Board of Directors
President
Rhonda Rawlins – Marketing Communications Professional, Previously Aetna International, Cigna
Vice President
Walt Shea - Retired Financial Services Executive
Secretary
Robyn Guimont
Treasurer
Laurie Boyd
Board Members
Dennis Desmarais - Executive Director, TriNet
Tom Edgington - Lawyer, Travelers Insurance Company
Keith Forster - Retired Sales Executive and Former Owner, Vintage Family Tree Video production company
Wendy Forster - Retired Human Resources Executive, currently Executive Coach
Nancy Hayden - Owner, Ginger & Pickles Baking & Catering, LLC
Jeff Hong - Strategy Consulting Executive, Accenture
Leslie Ohta – Former Trial Attorney at United States Department of Justice
Emmanuel Onikuyide, CPA
Duane Pierre - Executive Director/ Founder of ParaDYM, Inc.
Lisa Rouleau - Retired Elementary Teacher, Berlin Public Schools
Lynnae Smith – Math Teacher, Glastonbury High School, GABC Selection Committee Member
Sue Sokoloski - Retired Life Insurance Medical Director
Cathleen Swody – Founding Partner and Director of Assessment, Thrive Leadership
Brian Thompson - Retired Lawyer
Jhameal Wallace - Accounts Payable Administrator at Barnes Group Inc
Dawne Westbrook
Peter Wolf
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
COMMITTEES
Selection (chair: Lynnae Smith)
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.
College Prep/Academics (chair: Peter Wolf)
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.
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.
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.
Fundraising (co-chairs: Tom Edgington and Brian Thompson)
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.