Staff Profiles
National Office Staff
Executive Director
Dr. McManmon grew up the youngest son in a family of nine children. He is the father of six children and nine grandchildren. He received his B.A. in English from Mt. St. Mary's College in Maryland and went on for his Masters in Counseling from Shippensburg University.
He attended the University of Kansas for his Masters in Human Development through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. He obtained his Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Nevada. Subsequently, he was licensed as a Psychologist by the State of Massachusetts. He worked for state, private and non-profit organizations in several states prior to founding The Berkshire Center in 1984.
During his 35 years of experience with students with Learning Differences and Asperger's Syndrome, Dr. McManmon has worked on Curriculum Development, Staff Training, Program Evaluation, and Administering Community Based Programming. He is a member of the International Learning Disabilities Association and the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Dr. McManmon speaks and presents at Professional Conferences nationally and internationally. He has an inside perspective as he himself was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and grew up in a large family with several individuals on the spectrum.
Dr. McManmon has been certified as a family teacher through the Boys Town Center in Nebraska. He has served as a PTA President, School Board Member and Parish Council Member. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Lee Chamber of Commerce, coached in the Community Soccer League and basketball league, and is an avid gardener.
Dr. McManmon's program philosophy is to provide a loving and trusting environment in which personal growth can occur. The process includes honoring each individual's talents and assisting them in using their personal power to develop skills, meet their needs and thus live independently. This process is accomplished by hiring exemplary individuals, giving them the tools to operate and working as a team.
Executive Director's Assistant
Karri Ann Woodard was born and raised in Dalton, Massachusetts. She now lives in Peru, MA with her husband Charlie. She has a sixteen year old son, Zacheri and she spends much of her time watching him play football, basketball and his favorite sport baseball.
Karri attended Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA where she received her A.A. in Business Administration. Some of her hobbies include breeding and raising bulldogs. She also enjoys biking, reading and writing.
Caroline Wheeler, B.A.
National Admissions Director
Caroline Wheeler received her BA from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She is a certified high school and middle school teacher.
Caroline has been working with individuals with learning differences for many years, both as a special education teacher and as a case manager supervisor.
She is a Certified Educational Advocate and a Certified MCAS Tutor. Caroline also has taken graduate courses at Assumption College and Fitchburg State College. Caroline began her work at the Berkshire Center as an Advisor and as the Vocational Coordinator.
She then became interested in the admissions process and was Assistant to the Admissions Director for one year, after which she was thrilled to take the position of Director.
Caroline lives in Lee, Massachusetts where she enjoys gardening, hiking, photography, reading, biking, art, music, and traveling. Caroline also loves to spend time with her daughter Jennifer, who lives in central Massachusetts.
National Admissions Assistant
Maggi Sanderson holds a B.A. in English from Smith College and has been involved with admissions and marketing for special needs/therapeutic programs for nearly 15 years.
She assisted Eric M. Plakun, M.D., at the Austen Riggs Center in admissions and in his research and subsequent contributions to the DSM-III in defining diagnostic criteria for narcissistic, borderline, and schizotypal personality disorders, and schizophrenia.
For eight years she served as Director of Admissions at The DeSisto School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where she also supervised family casework, coordinated interdepartmental IEP development and implementation, and pursued funding options for students.
Maggi has traveled extensively as Director of Outreach for The King George School in Sutton, Vermont, and as regional representative for referral development for Brown Schools, Inc.
A staunch proponent of the arts and historic preservation, Maggi has also served as dramaturg and assistant to both Managing and Artistic Directors at the Berkshire Theatre Festival and as Director of Marketing and Visitor Services at Hancock Shaker Village.
Her greatest loves are her daughter, Greer, age 24, a freelance writer; her cat; and reading, writing and cooking.
Heather Greene, M.B.A.
National Business Manager
Heather joined the College Internship Program in July 2005. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and her M.B.A. from Sage Graduate School.
For the past five years, she was living and working in the United Kingdom as an accounting contractor in telecommunication and banking industries.
She relocated back to the States in February 2005. Prior to that, Heather worked for ten years as a Financial Controller for NorthEast Health in Cohoes, N.Y. She currently enjoys life in the Berkshires with her son, Jordan and is kept very busy attending his sporting events. Heather also enjoys skiing, horseback riding, running, reading, and traveling.
Sara Siu, B.S.
National HR/Finance Assistant
Sara grew up in Honk Kong and came to America 17 years ago. She lived, worked, and studied in New Hampshire for past 7 years. She has been relocated back to upstate New York to be close with her parents. She was graduated from Granite State College and received B.S. in Human Resources Management.
Sara was an assistant manager for her family's business for many years. Then she has opportunity to be a part-time finance assistant, administrative assistant, and HR assistant while she was completing her college degree. When she was an administrative assistant, she worked in the department of Special Education Teacher Training (SETT) Program. She has developed precious friendships with her colleagues and it was a corner stone for her professional career. Sara feels that it is something special for her to work for CIP now.
