Derek Orr was named the Director of the Office of Disability Rights, where he has been serving as the agency’s acting director since January. He began his service with the District government in January 2008 when he was hired as the agency’s deputy director. Prior to his District roles, Orr was the executive director of Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care Inc. a District-based organization that specialized in the mental health care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He also served as the deputy director of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he worked on HIV/AIDS issues effecting people in the New York City corrections system.

In the private sector, Orr was president and CEO of Aurora Concept, a behavioral health treatment company in New York City. He was also vice president of Cicatelli Associates, a management consulting company that worked with nonprofit behavioral health and medical services providers. Earlier in his career he held several positions with organizations in New Jersey including the Universal Institute, Easter Seals New Jersey and the Mid-Bergen Community Mental Health Center. Orr has a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University and an undergraduate degree from William Paterson College.