Members of the Governor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities
Rose Lucenti (GCEPD Chair)
I represent the Vermont Department of Labor on the GCEPD. I am proud to use my 40 years of experience working with job seekers & employers to engage in conversations that move the agenda forward in assisting individuals of all abilities to become gainfully employed, and to assist employers in their search for employees.
Robert E. Burke
From: Cabot, Vermont
Occupation: Director, Office of Veterans Affairs
Why did you decide to join the Governor’s Committee? A representative from the office was legislated for membership in 2015. That being said, it is another great opportunity to connect with veterans and all those affected by physical or psychological barriers that can sometimes prevent employers from seeing their true worth.
Diane Dalmasse
From Stowe, Vermont
Occupation: Director of Voc Rehab Vermont
Why did you join the GCEPD: The mission of Voc Rehab is to assist people with disabilities to have meaningful work and opportunities for advancement and to assist employers to enable employers to recruit, train, retain and promote employees with disabilities.
Joe Major
Joe is the Executive Director of the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction. He is 20+ year veteran of the health and wellness industry. A graduate of Howard University, Joe has managed such clubs as the Chevy Chase Athletic Club in Maryland, the Downtown Athletic Club in Miami and West End Executive Club in Washington, D.C. Joe also served as the District Manager for the Western New York region of World Gym. The Upper Valley Aquatic Center is a 2018 recipient of the Spirit of the ADA award.
Darren McIntyre
From: Hampton, NY
Occupation: Assistant Director, UVM Center on Disability & Community Inclusion; Director, Vermont Interdisciplinary Team (VT I-Team); Director, Assistive Technology Project
I joined GCEPD because of the alignment to the CDCI vision, “CDCI envisions a future where all people, including people who experience developmental and other disabilities, are fully included in their home, schools, and communities. We envision a future in which supports and services are available across the span of life, leading to interdependence, self-determination, and inclusion.” Much of the work I do within our projects at CDCI is also connected to providing technical assistance to individuals across various age and needs to help with self-determination, career exploration, and job-specific supports.
Larry Forsyth
Lawrence Forsyth served 25 years (1989-2014) in the US Army, moving up in rank from Private to Major. He has trained or lived in 14 states and 4 countries to include; Germany, Korea, Kuwait and Iraq (2 Combat Tours). Upon retirement from the Army, Larry Forsyth and his family (wife Heather and three children) moved to Montpelier, Vermont. Larry Forsyth accepted the position as the Vermont Veterans Services Coordinator in January of 2016 and soon after joined the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities (GCEPD).
John Spinney
Occupation: Vermont Agency of Education Post-Secondary Transition Coordinator
I grew up in a large family and my 2 youngest brothers both have Down Syndrome and were adopted as infants by my family as part of a special needs adoption process. Both of my parents were educators and education leaders. True inclusion and equity for all people was something that was instilled in me from a very young age and still to this day drives my work in education. Growing up with brothers who have disabilities has certainly inspired my work. I have been at the Vermont Agency of Education for 13 years and my work focuses on two primary areas – Transition Planning for high school students with disabilities and the implications of Act 77 for students with disabilities. I am lead on many projects related to helping VT educators get professional learning and increased capacity for delivering high quality inclusive transition practices. Much of this work involves whole school systems in terms of creating pathways where all students can transition successfully and reach their post-school career goals. My work and the work of my team at AOE is driven by access, equity and inclusion for all students.
Nat Piper
From: Barre, VT
Nat Piper is the Business, Legislative & Community Relations Manager for HireAbility Vermont (formerly known as VocRehab Vermont www.hireabilityvt.com ). He oversees the Business Account Manager team, statewide business outreach, Legislative outreach and relationships with various community organizations. He also manages the State Grant for the Senior Community Service Employment Program Grant (SCSEP) and partners with multiple stakeholders within the State of Vermont’s workforce development system.
My motivation:
“Through my work, I support our Business Customers with the recruitment, training, retention and promotion of individuals with disabilities. My goal is to create opportunities for a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible labor market where all skills and abilities are valued. As I’ve said many times, everyone is ready for something, let’s get to work!”
Stirling Peebles
Stirling Peebles was hired at The Center on Disability and Community Inclusion as a Dissemination Assistant in 2014. In the same year, she became an official member of the National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). She started a Facebook group called “The Employment Corner.” In 2015, she also became a board member of the Vermont APSE chapter as well. Stirling also works for Green Mountain Self-Advocates. Stirling completed the Human Resource Management Certificate Program at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. She had a 4.0 GPA at Champlain College. Stirling Peebles, a former Think College student and current Think College Dissemination Assistant, has been recognized by Vermont Business Magazine as a 2016 Rising Star.
Taya Tarr
From: South Burlington, Vermont
Occupation: Blind Services Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Taya Tarr has worked with the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired with the State of Vermont since 2014. She completed her Master of Counseling in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of Southern Maine in 2018. In the past, Taya has volunteered for the Special Olympics and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. Taya is currently involved in the Youth Advocacy Steering Council and Interagency Core Team. Taya is excited to join the GCEPD with other likeminded individuals that have a passion for helping Vermonters with disabilities whose goal is to obtain competitive employment.
Shalini Suryanarayana
From: Montpelier, VT
Occupation: Education & Outreach, Office of Racial Equity
Lisa Elowson
From: Williston, VT
Occupation: Owner & Professional Mediator, Gather Mediation
Nicole Peterson
From: Williston, VT
Occupation: Vermont Social Adventure Group
