Executive Board

Board of Directors / Chapter Minutes

ASA 2010 Board Meetings

President
Name:	Lisa Gerontes-Bowe
Bio:	Lisa Gerontes-Bowe is an autism consultant with the Special Education Association of Peoria County, Peoria, IL. She has a Masters in Special Education, has taught 14 years as a teacher of Early Childhood Special Education and ten years in adult education. She is a nationally certified teacher in Early Childhood through Young Adult Special Education and is completing her behavior analyst certification. Lisa was the co-founder of the local support group, which became part of the Peoria Regional Chapter for ASA and is one of 25 Women in Leadership for the Central Illinois Area. Lisa works with colleagues to implement new and innovative ways to teach individuals with autism, is a parent of a 15-year old son with Asperger’s Syndrome and an 11 year old daughter. Lisa is actively involved in community projects that increase awareness about services and the needs of individuals with autism. In her spare moments, Lisa enjoys out-fishing her husband, crafting, and surfing the internet.

Co-Vice
Name:	Erynn Dykstra

Secretary
Name:	Kristi Blumenshine

Treasurer
Name:	Donna Cady
Bio:	My name is Donna Cady. My husband and I were blessed with our son who is 13 and has high functioning autism. He is in the 7th grade at Brimfield Grade School. I have worked as the church accountant for Northminster Presbyterian Church for 6 years and prior to that 26 years in government accounting. We have always lived in the Peoria area and have been married 15 years. I am very excited about becoming more involved in the Peoria Chapter of the ASA and hope to meet a lot of new families.

Outgoing President
Name:	Diane Parrish
Bio:	My name is Diane Parrish. My husband, Robert, and I have been married for 27 years, we have 5 children. Our only son who is nine has autism. I am a registered nurse. My husband and I, with the help of many, formed the local chapter of the Autism Society of America to promote awareness and to provide support and information for all those families, individuals and educators that are affected by Autism.

Special Events Coordinator
Name:

Board Member
Name:	Shelly Hancock
Bio:	Hello! My name is Shelly Hancock. My husband and I have been married 8 years and live in Sunnyland. We have a 6 year old son who has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. I worked at Caterpillar for 10 years, resigning due to complications during my pregnancy. I currently work as a substitute Para-educator for District 50 Schools in Washington. I am excited to be a member of the Peoria Regional Chapter of the ASA; I look forward to providing support and friendship to those affected by Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders.