Staff Updates – January 2022
FOND FAREWELL
- Greg Bott, Regional Development Director - GLVPR
It is with mixed emotions we share that Greg Bott will be leaving SOPA to take a new position in higher education. We are excited for him because he has long wanted to work in higher Ed. But, we are also very sad to lose Greg as a colleague. He has done an excellent job as the very first Director of Development in a regional office. In addition to development work, Greg established and fostered meaningful relationships with our volunteers and athletes in our local teams. He has been a truly valued member of the larger Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region team. He has also been fun, diligent and hardworking and will be missed! Greg’s last day will be January 25 and he has graciously agreed to help out on a part time basis to get us through our Polar Plunge on February 19.
- Carrie Hucker Jaumann, Director of State LETR Events and Engagement
It is with gratitude, congratulations and sadness we announce that Carrie Hucker Jaumann has left SOPA for a new opportunity.
During her time with SOPA (11 years), Carrie has led the Pittsburgh Plunge through its infancy to its current position as SOPA’s premier Plunge, raising nearly $625,000 during the Plunge’s 10th Anniversary Year (2020). During the initial COVID shut-down, Carrie played a key leadership role in establishing the fundraising events task force and ensuring the success of 2021’s Polar POP. Carrie is a caring and compassionate leader who delivers on her promises, supporting our LETR partners and program with true integrity. Our LETR program here in Pennsylvania is poised for growth with SOPA’s new Strategic Plan, thanks especially to Carrie’s relationships, efforts and dedication.
Carrie will be supporting the transition of our LETR program, including the Pittsburgh Plunge, on a part-time basis for the next few months. During this time, you can continue to reach her on her SOPA email.
We wish each of these staff members the best in their future endeavors!
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
- Jessie Merckle, Allegheny County Sports Director
Jessie has experience in the Sports Director role from her time at the YMCA in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Along with her professional experience, as a graduate of Wake Forest University, Jessie competed on the track and field team winning the individual ACC Championship three times and team award four times.
Jessie has a passion for creating a better experience for our athletes and volunteers through organized processes and relationships. We are extremely excited to have Jessie on the SOPA team as we continue to work towards doing MORE and BETTER for our athletes.
- Marcia Carnes, Development Database Manager
We are very pleased to announce that Marcia Carnes joined the SOPA team as the Development Database Manager.
Marcia comes to us from her most recent position at Chester County History Center, and she has extensive experience managing donor databases, including with Raiser’s Edge (our state donor database software.)
- Marie Costello, Development Director – The Wilds Region
We are very excited to announce that Marie Costello has joined our newly formed region 2 – The Wilds Region – as the Development Director. Marie has 25 years of experience in management along with 15 years in marketing and fundraising development expertise with the American Cancer Society. She also brings 6 years of experience in media and promotional work. Along with her professional experience, Marie has been a seasoned volunteer with SOPA as a volunteer coordinator and a track coach in McKean County. She has even attended State Games with her athletes.
Marie is a people focused leader that is dedicated and passionate about driving success and awareness to purpose driven causes. She developed and directed the first community employment program in McKean County and is proud that it is still viable today. She is excited to develop and drive sustainable and successful fundraising initiatives The Wilds Region.
Please welcome our new staff to the team!
OPEN POSITIONS
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the SOPA team, please pass the word along about our open positions under employment opportunities. Some positions may not yet be listed. Please check back frequently.
News from the Field Department - January 2022
Welcome to 2022 - a brand new year and a chance for all of us to see new opportunities and face them head on. We will need to factor in the pandemic protocols and continue to take every step we can to keep all of our athletes and volunteers safe. At the same time, we must find ways to keep everyone engaged and active. Physical Fitness is very important at this time, as is fellowship and fun! How can we face these challenges?
Some of the best ways to take the problems on is to educate yourself in all the tools that are available to you. Here are some tools you should not miss:
- The Weekly Program Update email from Gina Reid
- This wonderful resource has up to the minute ideas, deadlines and information. This is an essential tool for everyone - be sure to pass the info along to your entire team!
- The Monthly Hot Topics Call
- This is the place to ask every question and learn every best method. If SOPA needs to change something, we will hear about it here first. Be heard and be educated!
- The Monthly Update Newsletter
- This has valuable information for every member of your Management or Regional team. This is a one stop shop for the latest info.
- The www.specialolympicspa.org website
- Everything you would need to know is here. Check out our Volunteer Center or program information. Catch the latest in Sports and Competition and see what trainings are available. Another resource that is available twenty four seven - just for you.
As you can see - there are lots of tools at your disposal to prepare you to battle the challenges of bringing Special Olympics programming to every athlete. Make use of all of them!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Field Directors or your Regional Executive Directors. We’d love to help!
Staff Changes – December 2021
STAFF CHANGES
- Kristen Lenig, Regional Sports Director – The Wilds Region
Former Central Field Director, Kristen will assume the Regional Sport Director position for The Wilds (Region 2). In the interim, Jim Binz will assume Field Director responsibility for the programs in Region 8 and Gina Reid will assume responsibility for the programs in Region 3.
-
John Brownson, Regional Administrative Manager – Capital Area Region
Former Local Program Support Coordinator, John has assumed the Regional Administrative Manager role for the Capital Area Region (Region 7).
-
Shannon Pechart, Regional Sports Director for the Capital Area Region
Former Sports Training & Competition Director for Area M, Shannon will assume the position of Regional Sports Director for the Capital Area Region (Region 7).
