The Townwide Team
Gregory Kennedy
Greg has worked in Huntington as a financial consultant for over twenty-three years and is a well-known and valued member of the community. He is past President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 4 and has been on the Townwide Fund board of directors since 2009. Greg is also a board member of the Visiting Nurse Service in Northport, and has an ongoing involvement with Troicare and their Food Bank at St. Patrick’s Church, as well as ties to various local charitable organizations.
Alice Marie Rorke
Alice Marie Rorke is a longtime Huntington resident and a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, raising money and supporting causes that help the underserved and less fortunate.
A past president of the Junior Welfare League of Huntington, Alice Marie spearheaded many key initiatives of the organization during her nearly 24 year membership, working closely with many of the social service agencies that are also Townwide Fund of Huntington member agencies.
She dedicated years of service to improving local schools through various board and leadership roles in the Huntington School district. Alice Marie served as President of the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education (HFEE) from 2015- 2019. She regularly attends classes and seminars in the nonprofit realm to stay on top of current trends in fundraising.
Alice Marie is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with a B.S degree in Marketing with a specialization in International Trade and Economics. She started her career in Hong Kong and worked for many years in showroom sales and merchandising in Manhattan. While raising four children with her husband Jerry, Alice Marie launched a Marketing and Design business that she runs to this day.
“ I am honored and excited to work with the Board of Directors of the Townwide Fund and help them make an even larger impact in the lives of so many. “
Debbie Knowles
Debbie is the current Assistant Director at the Townwide Fund of Huntington, a local community chest non-profit in Huntington, NY. Her primary responsibilities include developing and analyzing campaign budgets, performing monthly accounting of actual results reconciliations, and supporting all fundraising, grant-making and operational activities. Debbie has been a volunteer Treasurer with many non-profits for the past 20 years including the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education, Huntington Robotics, Inc., the Huntington Band Parents Association, several PTAs, and the Huntington Harbors Service Area of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. In addition, she serves on the Board of Governors at a local social club. Prior to these volunteer roles and raising four children in Huntington, Debbie worked in Consumer Finance at MCI and as a financial consultant for Peterson Consulting in Washington, D.C.. Debbie has a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance from the University of Virginia, with a secondary degree in Accounting.
Officers
Janice Whelan
Janice has practiced law on long Island for over 25 years in the public and private sector and maintains her office in Huntington Village. She focuses her practice in land use and zoning securing municipal approvals and compliance before Towns and Villages on Long Island for national, commercial and private clients in matters involving variances, land division, zone changes, site plan approvals, industrial uses, due diligence, signage, special uses, restaurants, grocery stores, public assembly, religious uses and modifications to legal nonconforming uses and structures. Prior to launching her private practice, Janice served as an Assistant Suffolk County Attorney, Assistant Islip Town Attorney and assisted in the representation of several Long Island Village Zoning and Planning Boards. Janice has been co-chair of the Townwide Fund’s grants committee for many years. She joined the Townwide Fund in 2014.
Stephanie DiNozzi
Stephanie is a lifelong resident of Huntington with diverse experience ranging from corporate positions to stay-at-home mom and everything in-between. Today she is a Lifestyle and Leadership Coach. Her primary focus is challenging high-achieving women to see “beyond the busyness” and level up all areas of their lives by mastering their mindset.
Stephanie received her High-Performance Coaching Certification from The High-Performance Institute, where she became 1 of less than 1000 trained elite coaches globally. In addition to the scientifically proven, research-driven certification she holds, she has also completed extensive neuro-based training and coursework in the field of both ADHD and Mindset Management and is a Certified Brain Health Coach. She combines compassion and challenge in structured sessions using proven tools and techniques to ensure results. Understanding human behavior and how the brain works, Stephanie provides her clients with a holistic experience that increases their impact, energy, confidence, and influence, making it sustainable over time.
Before coaching, Stephanie participated in volunteer organizations such as Little Shelter while serving in various roles as a parent leader in the Cold Spring Harbor School District. In 2012 she founded and served as President of The Cold Spring Harbor Educational Foundation to enhance opportunities and expand possibilities for students attending public school. Her corporate work background centered on operations management, training, and program development for the wireless industry. She has a degree in Social Science from Boston University, helping Stephanie understand the multi-layered complexity of women’s lives and the different roles.
David N. Altman
David is a founding partner of Brown, Altman & DiLeo, LLP and has extensive experience in real estate law, commercial litigation and environmental law. He handles a broad range of matters involving land use and zoning, municipal law, commercial and residential transactional real estate, environmental law, commercial and civil litigation, corporate practice and commercial transactions. David became President of the Townwide Fund of Huntington in 2019.
