Board of Trustees
Andrew R. Cooper (Secretary)
Andrew (Randy) Cooper is a graduate of State University of New York with a B.S. in Economics and a M.B.A. in Marketing (Binghamton University). He has held various positions in the healthcare business for over thirty years including leadership positions in sales, marketing, and business development. Mr. Cooper is currently Director, Enterprise Solutions for CareFusion, a multi-national healthcare company focused on improving safety and outcomes while driving down the cost of healthcare. An avid follower of issues facing healthcare today, Mr. Cooper continues to study and remains interested in access to healthcare services for all members of our society especially those struggling to afford the community services they require.
Michael DeVito (Vice President)
Michael DeVito has 30 years of non-profit management experience and he currently serves as the Information & Communications Manager for the Associated Construction Contractors of NJ. Mike has volunteered for several programs for people with developmental disabilities in the past 30 years and has a younger brother who resides in a group home. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in both Marketing and Management from Montclair State University.
Natalie Hayes-Scott (Board Member)
Natalie Hayes- Scott is an educator from Monmouth County, NJ. She earned her Bachelors in Biology from Kean University. She has over 10 years of experience working with youth in public and private school settings teaching social emotional learning skills. She is currently the program manager for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide Be S-Well, a program that provides free education in mental health and suicide prevention, promoting mental health advocacy within communities. She is also a teaching artist, working with several organizations to create opportunities for aspiring performing artists of all ages and backgrounds.
Paul Litwak (Board Member)
After receiving a Master’s degree in Adaptive Physical Education and Rehabilitation and working for a year at the former Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, Paul spent 44 years working with Constructive Partnerships Unlimited (Formerly United Cerebral Palsy of NYS). In 1982, he became the Assistant Regional Director of the Residential Living Program for the boroughs of Staten Island and Manhattan, which served over 100 individuals with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1988 Paul founded “Cerebral Palsy Transport, Inc.”, the separately incorporated transportation division of CPA of NYS. CPT performs more than 1 million trips annually, providing transportation services for over 1000 consumers in our residential, day habilitation and vocational programs. CPT assumed responsibility for all 185 vehicles owned by the agency and was the largest transportation provider serving the developmentally disabled in the state of New York.
James Marhold, DHA/DBA (President/CEO)
James R. Marhold has over 30 years of experience in providing community-based programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness. During this time, he provided community-based services to over 500 individuals and their families and has trained over 1000 human services workers throughout New Jersey. He has been a keynote speaker in the area of disability services at numerous statewide conferences. In 2002, he received an award from the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey and the Corporation for Supportive Housing for his work in creating new strategies to promote and develop supportive living programs. Dr. Marhold achieved a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit/Governmental Administration, an MBA, and currently holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration.
Wendy Marinko, MHS (VP-CIOO)
Wendy Marinko was brought onboard in 2008 by James Marhold to spearhead Declarations, Inc.’s initial supportive housing project. Since that time, she has been instrumental in Declarations’ growth and development, from that first contract to its present-day structure. Wendy currently oversees agency operations and IT processes, and is actively involved in strategic planning. She is a recipient of NJPRA’s Best Practice award, is CASE Approach certified, and is a strong advocate for individuals with a history of trauma and abuse. Wendy has more than 30 years of leadership experience with non-profit organizations, including more than 20 years with behavioral health agencies. In addition, Wendy has worked extensively in the field of leadership assessment and development.
Cheryl Marks Young (Treasurer)
Cheryl is a graduate of NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and obtained advanced training in Executive Philanthropy & Treasury Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Professional Grant Development, Process Improvement & Executive Nonprofit Leadership from Rutgers University and is a graduate of the National Council on Behavioral Healthcare’s Executive Leadership Program. Cheryl has also received advanced training from the Graduate School of Coaching as well as other organizations. Cheryl formerly served as a Board Member for the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addictions Agencies (NJAMHAA) and the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP). Cheryl’s work as a leader, author, speaker, and professional coach has resulted in her recognition as an expert in personal and professional success.
David S. Matlin (Board Member)
David Matlin obtained a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida, a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and a B.S.N. in Nursing from Seton Hall University. He practiced law for 30 years as a corporate finance and securities attorney at several national and international law firms, representing public and private companies, as well as their respective boards and the investors who supported them. He also utilized his nursing degree over a 8-year period, holding various clinical and compliance positions in the healthcare industry. He is enthusiastic to use his unique skill set in giving back to the community.
Jeryl Rempell, Ph.D. (Board Member – Emeritus)
A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Rempell has been in private practice for over 30 years. She is certified as a family therapist who provides individual, marital and family therapy for both adults and children. She is experienced in providing counseling to individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Rempell is a Clinical Supervisor for doctoral candidates from Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She is also a consultant for both the St. Barnabas Medical Center’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program and the New Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter.