K. Eric Larson SVP of Membership and Chapter Services
Larson also oversees the organization’s resource center and UsersFirst––a grassroots program focused on wheelchair access and related issues.
Larson has substantial experience working directly with the paralysis and broader disability community, and with a wide range of issues impacting this community.
Previously, Larson served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for NSCIA in October, 2008. Before that, he was Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer at NSCIA since 2004. As a member of the Governing Board of Directors from 1996-2004, and Chair of its Executive Committee from 2002-2004, Larson played a key leadership role during that time in the restructuring and re-energizing of NSCIA, which was recognized as Best New Freedom Organization by the Jim Mullen Foundation.
Larson first became involved with NSCIA in 1994 at the state level, serving as director and president of NSCIA’s Illinois chapter, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois. During his tenure as president, the Illinois Chapter was recognized as NSCIA’s Most Outstanding Chapter nationwide for three out of four years.
Larson also co-founded Moving Mountains™, a unique outdoor adventure program that has served hundreds of individuals and has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to personal growth and empowerment for people with disabilities such as SCI/D.
Larson received NSCIA’s James E. Smittkamp Award for significant contributions to the operation of NSCIA over three years and the Thomas H. “Mick” Countee Awards for extraordinary generosity of spirit, time and/or funds in support of the NSCIA and exemplary dedication, vision, service and volunteerism for the SCI community at large in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Larson was presented with the James E. Smittkamp Award by Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois in 2002 for service at the state level.
