Edward Anthony, Ph.D.

Dr. Edward Anthony was appointed in June 2006 to be Deputy Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Department of Education, after serving as director of the OSERS Office of Policy and Planning since January 1993. The Office of Policy and Planning provides broad policy and planning guidance to the assistant secretary and OSERS on matters related to special education, vocational rehabilitation, and disability research.

In May 2005, Dr. Anthony was delegated the authority by the Secretary of Education to perform the functions of the Commissioner of RSA. RSA's mission is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, independence, and integration into the workplace and the community. It is in this role that Dr. Anthony was appointed to serve on the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

Dr. Anthony has worked in the federal government for 23 years, serving in various positions in the Department of Education and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, he served for 30 years in the U. S. Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Colonel. He is a graduate of The Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in International Affairs, and master's and doctorate degrees in Education Administration.