The strength of Community Options has always been its people. The careful selection and training of staff members has created a culture based on commitment to community-based support and respect for individual dreams. The corporate structure provides national support and local autonomy. The early decision to maintain one corporate entity nationwide and to centralize functional departments has proven effective. Planning, human resources, fiscal services, technology, training and public relations support are all based in Princeton, New Jersey.
This allows executive directors to concentrate on people and program issues. National staff members maintain a sharp focus on the corporate mission through connections with the people receiving services. This convivial atmosphere allows employees at every level to celebrate individual triumphs and to understand the direct link between job performance and the quality of life for people with disabilities. Employees are valued for the professional and personal talents they bring to their positions.
A composite bond application was approved by the Economic Development Authority of the state to maximize future capital acquisitions. Insurance costs have been reduced through membership in an insurance pool. National vendors are utilized to reduce unit price costs, thereby taking advantage of volume discounts. The goal of the business office is to identify opportunities to allocate maximum funding to direct service expenditures.
National Staff
Robert P. Stack
President and Chief Executive Officer. He was the deputy director overseeing ten Developmental Centers for the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. Previously he was the executive director of United Cerebral Palsy Associations of New Jersey. He has an MBA and has been a consultant on traumatic brain injury services to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Bright Rajaratnam
Chief Financial Officer. He has an MBA from Rutgers and a CMA from London and has more than 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit field. He previously worked as the CFO for a social service organization in New Jersey serving people with developmental disabilities.
Karen Hensley
Regional Vice President oversees operations in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Education and also holds a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Administration from Murray State University. She has fifteen years of experience in supporting individuals with disabilities and was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Easter Seals Tennessee.
Svet Repic-Qira
Regional Vice President oversees operations in New Jersey. She holds an MA in Psychology, a BA from the University of Connecticut and is also a licensed Professional Counselor. Svet is not new to Community Options, she was an executive director for North Jersey for three years; a community support coordinator; and administrative coordinator; and in 1998 she was an assistant manager at Community Options. Svet was a social worker and before that a discharge planner at Summit hospital.
Mario Saenz
Executive Director oversees operations in Texas and New Mexico. He holds a M.Ed. in counseling and a BA in Social Psychology. He has more than twenty years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities and was previously the Services Program Administrator for the Mental Retardation Authority in El Paso, TX.
Bridget Haney
Regional Vice President for Pennsylvania, has a dual Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation from West Virginia University. She was the first Executive Director of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and assisted in the establishment of the Pittsburgh office.
Todd Hansen
Regional Vice President for New York, Syracuse and Southern Tier, has a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Cortland in Therapeutic Recreation and held a license as a CTRS. He has 14 years of management experience in a variety of Human Service fields.