In his modest, and unassuming way, Dr. Ron Keller, has helped form and guide the development of several noteworthy nonprofit community homes, situated in four different areas in the community. As a founding board member of Right to Succeed Incorporated (RSI), Keller was prompted by the challenge to provide a home in the community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The cornerstone of his philosophy was centered on individual’s right to be included, empowered and valued in the community he or she lived in. “What can I do for you,” a question he often asked of everyone who needed his help had become over the years, a mantra that has well served his 30 years of leadership in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Renèe Brett, RSI vice president and director of Ellisville State School, introduced Dr. Keller as a special guest at the RSI board meeting held at the Abbie Rogers Community Home in Hattiesburg. Keller, who retired from the board in October 2008, was given a surprise presentation shortly after the meeting to honor him for his pioneering work and strong contribution as a tireless advocate for the organization. RSI board members presented Dr. Keller with a beautifully crafted embossed wall mirror frame, which showcases a dedication plaque celebrating his legacy. The mirror was proudly installed at the Abbie Rogers Community Home where it will be treasured for years to come.

Dr. Keller’s work has had major impacts on the substantial advancement of not only RSI’s community homes, but has also through his meritorious efforts, brought about significant changes on how the community as a whole understood and accepted individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“There wasn’t a template for anything we did back then,” Keller said. RSI, after all, was the one of the first nonprofit organizations in the state of Mississippi to offer residential living opportunities in a community setting for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Keller stated that when RSI started, there were about seven board members who shared the same vision of working toward community integration.

He marveled at the steady stream of progress the organization has accomplished throughout the years.

Having started with one community home, RSI today operates a total of six fully furnished, and well maintained supervised community homes, which houses six individuals per home in the Laurel, Hattiesburg, Starkville and Hazlehurst areas. The organization hasn’t waived from its primary goal of ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued in the community. They continue to provide a coordination of services that teaches individuals to improve on their life skills, all of which encourages independence that transition successful candidates toward residing in a single unit apartment or home.

RSI board member and co-pioneer Judy Westerfield stated that Keller’s loyalty and dedication paved the way for many individuals, and their families to have an alternative to institutionalization.

Sr. Carmelita Stinn, SFCC (Sisters For A Christian Community), couldn’t agree more. Stinn, one of the last two original members to still serve on the board, praised her long-time friend and colleague for his proactive role in ensuring only the best for the individuals they serve. Having witnessed his level of dedication to the organization, she jokingly asked Keller to reconsider retirement.

Nowadays, Keller is busy advocating the role of proud “Papa” to his two-year-old grandson, John Patrick, where his “what can I do for you” mantra has reached a new milestone. He is also active in his ministry as a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. A native of Petal, Dr. Ron Keller earned his doctorate degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He served as director of Sumrall Community Homes at Ellisville State School and was designated as a certified public manager by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. He resides in Hattiesburg with his wife Joyce.