Sara loves her church and desire to be a positive influence to her community. She likes Bible study, reading, watch TV and wide range of sports such as hiking, walking, indoor rock claiming, tennis, table tennis, swimming etc.
Dan McManmon, B.A.
National Marketing Coordinator
Dan McManmon was born and raised in western Massachusetts by his parents Michael and Linda. Growing up he enjoyed playing sports and working on various art projects.
Dan attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont where he received his B.A. in Multimedia and Graphic Design.
Some of his hobbies include producing music, maintaining his music production website, freelance graphic design, and going out with his friends. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, and playing with his dogs.
Bloomington Center Staff
Karen Thomas, M.S. Special Education
Program Director
As a special educator, Karen has supported young adults with developmental disabilities including those with autism spectrum disorders in secondary classrooms and community settings in the Bloomington area for the last 15 years. For 6 years she directed and coordinated a post secondary service for Bloomington students 18 to 21 years old. Karen's believes that curriculum and instruction is most effective when it is person centered, student directed, and related to real life experiences.
Through the years Karen has built collaborative partnerships with Bloomington community organizations, adult service agencies, local business leaders, Indiana University, and Ivy Tech Community College. These partnerships have increased student opportunities for social connections, employment options and successful college experiences both academically and socially. Karen also encourages involvement in the arts as a means of personal expression and has worked with local writers, artists, musicians, and university students to develop and promote inclusive media and arts programs.
Digital story telling is one of Karen's interest areas. She has been teaching students with autism, Asperger Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities to use a variety of technology tools (e.g., PowerPoint, video, digital photography, augmentative communication devices) to tell their own personal stories and direct their own planning conferences.
Karen has presented on topics related to transition issues, self-determination, self advocacy and technology at local, statewide and national conferences. She has directed and produced two videos focused on transition and creating family-school partnerships. She has also supported numerous student authored videos and PowerPoint presentations. Karen has co-authored an article that appeared in the journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.
Donald Weller, Ph.D., HSPP
Psychologist
Dr. Weller grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois and received his BA in English Literature (Major) and Special Education (Minor) from Hobart College in Geneva, New York in 1991. He then received his MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York in 1993.
In 2002, Dr. Weller received his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He completed his APA accredited Clinical Internship training at Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin in 2001. He received his endorsement as a Health Service Provider in Psychology in the state of Indiana in October 2007.
Dr. Weller has 13 years experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health and behavioral support needs in a variety of residential, employment, community, clinical, and correctional settings. He has worked for supported employment agencies, independent living centers, community mental health centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and community correctional centers.
His general theoretical approach is described as person centered emphasizing the use of cognitive behavioral techniques. Dr. Weller entered the field because of a strong belief that all people should be supported in identifying and maximizing their abilities to reach desired educational, vocational, and social goals.
In addition to Dr. Weller's position at The College Internship Program/The Bloomington Center, he works in a private practice in Bloomington where he works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a broad spectrum of emotional, behavioral, and social concerns. Further, he works for The Mental Health Alliance of Monroe County as the Jail Diversion Coordinator in the Monroe County Correctional Center.
In this position he links non-violent incarcerated individuals with chronic mental health, developmental disability, and co-occurring substance abuse issues with appropriate community/correctional treatment options rather than face incarceration. He also serves as a consulting therapist for Catholic Charities of South Central Indiana.
Dr. Weller is married. His wife, Mary, is a Research Associate at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. Dr. Weller has a service dog named, Luna, who accompanies him everywhere and is a great attention getter. He enjoys spending time with his wife, friends, eating out on Saturday night, and watching NASCAR, the Colts, and IU Basketball "Go Hoosier's!"
Leah Sinn, B.A.
Advisor / Medications Coordinator / Special Therapies
Leah grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. During her high school years, Leah volunteered and worked with learning different and disabled individuals. To continue her interest in classical saxophone and also psychology, Leah attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.
She received her B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Music from Lawrence University. Throughout her four years at Lawrence, Leah devoted her free time to working at the Volunteer and Community Service Center, where she gained experience helping a variety of populations. After graduation, Leah moved back to Bloomington where she began her career in social services.
In her free time, Leah enjoys being with her family and friends, traveling, music, theater, creative arts, cooking, and outdoor activities. Additionally, she is active as a youth leader in her church.
Diana Reynolds, B.A.
Student Advisor / Vocational Coordinator
Diana grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After graduating, she worked as a substitute teacher in the local school systems until taking a position as Youth Worker with the Tulip Tree Council of Girl Scouts, working with young girls targeted as being “at risk”.
Diana has worked with people with developmental disabilities since 1989. She has worked as an Independent Living Skills Instructor, Supported Employment Specialist, and Team Leader of the Habilitation Program at a Sheltered Workshop. Diana was a case manager for the Medicaid Waiver program for seven years. Her past experience includes developing opportunities for both paid and volunteer work, community involvement, and community connections. She has experience in the development of individualized supports for both employment and community participation.
