BENCHMARK FAMILY SERVICES - Key Persons
A CARF Three Year Accreditation was awarded to Benchmark Family Services for our therapeutic foster care program. CARF accreditation demonstrates Benchmark's quality, accountability, and commitment to the satisfaction of the people served. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers in the areas of Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Employment and Community Services, Medical Rehabilitation, Opioid Treatment Programs, and Vision Rehabilitation Services.
Angela Johnston has been a part of the Benchmark Family Services team since 2009. She provided Case Management services in the Lexington Kentucky office until assuming quality assurance responsibilities in 2011 to ensure maintenance of standards for our CARF accreditation. Angela became part of our Program Support team in December 2012 with focus on quality and processes in our Kentucky offices. She received her Bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2009 and has more than ten years working experience in administrative and financial business fields. Angela is poised to continue utilizing her business and social services education and experiences to positively impact the quality of services provided to Benchmark foster families and youth.
Angela became part of our Program Support team in December 2012 with focus on quality and processes in our Kentucky offices.
She received her Bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2008.
Anthony Dill is the Executive Director for Benchmark Family Services. Anthony is a licensed social worker and graduated from Capital University at Columbus, OH. Anthony has been employed with Benchmark Family Services since May 1997. Prior to being employed by Benchmark Family Services, Anthony served 8 years in the United States Army as an EMT- 4 years active duty and 4 years army reserves.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Pastor of Abundant Life Apostolic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio
Bishop H. Anthony Stephens is the pastor of Abundant Life Apostolic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He served several years as corporate board President of Benchmark Family Services and brings a lifetime of professional experience to the advisory board as a longtime supporter of Benchmark and its mission to families and youth. His experience includes work in juvenile probation and residential care for youth as a state administrator. He continues to advocate for at-risk populations in his pastoral work.
Mr. Hartzog resides in Springfield, Ohio with his wife Connie. He is a retired factory worker of 32 years from Navistar, and was their Union Steward for 8 of those years. He is still active and currently the Chairman for the Local 402 Retirees Chapter. He is also on the UAW Executive Board and on the CAP Counsel. He grew up in the Oesterlen Home for Children, making him very much aware of what some of our children in care face on a daily basis. He takes an active interest in all aspects of how Benchmark continues to be a viable presence in the communities we serve. He enjoys traveling with his wife and attending summer concerts at the park.
Job Titles:
- Program Support Specialist
Danica Kidd has been working with Benchmark Family Services since 2007, and started as a Therapeutic Support Specialist. Since then, she has held many positions, and is now part of our Program Support team in Kentucky. Danica obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Kentucky in 2005. She currently works out of our Berea office providing support and assistance to Benchmark Family Services' Kentucky offices.
Danica obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Kentucky University in 2005.
Started with the agency in 2007, in Berea, KY, as a case manager until 2011.
Mr. Radel is currently a retired Sergeant from the Springfield Ohio Police Department, where he worked for over 26 years. Starting as a patrolman, he worked in traffic, field training and became the Detective Supervisor and Street Supervisor. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree, from Eastern Kentucky University, in Police Administration. He currently watches his two grandchildren for their working parents. In his spare time, he loves showing and caring for his classic cars, live music, tennis and golf.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- President / CEO of Urban Light Ministries
Eli is President/CEO of Urban Light Ministries which provides an array of services for children and families including in-school and after-school programs for elementary and middle school students. Eli has designed innovative programs which strengthen and support parents and especially fathers who are at risk for family relationship failure. He is recognized as an authority in the area of fatherhood, authoring the book on the subject "Father Love-The Powerful Resource Every Child Needs". Eli has been a friend of Benchmark Family Services for many years and understands the need for therapeutic community-based care for dependent youth.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Registered Nurse
Mrs. Snyder has been a registered nurse for ten years. Her experience includes working at Good Samaritan Hospital on a telemetry unit for five years, being a homecare nurse case manager for one year, and working as a utilization review nurse for a Medicaid managed care plan for the last four years. During her time at the hospital, Heather was a charge nurse for four years and led a team of thirteen employees for a 39-bed patient unit. Heather received her Associate's Degree from Clark State Community College in 2007 and her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Ohio University in 2015. She also has credentials as a Certified Managed Care Nurse, which she received in 2016. Heather lives in Springfield, Ohio with her loving husband, Kyle, their two daughters, Leah and Hannah, and their three dogs, Duke, Bear, and Pixie. In her spare time she enjoys singing in the church choir, reading and participating in Zumba classes.
