Leader Who Listened: Reflections on the Career and Retirement of Steve Wooderson
On September 1 of this year, Steve Wooderson, long-time CEO of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), retired. Steve had served with distinction in the role since 2010, bringing more than four decades of public service and a dedication to vocational rehabilitation (VR) that shaped an entire generation of leaders. This blog is an opportunity to celebrate his life’s work, his legacy, and the quiet strength with which he moved public rehabilitation forward. I recently had an opportunity to interview Steve and visit with him about his experiences, and I walked away reminded—again—of the depth of his impact.
I first met Steve in 1999 while teaching a leadership class on financial accountability for state vocational rehabilitation agencies. We became lifelong friends. At the time, he was the Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services for the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Not long after, he accepted the position of Director of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. His journey, however, began 45 years ago as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Missouri, fresh out of his master’s program.
But long before VR, Steve had already chosen a life of public service. He served concurrently in the Army National Guard, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. Along the way, he also served as an adjunct professor at Drake University and as a Dale Carnegie trainer—roles he hopes to continue in retirement. At every stop in his career, he made a difference. Yet it was in leadership that his influence became unmistakable.
The Making of a Leader
During our most recent conversation, Steve reflected on moments that changed him as a leader. One of the first occurred in his early thirties, when he was a Captain in the National Guard and a regional manager in Missouri VR. He completed his first 360-degree leadership assessment—a brutally honest process. As he describes it, this experience moved him from a more authoritative leadership style to a deeply participative one. He said it was “eye-opening,” a moment that reoriented how he worked with teams for the rest of his career.
Another turning point came when he began overseeing independent living (IL) programs and working closely with the Statewide Independent Living Council. “It was one of my greatest challenges,” he told me. It forced him to lean in, to listen in new ways, and to engage more fully. The IL movement, firmly grounded in consumer control and collective advocacy, required him to hear perspectives that were sometimes uncomfortable and often profound. This experience gave him the confidence to move from Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services in Missouri to taking on the leadership of Iowa’s VR agency. It expanded his capacity and sharpened his ability to bring people together.
These two influences—a willingness to examine himself honestly and a commitment to listening—became Steve’s anchors. For as long as I have known him, I have watched him invite every voice into the room, talk through differing positions, and find the common thread that led to positive solutions. His hallmark has always been a calm, inclusive approach to problem solving.
A Career Rooted in Service
Steve began his academic training as a ministerial student, but vocational rehabilitation captured his heart and he never looked back. His career, whether in the Army, in state VR agencies, or on the national stage, has always been grounded in service. His contributions in state VR were significant, but the full measure of his impact emerged when he stepped into national leadership.
A Steady Hand for CSAVR
In 2010, Steve became the CEO of CSAVR at one of the most difficult moments in the organization’s history. CSAVR was facing a financial crisis that threatened its future. Navigating this involved not only stabilizing finances but also rebuilding trust, navigating legal complexities, and giving voice to the concerns of state VR directors from across the country.
Steve did this the way he always does—by listening first. He built a strong internal team, most of whom stayed with him throughout his tenure and now continue to serve in key leadership roles. He will insist that the credit belongs to that team and to the executive committee. I was there. I know better. He was the right leader at the right time. His steady hand and clarity of purpose created a foundation on which the modern CSAVR now stands.
Leading in a Complex National Environment
The CEO of CSAVR must navigate a landscape unlike any other in public service. The role requires working with Congress on both sides of the aisle; collaborating with VR directors from 78 agencies, many of whom are political appointees; and engaging with multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). It also requires partnership with national organizations representing special education, rehabilitation counseling, workforce development, and higher education.
Steve was effective in all these spaces because he stayed grounded—listening, encouraging, and cultivating a shared vision that others could commit to.
Shaping the Future of Public VR: WIOA and Beyond
Federal legislation framed much of the national VR agenda during Steve’s tenure. After years without significant updates to the Rehabilitation Act, Steve and CSAVR helped educate Congress as it developed the next iteration of legislation. The result was the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014.
CSAVR, under Steve’s leadership, brought the voices of state directors into the process and helped shape how the law was implemented nationwide. Pre-employment transition services became one of the most significant additions to WIOA, and Steve and the CSAVR team ensured that VR agencies were prepared to meet the moment. As always, he frames this as the accomplishment of directors and staff across the country. But he was the quiet force encouraging the conversations, asking the right questions, and helping build the collective response.
Internally, he also strengthened CSAVR itself. With his leadership and support, CSAVR expanded opportunities for senior leaders, middle managers, and field staff to participate in CSAVR events. New director training and leadership development evolved, and the business relations network thrived. CSAVR’s membership engagement increased during Steve’s tenure and staff developed value-added relationship with Congress and staff.
Navigating the Pandemic and Preparing for the Future
Everything was on track—and then COVID-19 arrived. Overnight, CSAVR had to rethink how to convene directors, deliver training, and provide technical assistance. Agencies across the country were struggling to adapt. Steve and his team helped the field navigate this shift, providing support on remote service delivery, resource management, and aligning VR with the new expectations emerging from Congress and RSA. CSAVR also played a key role in shaping the common performance measures adopted during this period.
As he prepares to hand the reins to the next generation of leaders, Steve believes firmly that VR’s future remains bright. VR, he reminded me, is a noble profession, rooted in strong legislation and a century of service. It has weathered dramatic change before and will do so again. He is confident the program will adapt to whatever Congress envisions next. Monitoring may shift, accountability may evolve, but the integrity of the program will hold.
A Legacy of Listening
CSAVR—and more importantly, public VR—stands on a strong foundation not because it relied on Steve, but because Steve ensured everyone had a seat at the table. His influence rests not in authority, but in curiosity. He asked questions. He listened deeply. And he believed that the future was strongest when shaped by many voices.
We are better because he made a difference. I am grateful to call him a friend, a colleague, and a fellow traveler in this work. His leadership enriched the field, and his friendship enriched my life. I wish him the very best on the next part of his journey.
*This blog has been edited with the assistance of ChatGPT