When not working, Diana enjoys spending time with her two boys who are 11 and 14. She also manages her family's rental properties. Diana enjoys playing music, singing, hiking, camping and traveling. She also enjoys animals and has two dogs and three cats.
Trevor Eller
Residential Coordinator
Raised in Southeastern Michigan Trevor had the unique experience of a costume tailored home school experience for his High School years.
He studied religion at the Bryn Athyn College out side of Philadelphia for a year and attend Wayne State Universities musical school in Detroit. He is a certified yoga instructor and has studied holistic healing therapies as a hobby.
Trevor worked as a guitar teacher and yoga instructor in Ann Arbor Michigan for seven years before moving to Bloomington. He has been teaching music for over 9 years and teaching yoga for 6 years and practicing yoga for over 11. Soon after the opening of CIP Bloomington Trevor worked as full time residential staff. He left for a few semesters to experience living as a free lance traveling musician and yoga instructor. Now he is happily back at CIP serving as the residential staff coordinator.
Trevor has worked as a cook in a number of kitchens and was part of the housekeeping staff at the Omega Institute. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys travel, hiking meditation, yoga and playing his guitar.
Sara Hunt
Administrative Assistant
Sarah was born and raised in Wisconsin where she lived until her family relocated to South Carolina where she graduated from high school and went on to the University of South Carolina to pursue a degree in Art History. She plans on returning to school this upcoming fall to pursue a Masters in Social Work.
Sarah developed a strong connection to the south central area of Indiana when her parents relocated to Brown County nearly twenty years ago. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, she moved to Bloomington and it was their home for many years until Sarah accepted a job offer in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. In July of 2007 they were delighted to have the opportunity return to this wonderfully diverse town where they regularly enjoy attending so many of the outstanding arts and cultural events available.
Sarah has spent the last twelve years working in the office management and administrative field and is looking forward to lending her experience to the CIP Bloomington Center. In addition to her position at the Bloomington Center, she also works part-time at a local advertising agency. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Kali Savannah, and their dog Red Rover, jewelry design, photography, music, writing, reading, and traveling.
Amy Barnhill, B.A.
Social Thinking Instructor
Amy moved to Bloomington in October 2007 from Seattle Washington and joined the CIP staff in December. She received her BA in Psychology from Arizona State University. She has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 1996 and is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis.
Before moving to Bloomington, Amy was employed as a Program Manager at Northwest Behavioral Associates in the state of Washington for 7 years. During this time she provided direct intervention to individuals on the autism spectrum, developed individualized educational programs in the areas of language, academics, functional routines, and social skills, created and implemented behavior plans, and consulted with local school districts.
In 2003, Amy established Northwest Behavioral Associates' Social Skills Training Program. During her time running this program it expanded to include 13 total social skills groups and over 40 students with a variety of skill levels.
In addition to her work at CIP, Amy is employed by the Monroe County School District as an ABA consultant. In her free time she enjoys music, traveling, the outdoors, working on small house projects and spending time with family and friends. She is excited for the opportunity to work with the students of CIP and is looking forward to the learning experiences that this position will bring!
Evelyn Davis
Student Advisor
Evelyn was born in Detroit, MI and has lived all over the eastern half of the country. She has completed a program of study for jazz and jazz arranging at the School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA.
Before moving to Bloomington two years ago, Evelyn was living in Chicago and teaching piano and voice lessons in Northbrook, IL. Having piano students on the autism spectrum first sparked Evelyn’s interest in Aspergers, and consequently, drew her to work at CIP. She is currently studying classical music composition at Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University, and continues to teach piano to CIP students as well as others from the community including individuals on the spectrum.
Evelyn’s interests are wide-ranging. She is interested in gardening, she does yoga everyday, and she is a voracious reader, especially of British literature, historical fiction, and modernist literature. After learning how to use her sewing machine, Evelyn has begun making clothes from period patterns (ranging at the moment from the 40s to the 50s), and has recently embarked upon a Gluten Free Casein Free diet to study its effects and ease of accessibility, and possible applications to her work at CIP.
Wellness and nutritional healing are a central focus of her life, and have been integral in helping Evelyn to achieve and maintain peace and balance, as well as a nimble and focused mindset. These principles are important tenets of her advising philosophy.
Mark Cassello
Academic Coordinator
Mark was born outside Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Northwest Indiana before relocating to Bloomington in 2004. Prior to returning to college, he was a musician, worked in retail management for Wal-Mart and Office Depot, and founded a successful computer consulting firm.
Originally a secondary education major, Mark received a BA in English from Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana. Currently a Ph.D. student in American Literature at Indiana University, he specializes the work of Jean Toomer, Sherwood Anderson, and Richard Wright. In addition to working for CIP, he is an Associate Instructor of Composition for Indiana University.
When not working, Mark is interested in music, film, and computers. His love of literature and technology converged when he led an internet campaign to release Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet . With the assistance of fans from around the globe, Mark lobbied Warner Bros. and served as a liaison between Branagh’s Shepperton Studios and studio executives. In August 2007, to the delight of Shakespeare aficionados, Warner Bros. released the film on DVD worldwide.