Mr. Lanier retired from state government with 32 years of service in the field of deafness, as well as an additional ten years as a Social Worker with the local government. His last position was the Director of the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH), which was a gubernatorial appointment. He was reappointed through five Administrations, which began in 1997 until he retired in 2018. Mr. Lanier previously worked as a Program Manager for VDDHH’s Technology Assistance Program, Job Placement Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, American Sign Language Instructor, and Social Worker. Additionally, he has provided numerous trainings on topics related to communication, technology, cultural and social aspects of deafness and hearing loss. As an individual with a hearing loss, father and grandfather of deaf children, Mr. Lanier is a well-known guest speaker sharing experiences about “deafness/hearing loss in the family”. He is a “communications access champion” and strongly believes in bridging gaps in communication through the continuation of training to all areas of the community to enhance accessibility for all individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

(More information about Mr. Lanier's professional career and credentials are available through multiple online sources.