Meet the A4TD Team

Hello, I’m Alexis.
Originally from New Haven, CT, I have a BA in Communications and an MS in Human Resources, and my academic path reflects my commitment to understanding and connecting with people on a deeper level. I embrace the role of a teacher, dedicating my time to nurturing young minds and fostering a positive learning environment. Beyond academics, my passion lies in making a difference as I consistently contribute to various initiatives aimed at helping others and giving back to the community. And, of course, I can’t forget to mention my sweet tabby cat Tigger. Our adventures together bring joy and balance to my life.

Paul has 22 years of experience as a Manager, Area Supervisor, and VP of Operations in the restaurant industry. He later transitioned into education, where he has 16 years of teaching experience. He started as a TEFL teacher in Guadalajara, Mexico. Paul returned to the US, where as a 2009 Teach for America Corps member, he taught high school math in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Finally, he journeyed back to his hometown of Buffalo, where he taught math in his former high school. Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending as much time as he can in the outdoors. He is an avid recreational biker, who spends hours riding the many bike paths in and around the Buffalo area.

Melanie worked for the last eight years as a recruiter for employers in the IT and Healthcare sectors. An Air Force veteran, she also has experience in avionics, public affairs, journalism, and manufacturing (as a machinist).  Melanie believes assisting mature workers find their way back into the workforce or shift onto a new career track (as she’s done a few times), is meaningful work that serves a higher purpose. She is an avid nature photographer, a big fan of networking, and likes hiking, biking, and canoeing in her free time.

After earning her BA from Oswego State, Lindsay worked several years in the not-for-profit community in Onondaga County as Program Coordinator and Regional Director. Her background also includes time in Human Resource and Telecommunications. Her passions are maximizing potential in people and event planning. Lindsay has dedicated herself to enhancing the well-being and personal growth of others. In her spare time, Lindsay likes to be active. Whether it’s on the golf course, playing volleyball, or gardening, you will find her outside surrounded by friends and family.

Coming Soon!

Amy Kelly has 12 years of Non-Profit experience in Program Management. She really enjoys working with people and has a passion for trying to make the world a better place and make a difference. It is the compass that guides her throughout her life. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 bearded dragon, 1 fish and 1 axolotyl. They enjoy camping, hiking traveling and exploring.

I started with A4TD in August of 2018 as a SCESP participant assistant in the Altoona PA office.  I enjoyed the training and it has offered me the opportunity of my life, as I have been hired by A4TD as the PA South Regional Coordinator.  As a senior myself, I feel I am a great example to the A4TD participants that you can get a great job even at an older age, you just have to go for it!

Throughout her career, Louise has always found ways to help those in need. Her work in north central Pennsylvania helps job seekers and nonprofit entities on a daily basis. Stop by a bluegrass or country music festival, and you might catch her!

Jon is a bilingual, passionate educator and IT professional with extensive experience in teaching, software development, and user support. He has a master’s degree in teaching, and has particular expertise in virtual training technology. He is active in Toastmasters, and has won awards for public speaking. He makes large vats of Spanish hot chocolate at work, and refuses to give his coworkers the recipe.

Rick has a professional background in the Textile and Social Service industries.  He is passionate about helping mature workers better their lives, and he knows firsthand that the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) does just that.  Before becoming a Regional Coordinator, Rick was a participant in SCSEP and the program worked for him!   He looks forward to working with the participants and partners.

Since earning her BA in Sociology from SUNY Binghamton Leigh has spent her career supporting children, families, teens, and adults with disabilities in the fields of education, human services and research.  Helping others achieve their goals and thrive is her central passion.  Beyond work, her joys are family, German Shepherds, hiking, and ringing handbells.

After earning her BS in biology, Kate worked as a zookeeper and later working for a nonprofit veteran organization helping veterans and their families transition from military life back into the community. Kate brings her knowledge of nonprofits, leadership and the desire to better people’s lives to further A4TD’s mission. In her spare time, Kate started a small nonprofit to rehabilitate native NY wildlife, specializing in raccoons. She enjoys traveling and spending time among nature.

After earning her BA in Psychology from Mt. Aloysious College, Jess worked in management in the food service industry where she developed a passion for recruiting and training. She is also a proud “soccer mom” of a dog-loving family with two boys. She enjoys crafting, spending time with family, and watching the Steelers!

Crystal comes with a 13 year background in education working with children with disabilities. In 2008 she won the Golden Apple Award in special education (only 3 recipients a year) Crystal is a mother of two. Crystal volunteered for 13 years with the Northern Greyhound, she is passionate about dogs. Crystal enjoys walking her dogs, plant collecting and fossil hunting.

