Steering Committee

John Boiano

Chairman of iParentnetwork, is an Ashford resident and the Founder/Director of Pulse Integration LLC an independent consulting company that works with schools and organizations across the country on issues of bias, perception and judgment.   John specializes in creating and sustaining a positive and supportive school culture through bullying assemblies, youth leadership workshops and teacher training’s, he also offers keynotes and workshops at diversity, education and leadership conferences.

Barbara Casey

Marketing Consultant to the iParentnetwork. Professionally, Barbara has over 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising, helping to re-ignite and launch new brands.  A recent newcomer to Mansfield, Barbara is a parent of an 8th grader at Mansfield Middle School and a sophomore who attends both EO Smith as well as the ½ day magnet program at the Greater Hartford Academy for the Arts.  With particularly precocious kids who have no fear of technology and an intense curiosity Barbara is continually challenged to stay ahead of them, so she can ensure their safety online.

Sherry Chapman

President of Mourning Parents Act, Inc., a teen driving safety advocacy organization she formed following the death of her son in a car crash in December 2002. Sherry also is a member of Governor Rell's Teen Driving Safety Task Force. http://www.MourningParentsAct.org

Frank Christison-Lagay

The school psychologist working at E. O. Smith High School. He has lived in the Mansfield-Storrs area since coming to UConn for his graduate studies in 1976, and he has worked—at all levels—in the local schools for 30 years. Frank and his wife, Joan, have three adult children who all went through the local school system from Kindergarten through high school. Before his training as an educational psychologist, Frank worked in a residential school for emotionally disturbed children in Durham, NC, was a high school English teacher, and taught English as a second language to middle school and high school students in the Republic of Korea in the Peace Corps.

The Rev’d Nancy Cox

An ordained Episcopal priest with a passion for supporting young people on their journey toward adulthood and helping resource and sustain their parents along the way .  Nancy serves as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Chapel in Storrs, Connecticut and also as an assistant coach at E. O. Smith High School Crew . She and her husband live in Storrs with four children, all of whom are in various stages of adolescence.

Erin Dickerman

Committee member, is the Director of Willington Youth, Family and Social Services.  Erin has been in the social work field, working primarily with children and adolescents, for the past 11 years.

Ben Dubow

Lead and Founding Pastor of St. Paul's Collegiate Church, with locations in Storrs and Manchester CT.  While not a parent, Ben has parents and is also an obsessed uncle to four wonderful nieces and nephews.  Prior to his work at St. Paul's, Ben served as Associate Pastor at Storrs Community Church, interim pastor of Westford Congregational Church (Ashford), Pastoral Associate for Campus & Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel (Storrs), and Area Director for Young Life Northeast CT.  Ben was a full-time youth worker for 6 years, working with students at E.O. Smith HS and throughout Northeast CT.  Additionally, Ben works as a leadership consultant for ministries, non-profits, and corporations; he is also available to speak at conferences, retreats, camps, schools, and corporate training events on a variety of topics including parenting and leadership.  When not working, Ben loves cooking, reading, and blogging.

Dr. Julie Elkins

The Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Connecticut.  She is also the co-founder and co-chair of the Mansfield Community Campus Partnership.  Her research includes the study of successful Community-Campus Partnerships and the development of tools to increase collaborative success.

Ruth Freeman

Project Coordinator. An independent parenting educator and licensed social worker who lives in Mansfield. Ruth survived the adolescences of her daughter, stepson and foster son and was therefore delighted to serve as staff to what was originally the Underage Drinking Prevention Project. In addition to private practice, Ruth is also the Family Services Coordinator for EASTCONN, the northeast’s Regional Educational Service Center.

Kevin Grunwald

Director of Human Services for the Town of Mansfield, CT. In that capacity he manages programs for a broad spectrum of community members from infants through seniors. Mr. Grunwald has a Master’s degree in Social Work, and has worked as a professional in the field for more than 30 years. He has presented workshops locally and nationally on a number of topics including Workplace Violence, Managing Organizational Change, and Creating an Organizational Assistance Program, and is a former adjunct faculty member in the University of Connecticut’s department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Lisa Oransoff

A clinical psychologist in Mansfield.  As the mom of two teenage daughters she knows how essential it is for parents to connect with each other. In addition to working in her psychotherapy practice, Lisa is an adjunct faculty member at Quinebaug Valley Community College.

Jen O’Neill

Currently a junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in sociology. She plans to earn a Master’s degree in higher education and student affairs. Jen joined the iParent Network as an AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Ambassador out of UConn and she currently serves as the advisor of the new student group, FOCUS, which centers on healthy decision-making in regards to drugs and alcohol.

Melissa McDonough

Director of Ashford Youth Services is a social worker located in Ashford School.  Melissa works with students in grades pre-k to 8 and is aware of the growing use of alcohol with younger students.  Melissa is dedicated to iParentnetwork's goal of eliminating underage drinking in our tri-town community.

Kathleen Romeo

Resident of Mansfield, is Vice-chairperson of the iParentnetwork. As a parent representative, Kathleen hopes to encourage and foster communication between parents, including the sharing of information and resources that will help us all raise our kids to grow in healthy and safe ways.

Barry J. Wallett

Barry J. Wallett, Parent Representative, is a Liquor Control Agent for the State of Connecticut, with 14 years of services.  Bary and his wife, Marybeth, have three daughters spanning the ages of 7 through 17. His experience in Liquor Control and his desire to educate and protect his own children on the dangers of underage drinking inspired him to take the time for the Coalition.