CCFI - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- IPA Lead Navigator for NYS of Health
Debbie joined the staff at Catskill Center for Independence as the IPA/Lead Navigator on 9/23/13. Debbie has said that "It's wonderful to come to work each day at CCFI because all of my colleagues are as passionate about their work as I am about mine. In addition, CCFI has a wonderful & well-deserved reputation for being active in the communities it serves, so I am proud to be a part of this organization." She lives in Schoharie County & in 2021, will celebrate her 51 th anniversary with her wonderful husband, Bob, who is retired. She is a 2002 graduate of SUNY College at Oneonta with a BS in History.
They have three grown children & a son-in-law. Their oldest daughter is now a stay at home Mom raising two of Debbie's grandchildren, Neil, age 5 & Zoey Mae, age 1! Her son-in-law is employed with the NYS Court System. Their younger daughter is a pastry chef in the Capital District & their son is a professional firefighter in San Antonio, TX. They couldn't be more proud of all three of their kids & their son-in law. Debbie & Bob are also raising their terrific granddaughter, Schuyler who is 17, and is a senior in high school. They have three dogs, Fritzie, Sophie, and the newest member, a German Shepherd, Jasper, who joined the family on Thanksgiving 2019. At almost 2 years old, Jasper is already 90+ pounds, so as you can see they have a busy household!
Debbie had worked in the health insurance field for over 12 years before coming to CCFI & is thrilled to be able to assist the residents of Schoharie County enroll in affordable health care, something she strongly believes in. An important part of her job is to make sure that everyone enrolling understands their plan & how it will work for their individual situation. Her goal is to see that everyone in Schoharie County who wants affordable health care is able to enroll in a NYSOH Exchange Health Plan. She feels she is making a difference for the 900+ families she has assisted over these 9 years & hopes to keep reaching more people every day.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
- President of the Board
Don Gersch has worked with people with disabilities as a special educator for more than 46 years. Much of that time was spent with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities in Delaware County. He has also worked in early intervention programs, and currently is an assistive technology evaluator and trainer. Don has served on the board of the Catskill Center for Independence for over 26 years. He lives in Afton, NY with his wife, Jan, and has two adult children, Deborah, a speech pathologist, and Robert, a genetics researcher. His interests include hiking, kayaking, photography and traveling to warmer climates.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Relations
Don is our director of community relations. Don has been here at the Center for 18+ years. He has always been passionate about helping people and fighting for the rights of the often disregarded members of our communities. Don is a comic, musician and most recently a radio host for new upcoming artists @ Parlor City Radio. Don loves history, so he is always looking for new lands to metal detect. Don says that it is such a rush finding items that are over 200 years old and knowing he's the first person to hold it since the day it was dropped. Soooo, if you have an old home/property and wouldn't mind uncovering history with Don, please drop him a line.
Finally, Don is a father of three awesome kids and a step father to two more. He loves being a dad. Don says that it's the most personally gratifying part of his life as he knows each day is an opportunity to shape our kids with something more meaningful than "just getting through life". Don and his fiancé Erin have a beautiful home in Binghamton and just welcomed their newest addition, Claire Elizabeth Wyckoff to make their family complete. Claire is currently OWNING the heart of everyone who meets her.
Job Titles:
- Transition & Housing Specialist
Heather is the Transition and Housing Specialist for both Otsego and Delaware County Through the Open Doors and Olmstead Housing Programs. Heather started working at CCFI in March 2019. Prior to her start at the center, Heather attended Mount Saint Mary College where she received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Heather continues to be an asset to the center as she has helped transition many people back into the community where they feel most comfortable. She feels her work is very fulfilling and she looks forward to the relationships she forms with each client she encounters. At her home in Downsville, Heather enjoys crochet, puzzles, and reading. However, she is most content being outside spending time with her cows at her family farm, "Jerbie Farms."
