Futures HealthCore & Futures Education

Biographies

FuturesHealthcore | Futures Education | Careers | About | Press

Peter Bittel, Ed.D., CCC/SLP
Chief Executive Officer

Peter Bittel is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Futures HealthCore, a company providing special education and clinical services and management to 25,000 students and individuals. Dr. Bittel has more than 35 years of clinical and executive leadership experience in the areas of special education, rehabilitation and developmental disabilities. He has taught on the primary, secondary, college, and graduate school levels.

He is an advocate for people with handicapping conditions and has served on several non-profit boards. He has held several faculty positions including serving as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts School of Public Health and is on the Board of Directors for the American International College.

Dr. Bittel co-founded the Medical Knowledge Institute (www.infomki.org), a non profit foundation committed to promoting healthcare education and training as a human right around the world. Recently, Dr. Bittel’s work on AIDS education and training in Africa through MKI helped to garner a nomination for the prestigious Gates Award for Global Health. MKI is part of a select few organizations awarded this nomination from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, said that "it is a well-deserved recognition for The Medical Knowledge Institute, a grass roots organization that I am proudly associated with. The Founders of MKI, Drs. Robles and Bittel and their international team have helped rethink how we serve people with great disadvantages. MKI is truly making a difference". He is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and continues to practice as a speech and language pathologist in addition to his management responsibilities.

Dr. Bittel holds a Masters Degree in Urban History, a Masters Degree in Communication Disorders and a Doctorate in Organizational Development.

Erin Edwards, MA, CCC/SLP
President

Erin Edwards is co-founder and President of The Futures HealthCore. Prior to co-founding Futures, she served as Vice President of Rehabilitation for a thriving rehabilitation business. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Clinical Services for a national health care company. Throughout her career, Ms. Edwards has held several executive leadership positions in the areas of Early Intervention and Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities in a variety of clinical settings including schools, skilled nursing facilities, home care, outpatient clinics and other community-based programs. Ms. Edwards has been a practicing speech and language pathologist for nearly 20 years, and continues to do so in addition to her management responsibilities.

Irene Rule, PTA
Vice President, Director of Finance

Irene Rule has been a part of the Futures’ team for 8 years. In her role as Vice President, Director of Finance, Ms. Rule is responsible for organizing Futures' business and financial activities. Prior to joining Futures, Ms. Rule was a Physical Therapy Assistant for over 20 years, practicing in a wide variety of clinical settings.

Brian Edwards, M.Ed.
Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Brian Edwards is responsible for all operational functions of The Futures HealthCore. Mr. Edwards has over 20 years of operations, marketing, IT, recruiting and staff management experience interacting primarily with public and private schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, and assisted living facilities. Throughout his career, Mr. Edwards has held senior leadership positions with regional and national firms in operations, marketing, sales, client relationship management, and staff management.

Amy Guay, COTA/L
Regional Director New England

In her capacity as Vice President, Regional Director New England, Amy Guay is responsible for management of clinicians, contract sites and program development in a variety of clinical settings. Prior to joining Futures, Ms. Guay held management positions in both private and public companies that provide therapy services to a variety of public and private schools, early intervention programs, programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. For over 10 years, Ms. Guay has worked both as a clinician and as a manager of clinical programs. She has considerable experience in the provision and management of services to children and adults with special needs.

Susan Murtagh, RN, BSN
Regional Director Michigan

Susan Murtagh brings over 16 years of nursing experience to Futures. As Vice President, Regional Director Michigan, her primary responsibility is to support and manage clinicians in nursing, dietary and speech language pathology. Prior to joining Futures, Ms. Murtagh spent several years at a community agency servicing persons with developmental disabilities where she provided health services and supports to people with a broad range of complex medical and psychiatric disorders. Her past nursing experience also includes several years in acute medical surgical nursing and case management. Ms. Murtagh has been a contributing member on various committees such as Workplace Safety, Patient Education, and Peer Review.

Michael Neiman, Ph.D., CCC/SLP
Senior Vice President, Clinical Programs

In his capacity as Vice President of Clinical Programs, Michael Neiman is responsible for the management of therapists, contract sites, and program development. Dr. Neiman has been a practicing speech and language pathologist for nearly 15 years. In that time, he has provided speech therapy services in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and day habilitation programs. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Neiman has been a manager of numerous rehabilitation facilities and is currently an adjunct professor at Elms College in Chicopee, MA. He continues to provide clinical services, in addition to his management responsibilities.

Dr. Neiman holds a Doctorate in Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders.

Richard Holzman, Ed.D
Executive Vice President, Education Programs

Richard Holzman has served as a school Superintendent in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey for the last thirty years. Dr. Holzman has the distinction of having been a Fulbright Scholar in the Republic of China and has been a lieutenant in the United States Army as well as a volunteer in the Peace Corps.

