Alex Corwin will begin his new role —  as Superintendent/CEO of the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities — on Oct. 27. But his experience in the DD field started when he was a child.

His mother worked as a home healthcare aide, caring for a woman with multiple amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Getting to know her as a grandmother-figure, while also seeing the progression of her disease, shaped his perspective.

More lessons came when his mother began working at a sheltered workshop in Williams County, as well as providing in-home respite.

Alex would spend his summer break at the workshop, getting to know the people who received services. Over the years, they became more than people who worked with his mom or spent time at his house. They were friends who shared his interests — a football fan, an amazing artist, two ladies who always joked with him and ‘gave him a hard time.’

Those authentic relationships stayed with him.

“I saw the wonderful talents and the value and the passion that people with disabilities had,” he said.

At Bowling Green State University, Alex continued his journey, working as a residential aide at an Intermediate Care Facility, where he took people swimming, to baseball games and other fun community events.

As his career path continued to unfold — helping students explore careers during high school, running an adult day service, working as a service coordinator and supervisor at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities and working for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) — a central belief guided his work.

“If we don’t limit (people with disabilities)  from a service or planning perspective and really just support them, they can accomplish anything,” he said.

Over time, Alex developed an interest in working with young people — and their families — during their transition from school to adult life. At ODEW, he oversaw a partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), helping them focus on younger students and incorporate transition planning into school settings.

It was very fulfilling to see two different agencies agree on a shared narrative and work together to work toward the same goal, he said.

His work supporting students in their journeys continued in his role as program director for OCALI’s Lifespan Transitions Center. Not only was he able to support the creation of training and modules but he strengthened relationships with a variety of state agencies, including county boards, OOD, ODEW and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

“I’ve had this really great journey of watching people pursue their talents and be community members to the fullest extent and I know that can be accomplished for the people that county boards serve,” he said.

In November of 2023, one of the trainings he facilitated led Alex to Licking County for the first time — to present on the importance of collaboration during transition.

“I was overwhelmingly impressed by the quality and knowledge of their (staff) and the structure of their departments,” he said. “I walked away thinking, ‘They are already doing great things.’”

That positive experience stayed with him and left him hoping for more opportunities to work together. When he found out there was an opening for a Superintendent/CEO, he was excited to apply.

“I was drawn to the overall high quality of work and commitment that the staff shows,” he said. “They are putting people first and being creative in how they try to provide services and supports.”

Alex said he’s looking forward to getting to know community partners as well as people who receive services. LCBDD will host a community open house, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the E.S. Weiant Center, to give them an opportunity to say hello.

He’s also hoping to attend community events and host listening sessions to find out what’s important to families and community leaders.

He’s hoping some of his statewide experience can further enhance LCBDD’s mission.

“I’d love to be able to add to the already great work that’s happening and continue to make Licking County a place where people and families with disabilities feel really comfortable and confident living and receive support in a positive way.”