Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund (AATLF)

Executive Director

Executive Summary

Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund (AATLF), founded in 2021, is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance community inclusion for people with disabilities in the Appalachian region. We achieve this by providing financing and financial education that expands access to assistive technology (AT) and supports long-term economic stability.

Why AT Matters: Access to AT devices and services profoundly improves the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Examples include:

• Hearing Aids: Enabling communication for work and personal life.
• Durable Medical Equipment: Wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, and stairlifts support independence and community participation.
• Home Modifications: Ramps or barrier-free showers that help individuals live independently in their own homes rather than in institutional settings.

The Organization and Transition

AATLF was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in April of 2023.

• Current Status: AATLF is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF).
• The Future: Beginning in 2025, AATLF and PATF initiated the dissolution of the parent company’s interest, which will be effective June 30, 2026. This strategic transition establishes AATLF as a fully independent organization with dedicated staffing, funding, and resources. This will allow AATLF to further its mission by expanding products, resources, loan capital, and education across the Appalachian region.

The Opportunity: Executive Director

AATLF is seeking an Executive Director who is enthusiastic about building a sustainable and impactful organization while aggressively expanding its reach, particularly in Kentucky and across the Appalachian region.

• Reporting: The Executive Director will report directly to AATLF’s Board of Directors.
• Compensation: This full-time, executive position offers compensation between $90,000 and $110,000, dependent upon skills and experience.
• Benefits: We offer assistance with securing health insurance through the state healthcare exchange, generous paid time off, and support with professional development. AATLF is committed to bringing additional benefits online as the organization achieves scale and growth.

Essential Attributes

The Executive Director (ED) is expected to be a visionary leader who drives organizational growth, financial sustainability, and advocacy efforts across the Appalachian region.

Leadership and Vision

• Strategic Planning: Leads the organization with strategic thought and perseverance, focusing on long-term growth and impact.
• Mission Alignment: Ensures AATLF remains relevant and thrives by developing and implementing policies and actions that meet the emerging assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities and older residents.
• Innovation: Develops and implements new methods of financing and advocacy to continually increase opportunities for independence, education, employment, and community inclusion.

Financial and Advocacy

• External Representation: Serves as a creative and visionary leader in financing and advocacy for the constituency.
• Partnership Building: Leads efforts in partnering and collaborating with other non-profit and for-profit organizations.
• Policy Influence: Educates government administrators and legislators at local, state, and national levels on proposed regulations and legislation affecting assistive technology access.

Position Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall operational, financial, and strategic leadership of AATLF, balancing daily execution with long-term growth in partnership with the AATLF Board.

I. Governance and Reporting

• Board Communication: Provides timely and accurate operational, financial, and programmatic information to AATLF Board of Directors.
• Meeting Management: Attends all AATLF Board meetings, delivering reports and updates on current work, project timelines, and organizational progress.
• Board Development: Facilitates the onboarding of new AATLF Board members and coordinates necessary training opportunities.

II. Operations and Program Management

• Daily Oversight: Manages AATLF’s daily operations to ensure consistent, timely progress toward achieving the mission, and meeting targeted goals.
• Process Optimization: Analyzes and enhances existing loan processes to optimize efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance in service delivery.
• Program Development: Drives business development by enhancing existing loan products/services and identifying and developing new programs that meet the needs of applicants, borrowers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Administrative Management: Works with the Loan & Operations Manager and AATLF’s Financial Consultant to manage all effective and efficient operations, including:
• Personnel (hiring, contracting, performance evaluation, Employee Manual revision).
• Office infrastructure (space, supplies, equipment).
• Data collection, information security, technology, and telecommunications.
• Contracting and management of outsourced services.

III. Financial Stability and Fundraising (Crucial Focus)

Fundraising Leadership: Leads development and fundraising efforts for AATLF’s programs.

1. Directly responsible for securing the necessary funds to sustain the ED position beyond the initial two-year funding period.

2. Co-writes and edits grant proposals and designs/executes campaigns to maintain or increase funding from appropriations and individual donations.

Financial Oversight: Maintains the organization’s financial health by:
1. Developing and adhering to a financial plan and balanced budget with the AATLF Board.

