SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF NEW YORK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
- Wealth Advisor
"Serving on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics New York has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional career. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the remarkable athletes of SONY through our year-round sports programs, where we embrace our differences, celebrate one another's abilities and work towards building a more inclusive world."
Adam Merino is a Private Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, a global investment bank and financial services company, where he holds the title of Managing Director. Based in New York City, Adam provides financial and investment advice to ultra-high net worth families, foundations, endowments and closely held businesses across the country.
Adam has been recognized as one of the industry's top advisors by numerous publications, including Forbes, Barron's, Business Insider, and On Wall Street Magazine. Adam's accomplishments include being ranked as the country's #1 Advisor by Forbes Magazine/SHOOK Research in their annual ranking of "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors".
Adam holds a BA in Economics from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. He was also inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the Men's Basketball Team that won the Northwest Conference Championship and reached the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA Division III Tournament.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Commissioner at the New York State Education Department
Ceylane Meyers-Ruff is currently the deputy commissioner at the New York State Education Department, Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR). In this role, she oversees 25 district offices across the state that ensure delivery of services that are consistent with ACCES-VR's mission to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation and career development.
Job Titles:
- Vice President at the Capital Group
David Keib is a Vice President at The Capital Group, home of The American Funds, one of the largest asset managers in the world today. Dave works with financial advisors throughout New York state to help them utilize Capital Group's investment solutions to achieve their clients' financial goals.
Dave has 15 years of investment industry experience and has been with Capital Group for eight years. Prior to joining Capital, he was a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from the University of Scranton. He also holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designations. Dave lives in Wilton, New York with wife Alli, daughter Mackenzie, and son Brooks.
Job Titles:
- Dentist
- Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Abra Caroci is a pediatric dentist committed to offering children and families high quality service and care for long lasting healthy smiles. He graduated from Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health at A.T. Still University and also received a certificate in Public Health. He moved to Rochester in 2013 and completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) and Pediatric Dentistry Residency at the Strong Memorial Hospital/University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health.
Dr. Caroci is a 2018 recipient of the Golisano Health Leadership Award for New York - the highest regional honor for Special Olympics health partners. He is also a board member of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, which focuses on integrating the medical and dental fields to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968. Just one year later, Dorothy Buehring Phillips inaugurated the program in New York-and the state sent its first delegation of athletes and coaches to the Northeast Regional Special Olympics competition in Boston, Mass. Special Olympics New York was incorporated in 1970 with Phillips as its first State Director. In June 1970, Rochester hosted the first State Summer Games. Today, Special Olympics New York is the largest program in the United States and one of the largest in the world.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer, Skillshare
- Media and Technology Sector Executive
"Special Olympics triangulates three passions for me: sports, inclusion and compassion."
James Rosenstock is a media and technology sector executive with more than 25 years of experience. He currently serves as chief financial officer at Skillshare, an online learning community for creative and curious people looking to advance their careers.
Rosenstock has previously held senior executive roles at WWE, Sony Corporation, Discovery Communications, and VICE Media. He began his career as an investment banker covering the media and entertainment sector - most recently at Credit Suisse.
Job Titles:
- NY Law Enforcement Torch Run Director
John Prewasnicak (Pre) worked for the Rochester Police Department for 32 years, retiring in 2018 as a Lieutenant in charge of Special Events. Since his retirement, John has become involved in coaching and participating in Unified Sports, which has inspired him to welcome the opportunity and the challenge of being LETR Statewide Director, which includes service on the Board of Directors.
John is a 2016 recipient of the Chief Henry Jensen Memorial Award for Service to the Community by the Rochester Rotary Club and a 2018 recipient of the John Seebach Volunteer of the Year Award by the Federation of Social Workers. In 2018, John represented New York in the Final Leg Run and ran the torch into Opening Ceremonies for USA Games in Seattle.
Job Titles:
- Attorney & Founding Partner, Belluck & Fox
- Member of the Special Olympics New York Board of Directors
"I have dedicated my legal career to assuring equal justice for all people and dedicated my public service to organizations promoting education and the rights of children. I am also an avid sports fan. I can think of no better organization to combine these passions."
Joseph W. Belluck was appointed as a member of the Special Olympics New York Board of Directors on December 9, 2020. He graduated in 1989 with a B.S. in Sociology from Binghamton University and magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1994, where he later served as an adjunct lecturer on mass torts. He is the founding partner in the Manhattan law firm of Belluck & Fox, LLP, which focuses on mesothelioma, asbestos, child victim cases and personal injury litigation.