Mr. Masem resides in Springfield Ohio; he has two teenage daughters, Victoria and Makenzie. He has worked in the manufacturing industry for more than fifteen years, performing various administrative and management roles. He currently works at Rittal North America, where he is the Returns Coordinator for the North America Division. Other experience includes his role as Customer Service Manager at Kreider Corporation in Springfield, Ohio, and the Safety Director at Ideal Steel in Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Masem received his Associate Degree in Applied Business from Clark State Community College, and he received his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Wittenberg University. He is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Wright State University. In his spare time, he likes to hike, bicycle, and enjoy social time with close friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Director of Development
- Executive Director
Julie Carter grew up in Southern Indiana, where she continues to reside with her husband and son. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Addictions Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2012, and in 2016 received her Master's Degree from Ball State University in Applied Behavior Analysis. Julie joined the Benchmark team in 2019 as Director of Development, before quickly advancing to Director of Strategy and Development for the Indiana team. In March of 2022, Julie began serving as the Assistant Executive Director. Prior to joining Benchmark, Julie spent 11 years employed by another therapeutic foster care agency serving in various roles including Executive Director, Development Director, and Regional Director. Julie serves as President for the local CASA Board and is also a CASA volunteer. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses and spending time with the variety of animals that the family raises.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Mark A. McMillian has over 25 years of experience in various human service capacities. He is currently the Principal of the McMillian Group, LLC: Human Resources Training and Development Consultants. He has also worked at the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services for 15 years, his last ten years for this organization was as the administrator of the Professional Development Department. As the former Chair of the statewide Regional Training Center Directors Committee he advocated for policies supporting evidence-based practice. In his role as a voting member of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program representing Cuyahoga County, he has supported continuous quality improvement efforts for this nationally recognized collaboration. Recognized as a subject matter expert on Competency Based In-Service learning systems, he has been called upon to provide consultation with state and national decision-makers. Mark has shared his knowledge on delivering human resource development programs through a variety of experiences. He has served on state planning boards and commissions. He has advised foreign governments and Non-Government-Organizations (NGO) on the establishment and evaluation of training systems. Mark is a highly valued friend and consultant to Benchmark Family Services.
Mark has over 25 years of experience in various human service capacities.
He is currently the Principal of the McMillian Group, LLC: Human Resources Training and Development Consultants.
Mark is a highly valued friend and consultant to Benchmark Family Services.
Matt Oswald grew up in northern Michigan all of his life, graduating with a Bachelor's in Education from Central Michigan University in 2003. Matt enjoyed playing college baseball at CMU as well as coaching high school sports for a few years as an educator. Matt joined the Benchmark Family Services team in Indianapolis in 2014 as a Therapeutic Support Specialist working mainly with the male teenagers placed in our care. He became part of our Program Support team in September 2015, to help maintain quality and to develop processes to assist our staff to be efficient and compliant in the State of Indiana. Matt and his wife are also licensed Therapeutic Foster Parents and currently have two children in their home. Matt participates in a leadership and personal development program with a focus on mentoring and leadership within the community. He enjoys spending time with his family, church, outdoor activities and traveling to Michigan to visit family.
Matt Oswald has been with Benchmark Family Services since 2014.
Matt became part of our Program Support team in September, 2015 to help maintain quality and to develop processes which assist our staff in efficiency and compliance.
He is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned his Bachelor of Education.
Michelle graduated with a degree in Psychology from Wright State University in 1991, and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio. Prior to Benchmark, she was employed with Clark County Department of Human Services, Children Services Division. She has been with Benchmark Family Services since 1995, and has held many different positions with the agency. She is currently the Director of Training, and brings experience and consistency to the quality and programming at Benchmark Family Services.
