave graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Journalism.