Leadership

Traci Gruenberger
Chair
Jeff Bernick
Vice Chair
Greg Natvig
Secretary
Ryan Sherman
Treasurer
Traci Gruenberger     |     Chair     |     Mosaic in Arizona

Traci Gruenberger's career has been dedicated to helping support people, mostly people with a developmental disability. She is passionate about ensuring every person has personalized services and supports. She brought that passion with her to her role as the Executive Director at Mosaic in Arizona where she joined the team in August 2016. Mosaic in Arizona provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities live a full life. Prior to joining the staff at Mosaic, she worked at East Valley Adult Resources in Mesa, serving as the Chief Operating Officer from 2014 to 2016. She spent 16 years at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, acting in a variety of progressive roles during her time there.

Traci received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and attended Alliance Theological Seminary. She lives in Chandler with her husband Michael, two daughters and three cats. 

Jeff Bernick     |     Vice Chair     |     TCH

Jeff took his first tour of TCH’s facility in 2010 and was immediately drawn to its compelling mission. He subsequently served on the TCH board of directors for seven years, including two years as its chairman. Jeff has a B.A. from Boston University and a J.D. from the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law.

Prior to becoming TCH’s CEO, he practiced management side labor and employment law at a local and national law firm, where he held various leadership positions. In addition, Jeff was also recognized on multiple occasions as a leading lawyer in his practice area by virtually every peer and client rating service, including; Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell, Chambers are Partners USA, and Southwest Super Lawyer.

Greg Natvig     |     Secretary     |     Beacon Group

Greg Natvig is the President/CEO of Beacon Group.  Beacon Group’s mission is to create opportunities for people with disabilities.  He has been with Beacon since 2008 and previously served as Vice President of Business Operations.  In his role he is responsible to grow employment and other opportunities for people with significant disabilities through job growth, workforce development and advocacy.  Greg’s experience before Beacon Group was in marketing, operations and general management of manufacturing and service companies.  Greg also previously served on the Board of Directors for Peoria Production Shop, an Illinois non-profit that is a premiere employer of individuals with disabilities.

Ryan Sherman     |     Treasurer     |     Arizona Autism Services

Ryan is an entrepreneur with a proven track record of accomplishment both academically and as a business owner. He is the founder of Canaan Health which encompasses multiple companies specializing in all aspects of developmental disabilities. Canaan Health includes companies that serve the developmentally disabled through the lifespan. The company has agencies in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico; all are providers of home and community based Medicaid waivers. Canaan health services over 5000 individuals for both skilled and non skilled specialties including therapies, habilitation, respite, attendant care, nursing, employment, and group home services.

Canaan Health also specializes in custom built software applications to solve unique workflow problems in the niche market of I/DD. Therapy Corner and Direct Care Connect are EMR systems that provide Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) solution that also has a billing and human resource module including payroll.

Ryan is a proud member of AAPPD and continues to advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities in the South West. 

Wendy Shaw
Immediate Past Chair
Monica Attridge
Vice Chair District North
Armando Bernasconi
Vice Chair District North
Diane Logan
Vice Chair District South
Wendy Shaw     |     Immediate Past Chair     |     AIRES - LLC

Wendy Shaw is the President & CEO of AIRES LLC, an organization serving over 600 people in the state of Arizona.  AIRES provides a wide variety of services and supports primarily to people with developmental disabilities and the elderly. 

Wendy started her career with AIRES 16 years ago as District Director and has served as the CEO for the last 4 years.  Wendy has over 27 years of experience in the field, from direct support professional to creating and implementing rules and regulations for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities. 

She also is an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Early Intervention Infant and Toddler Program and previously served on the Social Services Contractors Indemnity Pool Board of Trustees for 5 years and The Children and Family Alliance for 6 years. 

Monica Attridge     |     Vice Chair District North     |     Hozhoni Foundation

Monica Attridge is the President and CEO of the Hozhoni Foundation in Flagstaff, Prescott and Cottonwood.  Hozhoni serves about 150 adults with intellectual disabilities in residential, day and vocational programs.