Mr. Belluck previously served as: counsel to the New York State Attorney General, representing the State of New York in its litigation against the tobacco industry; judicial law clerk for Justice Lloyd Doggett of the Texas Supreme Court; and, Director of Attorney Services for Trial Lawyers Care, an organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Mr. Belluck has lectured frequently on asbestos, product liability and tobacco control policy. He is an active member of several bar associations. He is a Trustee of the State University of New York and Chair of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Vice Chair
- Chief Technology Officer ( CTO ) of Gale Healthcare Solutions
- Vice President of Corporate Engineering of Google
Kan Kotecha is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Gale Healthcare Solutions, the leading healthcare staffing platform designed to address one of the nation's most serious problems - the shortage of nurses to provide quality care. In this capacity, Kan leads the company's efforts to create enhanced experiences for Gale's healthcare providers and nursing professionals.
Kan is the previous vice president of corporate engineering of Google, where he oversaw the tech giant's internal-facing business applications groups and served as a co-sponsor for the Disability Alliance. Prior to joining Google in 2015, Kan was the head of Investment Products Technology at Morgan Stanley, where he led a team of more than 600 in completing one of the largest and most complex technology integration projects in finance.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal and the Chief Administrative Officer, Hodes Weill & Associates
"I'm proud to be part of an organization that has successfully opened the hearts and minds of the world to people with intellectual disabilities. There is no great leveler than the power of sport to bring us together through communication, commitment, collaboration and a unified sense of purpose."
Maria Moloney is a Principal and the Chief Administrative Officer at Hodes Weill & Associates, a leading global capital advisory firm focused on real estate, infrastructure and other real assets. Previously, Ms. Moloney was Operations and Business Manager at Onex Real Estate Partners. Prior to joining Onex, Ms. Moloney was a project manager at JP Morgan in New York, focused on the implementation and delivery of large-scale Business Transformation Programs for Middle Markets.
Ms. Moloney holds a BS in Organizational Management from Manhattan College, New York, a MBS in Internationalization from Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland and a Post Graduate Degree in Education from University College Cork, Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Director of Workforce and Inter - Government Relations for NYC
"I'm incredibly proud to stand alongside Special Olympics New York athletes, coaches and partners to continue growing a movement that changes lives for people with intellectual disabilities throughout New York City and across the state. The revolution is inclusion!"
Currently, Maricela serves as Director of Workforce and Inter-Government Relations for NYC: ATWORK, the first public-private workforce initiative for New Yorkers with disabilities at the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Her vast experience in workforce development, program management and education has allowed her to lead on the inclusion for people with disabilities in city government. She was recognized for her work and received the 2019 Women of New York Government Above and Beyond Award from City & State, the only awardee serving the disability community.
Prior to joining city government, Maricela spent 17 years working in the non-profit field and 7 years in higher education. She collaborating with providers and government agencies throughout New York City to impact the lives of culturally diverse populations, and serving low income youth to older adults.
Maricela was also the recipient of the 2016 Mo Fong Rigley Award from the New York State Education/ACCES-VR agency for her demonstrated insight and creativity in developing a program model for young people with disabilities that would be implemented citywide and eventually statewide.
"I have been very fortunate in my life to have great family, friends and businesses. During my time as the chair of the Joy in Childhood foundation I realized that nothing is better than being able to give back. Being part of the Special Olympics New York Board gives me the chance to do that and watch these amazing athletes continue to grow into the best people they can be.
Mitch Cohen was appointed to the Special Olympics of New York Board of Directors on December 9, 2020. Mitch currently owns a franchise with Jersey Mike's Subs and is a partner in Performax Franchisee Advisors, which coaches franchisees and franchisors and their field teams to improve engagement and unit profitability while upholding brand standards.
He has long been a business leader and experienced board member, skilled at developing strategic, long-term business plans, delivering on financial goals, and building relationships among diverse individuals. In addition to being a franchisee for 35 years with Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Nathans Famous Hot Dogs, he has served on various boards, including the International Franchise Association serving on the Board of Directors as well as Co-Chair of the Franchise Relations Committee, Joy in Childhood Foundation serving as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors and Dunkin Brands serving as Co-Chair Brand Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- NY Law Enforcement Torch Run Director
John Prewasnicak (Pre) worked for the Rochester Police Department for 32 years, retiring in 2018 as a Lieutenant in charge of Special Events. Since his retirement, John has become involved in coaching and participating in Unified Sports, which has inspired him to welcome the opportunity and the challenge of being LETR Statewide Director, which includes service on the Board of Directors.
John is a 2016 recipient of the Chief Henry Jensen Memorial Award for Service to the Community by the Rochester Rotary Club and a 2018 recipient of the John Seebach Volunteer of the Year Award by the Federation of Social Workers. In 2018, John represented New York in the Final Leg Run and ran the torch into Opening Ceremonies for USA Games in Seattle.
