Board of Directors
President
Walt Shea - Retired Financial Services Executive
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Vice President
Dennis Desmarais - Executive Director, TriNet
Lisa Rouleau - Retired Elementary Teacher, Berlin Public Schools
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Secretary
Robyn Guimont
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Treasurer
Laurie Boyd
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Board Members
Deb Carroll
Kyle Craig
Kofi Edusei
Ashli Esteves-Nelson
Keith Forster - Retired Sales Executive and Former Owner, Vintage Family Tree Video production company
Wendy Forster - Retired Human Resources Executive, currently Executive Coach
Liz Goodman
Nancy Hayden - Owner, Ginger & Pickles Baking & Catering, LLC
Jeff Hong - Strategy Consulting Executive, Accenture
Ken Hoyt
Michael Norman
Leslie Ohta – Former Trial Attorney at United States Department of Justice
Danielle Paquin
Duane Pierre - Executive Director/ Founder of ParaDYM, Inc.
Rhonda Rawlins – Marketing Communications Professional, Previously Aetna International, Cigna
Aimee Schissel
Sue Sokoloski - Retired Life Insurance Medical Director
Brian Thompson - Retired Lawyer
Dawne Westbrook
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Past Presidents
Bonnie Clark – Teacher, Hartford School System
Joan Faustman – Independent Financial Services Professional, Previously Lincoln Financial
Michael Rawlins - Head of Enterprise Content Platforms Design Team at Walt Disney Co.
Cathleen Swody – Founding Partner and Director of Assessment, Thrive Leadership
Rhonda Rawlins – Marketing Communications Professional, Previously Aetna International, Cigna
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COMMITTEES
Selection (chair: Keith Forster)
Activity level for this committee is seasonal, mostly in January through May/June. Review candidate applications; determine whether candidate should be interviewed. Committee members participate in the interview and decision to extend offer.
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College Prep/Academics (chair: Wendy Forster/Lisa Rouleau)
Committee focuses on the overall academics for all of our scholars as well as support to students in determining college/university of interest, ensure the college applications are completed, and help guide parents through financial aid process.
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Communications/PR (chair: Walt Shea)
This committee works on our website, social media and the annual newsletter, which is developed and mailed in the late fall. Committee is also responsible for promoting our program in local papers when necessary.
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Finance (chair: Laurie Boyd)
Chair person of this committee sits on the Executive Board. Committee is responsible for tracking budget, operating expenses, financial reporting and insurance management.
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Fundraising (co-chairs: Brian Thompson and Deb Carroll)
Committee oversees all fundraising activities, from the annual appeal to the fundraising dinner. Also responsible for maintaining records of donors and providing thank-you's. Currently, includes grant responsibilities as well (see below).
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Grants (currently part of fundraising)
Committee writes proposals and makes requests to grant making organizations. Funds raised in from these efforts are allocated into restricted accounts or, where possible, towards annual expenditures.
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Host Family (chair: Robyn Guimont)
This committee functions as the liaison between the host families and the ABC program. Committee is also responsible for recruitment of host families, scheduling host family weekends, and providing forum for host families to discuss variety of issues.
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Facilities (chair: Walt Shea)
Maintenance of the Glastonbury ABC physical plant is the primary responsibility of this committee. Although the scholars are responsible for daily house upkeep, this committee is responsible for making necessary repairs or arranging for contractors to address house repairs.
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Student Life (chair: Lisa Rouleau)
This committee works to provide enriching entertainment and cultural experiences for Glastonbury ABC scholars. Committee members arrange for scholars to watch plays, live performances, sporting events, or local trips that are engaging, in hopes of enriching the Glastonbury ABC experience.