NSSA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Managing Partner of Perl
Allen Perl is the managing partner of Perl, Grossman & Associates, LLP, a CPA firm in Lake Success, NY. He is a member of the NYS Society of CPA's. Mr. Perl lives in Westchester along with his wife Ann and their two children, Dara and Brett. He has served on NSSA's Board of Directors since 2001 and has served as Board President from 2003 to 2010, when he assumed the position of Treasurer. Allen also serves on the board of The Afya Foundation of America, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director, Consultation Services
Bonnie Eisert has a B.A. in speech language pathology from St. John's University and an M.S. in speech language pathology from the University of South Florida. She has permanent New York State certification in teacher of speech and hearing handicapped K-12. Prior to her current position, Ms. Eisert worked within the Half Hollow Hills Central School District and the Garden City School District supporting the needs of children with autism. Since 2007 she has overseen NSSA's Consultation Services Program and continues to provide training and education to professionals and families involved with individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
Bram D. Weber joined Weber Law Group LLP in 2002 after beginning his career at Greenberg Traurig LLP and a clerkship in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. Mr. Weber received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in both history and American Studies from Brandeis University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Hofstra University School of Law, where he was the Managing Editor of Notes and Comments of the Labor and Employment Law Journal, one of the most well respected labor and employment law journals in the country.
In addition to his activity in the legal community, Mr. Weber holds leadership positions in numerous community organizations including serving as the Co-Chairman of the Young Leadership Division of the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC); as a Co-Founder of the Brandeis University Recent Graduates Network; as a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Brandeis University Emerging Leaders Society; and as a Member of the Real Estate Executives (REX) Steering Committee and the Building Repair Committee of the UJA-Federation of New York.
Deborah Kennedy received both her Master's Degree in Special Education and her Specialist Diploma in Educational Leadership from Queens College. She started her career at NSSA as a teacher in 2000 and became Principal of the Martin C. Barell School in 2011. She is also a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. In addition to her responsibilities as Principal, Ms. Kennedy provides on-going supervision and support to NSSA's Registered Behavior Technicians as well as the required supervision for staff preparing to sit for the BCBA exam.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Human Resources Director and Corporate Compliance Officer at Kulanu
Gayle V. Fremed is the Human Resources Director and Corporate Compliance Officer at Kulanu, an agency for children and adults with Special Needs on Long Island. She previously served as the Director of the Special Needs Department at the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns. Ms. Fremed has been a member of the NSSA Board of Directors since 1995, serving as Vice President from 2001 to 2010. Her daughter Jamie has been a client at NSSA since the inception of The Martin C. Barell School in 1993. Jamie is currently a very happy and proud consumer at NSSA's Adult Services Program. Gayle's son Brandon is a lawyer in Manhattan and volunteered at NSSA events for many years, along with his friends. Ms. Fremed has been married to her wonderful and supportive husband David since 1982.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Marine Operations of New York Sand & Stone
Gerard Weldon is the Director of Marine Operations of New York Sand & Stone, a subsidiary of US Concrete based in Euliss, Texas. Mr. Weldon directs Marine Shipping and Supply Chain from the company's Brooklyn, NY office. He received his B.S. in Management from St. John's University in 1979 and his M.B.A. in Management from St. John's University in 1993. Mr. Weldon is the parent of Cate, who is a client in NSSA's Adult Services Program. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1992.
Job Titles:
- BCaBA, CBAA, Director, Self Direction Transition Program and Transition Consultant
Jason Watson has been working with children and adults with autism since his graduation from Quinnipiac College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. He began his employment at NSSA's Martin C. Barell School as an instructor. Since then he has served in multiple positions, including Coordinator of Adult, Vocational, and Family Support Services and Director of OPWDD Services until assuming his current role. Jason is a participant in the Long Island Task Force for Aging Out and the LI Quality Assurance Task Force, as well as being a member of the Long Island Informed Consent Committee. He has presented at autism conferences on issues related to transition, vocational skill development, adult services program development, and community integration for students and adults with autism.
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Services
Jayne Eaton-Bove began her career as a Respite Provider at NSSA. Later, with the opening of NSSA's Martin C. Barell School, she worked as an instructor and case manager for its students until 1999. She left NSSA to complete her Master's Degree in School Psychology at St. John's University and went on to work as a School Psychologist. She later returned to NSSA in the role of Director of Clinical Services. Ms. Eaton-Bove has presented at both local and national conferences on behavior management, effective intervention, and successful inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorders. She also conducts NSSA's Parent Workshops on an on-going basis.
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director
Kathy Mannion is the parent of four children, two of whom have autism. Before assuming her position as Associate Executive Director of NSSA, she served as the President of NSSA's Board of Directors from 2001 through 2003 and as a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. In addition to her association with NSSA, she has worked in a variety of capacities within the autism community. Her past positions include the Executive Director and a founding Board member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and the Development Coordinator for the Connecticut Center for Child Development. Over the past 25 years she has been an avid advocate for individuals with autism and has presented nationally on such topics as the need for science-based intervention, early and accurate diagnosis, pediatrician education, and parent/professional partnerships.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- President of the Board of Directors
Lawrence A. Ceriello is a partner in the New York office of Morrison & Foerster LLP, an international law firm based in San Francisco, California. Mr. Ceriello's practice is concentrated in commercial real estate finance and he has extensive experience in connection with the financing of large commercial real estate projects including hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, apartment and multi-family developments, and other large commercial projects throughout the United States. He regularly represents commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies, private equity and other capital sources providing construction and permanent mortgage finance, bridge financing, mezzanine finance, and preferred equity in connection with such commercial projects. Mr. Ceriello received his B.A., cum laude, from Manhattan College and his J.D. from St. John's University. He has served as a member of the Board of NSSA since 1994.
Lisa Goring spent over fifteen years at Autism Speaks, and served in various leadership positions throughout her tenure. Under Ms. Goring's leadership, Autism Speaks developed information, tool kits, videos, and an information and referral team to provide real-time personalized support. These resources have been utilized by millions of individuals and families nationwide. In addition, Ms. Goring implemented many Autism Speaks grant programs aimed at expanding services and supports for people with autism of all ages and support needs. In her most recent role, Ms. Goring was responsible for the development, implementation, and organizational coordination of all strategic priorities. Prior to Autism Speaks, Ms. Goring spent 19 years at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she was a vice president of merchandising, responsible for sales volume and profitability across stores, direct mail, and digital channels. Ms. Goring holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Boston University. She and her husband have two adult children, one of whom has autism. Her son received consultation services through NSSA while a student in their local school district, and he is now a client in the NSSA Adult Services program.
Ms. Banville received her Master's Degree in School Psychology from Brooklyn College and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2000. She has specialized in the education of children with autism since 1991, in both private and public school settings, as well as residential and adult programs. Ms. Banville began her tenure as a teacher at NSSA; and later served as a behavior analyst in the education program. She is currently the Director of NSSA's Adult Services Program. Ms. Banville has presented at both local and national conferences on behavior management, effective intervention, and successful inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorders.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Ed., SAS, Executive Director
Nicole Weidenbaum began working as a certified teacher at NSSA in 1997. While teaching at the Martin C. Barell school she attended Columbia University's Teachers College where she studied applied behavior analysis and received her certification in School Administration and Supervision. Ms. Weidenbaum has presented at and participated in local and national conferences on a variety of topics addressing effective education and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. She volunteers her time to many autism agencies and government committees and has received numerous citations and awards for her work. Ms. Weidenbaum has been the Executive Director of NSSA since 2003. Under her leadership, NSSA continues to grow and develop programs and create new opportunities for individuals across the autism spectrum.