Job Titles:
- Athlete Input Council Chairman
Job Titles:
- Vice President Finance & Administration
Job Titles:
- Vice President / Development
Job Titles:
- President, Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York ( DDAWNY )
Rhonda Frederick was appointed to the Special Olympics of New York Board of Directors on December 9, 2020. Rhonda currently serves as president of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY), an organization that fosters collaboration among agencies who support people with developmental disabilities and gives them a single voice in Albany.
Previously, Rhonda has served as People Inc.'s chief operating officer and had oversight of 93 percent of People Inc.'s $143 million operating budget and its 3,400 employees. She also oversaw all residential, day services, service coordination, in-home supports, senior services and health-related services and had administrative oversight of quality improvement, government relations, program development and legal. As COO, she served as the agency's lead relationship builder and liaison with important regulatory and funding agencies such as the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), NYS Homes and Community Renewal, NYS Department of Health and NYS Office for the Aging.
Active in the community, Rhonda serves on the steering committee for WNY iCan Bike (formerly Lose The Training Wheels), which provides unique learning opportunities in recreational activities for people with disabilities. She is the Board Chair for Person Centered Services (PCS) and currently serves on the Boards of Hilbert College, New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSIDD), Amherst Meals on Wheels, and Accountable Health Community Inc. She also sits on the Board of Regents for Canisius College and the Executive Committee of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
Rhonda earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Rochester Institute of Technology and a master's degree in public administration from Canisius College. She resides in Amherst, NY.
Job Titles:
- Attorney & Partner, Moritt Hock & Hamroff, LLP
- Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff
Bob Cohen is a partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff, LLP, where he co-chairs the firm's litigation practice group, serves as chair of its Equipment Leasing and Transportation Finance group and is a member of its COVID-19 Litigation Task Force group.
With more than 30 years of experience in all facets of the equipment leasing and asset based lending industries, Bob devotes his practice to commercial litigation, creditors' rights, corporate transactions, bankruptcy and cybersecurity related matters. He has particular experience in the documentation of financial transactions, electronic signatures, enforcement of equipment leases and secured loans, as well as the negotiation of workouts and resolutions.
As a recognized leader in his field, Mr. Cohen serves as a frequent speaker and author on various topics relating to equipment leasing and finance, electronic signatures and cybersecurity, including actively serving as a regular speaker and moderator at annual and bi-annual conferences for the Equipment and Leasing Finance Association (ELFA) and National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA).
He is a graduate of Hofstra University, J.D. 1986 and University of New York at Albany, B.S. 1983 (Finance) magna cum laude. In addition to serving on the Special Olympics New York Board of Directors, Bob is chair of the annual Gold Coast Tour for Champions Golf Outing in Long Island.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Marketing & Community Engagement
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
- Member of the Pioneer Bancorp Board of Directors
As President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Special Olympics New York, Stacey Hengsterman leads the largest statewide Special Olympics chapter in the country and the sixth largest in the world. Prior to taking the role in July 2018, Hengsterman spent two decades shaping state higher education policy as a top advisor to the chancellor, Board of Trustees, and 64 campus presidents at the State University of New York (SUNY).
Drawing on what she's learned throughout a distinguished career in public service, and as a mother to a son with Down syndrome, Hengsterman has a strategic plan for the future of Special Olympics New York that aims to double athlete participation and position New York to be the most inclusive state in the country.
Hengsterman is a member of the Pioneer Bancorp Board of Directors, was named to the 2021 Upstate Power 100 list by City & State and is one of just 30 recipients to receive the 2020 City & State Above & Beyond Award, which recognizes women leaders in New York who have made notable contributions to society. Under her leadership, Special Olympics New York has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar.com, its highest ranking, and was named a "Top Workplace" by the Albany Times Union.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association
Todd Nelson is the current Assistant Director for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (or NYSPHSAA). Mr. Nelson has been the Assistant Director for the past 13 years. His responsibilities include Unified Sports, safety and research, sportsmanship, modified athletics, classification of schools, sanctioning, professional development, rule book publications, championship program content, and the wrestling weight certification program. Before coming to work for the NYSPHSAA, Todd was an athletic administrator for three school districts over a 15-year period in Section III. He also served as the Boys Vice President of Section III for over 5 years.
Todd obtained his Bachelor of Science in Education (Physical Education) and his Master's of Science in Education (Physical Education with a concentration in Adapted PE) from SUNY Cortland. He also obtained a NYS certification in School Administration.
Mr. Nelson is currently completing his second term on the Sauquoit Valley School Board of Education. Todd resides in Sauquoit with his wife Jill Davies-Nelson and their 5 children.