Get to know our
Board & Leaders

MHA of Columbia Greene is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of local healthcare & business professionals of various backgrounds to advocate for our mission. Our Executive Leadership Team oversees the overall business operations.

Our governing body,
The Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors meet monthly to help direct the strategic objectives and policy of the organization. Get to know our Board of Directors below.

Executive Committee

Thomas Hess

Tom has dedicated his 40 year professional career to developing, implementing and monitoring federal, state, regional, local, and organizational specific programs toward the goal of reducing trauma and improving outcomes for child victims of severe abuse and/or neglect. He developed and provided oversight for all Child and Family Safety Programs funded through the NYS Office of Children Families Services as well the Federal Children's Justice Act Program. He has served on numerous national, Federal, State, and New York City task forces and committees.

President

Tom has dedicated his 40 year professional career to developing, implementing and monitoring federal, state, regional, local, and organizational specific programs toward the goal of reducing trauma and improving outcomes for child victims of severe abuse and/or neglect. He developed and provided oversight for all Child and Family Safety Programs funded through the NYS Office of Children Families Services as well the Federal Children's Justice Act Program. He has served on numerous national, Federal, State, and New York City task forces and committees.

Richard Washburn

Richard is a career public servant having over 32 years with the State of New York in the Human Resources, technology, and engineering fields. He is Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Ethics, former seat on the County Environment Management Council, and is trained in national Incident Management System (NIMS) for disaster preparedness and recovery. He serves as Chaplain to the Hudson Police Department, Greenport Fire Department, and multiple civil and community organizations in the county. He is also an active volunteer firefighter and certified as a peace officer with training in Fire Police Squad operations.

Vice President

Richard is a career public servant having over 32 years with the State of New York in the Human Resources, technology, and engineering fields. He is Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Ethics, former seat on the County Environment Management Council, and is trained in national Incident Management System (NIMS) for disaster preparedness and recovery. He serves as Chaplain to the Hudson Police Department, Greenport Fire Department, and multiple civil and community organizations in the county. He is also an active volunteer firefighter and certified as a peace officer with training in Fire Police Squad operations.

Jay Aronson

Jay has dedicated her professional career working for students, families, and members of the community as an integral part of the Hudson City School District Guidance Office. She brings over 34 years of experience in prevention activities, advocacy and social/emotional and career development. She is also a moderator in the Canaan Congregational Church (United Church of Christ).

Secretary

Jay has dedicated her professional career working for students, families, and members of the community as an integral part of the Hudson City School District Guidance Office. She brings over 34 years of experience in prevention activities, advocacy and social/emotional and career development. She is also a moderator in the Canaan Congregational Church (United Church of Christ).

Sean DuBois

Sean is the Southern Region Executive, Vice President of Commercial Lending at the Bank of Greene County. With over 30 years of experience in banking, Sean has developed extensive experience in analyzing financial statements, corporate structure and strategy for businesses of varying sizes and has assisted many businesses throughout the Hudson Valley.

Treasurer

Sean is the Southern Region Executive, Vice President of Commercial Lending at the Bank of Greene County. With over 30 years of experience in banking, Sean has developed extensive experience in analyzing financial statements, corporate structure and strategy for businesses of varying sizes and has assisted many businesses throughout the Hudson Valley.

Board of Directors

Berne Bendel

Berne is a Professor of Education and Psychology at Columbia Greene Community College. She has been a long time volunteer and now Board Member of Columbia Opportunities and member of the Social Justice Educational Studies graduate program advisory board.

Director

Berne is a Professor of Education and Psychology at Columbia Greene Community College. She has been a long time volunteer and now Board Member of Columbia Opportunities and member of the Social Justice Educational Studies graduate program advisory board.

Cynthia Engel

Cynthia is a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, certified with the ANCC since 1986. She has been an academic at Columbia-Greene Community College for 35 years, educating RNs to advocate and meet the psychiatric mental health needs of clients. Her board membership has broadened her perspective of services offered at the MHA as well as the degree of expertise and commitment of the MHA staff.

Director

Cynthia is a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, certified with the ANCC since 1986. She has been an academic at Columbia-Greene Community College for 35 years, educating RNs to advocate and meet the psychiatric mental health needs of clients. Her board membership has broadened her perspective of services offered at the MHA as well as the degree of expertise and commitment of the MHA staff.

Elizabeth Daly

Beth is a long standing resident of Greene County serving Catskill Central School district for over 26 years. She holds a Masters and Advanced Certificate in School counseling and has a passion for working with young people and their families to share in their journey to becoming the best they can be. She has had a Youth Development Program Director position within the Cooperative Extension in Greene County and prior to being a board member recognized the value of this organization to the community, promoting mental health for the youth and families she works with.