Jena is one of our Service Coordinators with the NHTD and TBI Waiver program. Jena started with the center in July of 2019. Preliminary to, Jena attended and graduated from Saint Rose College in 2015 with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. She resides in Davenport along with her boyfriend Ryan and their 5 children. You can usually find Jena outside grilling up food and hanging with her kids and dog Skye. Jena truly believes in the center and in helping those with disabilities achieve their goals of reaching independence.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jim Koury is a life-long native of Oneonta and has been integrally involved in the community. He was the City Clerk for the City of Oneonta for over 21 years and currently is pursuing many varied interests. He is an avid writer, who strives to make it his primary vocation in life. He is also the Editor/Publisher of Diversity Rules Magazine, an alternative focus publication that deals with issues of diversity and equality.
Jim has always been one that respects the differences in people and believes in the inherent potential of every human being regardless of who they are or what challenges they may be facing. He is an activist who is not afraid to ruffle some feathers. His main objective is to get people to think and think for themselves. He espouses Aristotle's mantra, "It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it." One can believe what they wish but they also have the free will to choose to discard what does not mesh with their worldviews or life's paradigm in which they function each and every day.
Jim embraces change, albeit uncomfortable at times, and looks forward to new opportunities and challenges. He encourages others to do the same since stepping outside of one's comfort zone is the fire that drives us all to become the person we are meant to be.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
- NBT Bank 's Market Manager
Lyle Smith is NBT Bank's Market Manager responsible for developing and overseeing the bank's ten offices in Otsego and Schoharie Counties. He is based in NBT Bank's Oneonta Wall Street office and he has been with NBT Bank since 1989.
Meghan started working at Catskill Center for Independence in June 2007. She started as Clerical Support, and worked her way to becoming Office Manager. Meghan then accepted the position of Vocational Services Specialist in August 2010, working with local school districts, assisting students apply for ACCES-VR Services. In 2014 she was promoted to Assistant Director under the guidance of Chris Zachmeyer. Upon Chris's retirement in December 2016, Meghan was appointed as Executive Director in January 2017. Meghan has experienced many different roles within the Agency, but her most favorite is being able to work with individuals and their families.
She moved to Oneonta from the Herkimer area in 2006. This was never meant to be a permanent move, but Meghan quickly planted "roots" and now calls East Meredith home. She has been with her partner, Jeremy since she was a junior in high school! In early 2021 they welcomed their first child together, Riekyn. Meghan enjoys spending time with her son, camping, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Meghan loves working with the Center and the people we serve. She continues to grow within the agency, and is always looking to expand on current programs & services.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Nancy graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1968 and began working as a legal secretary for Scott Greene. In February 1969 she took a job as a typist in the Otsego County Personnel Office, rising to the position of Director. She retired from this position in February 2006. Nancy has served on the Board of the Catskill Center for 11 years, holding the office of Secretary for her entire tenure. She was also the Otsego County ADA Coordinator.
Pamela joined the staff at the Catskill Center for Independence in April 2009 as an Independent Living Specialist and has been fortunate enough to participate in many of the diverse facets and services the Agency has to offer in the communities we serve. Her experience and passion has always been working with a population that faces challenges in education, community integration, independent living and employment. She spent almost ten years at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany where she developed and directed the Neil Hellman School's vocational program. After being awarded a grant from Work Appreciation for Youth, the program expanded into the community affording students real-life work experiences in a School-To-Work setting.
While at CCFI, Pamela has had the privilege of chairing the Schoharie County Human Services Coordinating Council for over five years, watching it grow larger and stronger with each passing year. The purpose and mission of the Council is to consider the needs of all Schoharie County residents, develop partnerships to decrease gaps in services, to enhance program collaboration and reduce program duplication.
She has been happily married to the same wonderful man for close to 50 years. They have two incredible sons that continue to make them more proud every day. They are a Lieutenant in the Schenectady City Fire Department and an Assistant DA in Suffolk County. The "boys" are as alike as they are different. The Levy's have been blessed with two wonderful grandchildren that are truly the lights of their lives.
