Logo: The text Gordon J Vernon overlayed on the joined initials GJV in orange and turned sideways.
A square photograph of Gordon J. Vernon wearing a black shirt and glasses with an orange border.

Gordon J. Vernon

About Gordon J. Vernon


Gordon J. Vernon, CI, CT, NIC, is a respected American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter with a career spanning nearly four decades. He specializes in providing Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services nationwide, a communication solution and reasonable accommodation he has offered exclusively since 2009—well before the pandemic made remote work common for many professionals. Prior to specializing in VRI, he worked extensively in both community and video settings with various interpreting agencies and Video Relay Service companies across the nation.

Gordon’s expertise in ASL and his deep understanding of the nuances of remote communication, especially on platforms like Zoom, have made him uniquely qualified and a sought-after interpreter in various venues, ranging from small meetings and interviews to large high-profile events, conferences, and technical/scientific lectures. His knowledge of various platforms and approach to VRI have greatly enhanced the accessibility and effectiveness of remote interpreting services, benefiting numerous individuals and companies.

Since embarking on his professional journey in 1986 at the age of 18, Gordon has dedicated significant time to volunteering within professional membership organizations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. He is also a recognized interpreter educator, providing professional development and mentoring opportunities for interpreters nationwide. Gordon’s current educational project aims to visually depict the mental process of simultaneous interpretation, enhancing understanding and improving the interpreting skills of both practitioners and students in training programs across the nation.

Originally from Alabama and holding dual citizenship in the UK and the US, Gordon has been living and working remotely from San Juan, Puerto Rico, since 2014. His personal and professional path was notably shaped by the 15 years he spent living and working in Washington, D.C. Despite being far from his roots, he remains fascinated with the history of his Alabama hometown and continues to contribute actively to the Citronelle Historical Preservation Society as a former President, a Lifetime Member and the current Director of Online Outreach. Although he is based in Puerto Rico and predominantly provides VRI services, Gordon loves to travel and is willing to work in-person assignments, entertaining all opportunities.

When he has time, Gordon authors the blog “Out, Loud, & Proud,” where he shares his experiences as a gay man and advocates for everyone’s right to access life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The blog is accessible in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Known for his vibrant personality and unwavering commitment to serving others, Gordon’s passion for his hometown, profession, American Sign Language, interpreter education, lifelong learning, and creating accessible and inclusive partnerships shines through.

Interpreting Experience

2009 to Present

Interpreter TLC - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Owner / Director / Interpreter / Educator

• Provides Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services in a variety of settings.

• Provides professional development opportunities nationwide

1986 to Present

Private Practice - Mobile, AL, Norfolk, VA, Washington, D.C., and San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sign Language Interpreter

Extensive interpreting experience in the following venues and settings:

• Video Remote • Technical  • Education • Scientific • Medical • Emergency Medical

• Government • Accounting • Political • Performance Art • Video Relay

2008 to 2009

Purple Communications, Inc. - Washington, D.C.

Manager of Continuing Education

• Managed and Provided all internal and external professional development activities in 6 time zones

• Developed and maintained the Interpreter Assessment System for hiring of new interpreters; including creation of stimulus materials and training of raters.

• Developed training and designed curriculum for use in a remote learning management system.

1995 to 2008

Sign Language Associates - Washington, D.C.

Director of Staff Development / Mentorship Program Manager / Senior Executive Staff Interpreter

• Directed corporate-wide professional development opportunities and provided educational resources to professional interpreting staff in each SLA center of operation including monitoring the professional development action plans of professional interpreting staff and ensured development was actively pursued.

• Administered the SLA Mentorship Program and provided oversight in each SLA center of operation including supervision, scheduling, and provision of training and inservice opportunities to participant interpreters and mentors in the SLA Mentorship Program.

• Coordinated certified interpreter/pre-certified interpreter pairings for professional development within the SLA Bridge Program (Bridge to Certification) and led the Professional Development Congress in planning skill building, workshop, and inservice opportunities.

• Interpreted in a wide variety of settings in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

1994 to 1995

Gallaudet University - Gallaudet Interpreting Services - Visiting Interpreter Program

Washington, D.C.

Interpreter

1992 to 1994

Bishop State Community College - Mobile, Alabama

Interpreter Training Program / American Sign Language Studies Program

Interpreter / Secretary / Lab Assistant

1989 to 1992

Volunteers of America - Mobile Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center (MDHHC) - Mobile, Alabama

Interpreter

Credentials

• 1990 - Sign Language Proficiency Interview - Superior - Evaluation by the Alabama School for the Deaf

• 1991 - Certificate of Interpretation (CI) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

• 1995 - Certificate of Transliteration (CT) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

• 2008 - National Interpreter Certification (NIC) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

Service to the Profession

Registro de Intérpretes para Sordos de Puerto Rico (RISPRI)

• 2016 to Present - Director of Communication 

• 2019 to Present - Chair of the Certification Committee.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

• 2007 to 2009 - Affiliate Chapter Relations Committee

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) - Region II

• 2004 Region II Conference - Conference Chair - San Juan, Puerto Rico.

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI)

• 2002 WASLI Conference in Washington, D.C. - Interpreter Coordinator

Potomac Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (PCRID) Serving the state of Maryland and Washington, Disctrict of Columbia

• 2002 to 2005 - President 

• 2000 to 2002 - Vice President

• 1998 to 2000 - Secretary

• 1996 to 1998 - Washington, D.C. Subchapter Representative

Alabama Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (ALRID) -

• 1993 to 1994 - Vice President 

• 1993 to 1996 - Newsletter Editor

• 1991 to 1993 - President of the Mobile Subchapter of ALRID

Other Volunteer Service

Citronelle Historical Preservation Society (CHPS) - Citronelle, Alabama

• 2011 to 2012 - President

• 2010 to Present - Director of Online Outreach & Webmaster

Education

• Certificate, Interpreter Training, Bishop State Community College, Mobile, Alabama - 1991

• An additional 121 credit hours at various institutions of higher education with 17 credit hours in ASL Studies

• Trained to teach the Effective Interpreting Series curriculum developed by Carol J. Patrie (earned college credits)

• 20 + additional hours of professional development per year since 1991 (many at the teaching level)