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Carl Blake is the Executive Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) at PVA’s National Office in Washington, D.C. He was appointed Executive Director of PVA in January 2018. As Executive Director, he serves as the Chief Executive/Operating Officer of the organization. He is responsible for exercising administrative control, as directed by the President, of all offices and functions of PVA. This includes overseeing all efforts devoted to financial management, development and fundraising, strategic communications, and service programs executed by PVA.

Carl previously served as the Associate Executive Director of Government Relations for PVA. He was responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of PVA’s National Legislative and Advocacy Program agendas with the United States Congress and federal departments and agencies. He has represented PVA to federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, the Department of Transportation, Department of Justice, and the Office of Personnel Management. He has frequently testified before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and been quoted on many occasions in print and online media outlets.

Carl has served PVA and its members for more than 20 years dedicating his life to helping veterans and their families, particularly veterans with catastrophic disabilities like spinal cord injury or disorder. The most important thing he has learned in his role is that “there are thousands of veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder who rely on us to be their advocate when they otherwise do not have a voice. PVA supports these veterans so they have opportunities to live fulfilling, active lives in their communities.”