NMTSA - Board of Directors

Board of Directors

	Marilyn Chadwick Speech Pathologist - Board Chair [+]More Info Marilyn Chadwick has her Masters in Speech/Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked extensively with families, school districts and service agencies supporting the communication needs of children and adults with severe disabilities. Marilyn is considered a leader in understanding Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies. She has provided training on Facilitated Communication across the United States, as well as Canada, Isreal, Sri Lanka, and Europe. As the Assistant Director of the Facilitated Communication Institute (1992-2010), she has contributed to the development of numerous videos and training materials, organized conferences, and helped develop the FCT standards and master trainer curriculum. She is currently in private practice, based out of Syracuse, New York. Marilyn works within a framework of total communication and seeks to build multiple strategies toward a system of effective communication. Her more recent projects have focused on the combination of AAC/FC strategies and speaking. Marilyn is certified in the PROMPT method of speech therapy. In 2003, she became a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education. She has also completed training in Neurologic Music Therapy. Her focus in using these various methods is to support those who cannot speak to develop speech and to independently access AAC devices for communication.
	Brad Wheeler Board Co-Chair [+]More Info Brad Wheeler is the father of a special and wonderful daughter with autism who for 8 years has been a client of NMTSA and, in recent years, a student at ACT School. Brad believes deeply in the organization and joined the board in the Spring of 2010 where he now serves as Vice Chairman. Brad is the President of Genworth Financial Trust Company, a division of Genworth Financial, a Fortune 200 size company. Genworth’s division is based in Phoenix, Arizona and is a financial institution with $13 billion of investor assets. Brad has nearly 25 years of experience in the investment and insurance industry and has served as Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Sr. Vice President of Business Development for growing divisions of GE and Genworth. He holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a Liberal Arts degree with studies in Finance and Economics. He is a father of 5 children and resides in Cave Creek, Arizona.
	Ron Link Treasurer [+]More Info Ron is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Arizona, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants. Ron has been employed by Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW) for almost 13 years, serving in dual roles as the Chief Financial Officer of Genworth Financial Trust Company, an Arizona trust company with $13 billion/92,000 accounts in custody, and the Controller of Genworth Financial Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor with $20 billion in assets under management. Ron is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the financial statements of all Wealth Management companies. He is also responsible for all financial and operational audits by external firms and banking regulators, compliance with the Arizona Revised Statutes for Trust Companies, and the firms’ adherence to all Genworth Financial corporate policies. Prior to joining Genworth Ron worked in Public Accounting for 4 years as an auditor and systems consultant, providing process and IT guidance in the healthcare, construction and manufacturing industries. Ron attended Arizona State University and received a BSBA in Accounting before sitting for the CPA exam in 1993. Ron served 4 years in the U.S. Navy after High School in the pre-medical program at the Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego, CA. Ron has been married for 21 years to his wife Lori, and they have eight children - four boys and four girls, ranging in age from 10 months to 17 years old - and they have three horses, which his daughters ride in local barrel racing events. Ron spends his free time cycling, taking care of the horses, and supporting his kids in high school football, soccer, cheerleading and dance.
	Jen Lansky M. Ed - Secretary [+]More Info Jen Lansky got her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Tulane University in New Orleans. She received her Masters in Special Education from Memphis State University. Jen taught in special education for three years in Arizona (two in a private day school and one in a public school). Jen had her first exposure to facilitated communication while teaching children with autism in the public school system. After 3 years in special education, Jen desired a change so she began substitute teaching in both regular education and special education from 94-97. She then chose to be a stay at home mom. She is the parent of two wonderful boys, one of whom has autism. She has a wonderful and supportive husband, Seth. Jen likes to be active, hike, go to the gym and workout, be with her boys, and do frequent family outings. Her favorite thing is to walk the beach every morning when she has the opportunity!
	Joe Settanni