The entire Board is elected for a one year
term at the Board meeting held in February of each year.
Board of Trustees meeting are on the 4th
Thursday of each month (3rd Thursday in November and December) from
Noon to 2:30 PM at our Office. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!
Qualifications
Mr. Alexander is a graduate of Sacramento State University and is currently employed by North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI). He has also received extensive training in all areas of social service that affect the “at-risk” in our society. This helps them deal with the financial, medical, living and employment issues that they will face.
He has been involved with Furniture Assist since 2008 and a Board member since 2009. He brings to the Board his expertise in social services that are often needed by the clients that require our services.
Christine S. Boyle, Esq. - Trustee
Qualifications
Ms. Boyle is an associate in the Corporate
Department of Lowenstein Sandler PC. She focuses her practice on
public and private merger and acquisition transactions, corporate
finance transactions and securities law matters. Ms. Boyle also
advises companies and their boards on securities law compliance and
general corporate governance matters and in the preparation of
company filings in connection with the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s reporting requirements.
Ms. Boyle also serves as a staff member of the
Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. In this role, she is
responsible for continuing the Center’s initiatives aimed at
strengthening the societal impact of the firm's pro bono work,
coordinating and facilitating attorney participation in the firm's
pro bono activities and continuing to work on her specific pro bono
cases. She is particularly active in matters and organizations
concerning children and education.
Ms. Boyle is excited to be a Board member of
Furniture Assist.
Jill D. Brown - Trustee
Qualifications
Mrs. Brown has spent many hours helping to get Furniture
Assist Inc. off the ground. Her position on the Mission Commission at
the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, NJ has given her the opportunity
to be a part of the organization of Furniture Assist since its
conception. Jill organizes and manages 25 - 30 volunteers on a monthly
basis. She has created and implemented a system for many people from the
Westfield Presbyterian Church and the New Jersey Presbytery to give
countless hours of their time. She has focused on organizing donations,
pickups and deliveries, staffing and recruiting volunteers and other
non-paid positions. She has spent a large amount of time publicizing and
educating the public about the goals and accomplishments of Furniture
Assist, Inc.
Mrs. Brown has worked in a variety of sales positions
throughout her career. She worked for the United Church of Christ in a
Director of Youth Ministries role and currently volunteers with the
youth at her current church. She went on a mission trip to rebuild
hurricane damaged homes in Florida in 2005. In June 2006, she went to
Alaska to build homes for the needy. She currently works in the Family
Life Department at the YMCA in Westfield, NJ. She runs a grant program
for single parents and another grant program for YMCA Adventure Guides.
She is married and raising 3 young children.
Mrs. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Business Administration from Northeastern University in Boston,
Massachusetts. Her concentration is in Marketing and Management.
David Buckman - Trustee
Qualifications
One of the founding members of Silverstein Buckman
Architects, David Buckman became the managing partner of Buckman
Architectural Group in 2001. As the managing partner, he takes pride in
maintaining the best possible staff and utilizing the best available
technology.
In 1995, Mr. Buckman founded Concept Construction and
Development Corporation. This company is committed to offering clients
full design- build services to go hand-in-hand with the architectural
services offered.
Mr. Buckman is a graduate of Pratt Institute’s School of
Architecture and studied design at the University of Copenhagen. He is a
long-standing member of the American Institute of Architects. The
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certifies him with
active licenses in many states.
Mr. Buckman has always found community service to be
important and is proud to support the worthy causes in which Furniture
Assist fulfills.
He is very active with and on the board of his synagogue
and is an active member and a past president of the Westfield Jaycees.
Michael G. Chirichella -
Trustee
Qualifications
Mr. Chirichella comes to Furniture Assist with an
extensive and diverse background. Starting in high school in Queens,
New York, he was active in volunteer and service organizations as
well as helping to coordinate publicity for his school's Athletic
Department. During his time as a student at Memphis State
University/the University of Memphis, he worked for the school
newspaper & radio station, as well as being an Interim Sports
Information Director for the University's Department of Women's'
Athletics and a staff writer for the Office of Media Relations.
After earning his BA degree in Journalism/Advertising, Mr.
Chirichella worked for several years for advertising agencies and
publications, in Memphis, New York & New Jersey. He is retired from
the US Postal Service due to a vision problem.
