Senior Leadership

Thomas Hopkins

President & CEO

Tom Hopkins, a human services professional with more than 40 years of experience working with people with disabilities and their families, was born in Chicago and educated at Loyola University, the University of Illinois and the University of Hartford. He began his career here in New York providing direct care in a group home in 1980. He has been working his dream job as President & CEO at EPIC Long Island since 2008.

• Lawrence Boord

  Chief Financial Officer

  Lawrence Boord

  Chief Financial Officer

  Lawrence Boord, CPA has served as EPIC Long Island’s Chief Financial Officer since December 2012. He previously served as Controller of Children’s Health Fund, where he oversaw the financial management of a national program of health centers and crisis relief programs for underserved children. He brings over 20 years of experience to his position at EPIC Long Island, all of it in the Non-Profit healthcare sectors, including 9 years as Assistant Vice President of Finance Metropolitan Jewish Health System where he focused on their managed care programs. He earned his BA at CUNY/Queens College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The New York Society of Certified Public Accountants. Larry lives in West Hempstead with his wife and 3 children.

• Paul Giotis

  Associate Executive Director of IDD Services

  Paul Giotis

  Associate Executive Director of IDD Services

  Paul began his career with the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island (EFLI) in 1992 as a Direct Support Professional. His strong work ethic, drive, and commitment to quality care quickly led to a series of promotions. Under his direct leadership, the Residential Program that now includes 17 operational homes throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties has grown by 50% since 1998. Paul works collaboratively with the CEO and the senior leadership team to facilitate strategic planning with a concentrated focus on program and workforce development; retention of service quality; and key stakeholder satisfaction.

  Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and his Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Stony Brook University. Paul’s intricate knowledge of direct services coupled with his ability to drive and develop a talented team of professionals has turned what was once a career stepping stone into a lifelong passion.

• Jennifer Colbert, LCSW-R

  Associate Executive Director of Clinic Services

  Jennifer Colbert, LCSW-R

  Associate Executive Director of Clinic Services

  Jennifer Colbert, LCSW joined EPIC Long Island in July 1998, providing individual, family, group, and couples therapy, as well as running the Parent Support Group and the Professional’s Support Group for people with epilepsy. In 2001, Jennifer became Clinic Administrator and continued in a number of leadership roles through the years until becoming Vice President of Clinic Services in 2016. Collaborating with colleagues through the years, Jennifer has brought innovative programs to EPIC Long Island’s clinics. In March 2009, Jennifer spearheaded the effort to obtain a license for EPIC Clinical Care, which established a mental health service component of the clinic to provide services to adults dealing with emotional and psychological issues. Jennifer collaborated with South Shore Child Guidance resulting in their joining EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies. In 2016 she obtained approval for serving children’s to our mental health clinic. Also in 2016, Jennifer collaborated with co-workers to create EPIC Medical Services, which provides in-home clinic services to people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jennifer trained at the Long Island Center for Modern Psychoanalysis and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Prior to EPIC Long Island, Jennifer worked at The Early Childhood Development Center at Schneider Children’s Hospital and also at the Long Island Breast Cancer Support Center and Hotline at Adelphi University.

• Grace Verderame

  Senior Director of Corporate Compliance and Quality Management

  Grace Verderame

  Senior Director of Corporate Compliance and Quality Management

  Grace joined EPIC Long Island in 2020 in the dual role as the Director of Corporate Compliance and Quality Management. Grace is also the EPIC Long Island Privacy Officer. In these roles, she monitors the performance of the Compliance Program with the goal of improving its effectiveness as well as develops, applies and maintains quality standards for the programs and clinics and ensures adherence to both internal and external standards.

   

• Laura Lovelock, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

  Chief Human Resources Officer

  Laura Lovelock, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

  Chief Human Resources Officer

• Nancy Moran, LCSW-R

  Clinic Director, South Shore Child Guidance Center

  Nancy Moran, LCSW-R

  Clinic Director, South Shore Child Guidance Center

• Shari Lurie, LCSW-R

  Senior Director of Clinical Services

  Shari Lurie, LCSW-R

  Senior Director of Clinical Services

  Shari graduated from Adelphi University in 1987 with an MSW degree and began a private therapy practice that continues to thrive. While maintaining private clients, Shari has worked in outpatient substance abuse programs as well as alcohol day treatment centers in both clinical and supervisory positions. She worked for ten years at Suffolk County Probation in the mental health juvenile justice program, followed by a position as a family therapist at a residential school for emotionally disturbed girls. In her capacity as a family therapist, Shari began her affiliation with EPIC Long Island, working as a consultant in the clinic. In 2009, Shari worked with her EPIC Long Island colleagues to develop a mental health clinic licensed to serve the broader community and became the first Director of the Mental Health Clinic. Shari was instrumental in developing the strategic alliance with South Shore Child Guidance. In 2016 Shari oversaw the addition of EPIC’s Children’s Clinic. In addition to obtaining her LCSW, she spent thirteen years training at the Long Island Center for Modern Psychoanalysis. Shari is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

• Irene Rodgers

  Associate Executive Director of Development & Epilepsy Services

  Irene Rodgers

  Associate Executive Director of Development & Epilepsy Services

  Irene is a licensed Clinical Social worker who began her career at EPIC Long Island in 2000 as a therapist in the Article 16 Clinic. She worked with individuals, families, and groups faced with challenges related to developmental disabilities and epilepsy. Through the years, Irene has taken on different roles and responsibilities. In 2010, she became the Director of Community Services, overseeing programs and services at EPIC Long Island including Medicaid Service Coordination, Community Habilitation, and Community Education.  Presently, Irene is the Director of Development and Epilepsy Services.

  Prior to joining the EPIC Long Island team, Irene had worked as a  Medical Social Worker in hospital and physical rehabilitation settings. Irene graduated from the State University of New York, College at Cortland with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned her Masters of Social Work degree from the State University of New York at Albany, School of Social Welfare.

• John Pinto

  Controller

  John Pinto

  Controller

• Allen Siegel

  Senior Director of Transportation & Day Services

  Allen Siegel

  Senior Director of Transportation & Day Services

  Allen has been working in the human services field since 1992. Over those years, he has acquired a vast knowledge of the varied needs of the individuals we serve and best practices for care. Allen joined EPIC Long Island in 2001 as an Assistant Manager at our Port Jefferson IRA and since then has demonstrated an unwavering commitment and dedication to the people in our care. Allen is particularly skilled in serving individuals with the most challenging medical and behavioral needs and was active in establishing an EPIC Long Island residence for severely behavioral individuals. The outcomes of this project have been so successful that the model has been endorsed for replication in future projects.

  Allen currently serves as EPIC Long Island’s Director of Day Services and maintains a strong belief in the benefits of a positive corporate culture. His innovative ideas for Day Habilitation were incorporated into the renovation of our new facility and have benefited both staff and consumers. Allen earned a BA from Stony Brook University in 2008.

• Cynthia Greco

  Senior Director of Residential Services

  Cynthia Greco

  Senior Director of Residential Services

  Cynthia joined the EPIC Long Island team in November 2021.  As the Senior Director of Residential Services, Cynthia oversees the operations of our 18 residences located throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

   

• Carolyn Walsh

  Director of CARE Center

  Carolyn Walsh

  Director of CARE Center

• Portia Ramsey

  Director of Children's Community Services

  Portia Ramsey

  Director of Children's Community Services

• Christine Bogle-Austein

  Mobile Crisis Team Chief Psychiatric Social Worker

  Christine Bogle-Austein

  Mobile Crisis Team Chief Psychiatric Social Worker