Committees
Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee
Our Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee advises the Alliance’s public policy and
advocacy goals and endeavors. The staff liaison to this committee is Thomas F. Grady, MPA, CTM, CL,
Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs.
Current committee members are:
- Edward Kim, M.D., MBA
- Adam Beder
- Maria Zakula
- Jason Berardi
- Wendy Berk
- Virgillio Caraballo
- Bettyjane Collins
- Barbara Geiger-Parker
- John W. Indyk
- Wallace McD. Kyle
- David Mariconda
- Albert R. Pressler, PE
- Edwin Rivas
- Bruce H. Stern, Esq., Vice-Chair
- John K. Tiene
Governance Committee
Our Governance Committee is responsible for the continual development of our Board
of Trustees. The staff liaison to this committee is Barbara Geiger-Parker, President & CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
This committee is currently in the process of new member selection.
Children & Adolescents Committee (CAC)
Our Children & Adolescents Committee (CAC) was developed to address the specific needs and issues
of school-aged children. Staff liaisons to this committee are René Carfi, MSW, LSW, CBIST,
Senior Director of the Brain Health Network and Justin Stanley, CBIS, Community Resource Specialist.
Current committee members are:
- Bradford J. Ross, Ph.D, Chair
- Stephanie Bar Am
- Doreen Bridgman
- Doborah Brown
- Barbara Couvadelli, M.D., Ph.D.
- Connie Domingo, M.D.
- Kerry Ellmer
- Janet Gwiazda
- Paula Henry
- Wallace McD. Kyle
- Lenore Laracuente, Esq.
- Linda Levine
- Thomas McBride, Ph.D.
- Lois Mishkin, MA, CC/LDTC
- Drew Nagele
- Susan Paradise, M.Ed.
- Erin Seigh
- Dale Starcher
- Sue Stephens, LCSW
- Judith Woop, M.Ed., RN
Community Service Subcommittee
The Subcommittee on Community Services assesses or initiates issues and bills relative to providing services to people with brain injury in the community. The committee then proposes a position, course of action, and other subsequent steps related to that issue or bill. The staff liaison to this committee is Thomas F. Grady, MPA, CTM, CL, Directory of Advocacy and Public Affairs.
Concussion in Sports Steering Committee
Our Concussion in Sports Steering Committee is responsible for spearheading the activities of
the organization’s Concussion in Sports Campaign. The staff liaison to this committee is Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator.
Current committee members are:
- Barbara Geiger-Parker, Chair
- Jill Brooks, Ph.D.
- Cynthia Cross, RN, MSN, CCRN, APN-c
- Connie D. Domingo, M.D., FAAP, FAAPMR
- David Gealt, DO
- Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC
- Gregg S. Heinzmann, Ed.M.
- Phil Hossler, ATC
- W. Robert Howarth, DDS
- Jack Kripsak, DO
- Stephen Rice, M.D., Ph.D, MPH, FAAP, FACSM
- René Carfi, MSW, LSW, CBIST
Council for the Head Injured Community (CHIC)
The mission of the Council for the Head Injured Community [CHIC] is to champion and
publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have survived a brain injury. CHIC is
comprised of people with brain injuries, who empower themselves and others to become
effective self advocates and advocates on brain injury-related issues.
The staff liaison to this committee is Thomas F. Grady, MPA, CTM, CL, Directory of Advocacy and Public Affairs. The current Chair of this committee is David Mariconda. CHIC always welcomes new members. Please visit our CHIC page to learn more or contact Tom Grady. You can also call for more information at 732-745-0200.
Finance Committee
Our Finance Committee serves in an advisory capacity for the overall operations of our
organization. The staff liaison to this committee is Gisela Rutch, Director of Finance.
Current committee members are:
- Richard A. Sackin (Chair)
- Anthony Cuzzola
- Barbara Scheffel
- Edward Kim, M.D., MBA
- Wallace McD. Kyle
- Barbara Geiger-Parker
Gala Event Subcommittee
Current committee members are:
Our Gala Committee is responsible for planning the Alliance’s Annual Gala event, scheduled annually on the 2nd Tuesday in March. The staff liaison to this committee is John Gardner, Director of Development. Other BIANJ staff involved with the committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, President & CEO and Gisela Rutch, Director of Finance & Operations.
- Barbara Getze, Event Management
- John K. Tiene
Resource Development Committee
The staff liaisons to this committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker,
Executive Director and John Gardner, Director of Development.
This committee is currently in the process of new member selection.
Seminar Committee
Our Seminar Committee is responsible for planning and running the Alliance’s Annual
Seminar. The staff liaisons to this committee is Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator.
Current committee members are:
- Bradford Ross, Ph.D, Co-Chair
- Sam Bayoumy, PT
- Steven Benvenisti, Esq.
- George Carnevale, Ph.D.
- Georgianna Dodd
- Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC, Co-Chair
- Sharon Gola
- Karen Lindgren, Ph.D.
- Roy Lippin
- Lois Mishkin, MA, CCC/LDTC
- Dianne Simmons-Grab, MA, CCM, CdMS, CLCP
- Rita Yohalem
- Anne Bernard
- Janet Gwiazda
- Carol Kolber
- Terri Webb
- Mary Sharlow-Galella, LCSW
- Rose Anderson
- Howard Mangel, EdD
- Melissa Hosier
- René Carfi, MSW, LSW, CBIST
- Matt Wolfskehl
- Maribeth Robenolt
- Barbara Scheffel, RN, BS, CRRN, CCM
- Jennifer Guerro
The Seminar Committee accepts new members annually, after the event takes place in May. If
you are interested in applying, please contact Joanna Boyd. You can also call for more information at 732-745-0200.
Walk For Thought Subcommittee
Our Walk for Thought Committee is responsible for planning and running the Alliance’s
Annual Walk For Thought. The staff liaisons to this committee are John Gardner, Director of Development and Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator.
Current committee members are:
- John W. Indyk, Chair
- Wallace McD. Kyle
- Lorraine Adawi
- Virgilio Caraballo
- Allison Devor
- Cindy Dittfield
- Dianne Eck
- Janet Gwiazda
- Donna Jones
- Charlene Martucci
- Sue Pina
- Nancy Sommerville
- Lynn Tomaio
- Lt. Paul Vereb
The Walk for Thought Committee takes place each fall and the committee welcomes new members and/or volunteers to assist with the event each year. If you want to become involved in this annual event please contact Joanna Boyd or John Gardner. You can also find more information on our Walk for Thought page or call the Alliance at 732-745-0200.