Dr. Holzman has long been an advocate of partnerships between schools and the private sector especially in those areas that have the potential to improve economy and efficiency while advancing the quality outcomes for students.

Tom Watkins, MSW
Senior Consultant

Tom Watkins has served as an education, business, government consultant, and advisor in the public, private, education, and nonprofit sectors. He has held numerous distinguished high level positions in both the public and private sectors. His most recent leadership roles include: President and CEO of Economic Council in Palm Beach County Florida, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Mental Health Director for the state of Michigan.

He has been a therapist, management consultant, political advisor and helped start the first charter schools in two states. Mr. Watkins is well known for his efforts in strategic planning, outstanding communication managerial skills and facilitating change. He has authored a number of articles on a variety of subjects including school reform, mental health, globalization and leadership. In his role with Futures, Mr. Watkins identifies potential relationships with organizations in need of the expertise and services Futures has the capacity to offer.

David H. Larson, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant

Dr. Larson holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education and a Master of Science in Secondary Education both from the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. He began his career in education as a mathematics teacher in the Trumbull, CT Public Schools. In 1972, he took a position as an Assistant Principal at Southington, CT High School and in 1976 as Principal of North Branford, CT High School. He then held positions as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Southington, CT and Superintendent of Schools in Middletown, CT. Before retiring in 2008, he became Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents Association.

John A. Phillips, Jr., Ph.D.
Senior Consultant

Dr. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from St. Leo College, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Georgia Southern College, and a Doctorate in Administration and Supervision from Georgia State University. He has over forty years of experience as a professional educator and began his career as a science teacher. He then held positions as an assistant principal at the elementary and junior high school levels and as a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels. In 1984, he began a twenty plus year career as Superintendent of Schools serving in Conyers, GA, Austin, Texas, Cartersville, GA and lastly Columbus, GA.

Frank J. Cleary, Ed.D.
Senior Consultant

Dr. Cleary holds a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Oswego, a Masters of Science from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a Doctor of Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, VA. He has 35 years of experience in the public schools and served as an elementary teacher and principal in Catskill, NY, a Superintendent of Schools in Binghamton, NY and Bridgewater, MA and as an Area Superintendent in Frederick, MD. His experience also includes serving as a Superintendent at Ft. Bragg Schools (a Department of Defense school system) in North Carolina. Before retiring in 2007, he was an adjunct faculty member at the Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and prior to that he was an adjunct faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. A published author, Dr. Cleary's articles have appeared in several education journals.

Herbert Levine, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant

Dr. Levine holds a Bachelor of Science in History and a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Boston State College and a Doctor of Philosophy from Boston College. He began his career in education in the Revere Public Schools where he was a History and English teacher and then held the position of Teacher/Supervisor of the Alternative High School Program. He followed his positions in the Revere Public Schools with positions as Assistant Headmaster/Dean of Students at South Boston High School, Principal of Timberline Regional High School in Plaistow, NH and Principal of Chelmsford High School in Chelmsford, MA. In 1995, he became Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Wakefield, MA and then in 1998, Superintendent of Schools in Salem, MA, where he retired from in 2005. In 2004, he became Executive Director of the New England Association of School Superintendents a position he continues to hold. He served as Special Assistant to the Lt. Governor and overall Coordinator of Recovery High Schools from 2005 - 2007 and then as Interim Superintendent of Schools in Blackstone, MA from 2007 - 2008. In addition to his service in K-12 Dr. Levine held a position as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Boston State College and is currently a Professor at Salem State College and Endicott College.

Special Education Staff

Jack Kelley, M.Ed.
Director of Educational Services

Jack Kelley worked for Longmeadow Public Schools for 36 years as a teacher, Special Education Administrator, and Director of Special Education. Since his retirement from Longmeadow, he has been interim Special Education Director in Farmington River RSD, Ware Public Schools and Ludlow Public Schools. He is currently the part-time Special Education Director for the Martin Luther King Charter School, an adjunct professor at American International College, and is consulting with school districts. Jack has evaluated special education programs and services and has provided support to a number of school districts as they approached their DOE audits. In addition, he has experience with 504, Title One, Grant Writing, ADA and budgets. Mr. Kelley is certified as a Special Education Administrator and as a Director of Special Education.

Ray Sylvain, M.Ed.
Program Manager in Special Education

Mr. Sylvain graduated from North Adams State College in 1974 with a B.A. in Psychology. He began his career in education as an Elementary Special Education Teacher in Haverhill, Massachusetts. In 1975, he moved to Western Massachusetts and took a position as a Special Education Teacher at Ludlow High School. In 1980, he graduated from Westfield State College with a Masters in Special Education and Administration and became the Director of Special Education in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Upon leaving that position, he was the Administrator of Student Services at Pioneer Valley Regional School District. In 1987, he joined the East Longmeadow Public Schools as the Director of Student Services where he remained for twenty years. In East Longmeadow, his responsibilities included Special Education’s Health Services, Title I and Management of the METCO Program. He retired from East Longmeadow Public Schools in 2007.

