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RICHARD WILLIAMSON
President &Â CEO | M.Ed., QP
Richard graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He proceeded to work in several positions in the field of special education. He began by working for a group home in Gaston County. After working there for a year, he transferred to an agency in Charlotte where he worked for 11 years. Initially, Richard was a workstation supervisor, then he became the Supported Employment Coordinator where he assisted in the development of the supported employment program and secured multiple workstations. Afterwards, he began teaching individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in various CMS schools while pursuing his Master of Special Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After completing his degree and while continuing to teach, he provided services for seven years as a direct support professional. He eventually opened the doors of Heartspring on 1 April 2001 and left his former agency. Richard found a new position teaching for CMS at Metro School for over 9 years. In 2010 he took a leap of faith in his own pursuits to focus solely on developing his business. Using purely word of mouth from many of the relationships he formed during his long and impressive career, HeartSpring flourished.
MARIA WILLIAMSON
Vice President | M.M., QP
Maria graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Music Education before going to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas to get her Master of Music in music education. She worked for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 15 years including serving as Associate Artistic Administrator for 5 years. She progressed to work with the Colorado Symphony for 5 years as Director of Artistic Operations. As the DAO, she participated in a Performance Management Workshop with Corporate Psychology. In 2002, she joined HeartSpring administration. Since then, her loving and determined personality has led her to become an admired QP. Maria enjoys supporting the individuals and families served by HeartSpring.