Michael Weston

Mr. Weston is typically described as the “spirit and conscience” of any organization that he has been a part of, and has been creating and directing programs across the expanse of Human Services for the past thirty years. His accomplishments have been varied and diverse. He has been responsible for piloting a statewide initiative to enhance the quality of care in Florida nursing homes by expanding community involvement. He has created and directed numerous community based initiatives, and is the former and founding Director of Disaster Planning and Operations for the state’s Department of Elder Affairs. He currently serves as a Disaster Consultant to the U S Administration on Aging and in that capacity has been tasked by the Department of Homeland Security as the Federal Coordinating Officer over many recent presidential declared disaster events. As President of Servision, Inc. he has invented, patented and is producing the WESTCOT, the only affordable completely portable folding hospital-type bed in the world. Other products include the Special Needs Picture Board which readily facilitates communication with victims in times of disaster. With a commitment to continuous product improvement the Servision line of products are already being utilized throughout the United States. Currently, marketing efforts for worldwide expansion are underway through trade partnerships. Evidence of Mr. Weston’s impact ranges from programs targeted to decrease infant mortality to the implementation of a National Demonstration Project, which dispatched and coordinated 24-hour emergency in-home services for the frail elderly at the onset of crisis. As Hurricane Andrew approached Miami-Dade County, Mr. Weston then Director of Clinical Services for the Channeling Project (the nation’s oldest and largest nursing home diversion project) activated and fully implemented their disaster plan over 72 hours before landfall occurred. Then, as the lead Red Cross volunteer at Dade County’s Emergency Operations Center he coordinated and broadcast what history recorded as the largest civilian evacuation ever undertaken at the time. Mr. Weston is recognized as one of the nation’s foremost experts on Special Needs populations. He has chaired the Disaster Services Committee for the American National Red Cross, has served on the Statewide Human Research Subject Review Board and has made numerous presentations at the national and international level. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Services and is constantly utilized as a consultant and educator.