Board Of Directors

Ken Berger, President
Spectrum360

As Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Ken manages the day-to-day operations of Spectrum360, and advocates for public funding and legislation to support individuals with special needs. With decades of nonprofit leadership and direct service experience, Ken has focused on efforts to transform the entire social sector (philanthropy, nonprofits and for profit social enterprises).

Ken serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers, ASAH (a statewide association of NJ private special education schools), the Alliance of Special Education Schools of Northern NJ, Grafton Integrated Health Network(a Virginia-based nonprofit serving children and adults with behavioral health challenges) and Able Angel (a nonprofit focused on driving more money to Able accounts which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families). In addition, he continues in efforts to improve the social sector as a whole by co-hosting a podcast that launched over the summer of 2023 called “For Goodness Sake!” that helps nonprofits of all kinds to improve their performance.

Dr. Linda Myers, Past President
Kennedy Krieger Institute

Dr. Linda Myers is the vice president of School Autism Services, Research, and Professional Development for the Kennedy Krieger Institute. In addition she holds a faculty position as an assistant professor in the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), as well as a Faculty appointment with the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In her current position, Dr. Myers is responsible for organizing the delivery of comprehensive high quality evidence-based practices for students with autism in the areas of curriculum, instruction, employee training and professional development in autism, and best clinical practices. She reviews all proposals for research to be conducted in the school programs and serves as Principal Investigator on approved studies. Dr. Myers also currently serves on Maryland’s Advisory Committee for the Home and Community Services Autism Waiver; and on the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) Board of Directors as Conference Committee Chair, and on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Centers (MANSEF).

Dr. W. Allen Clark, Vice President
Trousdale School

Allen began working at Trousdale School in 2011, a non-degree post-secondary program for adults, 22 years of age or older, with intellectual disabilities.  He has campus, transportation and education oversight.  His favorite jobs at Trousdale School are analyzing the student assessment data and building props for the annual musical.  Allen has a MBA from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, an Educational Specialist degree and an Educational Doctorate in Professional Practice degree from Lee University, plus a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Allen has been elected to the NAPSEC Board of Directors since 2018 and continuously served on the finance committee.  

 Allen’s wife, Shannon (NCASES Commissioner), also works at Trousdale School and they have two teenagers. In his spare time, Allen serves on several boards including the Eagle Scout Board for the Ocoee District.  He especially enjoys watching TN Vol football, Go Vols!

Mike Kelly, Treasurer
Boston Higashi School

Coming Soon.

Elizabeth D.R. Becker, Esq., CASA Chair
Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS)

An attorney by profession with a career devoted to consensus-building, Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker was named in the spring of 2019 as only the third Executive Director in the 40-year history of the Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Private Schools (MAAPS). She oversees all aspects of MAAPS’ operations and strategy and serves as MAAPS’ top liaison to state, local, and federal officials, regulators, and policymakers. Prior to MAAPS, Elizabeth served as senior legal counsel and Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), the 1,300-employee, $900M (annual revenue) quasi-public agency that operates Logan International Airport and airport and port facilities in Boston, Bedford, and Worcester. Prior to Massport, Elizabeth served for 6 years as a senior attorney and major project negotiator for the City of Boston in the administration of Mayor Thomas M. Menino. She earned her juris doctor from Suffolk University Law School, where she focused on special-education law, and her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College. A Boston native, Elizabeth as a girl attended MAAPS member Landmark School, which serves students in grades 2-12 with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities. Elizabeth and her husband live north of Boston and are parents of three young children.

Jonathan Evans, Membership Committee Chair
ACCEL

Jonathan Evans has been teaching and working with students with developmental disabilities including autism since 2001. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, a Master’s degree in Cross Categorical Special Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Arizona State University. Jonathan has been a Special Education administrator since 2011. Special Education is a passion of Jonathan’s and there is nothing more exciting for him than seeing his students succeed. His educational philosophy is to make sure that all of his students achieve a life of dignity and self worth.

Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. He also enjoys traveling internationally, outdoor activities, spending time in the mountains or at the beach, and watching his children play sports.

Steve Girelli, Governance Committee Chair
Raymond Hill School

Coming Soon.

Kathleen Flannery, Conference Committee Chair
Sheppard Pratt Schools

Kathy Flannery, MEd, is vice president and chief of schools. With more than 20 years of special education experience, Kathy has served at Sheppard Pratt as a teacher, curriculum instruction, and assessment coordinator, and an Assistant Principal. Throughout her tenure, she spent 17 years working with students ranging from ages 3-21 diagnosed with autism. Kathy has experience developing instructional and behavioral programming for all age and grade levels, and has sound knowledge of evidence-based practices for teaching individuals with autism to gain skills. She earned her bachelor of science in elementary education and a master of education in reading education from Towson University, Towson, MD. She holds certification from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in both elementary and special education. Kathy is currently a board member for the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) and The Autism Society Baltimore-Chesapeake Affiliate (ASBC).

