[To send an email, click on person's name]

Cynthia L. Fiore
Cynthia is Executive Director for Taconic Resources for Independence and the Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service, a program of TRI. She has been working in human services since 1980. She has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities as a Life Skills Instructor, and has also worked in Staff Development and Training.  Cynthia is a member of the Dutchess County Long Term Care Council and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  She is married, has two lovely daughters with learning disabilities, and lives with a hidden disability, diabetes.  When not on the job, she can be found hiking one of the many trails in the Hudson Valley; attending a concert, play or movie; playing tennis; or doing Tai Chi in the parking lot.

Cynthia's extension is 105

Patrick Muller
Patrick is the Program Director for Taconic Resources for Independence. He joined the team on May 9th, 1990 as the Independent Living Specialist.  In 2000, he helped develop the position of Mobile Benefits Counselor, funded through the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene. In 2007, Patrick completed Leadership Dutchess, a community leadership program through the Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. In 2010 he joined the Board of Directors of Projects to Empower and Organize the Psychiatrically Labled (PEOPLE, Inc.)

Patrick received his A.A.S. in Community Mental Health Assistance from Dutchess Community College, his B.A. in Social Worker Education from Marist College, and his M.S.W. in Social Work from Fordham University. Patrick chooses to focus on ABILITY rather than disability. He has faith in the fact that all people have a great capacity to contribute in the workplace.

Patrick's extension is 110

Diane Barkstrom
Diane is the Program Director and Staff Interpreter for the Mid Hudson Interpreter Service (MHIS), and has been part of the TRI team since 1995. She holds both a Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.  Diane graduated from the Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance, and performed with various dance companies.  While performing with the Body Language Dancers, she was introduced to American Sign Language (ASL), which was utilized for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences. Sign language captivated her so much that she attended Northeastern University’s ASL/English Interpreting Program and became a freelance interpreter in Western New York. Diane now resides in Dutchess County, where she still enjoys interpreting and dancing, and on occasion performing in and around the Hudson Valley and teaching for Dream Studio, LLC in Rhinebeck.

Diane's extension is 104

Jeanine Byrnes
Jeanine is the Coordinator of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services. She herself is Hard of Hearing and is a native of Dutchess County.  Her former positions with ARCDC and Greystone House Inc. have broadened her experience with persons with disabilities.  In addition, Jeanine has been learning Sign Language through association with many Deaf individuals in Dutchess County.  While learning the language, she came to realize a need for greater community awareness in regards to providing effective communication for persons whose first language is American Sign Language (ASL).  If you have any questions about the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act towards those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, please contact Jeanine.

Jeanine's extension is 103

Joanne DeLuca
Joanne is the Financial Coordinator at TRI and has been with the Center since 1995.  She graduated from Hofstra University on Long Island and has worked for both public accounting firms and private industry before entering the not-for-profit world.  At TRI, Joanne manages the financial and human resource elements of the organization.  She is married with two children.  Off hours, Joanne enjoys biking, reading, yoga, Pilates and drinking tea!  (Ok, she drinks tea at work too).  Fashion design is her passion; she could be a very successful clothing stylist if she was to give up her day job!  

Joanne's extension is 101

Debbie Denise

Debbie has been TRI's Mobile Benefits Counselor since June 2012. Debbie has a B.A. in Social Work and Sociology from SUNY New Paltz.  Debbie says entering college as a returning adult student was a wonderful experience, proving that it is never too late to expand your horizons with learning opportunities.  Debbie has over 12 years of experience in the human service field, working with teens, women, those who are homeless, and the elderly. She lives with her husband George (37 years in 2012!), and has an adult son, Eric, as well as 2 cats, Magik and Toby, and a duck. Debbie is very active in her church and enjoys family time, travel, reading, nature, and making jewelry.

Debbie's extension is 113

Pegi Johnson
Pegi is the Front Office Manager at TRI. She attended Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY with the goal of working with children as a Social Worker.  Although circumstances prevented her from finishing those courses, she continued to pursue her dreams.  She managed to go back to school, received a Certificate in Child Care and became a Teaching Assistant. Pegi also completed a training course to become a Peer Advocate, which led her to volunteer at Taconic Resources. After two months as a volunteer receptionist, she was hired for her current position. Pegi now lives in upstate New York and is enjoying every minute of living in this area.

