Operation A.B.L.E. and SCSEP Staff
Joan Cirillo - President & Chief Executive Officer x129
Since 2000, Joan Cirillo has been the President/CEO of Operation A.B.L.E. (Ability Based on Long Experience), a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to help workers 45+ get back to work. She oversees all training, employment and advocacy for older workers for the agency, as well as advocates for all older workers in the Commonwealth of MA. During her tenure as President and CEO, Operation A.B.L.E. has assisted over 17,000 job seekers 45+ get back to work.
Prior to joining Operation A.B.L.E., Joan taught in the Chicago Public School system and ran training departments for John Hancock Life Insurance Company and Bank of Boston.
Joan has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management. She serves on Metro South/West’s Career Initiative Board, is President of the Massachusetts Society for the University Education of Women and is a Board member of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. In the past, she has served as Chair of the Job Training Alliance, as a Board Member of the Massachusetts Association of Older Americans and served for years on the Statewide Workforce Investment Board. Joan has been a national judge for AARP Best Awards 50+ since 2002. Acting as the spokesperson for Operation A.B.L.E., Joan has become an expert resource for the media, and has been featured in The Boston Globe, The AARP Bulletin, the U.S. News & World Report, among others, and in many "Letters To The Editor." Joan often speaks at conferences focused on employment for older workers, and from 2002 until 2009, she was the Job Doc in The Boston Sunday Globe. In addition, Joan has been a member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years.
Richard Ludwig - Chief Financial Officer x127
Rick joined Operation A.B.L.E. as Chief Financial Officer in 2014. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, financial forecasting, project management and process improvement in the management of large and small enterprises. He served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Chicago 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid. He was instrumental in the successful financial and operational delivery of both the Sydney (2000) and Atlanta (1996) Olympic Summer Games, in his roles as Financial Planning Program Manager and Budget Director, respectively. Rick has been a controller, tax planner and financial consultant for various firms, and was a manager in the financial management consulting practice of KPMG Peat Marwick in Atlanta. A graduate of Florida State University in Multinational Business and German, he earned a Master of International Management with distinction from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, AZ. Rick has worked in 13 countries on five continents.
Esmael Abdulkerim - IT Systems Engineer x140
eabdulkerim@operationable.net
Esmael joined Operation A.B.L.E. in 2013, after working in IT for over 20 years. As the IT Systems Administrator, his expertise keeps Operation A.B.L.E. systems running smoothly to benefit staff and clients. Esmael has degrees in mathematics and computer science from UMass.
Patrice Ball - Program Manager, ABLE Job Resource Center x136
pball@operationable.net
Patrice is the Program Manager for the new ABLE Job Resource Center, available to Boston residents as a result of a grant from the City of Boston’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)—Public Services. Patrice has over 20 years’ experience in adult education, including teaching, training, workshop development/presentation, and consulting. Her experience includes technology trainings and support, online learning, online tools, learning management systems, help desk/technology support, technology classroom integration, data management/analysis and reporting, small business consulting, and career services/workplace education. She holds a Master’s of Education in Counseling from Cambridge College, a B.A. in Psychology from Framingham State University and a Certificate of Online Teaching from the Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan Consortium) specializing in online tools. She also has a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Training from UMASS Center for Enterprise Creation.
Shirley Baker - Assessment Specialist
sbaker@operaionable.net
Barbara Chervin - Senior Training Specialist, Skills2Work & Medical Office Training
T: (617) 542-4180
bchervin@operationable.net
Robert Timothy Crews - IT Tech Assistant
rcrews@operationable.net
John Cross - Database Analyst & Skills2Work Assistant x141
jcross@operationable.net
John joined Operation A.B.L.E. as a volunteer in 2012 and transitioned to the SCSEP program the next year, acting mainly as a Tutor/Assistant in the Skills2Work program. He has recently taken on the responsibility for the A.B.L.E. student/participant database and is now a Database Analyst. John is assisting the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance with building an Access database for their operation. Prior to coming to Operation A.B.L.E., he worked for close to 40 years at an environmental engineering firm, increasing the productivity of Computer Aided Design, using MS Access to support much of his work.
