Chris Wakeland oversees the Sorenson Video Relay (VRS) interpreting operations for Sorenson Communications as the company's Vice President of Interpreting. Under Mr. Wakeland's direction, Sorenson VRS has become the largest video relay interpreting service provider in the country. Prior to joining Sorenson Communications, Mr. Wakeland served as a liaison for the Governors task force of Utah to develop a master plan for statewide interpreting services. During his time with the task force, he played an instrumental role in passing into Utah State law the Interpreter Act and the ASL as a Second Language Act. Following this, Mr. Wakeland became the President of the Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Affiliate Chapter, where he established the foundation to build a Utah statewide RID interpreter membership base. Mr. Wakeland has also served as Vice Chair and Evaluator for the Utah Interpreter Certification Board, where he worked closely with the Utah Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Wakeland worked as Coordinator of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services for Brigham Young University. Mr. Wakeland has been interpreting professionally for over 14 years. He is RID certified with a Certificate of Interpretation and has a Utah Master Level Interpreter certificate from the Utah Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Mr. Wakeland holds a B.A. in History and a Masters in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Brigham Young University. |