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Meet Our 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 became 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 the 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 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 J. Buchanan
Chairperson
  • Liz O’HalloranVice-Chair
  • Carmela (Camille) BalsamelloSecretary
  • John FinneranTreasurer
  • Todd Kelson – Immediate Past Chair
  • Patricia Bassey
  • Melissa Dewitt
  • Daniel Hulse
  • Cheryl Sanza
  • Richard Smith
  • Frank DeSiervo
  • Mitzi Ambrose-Washington
  • Gregory Dowling
  • John Guattery
  • Frank Hariton
  • Glen Heller
  • Cheryl Marsh
  • Matt Searles
  • Carmel Vobis
  • Jonathan Gatsik
  • Edward Lekis

ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING FOUNDATION

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

Committed to the vision of Rewarding Lives and Healthy Communities through connecting people to the meaningful work of Access and its affiliates; the Access Foundation Board supports the work and mission of Access and its affiliates. The Access: Supports for Living Foundation, Inc., is a separate not for profit organization guided by a diverse and esteemed volunteer Board of Directors.

Nicholas S. Preddice
Chairperson

Nick Preddice builds client relationships and connects people to meaningful paths to achieving their goals. He, along with business partner Gary Sancilio, has created a process for coaching people and families to successfully fulfill their ambitions and sustain and pass on their financial assets to future generations. Nick is the personal CFO to business owners, executives, physicians, attorneys, and other professionals who seek to overcome procrastination, a lack of time and attention to take control of their financial life.

“Coaching successful achievers and their families to purpose driven lives is what gets me excited each day.”

In his role of Financial Advisor, his purpose and passion are to help successful people harness their talents and guide them, their families, and the next generation to satisfying lives of purpose and meaning. Nick takes the time to get to know clients, who they are, what drives them, and what is important. He helps them set clear goals with time frames, and then assess how aligned their behaviors and decisions are with achieving those goals. Once that model is created, he helps them see what, if any changes are needed and guides them through that process.

Nick started his financial services career more than twenty-five years ago, working for Connecticut Mutual, Prudential, and as Managing Director at The Mony Group, Inc. in New York City. In 2002, Nick decided to take his experience and build a different financial services business from the ground up with Gary Sancilio with a singular vision: “to make a difference in the lives of clients, employees, and the community.”

Nick is driven by his desire to create financial security for his family and others. He grew up in scarcity but also with parents who taught Nick the value of giving back. He has been a leader in philanthropy and supports numerous causes. It all started with a chance invitation to a fundraiser for Wildwood, a school for autistic children, which opened Nick’s eyes and heart to the needs of local non-profits. Today, Nick serves as chair of the Foundation for Access: Supports for Living and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Council (HVEDC), and he continues to support Wildwood School, The Robert W. Preddice Scholarship Fund at SUNY Oneonta, Rising Ground, The American Heart Association, San Miguel Academy for Boys, and The Community Foundation for Orange and Sullivan Counties.

  • Donna ApplegateVice-Chairperson
  • Jermaine PaulSecretary
  • Pam Kelly-DayTreasurer
  • Todd KelsonPast Chair – Access Board (ex officio)
  • Michele Babcock Esq
  • Melissa Cobuzzi
  • Laura Conte
  • Jason Giordano
  • John Guattery
  • Justin Riccio
  • Chris Avery
  • Samuel Beran
  • Benjamin Malerba 

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
  • Steve Albanese
  • Chuck Benfer
  • Michael Bonura
  • Maureen Crush, Esq
  • Vincent DeLucia
  • Jim DeStefano
  • Austin DuBois, Esq
  • Joan Kaplan
  • William Kaplan
  • Elaine Kaplan
  • Harold King
  • Joan Cusak-McGuirk
  • Michael Oates
  • Sonny Patel
  • Justin Riccio
  • Derrik R. Wynkoop