Stephen Currier - Job Developer, Skills2Work & Medical Office Training, x137
scurrier@operationable.net
Steve came to Operation A.B.L.E. by way of ReServe Greater Boston. His career spans from Washington D.C. to New York and finally back to his native Boston. As part of the Workforce Development team Steve prepares students in the art of interviewing with prospective employers and strategies as to best position a resume and cover letter. His main objective as a Job Development Specialist is to match and place ABLE program participants with employers via internships and ultimately potential employment. Steve received his BA. in journalism from Northeastern University.
Rick Ellis – Communications and Social Media Coordinator X131
rellis@operationable.net
Rick is a Public Relations/Marketing Communications professional with over 30 years’ experience planning and leading public relations. He has successfully executed marketing strategies in support of non-profit and for profit companies. Mr. Ellis actually has prior experience with ABLE. In 2011, he became a SCSEP participant helping develop our website and social media sites. His diverse experience includes AT&T Wireless, state government and several non-profit and Foundations. He has worked closely with state, national business and industry reporters; and launched new products, corporate campaigns and community projects with non-profits in Ohio and Massachusetts.
Shirley Fickett - Program Manager, Skills2Work, Medical Office Training x133
sfickett@operationable.net
Shirley’s experience in multiple teaching modalities, from classroom lectures to online teaching forums, prepared her well as she was named Program Manager for the Skills2Work and Medical Office & Healthcare Office Training in 2015. Shirley enlists various teaching methods, effectively reaching the maximum number of students with different needs, abilities and learning styles. Shirley has an MBA from Babson College and B.S. from UMass Dartmouth in Management with minors in marketing and computer science. She is also a certified healthcare professional with expertise in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Through the National Health Career Association, Shirley holds the following national certifications: Certified Healthcare Instructor, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, Certified Billing and Coding Specialist and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. Through the American Association of Professional Coders, she is a Certified Professional Coder.
Myriam Forero - Finance Manager x126
mforero@operationable.net
Myriam left New Jersey to come to Boston in search of new opportunities. With over 20 years of financial experience in a wide array of business environments, Myriam joined Operation A.B.L.E. to assist the Chief Financial Officer with payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payable, bank reconciliations and other financial projects. She received her B.A. in business administration from Georgian Court University in New Jersey.
Claudine Guerrier - SNAP Outreach Coordinator x135
cguerrier@operationable.net
Claudine is involved in the Wednesday Information Sessions Operation A.B.L.E. runs to introduce people to the agency’s services. There, she reminds participants that age is no barrier to ambition. She recently joined Operation A.B.L.E. after a career focused on health services. She had been a respiratory technician at Mount Sinai Medical Center and also worked at AIDS ACTION Boston, Lynn Community Health Center and Boston Medical Center. Claudine received her bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College and M.Ed. (concentration in counseling psychology) from Cambridge College.
Wayne Jones- Program Manager, ABLE Beginnings x125
wjones@operationable.net
Wayne is the manager and principal instructor for the A.B.L.E. Beginnings computer and job search classroom training program. His background includes radio communications, office product and computer field service. Wayne has taught a broad range of subjects: military leadership and instruction techniques for non-commissioned officers, product trainings for new customers, office equipment repair classes and safety workshops for field service employees, and classes in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. Wayne joined Operation A.B.L.E. in 2007 following a US Army tour at the Fort Devens NCO Garrison School, then over 10 years with IBM, over 10 years with Mac-Gray Copico, and 14 concurrent years with the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Stephanie Legatos- Career & Job Search Coach x122
slegatos@operationable.net
Stephanie Legatos joins ABLE as a Job Coach and brings extensive experience in career & job search coaching gained through private practice and workforce development programs. She has worked with thousands of people from entry-level to senior-level, representing diverse industries and occupations. She previously worked for BEST Corp’s Hospitality Training Program, Self-Esteem Boston Educational Institute, career services offices in numerous universities, and several One-Stop Career Centers in Massachusetts. Stephanie believes that everyone has potential, and deserves to find work that both meets their needs and feeds their passion. Stephanie has an M.S. in Human Resources & Counseling Psychology, and a B.A. in Sociology. She is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
Angel Miranda- Payroll Manager & SCSEP Program Manager x139
amiranda@operationable.net
A Boston resident for over 50 years. Angel has been working for SCSEP for more than 13 years, and often states, "Working with the Senior community of Boston has been a blessing..." Angel adds, "and thanks to Operation A.B.L.E., we're able to provide the services our Seniors need to find unsubsidized employment and become economically self-sufficient. Through training and education."