Pegi's extension is 100

Karen Lynch
Karen is the Special Education Advocate at TRI.  She has facilitated support groups for Mental Health America in Dutchess County and has been a parent member in her home district since 1998. Karen's oldest of two sons has been classified since he was a preschooler. This has provided her the incentive to learn all she can about her son's rights, and about the responsibilities of the school district for his education.  Karen is involved in many special education groups throughout the Dutchess county area.  If you need resources, information or help in advocating for your child, please contact Karen. When not at the job, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Karen's extension is 112

David Panagotis

David joined the TRI team in May 2010 as The TRIumph Editor.  He is a graduate of Queensborough Community College and holds a B.A. in Behavioral/ Social Science from Marist College. He worked for the “The Awakening” (currently   “The TRIumph”) for fifteen years and worked for a while in the business field in New York City, before moving to the Hudson Valley Area in 1987.  David has been a member of MENSA, Ltd. for the past seven years, and enjoys the fields of religion, philosophy, and poetry.  He plans on attempting a PhD degree in Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University, beginning within the next few years, if possible, while still working part time at TRI.  David values his position at TRI very much, since he considers writing, especially the writing of poetry and prose, to be very helpful in coping in today’s world.  If you have a story, poem or illustration for publication, please contact David.

David's extension is 301

Mandi Sheraden

Mandi joined the team in June 2012 as Independent Living Specialist. TRI was one of four agencies where Mandi interned for her A.A.S. in Community Mental Health in 2011, graduating from Dutchess Community College. She has worked with diverse populations: interning as a counselor at Battered Women’s Services hotline, River Haven, and case management at Hudson River Lodging, which, in combination with her own life experiences, enables her to assist individuals with great empathy. Mandi loved interning at TRI so much that she became a volunteer, while at the same time studying part time at DCC for a second degree in Commercial Art, and working as a student assistant with DCC’s Office of Disability Services and Counseling and Career Services. Mandi has always willing to lend a helping hand since she was a toddler (yes, please ask her to tell you the story!).  She also has a talent and passion for art, and spends her free time painting, drawing, and sculpting. She hopes to combine her two passions by continuing her degree in the Arts and Psychology, with the goal of one day becoming an Art Therapist.

Mandi's extentions is 119

Dana Steele

Dana became the MHIS Coordinator in July 2012. When you need Sign Language  interpreting services, Dana is the person to call!  Dana attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, as well as Dutchess Community College. Her concentration at Antioch was on disability and gender theory, with a minor study in art. At Antioch, Dana also worked as a Community Government office assistant through the Federal Work Study Program.  Dana studied American Sign Language at DCC and worked through DCC’s Tutoring Center as a tutor for ASL 101 students. Dana has been certified as a Peer Educator with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention through Planned Parenthood since 2007. When not at work, Dana enjoys making art and exploring the Hudson Valley and Tri-state areas. 

Dana's extension is 102

Michael Sweeting
Michael, Peer Advocate and Employment Readiness Counselor, has worked in the human services field since 1981.  His experience includes employment counseling, job development, chemical dependency counseling, and serving as a life skills coach.  Michael served as the Mobile Benefits Counselor at TRI, and currently is a Peer Advocate with the responsibility of providing Employment Readiness Training.  His mission has always been, and continues to be, to assist others to attain self-sufficiency.  Michael’s passion for public service is an extension of his spiritual belief in service to others.  He is involved in a ministry to young adult males at a youth detention center and assists at the education department of his place of worship.  In his spare time, he attends Dutchess Community College, watches spy movies, and enjoys the TV shows “Burn Notice” and “The Closer.” 

Michael's extension is 111

Licia Valleau
Licia, the Billing Coordinator of MHIS, joined the Team in 2010, bringing 25 years of Customer Service experience, including 13 years as Billing Coordinator and  Office Manager of a sign language agency.  She finds working for a not-for-profit agency a most rewarding and welcome change. If you have any billing questions, Licia is the gal to ask. In addition, Licia has taken sign language classes to better communicate with her deaf friends and clients. She is a lifelong resident of Orange County where she lives with her husband, 3 sons, 1 dog, 1 cat and 4 chickens (aka "The Funny Farm"); and she enjoys her scenic drive to work through apple orchards and over the Hudson River, 4 days a week.

Licia's extension is 106

Special Thanks to Our Volunteers:

Ruth Thomas, Volunteer

Lonise Tillery, Volunteer

Stephina DeFelice, Volunteer, Consumer Advisory Committee

Joseph Thomas, Volunteer, Systems Advocate