Staff Updates – August 2021

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

• Jon Blitzer, Event Director, East

We are pleased to announce that Jon Blitzer has joined our team as the new Event Director, East. Jon comes to us with an impressive background, a lot of relatable experience, and good vision for our strategic event planning moving forward. Among other tasks, Jon will be primarily focused on the Philadelphia Plunge for the remainder of 2021 through 21-22 Plunge Season.

We are excited to have him on board and look forward to everyone getting to know him. Jon can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Joseph Sutton, Senior Staff Accountant

Joseph Sutton will join the Finance team on August 30, 2021.  He brings over 20 years’ experience managing accounting functions for small and mid-sized businesses.  His primary responsibilities will be working with the local teams in managing cash balances, purchasing and the associated reconciliations.  He is a welcomed addition to the team!

FOND FAREWELL

• Shannon Clancy-Bolich, Sports Director, Allegheny County Program

After four years with Special Olympics PA, Shannon Clancy-Bolich - Sports Director for the Allegheny County program, left her position with the organization last month to dedicate her time to complete her Occupational Therapist degree.  SOPA-Allegheny County is grateful to Shannon for her dedication and commitment to serve our athletes and coaches, and for all that she accomplished during her tenure with our local program.

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 Changes – July 2021

FOND FAREWELL

• Clare Walsh Miller, Chief Program Officer

It is very bittersweet for us to announce that Clare will be retiring on October 1st. Our athletes and mission have been at the center of everything Clare does. Her love for them and passion for our mission just oozes from her pores each and every day.

Clare started her Special Olympics journey as a volunteer aquatics coach in New Jersey and then served on the staff at Special Olympics International.  She began with SOPA as the Eastern Field Coordinator in 1989.  A few years later she accepted the PR Director position, but she really knew her passion was with Field Services.  She returned there when she accepted the VP of Programming role and rose to become the organization’s first Chief Program Officer.  Along the way Clare started, nurtured, and grew programs that have truly impacted thousands of lives. 

Please join us in thanking Clare for touching the lives of countless Special Olympics athletes, families, volunteers and staff.  We are all better because of her love and dedication.

• Trang Nguyen, Senior Staff Accountant

It is with sadness that we report the resignation of Trang Nguyen effective on July 16, 2021.

Trang was a valuable team player of the Finance Department for the past 8 years.  She will be missed and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.

• Coryna Barberis, Regional Administrative Manager

Coryna Barberis has decided to take another position.  Her last day with SOPA will be July 23rd.  In her new job she will be working as a fulltime Volunteer Coordinator, getting back to where her heart is. Coryna has done a fantastic job as the first Regional Administrative Manager, having been instrumental in setting up new systems, processes and our regional office. 

Please join me in wishing Coryna well in her next position. 

• Beth Boardman, Programming Department Coordinator

Beth Boardman will be retiring in September. Working with her for more than four years has been a joy for many reasons. Not only is she a true professional who could be counted on to complete work and projects without a fuss, but she could also be trusted to manage sensitive information.

Beth oversaw our background check process and more recently, developed and implemented SOPA’s renewal process as well. Her last day will be on Thursday, September 2nd. Please join us in thanking Beth for her years of dedication to SOPA and wish her the very best in her family focused future!

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

• Nate Garland, Chief Mission Officer

We are pleased to share that we have hired Nate Garland as our Chief Mission Officer. We completed a very comprehensive search process that attracted more than 60 applicants, and the team that interviewed Nate included 2 Board members (one of whom is an athlete), the entire Senior Leadership Team, and all 4 of our VPs. Nate’s first day will be Monday, July 26th.

Nate’s first connection with Special Olympics was when he volunteered at SO Maryland’s Spring Games when he was in high school. But, the real magic of Special Olympics happened when the Myrick family moved to Kent Island in approximately 2001. The family became regulars at the restaurant Nate’s family owns there. Nate was the GM at the time and hired Jimmy Myrick (SOMD athlete) to work at the restaurant. Jimmy then pulled Nate into SO, first as a Unified partner and then as a corporate sponsor. That eventually led to Nate being recruited for the SOMD Board of Directors where he served for 5 years. Nate voluntarily stepped down from the Board in order to pursue a staff position on the program team as the Director of Outreach for SOMD. He was promoted to Vice President of Field Services & Outreach and then to Chief Program Officer. After approximately 7 years with the program team, the CEO of SOMD asked Nate to lead their development team. Nate became the Chief Development and Marketing Officer in 2013 and served in that role for another 7 years.

