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Junta Directiva
Board Chairperson:
MaryAnn Sciacca
MaryAnn Sciacca was employed with the Suffolk County Department of Public Works from 1973 to 2008. She was responsible for managing the day to day operations of the building division. Since 2012, Ms. Sciacca has been the Board President of Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. and has played a significant role in the functions of the organization. MaryAnn was the President of the Association for Better Conditions for the Disabled. In addition to being a Chairman for: Architectural Barriers Committee of Suffolk County, Suffolk County Handicap Advisory Board, Committee to Reach all Suffolk Handicapped (CRASH), and the Babylon Town Advisory Committee for the Disabled. Ms. Sciacca plays a vital role in the community as she places the importance on accessibility and access for people with disabilities.
Board Vice Chairperson:
Roderick Smith
Roderick Smith, a retired Police Detective and First Responder to both World Trade Center events. He retired from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department after 31 years of service with several Awards for Bravery. Upon retirement in 2003, he decided to pursued his passion which lead to a second career in Real Estate and Real Estate Investing, he is currently a Commercial Realtor with Century 21 Princeton Properties of Holbrook. In 2011 Roderick, became a Faculty Staff Member at SUNY – Stony Brook, School of Professional Development, in The Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. In 2013 he decided to leave SUNY – Stony Brook to become a Certified Prime for Life Instructor with The Stony Brook Drinking Driver Program and remained there until 2018. Roderick for the last 40 years has been very involved in the Special Needs Community. In the past he’s been a Certified Special Olympics Softball Coach. Although Roderick still pursues his passion in Real Estate, his greatest joy these days, is being a SILO Board Member and from what he’s been able to accomplish with the support of his own Board in being able to develop Suffolk County’s only stand-alone Little League Sanctioned Challenger Softball Program for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities. This highly respected program serves approximately 100 people and offers Little and Senior League divisions for boys and girls starting from age 4 and men and women well into their 50’s.
Secretary & Board Clerk:
Lori Connelly
Lori had a career for 20 years as a Sr. Office Assistant at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. For most of her career, she was secretary to the Principal and Assistant Principal of a Special Education High School. She excelled as a member of a large faculty providing guidance and support to an office staff and the faculty for the school. She is proficient in computers, Word, Excel, and office equipment. Lori graduated with a Regents Diploma from Syosset High School. She proudly served as President, Vice-President for the PTA at Connetquot’s School District, and was chairperson and Hospitality Coordinator from 1987-2000.Lori was caregiver for her disabled husband who suffered from Parkinson’s. In his memory, Lori is dedicating herself to public service while enjoying her retirement from Eastern Suffolk BOCES. She is looking forward to being a Board member and contributing to SILO’s mission.
Board Member:
Sophia Ardi
Since 2018, when joining the SILO board of Directors, Sophia Ardi has contributed to the development and implementation of content for articles throughout the organization. Sophia is actively present in several organizations: Able News, Town of Brookhaven Disability Task Force, Long Island ADAPT, and CDPAANY’s. Ms. Ardi is an advocate who is dedicated to empowering people with and without disabilities to working together to promote positive change. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Government & Politics from St. John’s University. In 2013, Sophia Ardi was injured a car accident that left her as a paraplegic. Prior to this, Sophia holds over 20 years in the advertising and marketing space.
Board Member:
Dawn Cookler
In 2013, Dawn Cookler joined the SILO Board. Ms. Cookler worked in the field of Market Research for 27 years, as well as working with the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Suffolk from 1988-2000 as a Tele-Touch Business Manager and Community Resource Specialist. Dawn received a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in Theatre 1987 and a Master’s in Health Administration in 1990. Dawn is involved in many groups and programs across Long Island to assist the community. She also places high priority on the accessibility issues in the community as she is a member of Barrier Busters of SILO that works to ensure businesses, complexes, restaurants are accessible for everyone. Dawn is an athlete and currently competes in the sport of powerlifting.
Board Member:
Peter Raymond
Peter G. Raymond is a semi-retired commercial and private banker, with over 35 years of experience in the financial industry, servicing high net worth clients. His proven leadership and strong management skills, coupled with directing teams as they oversee client relationships, has made him a well-rounded individual in the Long Island business sector.
He has been a member of several charitable and business organizations, where the goals have been the advancement of the Long Island Community. These groups include:
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The Lymphoma and Epilepsy Foundation
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St. Vincent De Paul’s family resources
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Melville Chamber of Commerce
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IMA
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Garden City Chamber of Commerce
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Nassau and Suffolk Bar Associations
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ABLI Association for a Better Long Island
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Good Samaritan University Hospital Advisory Committee
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YMCA
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Youth Empowerment
Peter is currently part of a team working to establish an organization to combat youth and young adult social and mental awareness. They are in partnership with the YMCA and Good Samaritan University Hospital to provide workshops to young community members who are experiencing mental health issues. These relationships will bring considerable value to the SILO Organization.
Peter has been married for 28 years with young adult twin daughters. He currently resides in Manorville, NY.