Director

Beth is a long standing resident of Greene County serving Catskill Central School district for over 26 years. She holds a Masters and Advanced Certificate in School counseling and has a passion for working with young people and their families to share in their journey to becoming the best they can be. She has had a Youth Development Program Director position within the Cooperative Extension in Greene County and prior to being a board member recognized the value of this organization to the community, promoting mental health for the youth and families she works with.

Jeanette Nesel

Jeanette is a co-founder & maltster with her husband of the Hudson Valley Malt/Germantown Beer Farm to supply malt to the Craft Beverage industry. Her background includes 40 years of Radio and Media marketing along with ownership of businesses and horses. In a broken world, she works to lend a hand to help fix it and joined the MHA to continue to give back to the community in which she lives.

Director

Jeanette is a co-founder & maltster with her husband of the Hudson Valley Malt/Germantown Beer Farm to supply malt to the Craft Beverage industry. Her background includes 40 years of Radio and Media marketing along with ownership of businesses and horses. In a broken world, she works to lend a hand to help fix it and joined the MHA to continue to give back to the community in which she lives.

Joann Lewicki

Joann has an extensive history in nursing, primarily with over 30 years serving persons with developmental disabilities with COARC. She has also worked as a hospice nurse at Community Hospice of Columbia Greene for over 5 years, and was a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities under Governor George Pataki. Joann joined the MHA through her work as a board member of the Association in Meaningful Living (AIM) which merged with MHACG in 1997. Though now retired, Joann continues to give a voice to those who need help in advocating for themselves by continuing her board work here, on the Columbia County Chapter of the NYSARC Guardianship Committee, and on COARC's Human Rights Committee.

Director

Joann has an extensive history in nursing, primarily with over 30 years serving persons with developmental disabilities with COARC. She has also worked as a hospice nurse at Community Hospice of Columbia Greene for over 5 years, and was a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities under Governor George Pataki. Joann joined the MHA through her work as a board member of the Association in Meaningful Living (AIM) which merged with MHACG in 1997. Though now retired, Joann continues to give a voice to those who need help in advocating for themselves by continuing her board work here, on the Columbia County Chapter of the NYSARC Guardianship Committee, and on COARC's Human Rights Committee.

John Sargent

John brings 31 years of facilities & property management, having worked for the US General Services Administration (GSA) as the Property Manager of the Federal Courthouse in Waco, Texas, the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, and the Property Manager of the James Foley Federal Courthouse in Albany, NY. In Texas, he was also the Contracting Officer of the custodial and mechanical contracts of the housing facilities on the President Bush Ranch in Crawford. Currently, John continues to give back to the community as a Teachers Aide in the Cairo Durham High School.

Director

John brings 31 years of facilities & property management, having worked for the US General Services Administration (GSA) as the Property Manager of the Federal Courthouse in Waco, Texas, the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, and the Property Manager of the James Foley Federal Courthouse in Albany, NY. In Texas, he was also the Contracting Officer of the custodial and mechanical contracts of the housing facilities on the President Bush Ranch in Crawford. Currently, John continues to give back to the community as a Teachers Aide in the Cairo Durham High School.

Onat Sanchez-Schwartz

Onat has been working in the non-profit field for the last 22 years, with a focus on supporting people with developmental disabilities. He has been involved with the Camphill Association of North America, an organization that provides residential, vocational, and social supports to individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) in life sharing communities. He is currently the executive director of Camphill Hudson.

Director

Onat has been working in the non-profit field for the last 22 years, with a focus on supporting people with developmental disabilities. He has been involved with the Camphill Association of North America, an organization that provides residential, vocational, and social supports to individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) in life sharing communities. He is currently the executive director of Camphill Hudson.

Our management team,
Executive Leadership

Overseeing our operations, our directors provide support for all of our various programs to support our mission to advance mental health in the community. Get to know our management team below.

David R. Rossetti

David has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University at Albany. He previously served as Chief Officer of Behavioral Health for Northern Rivers Family Services, Executive Director of St. Paul’s Center in Rensselaer, as Clinical Director of the Family Counseling Center in Gloversville and as a program director for Four Winds Hospital in Syracuse. He also maintains a private practice providing individual, family, and group counseling and has worked as a consultant for the armed forces on topics including grief, loss, stress, and integration.

