Staff of Easter Seals of Birmingham Alabama

Easter Seals of Birmingham

Staff

	Lori J. Senn, Executive Director Lori Senn received a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Troy State University. She worked in public accounting and governmental accounting before coming to work for Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area in 1998 as the Finance Director. She grew the position to include Business Manager responsibilities and later added Outpatient Rehab Director to her plate. Lori was promoted to Executive Director in 2006.		Ronny Johnston Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Ronny is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Music Education and a M.A. in Vocational Rehabilitation. Ronny has been employed by Easter Seals for thirty three years, and has been with Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area for one year as the Director of Adult Services. In 2002 he was named the Professional of the year by Easter Seals Alabama, and the Outstanding Rehabilitation Professional of the year by the Alabama Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. He has also been named the Professional of the Year by the Tuscaloosa Employment and Support Services Association. Mr. Johnston is a charter member of Leadership Easter Seals, and a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa. He is a founding member, past President and current Board Member of the “Million Dollar Band Alumni Association.” He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Mental Health Credit Union. Other volunteer activities include serving as a member of the Task Force for Self-Sufficiency for West Alabama, the Sumter County J.O.B.S. Committee, and as a member of the Workforce Development Council of West Alabama.

	Kelli J. Keith, Director of Marketing and Development Kelli received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Cummunication with a minor in Political Science from Jacksonville State University in 2000. She spent almost seven years at O2ideas in the Public Relations department serving clients such as Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Bruno's Supermarkets and Verizon Wireless.She also served two years on the Easter Seals Junior Board as the PR chair. As the Director of Marketing and Development her primary focus is ensuring that funding is available for both the Adult Services and Pediatric Therapy Program. Kelli is responsible for our two fundraising events held each year: Walk With Me and Swinging for Solutions.		Timothy D. Holley M.S.,OTR/L Director, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Tim received his Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Science/Social Psychology from UAB in 2002 and went on to secure his Masters of Science – Occupational Therapy from UAB in December 2004. He is certified/ licensed through the State of Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and Sensory Integration Praxis Test Certification. As Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation services he manages occupational, physical and speech therapists as well as support staff. He is also responsible for the financial management to assure that the department is meeting budget in efforts to providing quality care to the pediatric clientele.

	Tosha Gaines, Occupational Therapist Tosha received his Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion/Community Health from UAB in 2003 and went on to secure her Masters of Science – Occupational Therapy from UAB in December 2005. She is certified/ licensed through the State of Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She is a Historian for the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association and a very active community volunteer/artist for VSA Alabama. Tosha has experience in treating children with various developmental needs such as sensory integration, feeding/oral motor therapy, and fine motor delays. Prior to joining the team at Pediatric Therapy, Tosha’s experience included working with the zero through three-year-old population at an Early Intervention Program. She has a special interest in applying art/craft therapy for children with special needs		LaShun Alexander, M.S. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling- Evaluator/ Case Manager-. Lashun recently joined the Easter Seals team full- time in January. She graduated with her Master of Science degree from Troy University, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Alabama. She provides vocational evaluation and case management services for consumers with a variety of disabilities at Easter Seals.

	Giner Bales Placement Specialist Ginger began working with the Easter Seals team on Feb. 22, 2010. She works to establish employment, and follows the placement to ensure satisfaction for both the consumer and the employer. Ginger is a graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham with a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Work. Her previous experience was working with disabled individuals in both the academic and employment environments.		Phyllis Butts, Consumer Advocacy Specialist Phyllis joined the Easter Seals family in November, 1977 as a program secretary. Since then, she has held numerous titles the current one being Consumer Advocacy Specialist. It has been a joy and privilege to serve consumers here at Easter Seals.

	Kandis Harris, MS-CCC-SLP Kandis joined the Pediatric Therapy team in June 2005. She graduated with honors and received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Auburn University. Kandis is certified by the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA). She is also co-chair of the Augmentative/Alternative Communication Committee of the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (SHAA). She has experience in treating children with various developmental needs such as language delays and articulation disorders. Kandis specializes in Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) and has special interests in helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.		Norman Cacciatore, Placement Specialist Norman joined the Easter Seals staff in July of 1973. Since that time, Norman has worked in many areas of the Adult Program. These roles include the Evaluation Department, as a Building Maintenance Supervisor, Work Adjustment Lab Instructor, Woodwork Instructor and currently he is the Director of Contracts and Placement Supervisor.