Pamela's personal interests include a love of cooking (she had her own baking/catering business for many years), reading and spending time with family and friends. She feels that even after all this time, she learns something new every day, and is passionate about the Center and the work done here.
Retired from NJ Law Enforcement due to a disability in 1971. Was a police and fire instructor in both NJ & NY. Moved to NY in l973 with his wife and two children. Owned and ran a security business until I went to work for Otsego County as their STOP DWI Coordinator. In early 2000 went to work for the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee until my retirement in May of 2012. Throughout my adult life I have been involved in numerous community and volunteer services. I have previously served on the board of Catskill Center for Independence, and rejoined the board several years ago.
Job Titles:
- NHTD Service Coordinator
- Service Coordinator for the TBI
Selena is the Service Coordinator for the TBI and NHTD waiver programs. She has worked for 20 plus years in human services. Selena has a Masters Degree from SUNY Binghmaton. She lives in Oxford NY and enjoys her scenic drive to Oneonta in the fall. She has three grown children, and three grandchildren. Selena and her husband live in their 150 year old home with their two dogs, Maxwell and Nicki both Yorkies. She enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling to any place that has a beach. She loves the ocean.
Shelly is the Operations Coordinator for the center. She started working with the center in August of 2019 as a health insurance navigator. Before working for the center, Shelly was a stay at home mom to her three awesome kids. Elon (10) Carole (8) and Abby (7). As her youngest went into school, she decided to enter the workforce and what better place to work than an independent living center?! Shelly resides in Hobart NY with her boyfriend, Kyle, who also has 2 children. Together, they have 1 dog, a bearded dragon, 3 kitty's, 2 geckos, a pac man frog, a russian tortoise and a beta fish. Since working for CCFI she has taken on the role of SRI Investigator for our waiver programs as well as Employment Specialist with the ACCES-VR program. Shelly has enjoyed her time thus far at the center and is excited to continue to learn and grow here.
Susan is an Employment Specialist with the Assistive Competitive Employment Services (ACES) program for Schoharie County residents with mental illness. She started with the Catskill Center for Independence in May of 2018 as a part-time ACES and Health Insurance Navigator. She enjoys getting to know people and watching them pursue and obtain their goals and dreams. Susan is a board member for Schoharie County Council for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (SCCASA) and participates on the Human Services Coordinating Council (HSCC).
She lives in Schoharie County with her husband, two kids, two cats, and their dog. Some of her favorite things are camping, reading, trying new things, and laughing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Tom is active in Local, State and National politics as of the past year. Carrying the message of need for efficiency in systems to help those of us with disability needs, he gets the ear of politicians in our Nation's fastest growing political party on a weekly basis. He has spent most of his life sourcing his own needs when they were not covered as well as spending the last 5 or 6 years helping others, on an individual basis, get their needs met. Nationally active in the disability community his work extends as far as Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Florida but is primarily local. Home is where the heart is and that is certainly where Tom prefers to be.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
- Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Oneonta City School District
Tom Brindley is the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Oneonta City School District. Tom began his career in education in the Oneonta City School District in September of 2000. During his time with the Oneonta City Schools, Tom has taught middle school social studies, coached both football and baseball in the high school, served as the high school associate principal, then served as the high school principal, and now serves in the capacity of assistant superintendent of schools. Prior to serving the Oneonta community in this capacity, Tom served as a police officer with the City of Oneonta Police Department. Tom recognizes the value of civil service and looks forward to continuing to serve the greater Oneonta community.
Job Titles:
- NY Connects Outreach Specialist
Vince is our outreach specialist. He is a veteran of the U S Navy, and moved to New York in 1996. Vince worked in the juvenile justice system for 20 years and is married to wife Theresa residing in Sidney NY. He has 5 kids and 7 grand kids. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his grand kids and playing golf. Vince looks forward to serving the communities well.