Kathy is a finance and administrative professional who with lots of experience in payroll and file maintenance. She is an animal lover, and a longtime member of the Vermont State Guard where she currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Ross brings 13+ years’ experience in operations of long-term care services and servicing older adults to the A4TD team.  During his professional career, Ross has worked successfully in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors servicing older adults across the continuum of care:  independent living; assisted living; long-term and skilled nursing care; memory support care;  home health; and hospice services.  He’s customer service oriented, data and compliance driven, and focused on quality assurance and continuous quality improvement.  He has experience networking and creating partnerships via the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, and public service.

He resides in St. Johnsbury, Vermont with his family. He enjoys gardening, video games, and spending time with his family and friends.

Carl comes to A4TD with a pretty varied background, working in publishing, tech, manufacturing, and human services. Carl’s educational background has primarily been in psychology and he holds a graduate degree in organizational leadership. Outside of work, he participates in activities with global charity organizations focused on Star Wars costuming, where they make high quality, screen accurate costumes for various fund raisers and charity groups like Make-a-Wish. Carl is also an amateur woodworker, potter and gardener.

I graduated from McKinley University in 2016 with an A.S in Social Work. I have over 10 years experience working with children and their families, both in the field and in administration. I have 2 teenage daughters. I enjoy reading and shopping on Amazon.

Joe brings an eclectic mix to his work with A4TD, from years in outdoor retail, as a climbing guide, facilitating domestic abuse education programs, family mediation, and conducting conflict resolution sessions.

He also joins our professional staff after being a participant in the program himself, which he finds an asset when communicating with our participants.

When not working, you’ll likely find him in a canoe or on skis somewhere in the woods.

Pat joins the A4TD team after a successful training experience in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).  Pat has many talents and experiences during her professional life including  as an Office Manager for an insurance agency where she obtained her insurance license, a Branch Manager for a custom window treatment company where she helped customers design their kitchens and window coverings, coordinating Business Expos.

Pat is a mother, grandmother & great grandmother of some awesome humans.  Having lived on a dairy farm as a child, she is a friend of most animals, being partial to kittens and baby goats (kids). She thinks they are cute, curious and independent little trouble makers.

Amy is a training and information research professional who is passionate about coaching others through their life-long learning journeys. She is a former school librarian with a BA in communications from University of Maryland GC and an MS in School Librarianship from McDaniel College. Parents of two young adults, she and her husband now live in the Finger Lakes of NY. Amy is also a yoga teacher, swim official, and frequently found out on the lake in the boat or jumping headlong into DIY home and garden renovation projects.

Kate is a former public school teacher with a Masters in literature and writing from Binghamton University. She has gained a wide variety of skills and experience in her 10 years educating students and training colleagues. Need a clever, engaging presentation? She’s your gal. She loves to experiment and try new things, especially in pursuit of expanding her trivia knowledge. Full of energy and whimsy, she loves painting, cooking, and spending time socializing with friends, family, and her fluffy cats.

Judy’s early career roles included customer service engineer in Telecommunications, and implementation specialist for software used by utility companies.  She wrote technical specifications, process and end user documents.  In her latter health care career, Judy managed ambulatory sites for primary care and OB/GYN.  Her eye is always on process improvement and documentation of processes, regardless of her role.  Judy resides in Rochester, NY.  An avid reader, Judy also enjoys nature photography, gardening, hiking and a newly discovered thrill for her: learning to row on the Erie Canal!

Rick is a “math guy” with extensive background in project and operations management, and training program design & delivery. He has particular strengths in relationship building with both for-profit and nonprofit community partners. He is a member of many professional organizations including the Project Management Institute, the American Society on Aging and the Association for Talent Development. He’s a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a dog lover, and an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan.

John has professional background in both for-profit and nonprofit administration and operations. His bachelor’s degree is in Finance and Commerce from Rider University and he has extensive expertise in grant, fiscal, and program management. He is a firefighter, a first responder, a father of two, and an accomplished horseman.

Pat’s background is in theatre management and teaching. She transitioned out of teaching to help kids who had dropped out of school transition into stable employment. Then in 1983, there was a growing number of school-to-work programs being developed, so she changed her focus and began to work with the other end of the age spectrum; unemployed workers age 55+, helping them to enter or re-enter the workforce. This is when she founded A4TD (originally known as Vermont Associates for Training and Development)! A4TD was awarded its first federal grant in 1983 to administer the SCSEP and has continued to successfully operate this program ever since. Pat is one of the longest tenured SCSEP advocates in the country. Her Master’s of Science in Administration is from St. Michael’s College, and outside of work Pat loves photography and travelling.