Weesie Walker to leave top role at NRRTS

LUBBOCK, Texas – Weesie Walker became executive director of NRRTS on an interim basis in 2013, when Simon Margolis, the organization’s first leader, retired, and she never left. But it’s time to hand over the reins to someone else, she says. 

“It’s been nine years, which is longer than I had planned,” said Walker, ATP/SMS. “Once you get into it, it’s exciting to see the things that we’re able to accomplish.” 

NRRTS has assembled a Search Committee led by Gerry Dickerson, ATP/CRTS, past president of the organization and a member of its Executive Committee, to find a new executive director. 

Walker will still be involved in NRRTS, but she will focus on the organization’s CRT Supplier Certificate Program, which she once described as “entry level training” to help get professionals interested in seating and mobility. 

NRRTS launched the first course for the program in 2020 and it now has five courses “ready to go,” Walker says. 

“(The program) got bogged down, but now we have regrouped and we’re making excellent progress,” she said. “It will be a lot of fun to be able to focus on that.” 

While the CRT Supplier Certificate Program, as well as NRRTS’s launch in Canada in 2020, have been two of Walker’s favorite projects over the years, being executive director has also meant, among other things, being the organization’s CEO, managing a staff, helping to plan webinars and CEU articles, and overseeing all new applications. 

Walker’s departure isn’t the only personnel change for NRRTS. Michelle Lange has retired from her post as the organization’s continuing education curriculum coordinator. She has been replaced by Kathy Fisher, an occupational therapist in Canada who has worked as a supplier, a clinician and a manufacturer. 

“I’m like everyone: I hate change,” Walker said. “But we got some great people. They’ve learned the systems and it’s working really well. I feel good about that.” 

There is no set timeline for Walker leaving NRRTS, she says. 

“I will do it when the right person is identified and even when I leave, I will continue to be involved, much like Simon was,” she said. 

• Read about the launch of the CRT Supplier Certificate Program here.