Jerome Hehir
Jerome, CPA, has over 25 years of experience with both large and small accounting firms, providing accounting, tax and consulting services. He works with closely held and family owned business in various industries, including construction, building materials suppliers, real estate, software, technology, and health care. Specialty areas include CFO consulting services, exit and business transition planning, mergers and acquisitions, compensation planning, and accounting system design and implementation. In addition to serving as treasurer for the Townwide Fund of Huntington, Jerome is also treasurer of both the Melville Chamber of Commerce and the Cow Harbor Warriors. He is a member of the Board of Managers for the Huntington YMCA, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA).
Shari Peyser
Shari provides a select group of clients with public relations, marketing and strategic business development services. She began her career at large PR firms in New York City, then launched her own eponymous practice in 1996. Clients benefit from her experienced, intelligent counsel on matters including strategic communications, media relations, marketing and content creation. Among the organizations she represents are law firms in general practices and those focused on specific practice areas, financial advisors, CPA firms, professional associations and nonprofits. She joined the Board of Directors of the Townwide Fund of Huntington in 2012, and took on the role of Board Secretary in 2018. Being actively engaged in the immediate community through service is a rewarding responsibility that she enjoys and she is proud to note that most of her clients are also committed to organizations and communities that they serve. Those who are not are reminded of this responsibility on a regular basis.
Board Of Directors
Sima Ali
With over 20 years of experience, Sima offers an exceptional level of personalized service. She works closely with clients to help them develop a proactive rather than reactive approach to labor and employment issues. Her on-going support provides critical guidance to understanding the intricate and often complex laws and regulations which apply to businesses. Sima received her B.S. from Cornell University, NY School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her J.D. from George Washington University School of Law. After establishing her career as a Labor and Employment attorney, she launched the Ali Law Group in 2011. For this work, she has been honored by Long Island Business News with the Diversity in Business Award and the Top 50 Women in Business Award. She is also an engaging speaker who presents seminars on employment law throughout the New York metropolitan area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, playing tennis and paddle tennis, and organizing a book club.
Cindy Awan
Robert Benson
Andrea Bonilla
Andrea has been a part of CSPM Group at Source the Station as a Community Liaison since January 2013. She has worked with the Huntington Station community to co-create a vision for the future, crowdsourcing and engaging with stakeholders, businesses, local organizations and elected officials to drive social, economic and environmental impact as part of the downtown revitalization. She serves as a board member of the Townwide Fund of Huntington and on the Grants and Public Relations committee. She is also a board member of Huntington Chamber of Commerce and an appointee to the Suffolk County NextGen Council and the Town of Huntington Hispanic Task Force. Andrea is also a proud graduate of the Class of 2016 of Leadership Huntington.
Matt Curry
Matthew Curry joined the Townwide Fund of Huntington Board of Directors in October of 2020. Matthew was born and raised in Greenlawn and graduated from Harborfields High School in 2010. He now has his own practice as a Certified Financial Planner™ with Prudential in Melville. He helps business owners and high net worth families reach their goals through holistic financial planning. He has also been a member of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce since 2015. Matthew is honored to be part of the Townwide Fund of Huntington family and is deeply devoted to helping those in need in the local Huntington community.
Ellen Fleury
Ellen,owner of Fleury Design, has been an active member of the Townwide Fund Board since 1997 where she lends her graphic design expertise to our fundraising efforts. Ellen opened her graphic design studio in 1988 with the idea that her work should have a positive social impact. Although Fleury Design has a full range of clients, Ellen has found a niche in designing for human services organizations, many of them benefiting women and children. Her nonprofit clients have included The Long Island Fund for Women & Girls/Women’s Fund of LI, VIBS, Hispanic Counseling Center, United Veterans Beacon House, “IMatter Project” and the Long Island Crisis Center. She also actively supports the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Long Island Chapter which, along with the national organization, is an advocate of ethical fundraising. Ellen also currently sits on the Board of Friends of OHEKA and was formerly on the Board of the LI Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Ronald Friedman
Ron Friedman and his family have lived in Huntington town for 45 years, first in the Village and recently in Centerport. Ron has been active in public service for his whole professional life, starting out as a teacher in Brooklyn and moving into the superintendencies of the Long Beach, Great Neck and most recently the Syosset school districts. Past president of the Nassau superintendents association, Ron has frequently spoken publicly and made TV appearances on matters pertaining to public education, and has received numerous awards for his service over the years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Cooper Union, a doctorate in Educational Administration from Hofstra, and a certificate in Labor and Employment arbitration and mediation from Cornell-ILR. He is an arbitrator and mediator under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association. He also is currently engaged by Long Island's SCOPE Education Services. Ron's wife Shelley and son Dustin are both Social Workers, Shelley in private practice in Centerport and Dustin currently working in Montreal, Quebec. Ron runs for recreation and exercise, and completed his first marathon in NYC this past November.