Monica has a diverse background, including a degree in Accounting and certification as a CPA.  She spent 2 years as Vice-President of Programs with TCH, The Centers for Habilitation, after 14 years in legislative lobbying, association management (for AAPPD, the statewide provider organization and other related industries) and advocating for services and supports for children and adults with chronic illness and disabilities.  Monica serves on the City of Flagstaff’s Commission for Inclusion and Adaptive Living, and the State Newborn Screening Advisory Committee.  She finds her current work by far the most rewarding of her varied careers and loves living in Northern Arizona with her husband and daughter.

Armando Bernasconi     |     Vice Chair District North     |     Quality Connections

Armando H. Bernasconi was born and raised in the town of Guadalupe, Arizona. He moved to Flagstaff in 1994 to attend Northern Arizona University. From 1994 to 1999 Armando attended Northern Arizona University and dedicated his time to providing employment and in-home supports to the Flagstaff’s disabled community. In 1999, Armando and his wife Melissa co-founded Quality Connections Inc. (QC). The mission was to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and other disadvantages. Armando served as Chief Operations Officer until 2013 when he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer. Armando led QC in the development of several innovative programs, which provide services to people with disabilities, our community’s most vulnerable. Armando sits on the Executive Committee of the Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD), and serves on the State of Arizona Set-Aside Committee. He resides in Flagstaff with his wife Melissa, and their daughter Gabriela.

Diane Logan     |     Vice Chair District South     |     AIRES - LLC

Diane Logan is an Iowa native with a Bachelor’s degree in education who taught special education in the public and private setting for a few years after college.  She has been working in the I/DD provider community in Arizona for over 35 years starting as a Direct Support Professional.  Diane has been with AIRES for over 15 years and currently holds the position of VP/COO. She was with another AZ provider for over 20 years before that.  Diane has experience with many I/DD services including residential, independent living, day programs for children and adults, in-home support services, pediatric therapy, early intervention, and employment services. In addition to working for provider organizations, Diane was a CARF International accreditation surveyor for nearly 10 years.

Bob Bennetti
Vice Chair District South
Gina Judy
Vice Chair District South
Cletus Thiebeau
Vice Chair District Central
Darrell Wright
Vice Chair District Central
Bob Bennetti     |     Vice Chair District South     |     Tucson Residence Foundation
Gina Judy     |     Vice Chair District South     |     Easter Seals Blake Foundation

Gina K. Judy, Easterseals Blake Foundation Board Member and the founder of Pledge to Prevent, brings 40 years of community integrated residential expertise and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Arizona.  

Ms. Judy completed her doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership and possesses a Masters Degree in Organizational Management. She continues to be recognized for her advanced practice of authentic leadership and her ability to improve the performance of groups.

Ms. Judy actively supports providers and professional in the I/DD industry through her Mastering Management and Supervision Series, Advancing A Culture of Success. 

On an international level, Ms. Judy is recognized as one of the leading experts in individualized program development for individuals with unique challenges. She has developed and implemented a wide variety of community integrated services for individuals in rural communities that have been recognized as model programs in the field of developmental disabilities.

On a state level, Ms. Judy has held a variety of appointments and has actively participated in numerous collaborative efforts that have emphasized positive movement and change in service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages. She currently holds several state appointments including an appointment on the State Medicaid Advisory Committee.

Ms. Judy has served on the State Medicaid Advisory Committee, Arizona’s Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council, and has been Arizona’s representative to the American Network of Community Options and Resources. 

Ms. Judy has chaired the Residential Subcommittee of the Sustainability and Innovation Work Group and has worked for the past several years to explore new service options and the future of residential care through a variety of formats including Framing the Future of Residential Services in Arizona and Residential Forum events. 

These offices and a past position as Executive Director of a statewide organization committed to ensuring quality of life for individuals with disabilities has provided an excellent foundation to continue her strong advocacy role for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

With a strong belief that within the heart of each community everyone belongs, Ms. Judy continues to advance public policy, develop integrated opportunities, and implement sustainable services rich with uniqueness, mobility, diversity, and choice.

