BOC Names New Board Chair

Preston N. Madler, BOCO, was elected chairman of the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification's (BOC) Board of Directors at the group's March meeting, BOC announced. Madler succeeds Teresa Alpert-Leibman, CPed, BOCO, CO, BOC pedorthist.

Madler served 23 years with the United States Air Force before retiring as a senior master sergeant in 2007. A disabled veteran, he served his entire USAF career in the field of orthotics. He studied at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, for two years before joining the Air Force, where he began his orthotic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Madler ended his military service as a course supervisor in the 59th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall Medical Center, managing the largest orthotic laboratory in the Air Force. He saw more than 800 patients per month and oversaw the USAF's orthotic program worldwide. In addition, he was responsible for the Air Force's Orthotic Apprentice course, which he developed and helped teach.

Noting that BOC's Board of Directors includes representation from all U.S. regions and across all five disciplines that BOC certifies, Madler said it is an honor to accept the chairmanship. "This board is a great cross-section of practitioners elected by the entire certificant body of BOC, a true representation of BOC," he said.

Before being elected to BOC's Board of Directors, Madler served the organization as a member of the Item Writers committees for the orthotist examinations and the clinical simulation examinations from 2004 through 2007. He also served as a reviewer for the video practical exam and is a member of BOC's facility accreditation site surveyors group. He has chaired BOC's Bylaws Committee and the Certification Ethics Review Committee, and was elected vice chairman of BOC before being chosen as chairman.

Madler is also an ABC-certified orthotist and is licensed to practice orthotics in Texas, where he recently formed DVet Technological Solutions Inc., which provides custom computer programming, software and hardware, and other technological solutions to government agencies and private-sector industries.

"Preston's background and skills in OP&P and his talents as a leader will serve BOC well," said BOC President Greg Safko. "The board of directors has worked hard to solidify BOC's programs and activities over the past year under Teresa Alpert-Liebman's guidance, and now Preston is prepared to lead us to the next level. I look forward to working with him."