Sharon Gunther
Sharon Gunther is founder and President of Fresh Design Group, Inc., a two division design firm, specializing in both kitchen remodels and interior remodels and design. The firm also handles new construction builds. FDG designs projects from the Hamptons to Manhattan, as well as ski houses, with the main focus on Long Island's North Shore. Ms. Gunther founded the firm in 2008. Ms. Gunther has an undergraduate degree from Tufts University and an advanced degree in Interior Design, Space Planning and Drafting. She is a member of NKBA, and an Allied member of ASID. She was awarded 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021 Best of Houzz. She is actively involved in Long Island charities, and has helped organizations that raise more than $100,000 annually for Long Islanders in need. She possesses an extensive variety of experience in the following areas: Computer design, virtual and remote design, New construction and remodels, Kitchen and bath design, Interior design
Kitchen cabinetry, Window treatments, Smart homes, Space planning and AutoCAD drawings, Teaming with architects and builders.
Located halfway between Manhattan and the Hamptons, FDG services all areas of Long Island and NYC, as well as Florida and other out of state areas.
David M. Gustin
As a Financial Advisor, I am dedicated to helping my clients meet their financial needs. Whether you are planning your retirement, saving for your children’s or grandchildren’s education, or looking to preserve your wealth, I can help.
Before entering the financial services industry, I graduated from C.W. Post College with a degree in Finance. I am now a Managing Director with DMG Portfolio Management Inc., part of Royal Alliance Associates in Jericho, New York. I take pride in working for a firm that puts you first. I attained the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation in 1996. My mission is to help each one of my clients plan for a financial future in a way that best meets his or her goals, and my commitment doesn’t end there.
Away from the office, I enjoy golf, reading and traveling. I am currently involved as president of the Melville Chamber of Commerce, as well as a board member of the Townwide Fund of Huntington and a board member and chairman of the golf committee of The Foundation for Sight and Sound.
I look forward to extending my services to you and your family. Together, we can discuss financial strategies designed to fit your unique situation.
Bea Hartigan
Bea is one of the most dedicated members of the Townwide Fund of Huntington, and it is because of her commitment that the Thanksgiving Day Charity Run has become a signature event and key fundraising source for the Townwide Fund. In 2019, the spring run was renamed “Hartigan’s Irish Charity Run” in recognition of her decades of service to the Townwide Fund and to the Community. Bea became a member of the board of directors of the Townwide Fund in 1980 or 1970 – what year was that? Her no-nonsense, straight-forward dedication to the Fund and the community is unmatched. She refuses to give us a regular bio, but we know that she has taught generations of Huntington residents how to swim at the YMCA of Huntington, runs several open swim fundraising events and will be working with members of the board on creating a history of the Townwide Fund that incorporates the archives and the many anecdotes that make up the story of the Fund.
Errol Kitt
Errol is a Vice President at GEI Consulting Engineers & Scientists and Branch Manager of GEI’s Long Island office located in Huntington Station. GEI is a leading national consulting engineering firm that provides environmental, geotechnical, ecological, infrastructure and water resources services to clients throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries. Errol serves on the Suffolk County Planning Commission, the Village of Lloyd Harbor Planning Review Board, and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Corporate Advisory Board. He is a graduate and active partner of The Energeia Partnership. Errol is a member and sponsor of the Suffolk County Village Officials Association, Long Island Real Estate Group, the U.S. Green Building Council, and The Nature Conservancy.
Dale Koch
Since 2011, Bohler has been a steadfast supporter of The Townwide Fund and its mission to help those most in need through the service of Dale Koch. Aligned in its purpose to “empower the ambitious to become the accomplished,” Bohler helps owners and developers across Long Island identify and act on opportunities to move projects forward, grow their business, and transform the community.
Susan Lyons
Susan was raised in Huntington and after 17 years of living in New York City and Columbus, Ohio, moved back to the area in 2003.
Susan spent over 20 years in the fashion industry, ultimately becoming a senior executive in merchandising with the Limited, Brooks Brothers and J Crew. After moving back to Huntington with her family, she became involved in many local non for profits.
