On October 27, United Spinal Association’s board of directors appointed Vincenzo (Enzo) Piscopo president and CEO. Piscopo, an experienced professional in diversity, inclusion and social causes, began his tenure on November 16. He replaces James Weisman, who is retiring after 41 years of service to the disability community as an advocate for disability rights and accessible transportation. “As we approach our 75th Anniversary next year, we are grateful to have Enzo continue United Spinal’s legacy of providing our members programs and services that maximize their independence and enable them to remain active in their communities,” says Weisman.

Piscopo, a wheelchair user who was paralyzed from a herniated disk in 2010, previously worked at The Coca-Cola Company for 25 years in a variety of strategic roles both in the U.S. and internationally. In his most recent position as the community and stakeholder relations director at Coca-Cola, Piscopo managed and cultivated company relationships with disability, veteran and Hispanic organizations and advocates for these communities.

“With the help of United Spinal’s talented staff and dedicated chapter leaders, I remain committed to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities, strengthening their voice and empowering them to have a positive impact in their community,” Piscopo says. “I’m looking forward to building on the amazing work Jim did to take this organization to the next level.”

Piscopo has based much of his work on the belief that people with disabilities are assets for corporations because of their resilience, perseverance and creative problem-solving skills. “For corporations to hire us is not only right, but also smart,” he says.

Piscopo is also the founder and former executive director of the Wheels of Happiness Foundation, which helps people with motor disabilities in disadvantaged areas of the world. He now sits on the board of directors of the organization, as well as on the boards of Respectability and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. Born in Venezuela to Italian immigrants, Piscopo lives with his wife and two of their four children in Atlanta. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, and a master’s in creativity from Buffalo State College.