Luis Morales - Employment Specialist, Rosie's Place, 617-480-1993
William (Bill) Nadler - Sr. Training Specialist, Corporate Workforce Onsite & Offsite x142
wnadler@operationable.net
Bill is the Senior Training Specialist and Office Technology Administrator. Bill teaches Microsoft Office computer skills to students in many in-house training programs as well as performing corporate training for incumbent workers at various locations throughout the greater Boston area. A “natural” when it comes to teaching people how to use various computer software applications, Bill has a way of explaining highly complex topics in a number of ways to ensure that everyone “gets it.” In addition to possessing the qualities of an effective instructional leader, Bill has the ability to create a climate that demonstrates a commitment to success for all people. Bill holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University. His background in the electro-mechanical packaging group at MIT Draper Laboratory has served him well as technology administrator. While at Draper Laboratory he participated in the design verification testing of the Apollo Space Program Guidance & Navigation System and US Navy Poseidon Submarine Missile Guidance System.
Dave Pearson - Program Manager and Job Coach X136
dpearson@operationable.net
Dave has worked as a job coach and counselor for many years and has reached clients at various levels to help them see their true potential and meet their employment goals. The key to his success is his professionalism in dealing with employers and colleagues using experience, his sense of humor and personality to get job placements. In the past Dave has worked as a Travel Trainer; Job Developer; Job Placement Specialist; Case Manager and as a Career Counselor at Rosie’s Place in Boston providing employment assistance to their guests. Dave earned his BS in Human Services with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Springfield College in Springfield, MA.
Marilyn Piket - Internship Placement & Development Specialist x130
mpiket@operationable.net
Paul Piket - Training Assistant
ppiket@operationable.net
Hyacinth Sankey - Training Specialist - ABLE Beginnings
hsankey@operationable.net
Elizabeth Tinsley - Receptionist x120
etinsley@operationable.net
Regina Wright - IT Technical Assistant
rwright@operationable.net
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
Dave Bassett - A.B.L.E. SCSEP Director 617-542-4180 x132
Dave joined Operation A.B.L.E. in March 2017 as the new Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) Director. Dave is responsible for working with the four regional managers to deliver work experience and job search training services to mature workers from Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, as well as throughout New Hampshire.
Dave has extensive experience in planning and managing a variety of workforce development programs with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston. Dave previously held the position as Deputy Director of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Mayor's Office of Workforce Develop for the city of Boston.
Dave has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Dayton, OH and remains in an active leadership role with English for New Bostonians.
Tarnya Jones-Jenkins - SCSEP Administrative Assistant - 617-542-4180 x123
tjones-jenkins@operationable.net
Tarnya joined Operation A.B.L.E. in May 2017 as the Administrative Assistant for the SCSEP Program. Tarnya resided in Anchorage, AK for almost 20 years and attended the University of Alaska. In 2012, Tarnya decided it was time to return to her Massachusetts roots. Tarnya is a former student and proud graduate of the A.B.L.E.’s Skills2Work Program. After graduating from Skills2Work, Tarnya was employed with Fidelity Investment Services in Canton, MA. However, Tarnya decided she wanted to utilize the skills she acquired from the program to give back and assist others who are trying to reinvent themselves in the workforce.