Over the last 19 years she has held board positions on the boards of Family Service League (where she was instrumental in development and events), Visiting Nurse Service of Suffolk, and the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education where she was responsible for all grant communication and allocation. Additionally, she has held various positions on the PTA board in many schools within Huntington Union Free School District, including President of the PTA and also President of the Huntington High School Drama Club Parents Association for many years. She is currently Co-President of the Friends of Lynch Ballet as well as a member of the board of the PTA at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.
Susan is a graduate if SUNY Oneonta with a BS in Textiles and Business Economics as well as an AAS from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Buying and Merchandising.
Therese Mora
Therese is the Vice President/Branch Manager of Investors Bank with proven leadership abilities, and is very experienced in the area of financial business development and strong Customer relationship building
Therese has over 30 years of commercial/residential branch banking experience, with a thorough knowledge of a Financial Center's operations, products, and services. She enhances Investors Bank's visibility in our community by lending time and expertise to community organizations, and is proud to work with the Townwide Fund.
James Neri
James L. Neri of South Huntington is Senior Vice President, Division Director of Water for H2M architects + engineers where he leads water supply engineers, scientists, inspectors, and specialists in six offices in the tri-state area. He is responsible for the management, design, construction, and commissioning of water supply projects, including source development, wells, distribution systems, water treatment, and water storage facilities.
While studying engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, James met a Long Island girl and fell in love with both her and New York. The similarities in the groundwater conditions and supply between Long Island and James’ birthplace in Hawaii connected him to the local community and environment. James loves teaching and developing future leaders and was a teaching assistant at Cornell, adjunct professor at SUNY Farmingdale, and PAL football coach for several seasons for his oldest son.
After several years building golf courses out west, James and his wife found their way back to Long Island in 2001 to start a family. Twenty years later, their two sons are attending South Huntington schools and will follow their mother in graduating from Walt Whitman High School.
Jessica Nowak
Prior to joining Brown Altman & Di Leo, Jessica served as Assistant Counsel to the Suffolk County Legislature where she represented the town’s interests and gained valuable experience drafting legislation and revisions to the County Charter, Code and governing rules. Jessica also advised Legislators on the scope of their authority and ethics issues, as well as the legal and practical implications of policy proposals.
Jessica attended the University of Miami School of Law as a Dean’s Scholarship recipient, where she was published in Volume 25 Issue 2 of the International and Comparative Law Review. She is a graduate of Emory University Goizueta Business School with a B.B.A. in Accounting. During law school, Jessica interned for various organizations, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Jessica’s knowledge of Municipal and Corporate Law makes her a seamless fit at Brown Altman & Di Leo. She currently practices commercial real estate with the Firm, including land use, zoning, lending and transactional matters.
James T. Powers
Jim is the Director of Business Development for H2M Architects & Engineers and has 40 years of experience in the real estate development industry. Jim is also currently an Adjunct Professor of Design and Construction Management at New York Institute of Technology. Jim has also worked in the franchise industry and ran companies such as Golden Krust, produced the TV Show “Let’s Talk Franchise,” and has owned a number of Jamaican-themed restaurants. Jim’s involved in many professional organizations, but his passion has always been his philanthropic endeavors. He has been on the boards of the Heckscher Museum, the AOH, the Friends of NYIT, served as President of the Crab Meadow Golf Club and served as President of the Townwide Fund of Huntington for more than ten years.
Christopher A. Raimondi
Chris founded Raimondi Law to help business owners avoid the profit-robbing mistakes that keep them from achieving their personal and business goals. He believes in taking a proactive approach advising clients about potential issues and addressing them before they become a problem and have an adverse financial impact.
He first honed his legal skills working alongside some of the most prominent and respected attorneys in New York. After years of gaining valuable knowledge and experience during his tenure with Proskauer Rose, LLP, he decided to launch his own practice. His goal was to provide clients with the high-quality legal services of a large firm combined with the personalized attention and responsiveness of a small firm.
Chris is a problem solver. Whether he is assisting clients with their day-to-day concerns or handling a complex litigation matter, clients can feel confident that he understands their needs and is focused on protecting their interests. His diverse experience includes trademark and copyright protection, anti-counterfeiting, insurance law, corporate and securities law, commercial real estate, and commercial litigation.
In addition to his legal practice, Chris is also active in several local business groups that focus on providing opportunities for their members and support their local communities.