	Emily Hodgins, MS, CCC-SLP Emily joined the team at Pediatric Therapy in March of 2008. She graduated with honors with her Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University, and earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo. Emily is certified by the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA). She is also an active member of the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (SHAA) and was elected to serve on the SHAA executive board. Emily has experience in treating children with various developmental needs such as language delays and articulation disorders. Prior to joining the team at Pediatric Therapy, Emily's experience included working with the pre-school through middle school population in the public schools, as well as the zero through three-year-old population at an Early Intervention Program..		Natalie Locastro, Benefits Counselor Natalie joined the Easter Seals Team in 2006. In her current position, she is responsible for helping families with their financial benefits in the Pediatric Program. She receives and distributes referrals from physicians, and handles the medical billing. In addition, she works with the community to find resources for families. She loves working with the families and children in the program.

	Mary-Margaret Haygood Newland, MS, CCC-SLP Mary-Margaret has provided speech/language therapy at Pediatric Therapy (previously Clayton Rehab) since 1996. She is certified by the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA). Mary-Margaret has experience in treating a wide range of speech/language needs, including serving children of all ages with language delays, articulation impairments, hypernasality from cleft lip/palate, feeding disorders, and children with tracheostomy tubes. Mary-Margaret also provides speech/language therapy in Spanish to Hispanic children in the community		.Anna Perry, S.T.E.P. Coordinator
	Stasia Tapley, Physical Therapist Stasia has worked as a pediatric therapist in the Birmingham area for over 15 years. She received her degree in Physical Therapy from the University of South Alabama. She is registered and licensed by the Alabama State Board of Physical Therapy. Stasia has experience in treating a wide range of gross motor needs including orthopedics, neuro-developmental disorders, torticollis, and brachial plexus injuries. She also provides aquatic therapy		Ann Wilbanks, M.S., Ed Ann began teaching Computer Technology, Keyboarding, and Academics at Easter Seals in October, 2006. Received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Business Education from Auburn University. Retired from teaching 26 years in high schools in the state of Alabama. Also taught for several years as an adjunct instructor at Southern Union Community College and at Virginia College. Teaching experience includes computers, accounting, typing, career exploration, shorthand, and other business subjects.
	Wanda Williams, Placement Specialist Wanda joined the Easter Seals team in 2007 and provides job search assistance for consumers participating in the Employee Development Program as well as consumers who are referred directly to Job Placement. She is responsible for assisting consumers with identifying, obtaining and maintaining employment. Wanda's previous work experience includes skills testing, computer training and job placement for people with disabilities.		Suzanne Harris, Clerical Assistant Susanne Harris graduated in May 2002 with a 4.0 GPA receiving an Associates of Applied Technology Degree in Office Information Systems. She came to Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area in March 2010 through Vocational Rehabilitation’s Paid Work Experience Program as the Marketing/Administrative Assistant. After her time through the PWE program ended, she was given a full time position as the Clerical Assistant. Suzanne has more than 4 years experience as a secretary in the rehabilitation field.

	Kathryn Hern Marketing Coordinator Kathryn is a graduate of Samford University with a Bachelors degree in Education and dual certification in Early Childhood/Elementary and Special Education. Kathryn worked in the Shelby County School system teaching 1-3rd grade for 3 years. As the Marketing Coordinator she will be planning and organizing fundraising events and working with the Marketing Director to ensure funding for the pediatric and adult programs.		David Higgins Senior Program Manager David Higgins retired from the Moody Police Department as a Captain. He got his undergraduate degree from Samford University and his Master’s Degree in Counseling from UAB. He is listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who in America. He serves as the Senior Program Manager for Easter Seals.

	Carl Walker Building Maintenance Instructor Carl Walker jooined Easter Seals in February 2010. He is respnsible for building maintenance and instructing consumers on janitorial services.

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