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategy and Development
Mikaela Lovitt has been employed with Benchmark Family Services since 2014. Mikaela graduated from University of the Cumberlands in 2012 where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Mikaela began her journey with Benchmark Family Services as a Therapeutic Support Specialist in the Corbin, KY office until she became a Therapeutic Support Specialist Supervisor in 2015. In 2018, an office was opened in her hometown of London, KY where she became Regional Director. As of February 2021, Mikaela transitioned to the role of Director of Strategy and Development for Kentucky.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Ralph has been recognized internationally for his innovative program development in the field of juvenile justice, providing community-based living for juvenile felons, who would otherwise be in restrictive settings. He is currently Executive Director of Christ's Community in College Hill, Cincinnati. His programs serve over 400 families monthly with food, financial assistance, and summer youth employments and camp programs. Ralph is a former professional football (NFL) player who gave up the opportunity to pursue a career in sports related endeavors to serve vulnerable youth and their families. He has formerly served on the Benchmark Family Services Board of Directors and now graciously makes himself available offering support, expertise and encouragement to Benchmark staff.
Ralph is currently Executive Director of Christ's Community in College Hill, Cincinnati.
Ralph has been recognized internationally for his innovative program development in the Juvenile Justice field.
He has previously served on the Benchmark Family Services Board of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Raymond has over 40 years of experience working in the field of Child and Family Services in both public and private sectors. Working with severely abused and neglected children has been the focus of his work in many settings from residential to protective services in the community. Upon returning from 30 years of public service, he continued his career as a training consultant to human services organizations. His training is in demand across the country and in Canada. He has trained for Benchmark on several occasions and is an enthusiastic supporter of Benchmark and its mission.
Raymond has over 40 years of experience working in the Child and Family Services Field.
As a training consultant to human services organizations, Raymond has trained for Benchmark on several occasions.
Mr. Silver resides in Springfield, Ohio with his pet cat. He started his career in his father's machine shop in 1977, and they sold the company, Silver Machine, in 1989. He went to work at United Technology Automotive, as Senior Sales Representative. In 1996 he started his own business, Midwest Sales and Marketing, and continues employment. He enjoys spending time with his daughter, Jennifer, and two granddaughters, Norah Jean and Madison Grace, 3 and 1 years old. Scott enjoys buying, selling and refinishing antiques as a hobby, and has a complete furniture restoration shop called Norah Gracie Antiques. In his spare time, he likes to travel with his girlfriend and visit antique shops around the country.
Job Titles:
- State Program Director, Kentucky
She has worked for Benchmark Family Services since 2005
Sharon graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Psychology
She has worked in the social service field for over 15 years
Sharon worked for the Department of Community Based Services in Nicholasville, KY for 3 years before joining the team at Benchmark Family Services
Teresa Knisley is the Program Administrator at Benchmark Family Services. She has been with the agency since 1996. She is a graduate from The Ohio State University with her degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio. Prior to Benchmark, her professional history has included the Department of Human Services and at Clark County Juvenile Court as a Probation Officer. She has held several positions at Benchmark, including Therapeutic Support Specialist, Intake Coordinator, Regional Director, and Program Support Specialist which contributes to a broad range of understanding of the company's strengths and challenges. She brings experience, energy, and enthusiasm that contributes to the initiatives needed to accommodate both the growth and quality at Benchmark Family Services.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Reverend O'Neal has dedicated his life to enhancing the lives of youth and adults through music.
He has worked extensively with the Department of Correction, training and encouraging inmates.
Rev. O'Neal has enthusiastically supported Benchmark and its mission for many years.
Tom Pechous has been with Benchmark since 2001. Tom graduated from Bethany College with a degree in social work and is certified as a licensed social worker. Tom has held many different positions within Benchmark including case manager, licensing specialist, trainer, supervisor, regional director, and state director. Before joining Benchmark Tom spent five years developing and leading a community support team that assisted at risk children. Tom has continued those efforts leading and overseeing Indiana through therapeutic foster care services.
Tom has been with Benchmark since 2001
He graduated from Bethany College with a degree in social work and is certified as a licensed social worker
He has worked as a Case Manager, Licensing Specialist, Trainer, Supervisor, Regional Director, and State Director
Before joining Benchmark Tom spent five years developing and leading a community support team that assisted at risk children
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Wade has several years of experience working in the therapeutic foster care field.
Wade has frequently provided Benchmark Family Services with valuable and timely consultation.