Executive Director

David has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University at Albany. He previously served as Chief Officer of Behavioral Health for Northern Rivers Family Services, Executive Director of St. Paul’s Center in Rensselaer, as Clinical Director of the Family Counseling Center in Gloversville and as a program director for Four Winds Hospital in Syracuse. He also maintains a private practice providing individual, family, and group counseling and has worked as a consultant for the armed forces on topics including grief, loss, stress, and integration.

Michael Gelfand

Mike has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a Specialization in Social Work from SUNY Oswego. Mike received his MSW in an Administration Tract from the University of Cincinnati Graduate School of Social Work. He has over 40 years experience in the field of mental health working in Direct Care, Clinical Social Work and Administration. He has worked for MHA for the last 25 years working primarily in Quality Assurance and Compliance. Mike spent the previous 13 years as the Executive Director of Assistance in Meaningful Living (AIM), a mental health community residential agency that merged with MHACG in 1997.

Director of Clinical & Rehabilitation Programs

Mike has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology with a Specialization in Social Work from SUNY Oswego. Mike received his MSW in an Administration Tract from the University of Cincinnati Graduate School of Social Work. He has over 40 years experience in the field of mental health working in Direct Care, Clinical Social Work and Administration. He has worked for MHA for the last 25 years working primarily in Quality Assurance and Compliance. Mike spent the previous 13 years as the Executive Director of Assistance in Meaningful Living (AIM), a mental health community residential agency that merged with MHACG in 1997.

Susan Cody

Susie has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Empire State College. She began with Assistance in Meaningful Living (AIM) in 1980 and while obtaining her degree worked her way up, advancing into the Assistant Executive Director position. AIM merged to become a part of MHACG in 1997, creating our new Residential Division with Susie as the Director. In the over 42 years Susie has dedicated to Mental Health Residential Services, she has led through the development and expansion of additional funding projects and residential centers.

Director of Residential Services

Susie has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Empire State College. She began with Assistance in Meaningful Living (AIM) in 1980 and while obtaining her degree worked her way up, advancing into the Assistant Executive Director position. AIM merged to become a part of MHACG in 1997, creating our new Residential Division with Susie as the Director. In the over 42 years Susie has dedicated to Mental Health Residential Services, she has led through the development and expansion of additional funding projects and residential centers.

Roxane Carpenter

Roxane has a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies and certification in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Oneonta. She has over 20 years experience working with children and families as a Special Education Advocate, Family Support Specialist, and grant writer. She is an experienced trainer and certified mediator.

Director of Children & Families Programs

Roxane has a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies and certification in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Oneonta. She has over 20 years experience working with children and families as a Special Education Advocate, Family Support Specialist, and grant writer. She is an experienced trainer and certified mediator.

Allison Lampe

Allison has a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology and an Associates Degree of Applied Science in IT Networking. She has 15 years in IT mostly in For Profit Companies working in Software Support, Helpdesk Support, and other areas of IT. She is passionate about making technology usable for all people and diversity in tech by participating in tech communities.

Director of Information Technology

Allison has a Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology and an Associates Degree of Applied Science in IT Networking. She has 15 years in IT mostly in For Profit Companies working in Software Support, Helpdesk Support, and other areas of IT. She is passionate about making technology usable for all people and diversity in tech by participating in tech communities.

Paul Taylor

Paul has a Bachelor's Degree from the University at Albany in Urban Development Economics and Marketing Management. He has 22 years of pharmacy business management experience, during which he designed and implemented health and wellness marketing campaigns, led fundraising and marketing for numerous charity events, conducted training design and led its facilitation, and did strategy & program development and communications. He also has developed logos and business materials including a website for a few small businesses in the Albany area.

Director of Development & Communications

Paul has a Bachelor's Degree from the University at Albany in Urban Development Economics and Marketing Management. He has 22 years of pharmacy business management experience, during which he designed and implemented health and wellness marketing campaigns, led fundraising and marketing for numerous charity events, conducted training design and led its facilitation, and did strategy & program development and communications. He also has developed logos and business materials including a website for a few small businesses in the Albany area.

Ethan Terrio

Ethan has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Accounting with an Advanced Certificate in Fraud and Digital Forensics from Siena College. He has over 5 years of experience varying across multiple types of accounting, including tax, private equity, and health care. He is passionate about the mental health field and assisting those in need of assistance.

Director of Finance

Ethan has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Accounting with an Advanced Certificate in Fraud and Digital Forensics from Siena College. He has over 5 years of experience varying across multiple types of accounting, including tax, private equity, and health care. He is passionate about the mental health field and assisting those in need of assistance.