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
Robert Stack is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Options. According to the New Jersey Business Journal's Book of Lists for 2011, with over 2,600 employees and over 30 offices in 10 states, Community Options is ranked as the 5th largest non-profit in New Jersey. He has an MBA and is a graduate of the University of Dayton, Mr. Stack also attended the University in Friborg, Switzerland, University of Rome and the University of London. He also taught at Kent State University where he received the Graduate Student Teaching Award and he is a current Adjunct Professor at Kean University.
Mr. Stack has extensive international experience in entrepreneurial business development and non-profit management. He has spoken throughout the world on employment for persons with disabilities using a social entrepreneurial model. He was a keynote at the Yale Goldman-Sachs School of Management and has given the plenary session at the National Council of Negro Women USAID conference in Cairo, Egypt, and at Perspectiva in Moscow, Russia on entrepreneurial management, business development and advocacy.
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.
Courtney Eidel
Vice President of Human Resources and Quality Management, holds a M.B.A. from Georgian Court University and a B.S. in International Business and Management from Montclair State University. Courtney has over ten years of experience in employee relations, talent management and compensation and benefits in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Jessica Guberman
Vice President of Marketing and Development, has a Master of Science and Doctoral Degree in Addiction and Organizational Psychology and over 15 years of nonprofit experience as it relates to grant writing, strategic planning, program design and working with people with developmental disabilities. Jessica oversees all implementation of special events, marketing for the social enterprises and the organization in general, public relations and all new national development projects. Jessica specializes in state and federal contract securement, site acquisition and operations. Jessica held the appointment of organizational representative for Community Options on the NJ Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism from 2008-2011, was awarded New Jersey Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 award in 2009 and was the winner of the prestigious Betty Pendler Award in 2010.
Karen Hensley
Regional Vice President oversees operations in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Carolina and Tennessee. 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 over twenty 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.