Community Options National Staff
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.
Robert P. Stack
According to the New Jersey Business Journal’s Book of Lists for 2018, Community Options is ranked as the 3rd largest non-profit in New Jersey. He has an M.B.A. and is a graduate of the University of Dayton. Robert 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. He is an Adjunct Professor for the graduate school at Kean University. He is the author of two books: I Matter-So Does Your Cause – Starting a Nonprofit and Meaningful Day: Day Program Services Curriculum and Staff Guidebook.
David P. Sweeney
David graduated from Rutgers Business School with an M.B.A. from LaSalle University. He has a C.P.A. license in PA and is responsible for financial operations. David spent his career working in the healthcare sector managing operations. He has twenty years of comprehensive financial management experience.
Courtney Eidel
Courtney has an M.B.A. from Georgian Court University and a B.S. in International Business and Management from Montclair State University. Courtney has over twenty years of experience in employee relations, talent management and compensation and benefits in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Brian Dion
Brian has an MPA and BA from the University of Connecticut. He oversees national development for both programmatic operations and philanthropic giving. Brian manages the government relations department, grant writing and foundation relations. He is responsible for federal, state and local compliance oversight, licensure, quality assurance and administers oversights for platforms memorializing individual plan monitoring and auditing. His extensive resume includes positions in administration within state government in Tennessee and Connecticut and he was the CEO of an institution for persons with disabilities in Pennsylvania.
Svetlana Repic-Qira
Svetlana oversees operations in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and, Pennsylvania. She earned an M.A. in Psychology, a B.A. from the University of Connecticut. Svetlana 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. Svetlana was a social worker and before that a discharge planner at Summit hospital.
Wei-Han Zhou
After completing his degree at Rutgers in Political Science, Wei-Han was hired to work for a Congressional leader and eventually Governor Christie of New Jersey. He joined Community Options in 2017 and has since been promoted to the position of Vice President. In this role, he will oversee Government Relations, Media, Grants, entrepreneurial facilities management and creative services. He interfaces with government leaders and funding entities for continued development and marketing.
Greg Thoennes
Based in Austin, Greg oversees operations in Texas, Arizona and Utah. Greg graduated from Utah Valley University in 2013 and received a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration. He has over 10 years of experience in various roles working with individuals with developmental disabilities in the community and has a passion for working with, advocating for, and supporting individuals with disabilities. Greg speaks fluent German. His passion comes from his experience working as a Direct Support Professional, Home Manager, and Associate Director, while attending University in Provo, Utah. Previously, Greg held the position of Executive Director for Community Options in the Austin, Texas Region.
Laconda Moore
Laconda Moore serves as the Regional Vice President of South Carolina and Tennessee. She is based in Greenville, South Carolina. Laconda has over 33 years of experience supporting people with developmental disabilities. Laconda holds a B.A. Degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She has received certification from the South Carolina Human Service Provider Association in Executive Leadership and certification from Duke University in Management Training.
Lacie Parker
Lacie joined Community Options in 2012 as a Direct Support Professional. After finishing her MA from Pennsylvania State University she was appointed as Vice President. During her tenure she held various roles within the organization to include Program Manager, Program Specialist and Executive Director. Lacie began her career as a mental health worker for families with at risk youth.
Aaron J. Atkinson
Aaron Atkinson received his Master’s in Social Work from University of Maryland Baltimore and began his career as a direct support professional. With over 27 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities, Aaron worked in case management, quality assurance, training and previously managed a large residential program.
Hector Johnson
Hector has a proven track record in the development of housing and employment supports for people with disabilities. A native New Mexican, he began his career at Community Options as the executive director of Las Cruses.
Jamie Reynolds
Jamie received her M.A. from Dallas Baptist University and holds a B.S. in Psychology. Prior to her current position, Jamie was regional director for Community Options after being promoted as executive director of Dallas for Community Options. She manages operations in Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas. Jamie garnered her experience as executive director for a start-up Day Habilitation and a Home and Community-based Services program in Southeast Texas. Her career began in residential settings working with children with special needs.