Cletus Thiebeau     |     Vice Chair District Central     |     VALLEYLIFE

Cletus Thiebeau started his career with VALLEYLIFE in 1996 as a member of the VALLEYLIFE Board of Directors. In 2003, he accepted the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his work at VALLEYLIFE, Cletus had a distinguished career in the commercial financial services industry working with both national and international companies.

Cletus received a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance at Florida State University and a master's degree in business administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. 

When asked how he feels about his work at VALLEYLIFE, Cletus states, “I have the best job in the world. I get the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people every day.”

Darrell Wright     |     Vice Chair District Central     |     Arizona Mentor

Darrell A. Wright, an Arizona native, has been an advocate for children and families in Arizona for over 20 years. He is passionate about ensuring each person’s right to achieve their full potential regardless of physical, intellectual and behavioral limitations. Darrell currently serves as the Executive Director of Arizona Mentor, offering adults, children and families innovative quality service that lead to growth and independence. Darrell holds an advanced degree in business administration.  

Kelli O'Toole
Vice Chair District Central
Lindsey Coleman
Vice Chair District East
Manuel Salazar
Vice Chair District East
Christine Saeva
Vice Chair District West
Kelli O'Toole     |     Vice Chair District Central     |     The Opportunity Tree

Kelli O’Toole joined the Opportunity Tree as CEO in May of 2017.  She has a diverse background in finance and non-profit leadership.  Kelli is a passionate leader with success in organizational transformation based on data and outcomes.

Kelli began her non-profit career at Central Arizona Shelter Services in the finance department.  In 2009 Kelli moved over to STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services) and served as their COO.  While at STARS Kelli realized her true passion in the non-profit field was supporting and working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Kelli leads The Opportunity Tree team in providing high quality, person-centered supports that focus on long-term sustainability and innovation.  In addition to her role at The Opportunity Tree, Kelli also serves on the board of the Arizona chapter of The Association for People Supporting Employment First.

Kelli earned her Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Leadership.  In her free time, she enjoys her family, traveling, cooking and eating.

Lindsey Coleman     |     Vice Chair District East     |     Alexander's Abilities

Lindsey Coleman has been with Alexander’s Abilities, Inc. since 2003. During her tenure, she has served the company in many facets, from Direct Support Staff to Administrator and Executive.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Special Education from Arizona State University. Lindsey also holds an Arizona Teaching Certificate and taught elementary special education in the Kyrene School District. 

Manuel Salazar     |     Vice Chair District East     |     RISE
Christine Saeva     |     Vice Chair District West     |     Family Partners

Christine Saeva has been the Executive Director for Family Partners, LLC since 2011.  Prior to that, Christine was the Director of the Developmental Home Program for six years with Family Partners, LLC.  Other professional experience includes three years of Case Management responsibilities with a large non-profit organization.  Christine has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University.

Christine has always been drawn to helping others and enjoys her role in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

Mike Homco
Vice Chair District West
Mike Homco     |     Vice Chair District West     |     One Step Beyond, Inc.

Mike Homco was One Step Beyond, Inc.’s first employee and is the current Arizona Executive Director for OSBI.  Mike was hired in August of 2003, 2 months before first opening our doors to serve Adults and Teens who have Intellectual Disabilities (ID). Right from the start, Mike showed an amazing level of passion for and commitment to our Mission, a natural ability to establish rapport with the adults and teens we serve, and an energy and enthusiasm to carry out successfully any project or responsibility delegated to him. Mike has valuable experience in many areas, such as, Developmental Home Licensing, Employment Services, DDD compliance, providing consultation to agencies regarding employment and day program services and works part-time as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). Mike and his wife Angie have two daughters, Mackenzie(6) and Avery (1), and reside in the Surprise area. During weekends, Mike provides on-going speech therapy for adults and children with disabilities.  

Mike holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies: Speech-Language Sciences and Technology with a minor in Public Administration, is also licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant and holds a Non-Profit Executive Leadership Certificate from ASU.  Mike has made it his career to work with adults and children with intellectual disabilities and is continuing his education to pursue his Master of Science in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology. Mike is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and partners with Westside Speech & Language Services to provide speech services.



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