2. Ensuring timely filing of reports and contracts.

3. Works collaboratively with AATLF’s Financial Consultant to supervise and review bookkeeping, forecasting, recordkeeping, and safeguarding fund disbursement in line with nonprofit best practices.

• Audits: Coordinates with the AATLF Board to secure contracts for and support the completion of annual, independent financial audits.

IV. Advocacy, Outreach, and Partnership

• Policy Advocacy: Advocates at the local, state, and national levels for increased access to assistive technology.
1. Builds coalitions with like-minded organizations and maintains positive relationships with policymakers.
2. Monitors and influences relevant legislative initiatives, regulations, and policies.
• Contract Negotiation: Reviews, analyzes, and negotiates contracts and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to leverage resources for program expansion.
• Marketing and Representation: Effectively represents the organization to promote a positive image. This includes developing and managing an annual outreach and marketing plan that supports AATLF’s strategic goals.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a strategic decision-maker who drives performance, holds themselves and others accountable, and fosters a collaborative, responsive, and compassionate work environment.

Education and Experience

• A Master’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, Finance, or related discipline; OR comparable professional work experience.
• Three or more years of senior non-profit leadership and management experience.

Core Expertise

• Financial and Economic Development: Practical knowledge and substantive experience in economic development and finance.
• Government Relations: Substantial knowledge and experience in government relations and the public policy-making process, including the ability to meet requirements to register as a lobbyist in Kentucky.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Personal or professional subject matter expertise in aging and disability (e.g., intellectual, physical, cognitive, and related disabilities).
• Fiscal Management: Solid, hands-on management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Organizational: Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation. Demonstrated eye for detail and ability to meet multiple, pressing deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong public speaking and relationship-building abilities, with the capacity to prioritize, negotiate, and collaborate effectively. Ability to work respectfully and empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities.
• Judgment: Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion and independent judgment and a high degree of integrity.

Logistics
• Must be a resident of Kentucky.
• Available to travel within the Appalachian region, up to 20% of the time, as required for the role.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and maintain current automobile insurance.
• Proficient in mobile communication devices, personal computers, and standard Microsoft Office business applications.

Competencies

1. Make Sound Decisions
a. Recognizes the broad, systemic implications of problems and issues.
b. Focuses on the crux of issues and identifies high-leverage intervention points and strategies.
c. Critically and logically evaluates the costs, risks, and benefits of alternatives before making decisions.
d. Makes decisions in the face of uncertainty.

2. Be Strategic
a. Develops responses to key environmental actions and threats.
b. Identifies and integrates organizational strategies to achieve and sustain influence and visibility.
c. Develops strategies that leverage the core capabilities and competencies of the organization.

3. Accountability/Optimize Execution
a. Uses key indicators, processes, and management systems to monitor the organization’s
performance against goals.
b. Addresses barriers to achieving results and sources of lagging performance.
c. Ensures accountability for achieving organization goals at multiple organizational levels.
d. Maintains operating effectiveness while simultaneously driving needed change.

4. Show Drive and Initiative
a. Establishes aggressive goals for the organization.
b. Gets results that have a clear, positive, and direct impact on organization performance.
c. Exhibits a strong sense of urgency and actively drives issues to resolution.
d. Manages focused, purposeful meetings that achieve closure on key issues.

5. Develop/Support Organization Talent
a. Shapes roles and assignments in ways that leverage and develop people’s capabilities.
b. Develops successors and talent pools to ensure availability of future talent.
c. Provides feedback, coaching, and guidance where appropriate to enhance others’ skill development.
d. Identifies and attracts key individuals with the critical capabilities needed by the organization.

6. Ensure Collaboration
a. Builds collaboration by establishing, communicating, and reinforcing shared values and norms.
b. Promotes a culture of collaboration and teamwork across organizational boundaries.
c. Supports an office environment that is responsive, knowledgeable, compassionate, and hardworking.
d. Removes organizational barriers to collaboration and teamwork.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Currently, employees and consultants work remotely.
• May spend extended periods working at a desk and computer.
How to Apply: If you are enthusiastic about our mission and possess the leadership qualities to achieve results, we invite you to apply.

Please send your letter of interest and resume to aatlf@aatlf.org by February 27, 2026.

AATLF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, free of discrimination or harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.