Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides leadership, guidance, and vision for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Made up of dedicated community members and professionals from across the state, the Board helps ensure our programs, services, and strategic direction stay true to our mission — empowering Vermonters who are blind or visually impaired to live with independence and confidence.
Contact
Board Directory
Heather Berg
VABVI CLIent, Accessible Web Digital Accessibility & Equity Specialist
location: Burlington, VT
email: hberg@accessibleweb.com
Dave LeDuc
Warehouse Manager at Vermont Precision Tools
location: St. Albans, VT
email: dleduc12@comcast.net
Patricia Henderson
Author, Captive Insurance Agent
location: Swanton, VT & Memphis, TN
email: captivebooks@aol.com
Patricia Emery
grandparent of two VABVI clients, Real Estate Agent
location: Lyndon, VT
email: patty@kingcon.com
Tom Frank
VABVI Smart Device Trainer, Retired from Social Security Administration
location: Milton, VT
email: vermonttom@gmail.com
Douglas DiSabito
State’s Attorney at State of Vermont
location: Alburgh, VT
email: doug.disabito@vermont.gov
For Our Board Members
Access the Board of Directors Portal
Our Board of Directors is made up of passionate community members who help guide VABVI’s mission and programs. This secure portal is designed just for them — a place to access meeting materials, share ideas, and stay connected as they work together to support Vermonters who are blind or visually impaired.
Our Award Winning Staff
The dedicated staff at the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired bring compassion, expertise, and a shared commitment to empowering Vermonters with vision loss. From rehabilitation specialists and program coordinators to administrative and outreach teams, each member plays a vital role in helping our clients build confidence, independence, and connection in their daily lives.
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Berlin Office
Adult Services
- Etsuro Nishiyachi, ASP 1-877-350-8838 x.111 enishiyachi@vabvi.org
- Dan Norris, Director of Adult Services, ASP 1-877-350-8838 x.101 dnorris@vabvi.org
- Charlyn Allen Award for Demonstrating Professionalism and Outstanding Service to the Field, 2021
- Excellence in Direct Service to Adults, 2019 NEAER
- Sheila Thurston, ASP 1-877-350-8838 x.104 sthurston@vabvi.org
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Team Award 2016
Children Services
- Dan Howarth, TVI 1-877-350-8838 x.103 dhowarth@vabvi.org
- Dr. Callie Brusegaard, TVI 1-877-350-8838 x.301 cbrusegaard@vabvi.org
Administrative Staff
- Cathie Peller, 1-877-350-8838 cpeller@vabvi.org
Brattleboro Office
Adult Services
- Melinda Underwood, ASP 1-877-350-8840 x. 4 Munderwood@vabvi.org
Children Services
- Virginia Goodman, TVI, COMS, CATIS Vgoodman@vabvi.org
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children with Vision Impairments, NEAER, 2020
Administrative Staff
- De Haskell, 1-877-350-8840, dhaskell@vabvi.org
Rutland Office
Adult Services
- Jack Trainor, ASP, 1-877-350-8839 x.12 Jtrainor@vabvi.org
Children Services
- Eric Shaw, TVI & COMS, Statewide consultant for Orientation & Mobility 1-877-350-8893 x.14 eshaw@vabvi.org
Administrative Staff
- Tina Bashaw, 1-877-350-8839 x.10 Cbashaw@vabvi.org
South Burlington Office
Adult Services
- Sharon Wille-Padnos, ASP, 1-800-639-5861 x.220 Spadnos@vabvi.org
- Denise Walther, VRT Assistant, 1-800-639-5861 x228 Dwalther@vabvi.org
- Emily Algranati, PALS Facilitator, 1-800-639-5861 x215 Ealgranati@vabvi.org