Since leaving the Postal Service, Mr. Chirichella has been
continually active in several volunteer efforts with different
churches and organizations in Central New Jersey as well as briefly
having his own PIK charity. Mr. Chirichella is currently an ordained
deacon with the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. where he also
sings in the Adult Choir. In his spare time, Mr. Chirichella enjoys
reading, hiking, choral singing, writing and spending time with
friends.
Thomas F. Conniff – Trustee
Qualifications
Mr. Conniff is a retired Verizon Manager, having
worked at various locations in the New York City area. During his 32
years being of employment by Verizon, originally starting with New
York Telephone, he held positions in Marketing, Interexchange
Carrier Services and finally with Carrier Access Billing. Mr.
Conniff was responsible for the security and access to the corporate
billing system. Prior to working for Verizon, Mr. Conniff worked for
the New York Central Railroad, beginning in the Operations
department ending his career at the railroad as District Sales
Manager-National Accounts. Mr. Conniff holds a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Business from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New
Jersey.
Mr. Conniff has been involved with Saint Mary’s
Church in Plainfield, NJ where he was appointed as the parish’s
representative to the Union County Deanery. He served as a
Eucharistic Minister in the parish as well as to the patients in
Muhlenberg Hospital. He is also involved in the Saint Mary’s
Plainfield Dinner Program in which he coordinates cooks and serves a
hot meal to those in need , which numbers 100 plus on the 3rd.
Sunday of each month. At the same time Mr. Conniff has been active
in the Saint Joseph High School Father’s Club since 1983 where he
has served on different committees and was elected to various club
officer positions including that of President. He continues to be
active at Saint Joseph High School as different projects arise.
Lawrence M. Millus - Trustee
Qualifications
Mr. Millus is a retired New York City Police Sergeant
and is currently the Community Service Director for Bernards and
Bedminster Townships. He and his staff supervise approximately one
hundred individuals assigned community service by various courts. These
individuals supplement township employees performing numerous tasks
including; furniture pick ups, roadway litter removal, graffiti removal,
construction projects and administrative work. Community service workers
are also assigned to assist non-profit facilities and various religious
institutions.
Mr. Millus conducts annual troop drives supplying
soldiers in combat zones with items ranging from cookies to bullet proof
vest. He has coordinated the delivery of over 25,000 pounds of goods to
date. He conducted a Hurricane Katrina Drive that raised 40,000 dollars,
7000 Lbs. of food and five truck loads of clothing to assist the victims
of the disaster. He is also involved with New Jersey Blood Services
coordinating numerous blood drives in Bernards and Bedminster Townships.
Mr. Millus holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational
Management, a Master of Science in Organization Management and a Master
of Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College in New York.
Qualifications
Mr. Roth joined the board in 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in German Studies/Economics from Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois, and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global
Management in Glendale, Arizona. He is a CFA and CAIA charter
holder, and has Series 3, 7 and 63 securities licenses and over 20
years of financial experience. He has been a volunteer for several
years with Furniture Assist, primarily in furniture pickup.
Peggy Rothbaum, PhD – Trustee
Qualifications
Dr. Peggy Rothbaum is a psychologist in private practice in Westfield. She works with adults, couples, parents, and children. In addition to patients who are depressed, anxious or stressed, she has special expertise in recovering from trauma and abuse, chronic illness and disability, and learning and development issues. She is also a trained and experienced researcher and author of numerous published articles and book chapters for professional and general audiences. She has consulted and conducted workshops on how to use psychological principles to improve coping and avoid burnout in healthcare, psychotherapy, business, and teaching.
Recently, she began writing more for general audiences in order to bring her passion and knowledge to the community. She has authored or co-authored several newspaper Op-Ed pieces on healthcare and coping with trauma.
For this same reason, she is active in community organizations. She is proud to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she helps to coordinate the efforts of non-profit organizations and area businesses, including Furniture Assist. She is thrilled to be a Board member of Furniture Assist.
Jennifer Scott - Trustee
Qualifications
Ms. Scott is a Marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience at
global professional and financial services organizations. She is
currently a Senior Marketing Manager for Deloitte. Her expertise is in
marketing strategy, product development, branding, marketing
communications, and business development. She has significant external
and internal client exposure, is creative, results-oriented, able to
handle several projects at once and meet tight deadlines. As a member of
Deloitte’s National Marketing Group, she led all marketing activities
for multiple IMOs, including SOX/GRC, Global Employer Rewards and
Talent. IMOs are multifunctional services that respond to complex
business needs. She has an MBA in Finance from Fordham University (New
York, NY) in July 1990 and a BA in International Business from the
University. of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) in May 1985.
