Dr. Russell H. Jackson, founder, and president of Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR), a leading small minority-owned research and evaluation firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sylvia R. Epps as the next president of DIR, effective April 1, 2023.

Dr. Epps’ appointment as the president of DIR is the perfect example of preparation and passion meeting opportunity. Since joining DIR in 2004 (initially as a consultant and later full-time), Dr. Epps has risen through positions of increasing leadership and impact across the company. “It is an honor and privilege to step into this role to sustain Russell’s legacy and continue developing my own. He has been an excellent mentor as we prepared for this transition. Russell’s legacy is anchored in creating opportunities for minorities to engage in the research process. This space is sacred to me as I did not have access to many research mentors of color or even opportunities to collaborate with diverse teams. He has set an example that I intend to maintain and further develop.”

Dr. Jackson will continue in his role as the CEO of DIR. “As the founder of DIR, I have prioritized talent development and now plan for a transition in leadership that ensures the continued success and growth of this unique organization. Sylvia has proven her dedication to DIR’s mission to provide the highest quality research, evaluation, technical assistance, and training to guide our clients in making informed decisions. She is committed to our core values and will continue building upon the legacy of DIR to broaden our evaluation and research capabilities and capacity into the future. I will remain engaged as a mentor, leader, and advisor for selected projects while supporting DIR’s ongoing strategic planning and business development.”