Children Services
- Stephanie Bissonette, Director of Children Services, TVI, COMS 1-800-639-5861 x.225, sbissonette@vabvi.org
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, NEAER, 2015
- Steph Ferguson, TVI, COMS, Statewide consultant for Early Childhood 1-800-639-5861 x. 240 sferguson@vabvi.org
- Sara Dessau, TVI, COMS, Statewide consultant for Intensive Needs 1-800-639-5861 x.218 sdessau@vabvi.org
- Amy Gates, TVI 1-800-639-5861 x.229 Agates@vabvi.org
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Team Award 2016
- Shelby Glass, COMS 1-800-639-5861 x.221 SGlass@vabvi.org
- Alison Hampson, TVI 1-800-639-5861 x.239 Ahampson@vabvi.org
- Jeanne Neu, TVI 1-800-639-5861 x.216 Jneu@vabvi.org
- Julie Vinikoor, TVI 1-800-639-5861 x.226 jvinikoor@vabvi.org
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, Council of Schools for the Blind, 2020
- Hope Watson, TVI, Statewide consultant for Neurological Visual Impairments 1-800-639-5861 x.227 hwatson@vabvi.org
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Individual Award, 2023
Administrative Staff
- Steve Pouliot, Executive Director, 1-800-639-5861 x.233 Spouliot@vabvi.org
- Visionserve Alliance Award for Program Leadership, 2010
- Bob Wagoner, Controller 1-800-639-5861 x.234 rwagoner@vabvi.org
- Monique Fox, Office Manager, 1-800-639-5861 x. 231 MFox@vabvi.org
- Alyssa Phyu, Aids & Appliances, 1-800-639-5861 x. 222 Ephyu@vabvi.org
- Diane Stech, Reception, 1-800-639-5861 x.210 Dstech@vabvi.org
- Andrea Hershberg, Intake Coordinator, 1-800-639-5861 x.214 Ahershberg@vabvi.org
- Vicki Vest, Volunteer Coordinator, 1-800-639-5861 x.243 Vvest@vabvi.org
- Samantha O’Brien, Billing, 1-800-639-5861 x.244 Sobrien@vabvi.org
- John Thomas, Director of Development, 1-800-639-5861 x.224 Jthomas@vabvi.org
- Damaris Jacques, Development Assistant, 1-800-639-5861 x. DJacques@vabvi.org
Amy Gates
TVI
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Team Award 2016
Dan Norris, M.Ed.
CVRT, COMS
- Charlyn Allen Award for Demonstrating Professionalism and Outstanding Service to the Field, 2021
- Excellence in Direct Service to Adults, 2019 NEAER
Hope Watson
TVI, Statewide consultant for Neurological Visual Impairment
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Individual Award, 2023
Julie Vinikoor
TVI
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, Council of Schools for the Blind, 2020
Sheila Thurston
COMS
- VT Council of Special Education Administrators Golden Apple Team Award 2016
Stephanie Bissonette
TVI, COMS
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, NEAER, 2015
Stephanie Ferguson
TVI, COMS
- Robert McCulley Rising Star Award, NEAER, 2020
Steven Pouliot
Executive Director
- Visionserve Alliance Award for Program Leadership, 2010
Virginia Goodman
TVI, COMS
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children with Vision Impairments, NEAER, 2020
Vermont Life Skills Team
- NEAER Team Awards VABVI/DBVI 2006
Vermont Connections Team
- NEAER Team Awards 2010
Former Staff
Allie Futty
TVI, COMS, & CATIS
- Rising Star Award, Vermont Business Magazine, 2020
- Rising Star Award, NEAER, 2019
Jeffrey Schroeder
COMS, CVLT
- Excellence in Direct Service for Adults, NEAER, 2015
Kathy Lawrence
TVI, COMS
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, NEAER, 2008
Kerry Clifford
TVI, COMS
- Excellence in Direct Service to Children, NEAER, 2017
Jules Cote
Former Executive Director
- Father Thomas Carroll Award, NEAER, 1992
Explore, Learn & Connect
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