Richard Judah, D.Ed.
Senior Special Education Consultant

Dr. Judah received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University in Sacramento, a Master of Arts in Psychology and Counseling from Assumption College, and a Doctorate of Education from the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Pennsylvania State University. He is licensed as a Clinical Psychologist and Health Services Provider and as a School Psychologist. Dr. Judah has extensive experience in the mental health field as a psychologist, therapist, professional supervisor, and director of mental health services. His experience also includes working in public schools and other types of educational settings providing assessment, consultation, and clinical services.

He is a Professor of Graduate Studies in the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling at Union Institute and University and had taught graduate courses in Psychology and Special Education at Fitchburg State College and Assumption College. Dr. Judah has been published in professional journals and books on psychological assessment and behavior management.

Richard Labrie, M.Ed.
Senior Special Education Consultant

Richard Labrie has more than 35 years of educational administrative experience at both the secondary and post secondary levels. His primary areas of expertise include educational needs assessments, program planning and development and program implementation and evaluation. He has earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration, a Baccalaureate Degree in Educational Administration and graduate coursework in Educational Policy, Research and Administration, as well as law. For 17 years, Mr. Labrie held the position of Executive Director of the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, the largest and most multi purpose of the Massachusetts educational collaboratives. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative in Great Barrington, MA. He has also held research positions with Technical Education Research Centers in Newton and with Public Management Associates in Springfield and Cambridge, MA.

Corinne S. Berglund, Ed.D.
Senior Special Education Consultant

Dr. Berglund holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Olaf College, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology-Reading from the University of Minnesota and a Doctorate of Education from Boston College. She began her career in education as a teacher in grades K -12 and was also a reading consultant and psychological examiner at Wisconsin State University and a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota. In 1981, she became Director of Special Services in Branford, CT and from 1982–1983 she also served as Acting Business Manager in Branford, CT. Upon leaving her positions in Branford, CT she became Director of Special Services in North Haven, CT. In 1987, she began a twenty year career as a Superintendent of Schools in the State of Connecticut, serving first in Lebanon, CT then Bethany, CT and lastly Willington, CT.

Rose Carr, M.Ed.
Senior Special Education Consultant

Rose Carr holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT and Masters of Arts in Special Education, Learning Disability from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher in Westhampton, MA. In 1994, she became Administrator of Special Education in North Adams, MA. In addition to her position in North Adams, in 1997 she began consulting for schools throughout Massachusetts where she developed, presented and facilitated numerous professional development activities addressing general and special education collaboration. She is also a Supervisor for Teacher Licensure at Hampshire Educational Collaborative a position that she has held since 2004.

Dominick C. Vita, Ph.D
Senior Special Education Consultant

Dr. Vita holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Psychology and Education from Assumption College, a Master of Arts from Fairfield University and a Doctorate from Heed University. Dr. Vita began his career in education in 1972, as a teacher at Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, CT. He joined the Norwalk, CT Public Schools in 1976, as a school counselor. He then held positions as Assistant Supervisor of Special Education and Principal Administrator, Acting Director of Adult Education, Supervisor of Special Education, and Director of Student Services and Special Education all in the Norwalk, CT Public Schools. In 1992, he took a position as Director of Pupil Services in Fall Village, CT. He then became Superintendent of Schools in Bethany, CT in 1997, and in 2005, Superintendent of Schools in Litchfield, CT where he remained until October, 2008 before retiring.

Laura Martorello, D.P.E., M.S.P.T.
Senior Special Education Consultant

Dr. Martorello holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration from Manhattan College, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Long Island University and a Doctorate in Physical Education from Springfield College. She has extensive experience in physical therapy which includes work as a home care physical therapist and as a physical therapist and manager in clinical settings. She has also held positions as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Physical Therapy Program at Dominican College, in Orangeburg, NY as well as positions as an Adjunct Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT and as Associate Director and Assistant Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at American International College in Springfield, MA. She currently serves as the Associate Program Administrator and as an Associate Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy at American International College in addition to her consulting duties.

Mark Francis, Ed.Sp.
Director of Special Education, Michigan Region

Mr. Francis has 24 years of experience working in the field of Special Education. He has served as a Director of Special Education, both at the local and ISD level; school social worker, in urban Michigan. Starting on January 1, 2010, he will serve on the National Council for Exceptional Children’s National Board for the Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD). As Futures Director of Special Education Michigan Region, Mr. Francis will bring his depth and breadth of Special Education to each district project.