Working and Disability
March 15, 2023
with Special Guests
John Korusek, MA, CWDP-BSE
Workforce Development Specialist Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
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Rick Sizemore
Executive Producer of the VR Workforce Studio, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
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Betsy Civillette
Co-host VR Workforce Studio
Communications Director, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
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John Korusek
John Korusek, aka Jonni reinvented himself by going back to college during a
time of unemployment in 2009. He received his Associates of Arts, then
Bachelor of Science in Religion and a Master of Arts in Human Services from
Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
Jonni took this new education to start working in Workforce Development.
First at the Virginia Employment Commission, next at the Resource Workforce Centers as a
Business Services Consultant, then at The Choice Group as a Job Coach / Community
Engagement Specialist later as Business Services with the City of Richmond, Office of
Community Wealth Building (OCWB) and finally as a Workforce Development Specialist or
Placement Counselor with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DARS).
This is where Jonni assists anyone 14 and up (People with Disabilities, Students,
Veterans, Unemployed, Homemakers, Seniors and Returning Citizens) to start Training and
finding Employment through State of Virginia and Grant Funded Programs at the Department
for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
Jonni is No Stranger to Podcasts. In October of 2021 Jonni started a Music Podcast
where he Interviews Guests about their Musical Self on Under the Influence with DJJonniBravo.
Sharing his love for Podcasting, his son Zane and Jonni started a Hero Review Podcast in April of
2022 where ZaneMan and Jonni Boy talk about 1 Movie, 1 TV Show, 1 Video Game or Comicon
sometimes with a Special Guest usually about DC, Marvel, or Star Wars on Hero Chat Show.
Besides occasionally playing music as DJ Jonni Bravo. Jonni is also an Emcee (MC); Guest
Speaker; Transformational Public Speaker and Social Media Expert.
Rick Sizemore
Rick Sizemore has dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities to find meaningful careers through vocational rehabilitation. He retired as the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center in June of 2019 after 33 years of service to being a second career in marketing and communications. In 2019 Rick received both the Virginia Rehabilitation Association’s R.N. Anderson Leadership Award and the National Rehabilitation Association’s Belle Greve Leadership Award. He is a graduate of Radford University with degrees in business management, music and radio-television broadcasting. Rick served as the President of the National Consortium of State Operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers. He is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Collaborative Leader’s Program, a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute, and facilitated the Skills for Leadership Program for numerous cohorts in Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Rick is credited with increasing WWRC’s utilization/outcomes and building collaborative relationships with partners while focusing on workforce development. Over the past eight years, as the Executive Producer of the VR Workforce Studio, Rick has championed the success stories of vocational rehabilitation through the show’s compelling interviews with people that fill the talent pipelines for business and industry. The Podcast is top rated in iTunes and available on numerous distribution channels and radio networks.
Betsy Civilette
Betsy Civilette is the Communications Director at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, which she joined in 2012.
She drives the marketing and public relations efforts in the DARS' communications office to promote the agency, its mission and overall public awareness of assisting people with disabilities and older Virginians.
Betsy also supports the agency's business and workforce development program across Virginia, creating content for and managing its social media, website, marketing materials and events.
Prior to joining DARS, Betsy was a freelance writer, graphic designer and independent communications consultant. She received a master's degree in journalism from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in corporate communication from Ithaca College.
Central Office
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Henrico, VA 23229-5019
Voice: 804.662.7000
Toll Free Numbers: 800.552.5019 or 711
Videophone: 804.325.1316
E-mail: dars@dars.virginia.gov