Gary Edwards

This article is about the United Ability CEO. For others with similar names, see Gary Edwards (disambiguation).

Gary Michael Edwards (born December 26, 1948 in Fort Payne, DeKalb County; died June 5, 2020 in Birmingham) was the CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, later United Ability from 1982 until his death. He was known for promoting life-spectrum and workforce development programs, and for pushing companies to hire people living with disabilities.

Edwards was the son of Clifton and Evelyn Edwards of Fort Payne. He graduated from Hokes Bluff High School and studied psychology at Samford University and the University of Alabama. During his career he served as director of the respite care program for UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics. Edwards joined United Cerebral Palsy in 1982 and completed his PhD in psychology at the University of Alabama in 1983.

Edwards died in 2020. He was survived by his wife, Beth, two sons and seven grandchildren.

References

• "Longtime Birmingham nonprofit CEO Edwards dies at 71." (June 8, 2020) Birmingham Business Journal