Aaron Parsons, Public Policy Chair
Kennedy Krieger Institute

Dr. Aaron Parsons is the vice president of school programs for Kennedy Krieger Institute. As a member of the Special Education Administration, Dr. Parsons is responsible for oversight of several of the Institute’s school programs, as well as supervision of admissions, regulatory compliance and transition services. He also supervises psychological and behavioral services in the schools and works with a broad, multi-disciplinary leadership team. Additionally, Dr. Parsons supervises the School Programs' IS department, who are critical to administering distance learning. Dr. Parsons remains active in many areas of policy affecting children and adults with disabilities.

Marty Matheson, At Large
ScenicView Academy

Marty is the Executive Director of ScenicView Academy in Provo, Utah, which is a nonprofit that serves young adults with Autism and other neurodiversities. In addition to the NAPSEC Board, Marty also participates on other local and national committees and associations. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he was the Clinical Director at ScenicView for 7 years. Marty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and was a therapist and administrator for 14 years in community mental health prior to joining ScenicView. Marty is an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University, teaching graduate and undergraduate students in Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. Marty enjoys providing therapy to adults through his own private practice and he loves training and supervising new therapists. Marty has visited 30 countries and has been to all 50 United States with his own travels and with several performing groups. He enjoys his hobby of acting in plays, films, and television productions.

Marty is very happy to be serving on the NAPSEC Board. He loves the opportunity to connect with professionals from many schools and programs. ScenicView Academy has benefited in many ways from being associated with NAPSEC including being accredited with NCASES.

Dan Petrie, At Large
Mountain Valley Child and Family Services
Mountain Valley Academy

Dan Petrie is the Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Valley Child and Family Services and Mountain Valley Academy in Northern California.  Dan started his career as a direct care counselor at a small group home in a mountain community working with troubled teens.  He started at Mountain Valley during his undergraduate studies as a mental health worker and has worked in positions of progressive responsibility for the past 35 years culminating in being appointed CEO in 2015.  Dan has a BA and MA in Psychology, 1^st and 2^nd degree black belts in Kuk Sool Won, and is currently training for 3^rd degree black belt. He has 5 children, 8 grandchildren and enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking – anything outdoors and active.  He lives with his wife of 24 years on her family’s ranch in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, which is also the location of Mountain Valley Academy.  Dan also serves on the board of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services as the chair of the Education Committee and as a commissioner for NCASES.  Dan still enjoys working with the students directly and leads a job training program for a few hours each week teaching vocational skills on fire mitigation and conservation projects around the ranch. 

Anna Gleason, At Large
Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc.

Anna Gleason has served Summitview Child & Family Services, Inc. for the past 29 years. After graduating from Oregon State University, Anna followed her passion for serving others through working with youth and families with backgrounds of complex trauma, mental illness, and behavioral issues.  Anna, as CEO, has led this program in increasing mental health services, expanding educational opportunities for those served, and representing best practices for youth and families in this region as well as statewide. During Anna’s tenure, she has obtained and sustained national accreditation for Summitview and ensured that all practices are trauma informed and culturally relevant. 

Though Anna began at Summitview directly working residentially with the youth, she expanded the agency in comprehensive mental health programs through residential facilities, non-public school classrooms, school-based wellness centers, substance abuse programs, crisis response, and outpatient services. Anna’s focus remains on permanency for youth, breaking down barriers for mental health treatment, and accessing one’s education. As an example of leadership, Anna actively participates via committees and board memberships with the California Alliance of Children and Family Services, the California Child Welfare Council’s CSEC Action Team and the Suicide Prevention Planning Committee.

Ray Damm, At Large
ACCEL 

Raymond Damm has been working with ACCEL since March of 2016, starting as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development Officer, and transitioning to the role of Chief Executive Officer in June of 2018. Ray holds a B.S. from The University of Virginia – Wise and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Having held executive positions in both the public and private sectors, Ray is driven to apply private sector best practices to sustainably address issues the public sector is driven to solve. This is especially true for underserved groups of individuals and those whose voice isn’t heard. He is motivated by ACCEL’s 400+ students and 100+ adults that overcome incredible obstacles each and every day. Outside of work, Ray is happiest spending time with family, making and repairing watches, playing golf and being in the mountains or on the beach.