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Charles (Keith) Benton - SCSEP Regional Manager - Suffolk County 617-542-4180 x138
Prior to joining the SCSEP team, Keith, as he likes to be called, worked in the field of Human Services as a Clinical Supervisor for Spectrum Health Systems. He was a licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Keith began working for Operation A.B.L.E. in 2017 as a SCSEP case manager and employment specialist working with SCSEP participants to achieve their employment goals. Keith’s work and rapport with participants was outstanding and earned him a promotion to the position of Suffolk County Regional Manager for the SCSEP program.
Ron Genzale- SCSEP Program Specialist, 617-542-4180 x121
Ron has been with Operation ABLE since 2013. He comes to us with an extensive history of career counselling and job development as well as many years’ experience in the private sector in customer and concierge services.
Amalfi Ginnetty- SCSEP Employment Specialist, 617-542-4180 x146
Angel Miranda - SCSEP Program Specialist, Payroll Manager 617-542-4180 x139
Linda Williams - SCSEP Employment Specialist 617-542-4180 x124
METRO WEST, NORFOLK & WORCESTER COUNTIES
Karen Sowsy - SCSEP Regional Manager - Norfolk, Metro West & Worcester Counties, 617-745-4013
Karen earned a B.S.B.A. in Accounting from Boston University and worked in the mutual funds area for 17 years.
After so many years in the world of finance, she wanted to change careers to make more of a direct impact in helping people. After a few months of searching on her own, Karen discovered SCSEP and Operation A.B.L.E. Soon after, the leadership recognized her talent and qualities and hired her.
Karen was made a regional manager for SCSEP in December 2016, responsible for Norfolk and Worcester Counties and the Metro West area, including Framingham and Natick. What she enjoys most about working for Operation A.B.L.E. is the opportunity to meet, work with and help people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Jill Fainberg - SCSEP Area Program Coordinator, 508-626-7142
In 2014, Jill started as the Employment Specialist for (Western) Middlesex County, based in Framingham, and became the Area Program Coordinator in 2017. Prior to this, she taught English as a Second Language to adults. She had worked in the Office for Resources at Wellesley College for 19 years, working on a variety of computer related issues. Sponsored by the Fulbright office, Jill worked for the Japanese Ministry of Education in Yokohama for one year. She has a BA from Colgate University in East Asian Studies.
Benetta Kuffour - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Worcester 508-373-7685
Joslyn Portier - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Quincy 617-745-4000 x4009
Joyce Reekie - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Quincy 617-302-2731
Donna Steinberg - SCSEP Admin/Payroll, Quincy 617-302-2731
ESSEX & MIDDLESEX COUNTIES
Claire A. Murray - SCSEP Regional Manager - Essex & Middlesex Counties, 978-651-3050
SCSEP Essex – Middlesex Regional Office at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Lawrence, MA
Claire is SCSEP Regional Manager for Essex and Middlesex counties. Previously, she worked for a community action agency serving underserved populations and managed a community technology center where marginalized, low-income residents gained computer skills, connected with family and friends, and created a community within the community.
Claire has been described by colleagues as a "fierce advocate for her clients," who "is truly dedicated to helping underserved populations become more self-sufficient.”
Claire received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northeastern University and has been named to Who's Who in the East and Who's Who of American Women.
Mark Censky - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Cambridge 617-661-7867 x256
Kate Kozisky- SCSEP Employment Specialist, Salem, 978-825-7253
Paula McCarron - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Woburn
Mayra Nunez- SCSEP Area Program Coordinator, Greater Lowell 978-805-4815; Lawrence 978-651-3050
Satellite SCSEP Office located at the Career Center of Lowell and Lawrence MA
Mayra N. Nunez began working at Operation A.B.L.E. in June 2017, as the Area Program Coordinator for the Greater Lowell to Lawrence corridor. She came from Greater Lawrence Community Action Council where she worked for 3.5 years. Before that, she worked for immigration attorneys for 10 years. Mayra is fluent in English and Spanish, does Spanish/English translations for the Lawrence community, and is a Notary Public.
