JOLIET – A former publisher of The Herald-News has been named the Center for Disability Services’ president and CEO.

Randy Chapman, the new leader of CDS, has returned to the Joliet area from Rochester, Minnesota, where he was publisher of the Post Bulletin and Rochester Magazine.

“We are thrilled to welcome [Chapman] back to the community and have him part of the CDS team,” Vince Portlock, CDS board chairman, stated in a news release. “His invaluable leadership experience, community connections and passion for helping others makes him the ideal person to lead our organization.”

CDS is dedicated to advancing the independence of people with disabilities. Over the years, programs and services at CDS have expanded to serve people with severe or multiple disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, autism and other developmental disabilities.

Chapman also has been a senior development officer for the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

He also has been active in several organizations such as United Way, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Kiwanis Club of Joliet, Joliet Area Community Hospice, Silver Cross Hospital Foundation, Will-Grundy Center of Independent Living and the Will County Center for Economic Development.