His passion for our mission and love for our athletes are clear, and we’re thrilled to have Nate joining the SOPA 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 - July 2021

It is time to return to in-person activities! Plan to set aside some time at your next Management Team meeting to discuss what returning will involve. Here are some suggestions to help your program enjoy returning in person safely!

Prepping for In-Person Activity:

• Survey coaches:
  • Determine who is returning
  • Identify if there are gaps in your coaching staff that need to be filled
  • Recruit new volunteers 
• Check the volunteer status of coaches:
  • Make sure all of your coaches have updated background clearances
  • Check that all your coaches have their volunteer trainings up to date 
    • Use the Online Portal to complete General Orientation (new volunteers only), Protective Behaviors, and Concussion Training
  • Be sure that all of your Head Coaches are still certified in their respective sports
• Identify sports you can offer:
  • Determine if you have enough coaches for each sport
  • Decide if you can allow for multiple sports to train at once
  • Be mindful of USA Games qualifying sports when making decisions 
• Secure training sites:
  • Determine if your original training sites are still available
  • Find alternate locations if venues are not available
  • Send contract and insurance forms to John Brownson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Educate coaches on R2A protocols
  • Share information & expectations
  • Coach Meeting
    • Review new sport guidelines and COVID-19 processes
    • Select COVID-19 Coordinators
    • Submit the required forms 
      • Site Registration & Advancement Form
      • Participant Code of Conducts/Waivers
  • Check all athlete medicals for expirations
• Educate families & athletes on R2A protocols
  • Share new information and our COVID-19 guidelines
    • Medicals that need updated
    • Participant Code of Conducts/Waivers
    • No spectators
  • Plan a Family Meeting if necessary
    • Zoom or a conference call would be the best option for this
• Reminders: 
  • All In-Person Team Meetings & Social Gatherings require Site Registration & Advancement Form and must follow COVID-19 Guidelines!
  • New and improved COVID-19 guidelines are routinely made by SOI and we continually update our protocols

Be sure to stay in contact with your Field Director so that we can provide you with the latest COVID-19 guidelines. We are prepared to help you get your sports started safely as soon as possible! 

Your Field Team

Staff Updates – June 2021

FOND FAREWELL

Kristin Craven, Special Events & Marketing Manager

Kristin Craven’s last day with SOPA was on July 1, 2021. She resigned for a new position outside the organization.

Kristin, who was a creative and talented manager, worked with SOPA for six years. During that time, she helped to manage many events and campaigns such as the Philadelphia Polar Plunge, the Leprechaun Run, the TD Bank Campaign, and more.

In addition, she managed our SOPA Gear Store and helped the Philadelphia program with its marketing and communications efforts.

Kristin will definitely be missed and we wish her well.

Teresa Amaturo, Central Competition Director

It saddens us to share that Teresa Amaturo will also be leaving SOPA. Her last day will be Saturday, June 19th.  

We are very appreciative for all of the hard work that Teresa has done for us over the last 3 years. She played an integral role in developing Indoor Winter Games in York, helped to lay the groundwork for our Virtual Summer Games, and advanced our SO College initiative by increasing our number of current colleges and universities to 17.

In addition, Teresa has built strong relationships with the Central Games Organizing Committees.

We wish Teresa the best of success in all of her future endeavors.

STAFF PROMOTIONS & TITLE CHANGES

Chelsea Hammell – VP, Mission Integration

Chelsea will take on responsibilities in several new areas and also lead the development of an organization-wide wellness strategy to “move the needle” in regard to improving the overall health of our athletes. She will continue to oversee our Athlete Leadership, Young Athletes, VSys, and Healthy Communities work and will add responsibilities for Volunteer Services and Volunteer Certifications.  

Gina Reid – VP, Regional Growth

With her unique blend of leadership skills, passion for our mission, and drive and determination, Gina will serve as VP of Regional Growth. In this critical role, she will work with our Field Team and local Programs to help stand up our new regions and oversee our regional staff teams.  

Trang Nguyen, Senior Staff Accountant

To more accurately reflect her role and responsibilities, Trang’s title was changed to Senior Staff Accountant.

Please join us in congratulating Chelsea, Gina and Trang for their many amazing contributions and new roles within the organization!

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.