Milagros Perez-Urena - SCSEP Employment Specialist, Lawrence, 978-722-7028
mperez-urena@operationable.net
Satellite SCSEP Office at ValleyWorks, Lawrence, MA,
Terri Rongitsch- SCSEP Employment Specialist, Cape Ann 978-708-6022
Diane Smith - SCSEP Employment Specialist, 978-770-8504
Satellite SCSEP Office at Career Center of Lowell, Lowell, MA
Jana Vitale - SCSEP Employment Specialist
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Kristin Gorrie - SCSEP Regional Manager - New Hampshire 603-206-4407
In 2018 Kristin was promoted to Region Manager from Program Manager, a post she held since 2009 covering New Hampshire’s Southern and Seacoast regions and joined Operation A.B.L.E. in February 2017.
Prior to entering the non-profit world, Kristin worked for many years as an Outside Sales Executive and Technical Recruiter/Employment Specialist.
Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
When she’s not working, Kristin enjoys playing (and watching) tennis, hiking and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Charlie Birchmeier, - SCSEP Area Program Manager - Hillsborough and Strafford counties 603-206-4405
Charlie Birchmeier is the SCSEP Area Program Manager, covering Hillsborough and Strafford counties in New Hampshire. He has almost 17 years of experience in the non-profit sector, including his most recent position as Senior Manager of Employment Services with The Moore Center. During that time he focused on employment, acting as a subject matter expert for the Association of People Supporting Employment (APSE).
Charlie is an AmeriCorps*NCCC graduate, during which he served on projects across the United States focusing on disaster relief and wildland fire suppression.
He has a BA from Eastern Michigan University in Language, Literature, and Writing and a post-bachelor’s certification in Non-Profit Management from Louisiana State University. When not working Charlie can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with his family, no matter the season. He enjoys fishing, kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing. In the fall he can be found at fairs and festivals across New England working as a professional pumpkin carver.
Kathryn Brown - SCSEP Program Coordinator - Cheshire, Sullivan and parts of Hillsborough and Grafton Counties, 603-860-0841
Kathryn Brown is an Area Program Coordinator for Operation A.B.L.E. in Cheshire, Sullivan and parts of Hillsborough and Grafton Counties in New Hampshire. Kathryn holds a Bachelor degree in Business Management, a Masters in Education and a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy. Before joining SCSEP she taught in public and parochial schools and classes in Hypnotherapy as a modality to change habits and for stress reduction. She volunteers at her local Senior Center. This is her third year in SCSEP and what she enjoys the most about her job is meeting new people and helping them move forward in their lives with greater self-esteem.
Louise DeBlois - SCSEP Area Program Coordinator, Carroll, Coos & Grafton Counties, 603-752-2600
Louise is a Berlin, NH native and has taken ‘reinventing one’s self’ to a whole new level. Her career has spanned across various industries and geographies as a restaurant owner; independent insurance Agent/Broker; Adjuster and more. Though, being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother makes her prouder than any career success ever could.
Today Louise has come full circle. She has returned to her home town, but this time as a seasoned SCSEP Program participant turned SCSEP Area Program Coordinator. Her multi-industry career path; commitment to assisting her community’s older population, and intimate knowledge of the SCSEP Program makes for a strong and dedicated advocate for Operation A.B.L.E.’s SCSEP mission. And so it seems, Louise continues with her adventurous spirit of reinvention.
Luce Duvert- SCSEP Employment Specialist
Mary Hanson- SCSEP Employment Specialist
Samira Karrar- SCSEP Employment Specialist
Janeen Noyes- SCSEP Employment Specialist
Darlene Savageau- SCSEP Employment Specialist
Virginia Swanson- SCSEP Employment Specialist, 603-206-4417