Please join me in congratulating these staff on their new roles within our organization.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
- Kahley Stewart, Capital Area Region Development Director
We are very excited to announce that Kahley Stewart has joined our SOPA team as the Capital Area Region Development Director.
Kahley has been in fundraising for a number of years. Most recently, she was the Director of Development for Bishop McDevitt High School but has also worked with American Lung Association and AACA Museum. She has a broad base of fundraising knowledge.
A San Diego native, she went to College at Juniata and was a volunteer for our Central Fall Sectionals. Kahley said any job that allows her to go back to her alma mater for a day is the one for her! She is excited to develop and drive sustainable and successful fundraising initiatives for the Capital Area Region.
Please join us in welcoming Kahley!
OPEN POSITIONS
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the SOPA team, please pass the word along about our open positions under employment opportunities.
Staff Updates – November 2021
FOND FAREWELL
- Carolyn Kushner, Manager of Volunteer Services
Carolyn Kushner has resigned as of Friday, November 12th. Over her career here at SOPA as the Volunteer Manager, Carolyn has made valuable contributions to our movement here in Pennsylvania. She will be missed as was a great asset to this organization.
While we are sad to see Carolyn go, we are very appreciative of all the hard work she has done over the years. Please join us in wishing Carolyn the best in her future endeavors as Director of Volunteers for Keystone Hospice in Plymouth Meeting, PA.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
- Erika Christiansen, Central Competition Director
We are pleased to announce that Erika Christiansen has joined the Competition team as the Central Competition Director. Erika will manage the Central competition events including the fall and spring sectionals, bowling sectionals, Indoor Winter Games and Summer Games. She has extensive knowledge in event planning and track and field; and, she is a State College native that will work out of the State College office.
- Andrew Fee, Allegheny Director/Regional Executive Director for Region 9
Andrew Fee has accepted the position of Allegheny Director/Regional Executive Director for Region 9. Andrew’s passion has always been making a difference in people’s lives through the avenue of sports. He comes to us from Geneva College where he has worn many hats: Coach, Intramural Sports Director, Director of Operations and Recruitment and most recently serving as the Assistant Athletic Director. In addition to those roles, he has played an integral role in increasing financial support to the College by planning and executing fundraising events, soliciting sponsorships and creating opportunities for alumni giving.
Andrew’s sport knowledge and experience will be a huge benefit in this position, but what really made Andrew stand out and set him apart from our other candidates is the fact that he comes to us with first-hand experience working in the field and will be able to translate those experiences to help us provide a more customer focused experience for our athletes and volunteers. Andrew got involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer several years ago through our Beaver County Program and recently transitioned to Manager of that program.
Andrew will work closely with Kathy Guy over the next several weeks as she transitions into her new regional role.
- Pam Velasquez, Region 2 Executive Director
We are beyond excited to share that Pam Velasquez has joined our SOPA team as the Region 2 Executive Director.
Pam spent the majority of her professional career with Woodward. Woodward started as a family owned gymnastics camp in Centre County and has grown into a world class organization that boasts 12 unique locations that offer training experiences that inspire youth and professional athletes to achieve more than they ever knew was possible. Pam created a scholarship program that brought the opportunity of camp to thousands of challenged families and included at risk and underprivileged children who could most benefit from the reprieve and joy of summer camp – this included many individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Through Woodward, she has been responsible for developing and executing strategic business initiatives to support the growth of the organization. She oversaw operational process development and improvement, project management, facility operations, staff onboarding and management of strategic growth initiatives.
Pam is a strategic, people focused leader with a deep commitment to building strong relationships and teams who will be a great addition to our SOPA team
Please welcome our new staff to the team!
OPEN POSITIONS
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the SOPA team, please pass the word along about our open positions under employment opportunities.
News from the Field Department - November 2021
Our spotlight for November shines brightly on the charming athlete, Chassidy Addleman, from Clearfield County. Chassidy has been a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete for over 31 years and has earned 108 gold medals! Besides competing in a variety of sports, she is a leader for her county by serving as the Athlete Representative and Recording Secretary on the Management Team.
Chassidy is best known for being a cheerleader and supporter for her fellow athletes and she takes every opportunity to make her team feel awesome. As a member of the Clearfield County Management Team, she initiated the start of handing out greeting cards to athletes and volunteers in order to help her team care for each other.
Recently, Chassidy was surprised by a phone call from Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback Joe Haden. Joe told Chassidy that she was one of the chosen few to be representing Team PA at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, Florida! Chassidy couldn’t believe it, she is really excited. Chassidy has never been to a competition outside of Pennsylvania and has never flown on a plane. There are lots of first time adventures coming up for her.
What makes this moment even more special is that Clearfield County has never sent an athlete to USA Games. When she was informed that she would be the very first athlete to represent Clearfield County in Orlando next year, she said she felt like a star. She is so excited to have this honor and her family is very proud of her accomplishments.
Special Olympics has impacted Chassidy in many ways. She has improved her goal setting, met lots of new people and has a lot of pride to represent her county and Team PA.
Chassidy’s mentor is Cynthia Russell. Chassidy told us that she would not be where she is today without all of the support and guidance from her mentor. Cynthia is extremely proud of Chassidy and enjoys being in this role to help her succeed. Cynthia is thrilled for Chassidy to have this incredible experience and honored that the Clearfield County program will be making history by sending an athlete to USA Games.
