Leadership

Ronald Colavito

President & CEO

Ron Colavito joined Access: Supports for Living in 2003 as a cost accountant before being promoted to Finance Director in 2007, Comptroller in 2009, Vice President in 2012, and Senior Vice President of Industrial Operations and Program Services in 2014. In February 2015, Ron became Access’s Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President & COO in October 2017. In 2019, Ron Colavito becomes the fifth Chief Executive Officer in the agency’s 55 year history.

Since joining Access, Ron has led growth and performance improvement across the agency, with particular focus on business intelligence and implementation of data-driven solutions. He partners with cross-functional teams to promote organizational efficiencies, leading to quality improvement. His steadfast commitment to the adults and children Access serves is evidenced by his dedication to continually evolving the agency to meet the needs of the community and enhancing quality outcomes for the people it serves.

Ron is the Vice Chair of the NYIN IPA Board of Directors and a member of Board of both the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation and Meaningful NY. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University.

ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our agency is guided by an active and supportive Board of Directors.

Thomas J. Buchanan

Chairperson

Thomas Buchanan brings to Access: Supports for Living, more than 30 years of finance experience in a variety of leadership roles in New York State.  He was a Management Specialist with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services where he was responsible for audits for regulatory efficacy.  Additionally, Tom diligently served in the capacity of a State Accounts Auditor for the New York State Comptroller’s Office where he was responsible for conducting a variety of financial audits and regulatory reviews as well as monitor compliance with federal and state fiscal claiming regulations.  

He was conferred a Bachelors of Business Administration in Public Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College. 

Tom was elected to the operating Board of Directors of Access Supports for Living in December 2007. As a member of the Board of Directors Tom has served as an officer in many roles first as Secretary, May 2011 through December 2012, two terms as Vice Chair, 2013 – 2016 and 1st Vice Chair, 2017 – 2018 prior to becoming Chairperson on January 1, 2019.

In addition to Access, Tom serves as the New York State Secretary of the Fraternal Independent Organization of Oddfellows.  He has been a member of the Warwick Lodge of the IOOF for more than 20 years, serving as chaplain, secretary and noble grand. He was awarded “Outstanding Oddfellow of the Year” for his dedication and contributions to the lodge. Truly community dedicated, Tom is the past president of the Warwick Lions Club and assisted in organizing the first Lions Labor Day 5K Run/Walk. In 2017 Tom was recognized for his service and awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Warwick Rotary Club.

Tom and his wife Carol make their home in Warwick in Orange County.

Thomas Buchanan, Board Chair
Liz O’Halloran, Vice-Chair
Mitzi Ambrose Washington, Secretary
John Finneran, Treasurer
Todd Kelson, Immediate Past Chair

Patricia Bassey
Frank DeSiervo
Melissa Dewitt
Jonathan Gatsik
John Guattery

Frank Hariton
Glen Heller
Daniel Hulse
Edward Lekis
Cheryl Marsh
Cheryl Sanza
Matthew Searles
Richard Smith
Carmel Vobis

 

ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING FOUNDATION

All charitable contributions to the agency are made to: Access: Supports for Living Foundation Inc.
Access: Supports for Living Foundation Inc is a separate organization advised and
guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Access Supports for Living Foundation is committed to creating a future where people with special needs are supported by high quality services assisting in their ability to live fully, enjoying all our community has to offer. We do this with the help of funding from health insurances, New York State, industrial sales and contracts with counties and the federal government.  Tremendous need for services has exceeded the government’s ability to reimburse us for the services we provide. Our need for support to fill the gap is critical. The support we receive from generous donations and special events is an important factor in shaping our future and of every child, adult and family we serve.  This is our focused mission.

Access: Supports for Living Foundation Inc is registered 501(c)(3) charity.


Nicholas S. Preddice
Chairperson

Nick Preddice started his financial services career more than twenty years ago, working first for Connecticut Mutual, and later for Prudential. He found success early, and was appointed Managing Director at The Mony Group, Inc. in New York City. In 2002 Nick decided to take his experience and build a financial services business from the ground up with a singular vision: to “make a difference in the lives of our clients, the people we work with, and the community.”

Nick’s vision of a firm that focused on people, rather than products, envisioned an environment that would support collaboration with clients’ other advisors, and offer a level of service that was unprecedented. In partnership with industry veteran, Gary Sancilio, The Affinity Group, LLC was born. Fourteen years later the Affinity Group, LLC is a premier wealth management firm located in Albany and Fishkill, NY.

Nick’s philanthropic endeavors are many. He started 15 years ago when a chance invitation to a fundraiser for Wildwood, a school for autistic children, opened Nick’s eyes and heart to the needs of local non-profits. Today Nick supports a number of causes including Wildwood School, The Robert W. Preddice Scholarship Fund at SUNY Oneonta, Leake & Watts, Access: Supports for Living, To Love a Child, The American Cancer Society, the Heart Association, the San Miguel Academy for Boys, the Nora Cronin School for Girls, and Mount St. Mary College. Nick lives in Westchester County, NY, enjoys golf and spending time with his wife Lisa and his two sons.

Donna Applegate, Vice-Chair
Michele L. Babcock, Secretary
Pam Kelly-Day, Treasurer
Melissa Cobuzzi
Todd A .Kelson
Chris Avery
Benjamin P.Malerba
Jason T. Giordano

Samuel J. Beran, MD
John Guattery
Brian T. Clarke
Justin Ricco
John Flaherty
Antonio “Tony” Richardson
AnnMarie Leamy
Michele Barone Lepore

Access: Supports for Living Foundation’s Community Leadership Council

The Mission of the Access: Supports for Living Foundation’s Community Leadership Council is to assist the Access Foundation to proactively create community connections. This group of community influencers are champions of Access and positioned to help identify emerging talent, business and donor opportunities, and resources to further the mission of Access throughout the Hudson Valley.  By facilitating introductions, tours, and meetings this prestigious group of respected leaders will help shepherd agency initiatives.

Community Leadership Council Members

Dan Ahouse, Stockade Strategies Inc.

Steve Albanese, Access Physical Therapy

Chuck Benfer, Pamal Broadcasting

Michael Bonura, Bonura Hospitality Group

Maureen Crush, Esq., Crush & Varma Law Group PC

Jim DeStefano, Past President and CEO, Access

Joan Kaplan, William and Elaine Kaplan Family Foundation

Harold King, Council of Industry

Michael Oates, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation

Sonny Patel, Beer World

Justin Riccio, Mohawk Insurance Services

Derrik R. Wynkoop, Walden Savings Bank

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