Kassie Smith - Trustee/Treasurer
Qualifications
Kassie Moran-Smith joined the Board of Trustees in Jan of 2007. She is a
stay at home mom of three boys. Two of them are in grammar school and
one is in pre-school. Kassie went to Pace University, and works
part-time in the accounting field. Along with that she works part-time
at the YMCA, for the sports department and filling in for other similar
departments when needed. Tuesday nights are for volleyball and date
night with her husband Shawn, of 10 years. A consultant with Creative
Memories, Kassie sells just enough to others, to keep up the scrapbooks
she makes for each of her children, but someday would love to be a team
leader. During the years after college Kassie volunteered for People for
Animals. Until very recently was a member of St. Mary’s Church in
Rahway, where she was born and raised. Now Kassie is an active member of
the First Presbyterian Church of Roselle.
Qualifications
Mr. Stierhoff is an Executive Vice President of the investments and
financial planning firm of R. Seelaus & Company, Inc. located in Summit,
New Jersey. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERtm practitioner, holds a
Series 7 general securities license and also holds life and health
insurance licenses. Mr. Stierhoff also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Economics from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He has spent
numerous years advising individuals and corporations in investment and
financial planning matters. Mr. Stierhoff is also the trustee of the
Henry S. and Agnes M Truzack Foundation, a private charitable
foundation. He is well versed in the various financial, management and
administrative functions that will require oversight and has specific
knowledge that will benefit the organization in its efforts to grow and
serve a greater number of individuals and families.
Sheila A. Wilten - Trustee/Secretary
Qualifications
Mrs. Wilten is President and founder of CompuSolve Computer Group, Inc.
located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She has been responsible for
computer systems design, writing, testing and implementing custom
applications, as well as, training and advising client firms on their
computer, technical and personnel needs. These firms have included state
organizations, non-profits and Fortune 500 corporations. She has
specialized in applications for the Web, personal computers and
mainframes. The applications have included all facets of business
applications, membership and fulfillment and insurance. She is well
versed in various computer and technical matters and will use these
skills to benefit the organization in its efforts to connect those in
need with available inventory. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science from Notre Dame of St. John's University. Her computer
training was received as a Systems Engineer for IBM.
Mrs. Wilten has been involved in volunteer work including teaching, the
hospitality network and various food banks. She has also been in charge
of producing newsletters for a community-based group.
Chris Wronski. - Trustee
Qualifications:
Mr. Wronski is an Executive Director at the Investment Banking /
Brokerage firm of Morgan Stanley. As a Business Analyst in the
Finance and Information technologies areas he has been actively
involved in data and project management of varying scales both here
in the US and London offices. Mr. Wronski has spent 23 years at
Morgan Stanley and has an established expertise in data/data
sources, infrastructure, process and operations. Mr. Wronski holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bucknell University in
Lewisburg, PA and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance
from Fordham University in New York, NY.
Along with his wife, Mr. Wronski has been intimately involved in
the capacity of coach, mentor, volunteer and fan in the numerous
activities of his three sons over the last 22 years. Mr. Wronski has
been an active volunteer at Furniture Assist since 2007 and has been
both a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at the Holy Trinity Roman
Catholic Church in Westfield since 2000.
C. Dawson Yeomans - Trustee-President
Qualifications
Mr. Yeomans has recently retired and is the original founder of
Furniture Assist, Inc. His career was in Computer systems design and in
the founding, rescuing and growing the companies responsible for those
systems. He was normally among the senior managements for the program
and the company. Beginning with the development of systems for the US
government's anti-Submarine Warfare program, the development of the Golf
Handicap and Information Network (GHIN®) for the USGA®, the Director of
Computer Systems for the Casino Association of New Jersey, the
Vice-President of Computer Systems for President Casinos, Inc. and
finally in the design/development of a web-based computer system for the
state of New Jersey.
Mr. Yeomans has been involved in volunteer work throughout his career.
From sitting on Advisory boards for Community Colleges (Raritan Valley
and Atlantic City) and Non-Profits (Goodwill Industries, Inc.) to active
outreaches of his church. He brings to this effort his skills in
designing, planning, budgeting and organizing large scale operations.
Mr. Yeomans holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the
University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.