Bar and Court Admissions:
New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Professional Associations:
Nassau County Bar Association
Suffolk County Bar Association
New York City Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Business Associations:
North Shore Service Group (Board Member)
Huntington Chamber of Commerce
Massapequa Chamber of Commerce
Honors and Awards:
Nassau County Bar Association, Top Honors for Pro Bono Service (2017)
Speaking Engagements:
“Succession Planning for Business Owners”, panelist, The Muttontown Club (2022)
“Improving the Heath of Your Business”, panelist, Art League of Long Island (2022)
“Maximizing Tax Advantage of 1031 & 1035 Like-Kind Exchanges”, panelist, The Muttontown Club (2021)
“Employment Practices Liabilty Insurance”, panelist, Long Island Business News Webinar (2021)
“Information for Businesses on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP),” presenter, North Shore Service Group (2020)
“The Successful Solo/Small Firm Practice: The Tools You Need to Succeed in Today’s Economy,” panelist, Practicing Law Institute (2014, 2015, 2016)
Publications:
"Employment Benefits: Will Your Significant Other Be Covered?" Co-Author of student note, Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, Volume 17, No. 2, Spring 2000
In the Press:
New York Law Journal, Vol. 257, No. 67 (April 10, 2017). Recognized for Pro Bono Service Award
Nassau Lawyer, Vol 66, No. 11 (May 2017). Recognized for Pro Bono Service Award
Community/Volunteer Activities:
Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, Sponsor (2018)
Nassau County Bar Association, Pro Bono Service (2017)
Education:
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law, 2000
B.A., Hofstra University, 1997
Vita Scaturro
Vita is Vice President, Business Relationship Manager at JP Morgan Chase with 40 years of experience in new business development, sales management and staff development. She is a results-oriented and motivational leader with a special talent for building cooperative and productive work environments that foster achievement of corporate goals. Vita has chaired the Grants committee for many years, until she was joined by Janice Whelan as co-chair. She serves with several nonprofit organizations in addition to the Townwide Fund of Huntington, including The Leadership of Huntington Foundation Inc., The Huntington Chamber of Commerce, The MoonJumpers Charitable Foundation Inc., and Lt Joseph Petrosino Association Inc.
Carolyn Walkin
Executive
Dave Altman - Chair
Andrea Boccard
David Gustin
Greg Kennedy
Janice Whelan
Jerome Hehir
Rich Bryant
Shari Peyser
Stephanie DiNozzi
Financial
Jerome Hehir - Chair
Rich Bryant
Matt Curry
David Gustin
Greg Kennedy
Grants Committee
Janice Whelan - Chair
Vita Scaturro
Matt Curry
Stephanie DiNozzi
Jason Boccard
Nominating
David Altman
Matt Curry
PR Committee
Shari Peyser - Chair
Andrea Boccard
Andrea Bonilla
Ellen Fleury
Annual Appeals
Planned Giving
Matt Curry - Chair
Greg Kennedy
Development/Major Gifts
Stephanie DiNozzi - Co-Chair
Cat Donaldson - Co-Chair
Jason Boccard
Errol Kitt
Debra Russell
Community Signage
Alex Armonas
Ellen Fleury
Coin Boxes
Bea Hartigan
Greg Kennedy
Honorary Board
Michael Aboff
William Bohn
Thomas J. Finnegan
Dennis A Garetano
James S. Margolin
James Montalto
Donald Musgnug
Gary J.Pezza
Jo-Ann Raia
Scott T. Sammis
Russell C. Vollmer
Past Presidents
John C. Toaz, 1961
Quentin B. Sammis, 1962-1965
Robert Mitchel, 1966
Walter G. Spilsbury, 1967- 1977
Kenneth L. Graf, 1968
Vaughan Spilsbury, 1969
H. Craig Sutto,1970-1971
Beatrice C. Hartigan, 1972-1973
Arthur Goldstein,1974
Ellyn W. Sammis,1975
John Fordon, 1978
Andrew W. Lawrence Jr., 1979
Harold S. Brush, 1980
Richard Maikis, 1981
Robert E. Grant, 1982-1983
Clifford E. Starkins, 1984-1985
Scott T. Sammis, 1986-1987
James S. Margolin, 1988-1989
Donald P. Musgnug, 1990-1991
Russell C. Vollmer, 1992-1993
Dennis Garetano, 1994-1995
William Bohn, 1996-1998
Alex Armonas, 1999-2000
James Montalto, 2001-2002
Gary J. Pezza, 2003-2004
Sal Turano, 2005-2006
Thomas J. Finnegan, 2007-2008
James T. Powers, 2009- 2010
Michael C. Mule, 2011
James T. Powers, 2012-2018
