The Association has several committees. Several are offshoots of our Board of Directors, established to oversee specific parts of our organization or events. Others are groups of experts that we have assembled to oversee the organization’s efforts in specific areas related to brain injury.

Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee

Our Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee advises the Association’s public policy and advocacy goals and endeavors. The staff liaison to this committee is Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs. Current committee members are:

Board Development Committee

Our Board Development Committee is responsible for the continual development of our Board of Trustees. The staff liaisons to this committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, Executive Director, and Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development. Current committee members are:

• Irene Parisi, Ph.D., Chair
• Michael Greenwald
• John W. Indyk
• Glenn McCreesh
• Bruce H. Stern, Esq.
• John K. Tiene

Children & Adolescents Committee

Our Children & Adolescents Committee was developed to address the specific needs and issues of school-aged children. Staff liaisons to this committee are René Carfi, Director of Community and Information Services, Justin Stanley, Information & Resource Specialist. Current committee members are:

• Bradford J. Ross, PhD, Co-Chair
• Malia Corde, Co-Chair
• Donna Bogart
• Connie Domingo, MD
• Paula Henry
• Linda Levine
• Joseph Marcantuono, Ph.D.
• Janet Margusity
• Kerri Meberg
• Lois Mishkin, MA, CC/LDTC
• Susan Paradise, MEd.
• Crystal Ramirez
• Justin Stanley
• Sue Stephens
• Judith Woop, M.Ed., RN

The Children and Adolescents Committee is currently seeking new members.  If you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact Rene Carfi at rcarfi@bianj.org

Concussion in Sports Steering Committee

Our Concussion in Sports Steering Committee is responsible for spearheading the activities of the organization’s Concussion in Sports Campaign. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator, Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate, and Tim Manny, Project Assistant. Current committee members are:

• Barbara Geiger-Parker, Chair
• Robert Baly
• Jill Brooks, PhD
• Cynthia Cross, RN, MSN, CCRN, APN-c
• Ronald J. Czajkowski
• Connie D. Domingo, MD, FAAP, FAAPMR
• David Gealt, DO
• Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC
• Gregg S. Heinzmann, EdM
• Phil Hossler, ATC
• W. Robert Howarth, DDS
• Marilyn E. Kent, MSN., RN
• Jack Kripsak, DO
• Stephen Rice, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAP, FACSM
• Ronald C. Savage, EdD

Council for the Head Injured
Community (CHIC)

The Council for the Head Injured Community is comprised of people with brain injuries, who empower themselves and others to become effective self advocates and advocates on brain injury-related issues that affect the community. The staff liaison to this committee is Tom Grady, Directory of Advocacy and Public Affairs. The current Chair of this committee is Edwin Rivas. CHIC always welcomes new members. Please visit our CHIC page to learn more.

Gala Event Committee

Our Gala Committee is responsible for planning the Association’s Annual Gala. The staff liaison to this committee is Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development. Current committee members are:

• Becky Quick, Mistress of Ceremonies and Honorary Chair
• Richard Bagger, Honorary Co-Chair
• David Grubb, Honorary Co-Chair
• Harrison J. Gordon, Co-Chair
• John K. Tiene, Co-Chair
• Mary Jennings
• Glenn McCreesh
• Barbara Geiger-Parker

Operations Committee

Our Operations Committee serves in an advisory capacity for the overall operations of our organization. The staff liaison to this committee is Gisela Rutch, Director of Finance and Operations. Current committee members are:

• Michael Niemiec, Chair
• Milton S. Hall
• David Lipsky
• Glenn McCreesh
• Morton Perkoff, MD
• Albert R. Pressler, PE
• John K. Tiene

Public Information and Prevention Education (PIPE) Advisory Board

Our PIPE Advisory Board is responsible for adancing the organization’s public information and prevention education activities. The staff liaisons to this committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, Executive Director, Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, and Bill Kohlbenschlag, Communications Associate. Current committee members are:

• Ronald J. Czajkowski, Chair
• Jill Brooks, PhD
• David N. Grubb
• Ted Kastner, MD
• David Koury, PMP
• William Margaretta
• Jim McGarry
• Cynthia Noble
• Rich Reitman
• John K. Tiene

Seminar Committee

Our Seminar Committee is responsible for planning and running the Association’s Annual Seminar. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development and Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator. Current committee members are:

• Joanne Azulay, PhD, MSW, Co-Chair
• Bradford Ross, PhD, Co-Chair
• Sam Bayoumy, PT
• Steven Benvenisti, Esq.
• George Carnevale, PhD
• Georgianna Dodd
• Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC
• Sharon Gola
• Roy Lippin
• Angel McLaughlin, MA, MEd, LPC
• Gary Mabie
• Lois Mishkin, MA, CCC/LDTC
• Dianne Simmons-Grab, MA, CLCP
• Rita Yohalem

The Seminar Committee accepts new members annually, after the event takes place in May. If you are interested in applying, please contact Jill Schulman at (732) 745-0200 or jschulman@bianj.org to learn more.

Strategic Planning Committee

The Strategic Planning Committee is a group of board and staff members responsible for developing and implementing a three-year strategic plan for our organization. Current committee members are:

• Glenn McCreesh, Chair
• René Carfi, MSW
• Barbara Geiger-Parker
• Tom Grady
• Irene Parisi, PhD
• Edwin Rivas
• Jill Schulman
• John K. Tiene

Support Group Task Force

Our Support Group Task Force is responsible for addressing issues related to Association-affiliated support groups. The staff liaison to this committee is Carol Cashin, Director of Family Support. Current committee members are:

• Michael Greenwald, Chair
• Milton S. Hall
• Irene Parisi, Ph.D.

Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety Subcommittee

Our Walk and Cycle Committee is responsible for planning and running the Association’s Annual Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator, and Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate. Current committee members are:

• John W. Indyk, Chair
• Lorraine Adawi
• Kathy Barbato
• George Carnevale, PhD
• Janet Gwiazda
• Donna Jones
• Corrine Slade
• Nancy Sommerville

The Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety Committee accepts new members annually, after the event takes place in October. If you have expertise that would help us grow this event and the desire to help us do so, please contact Jill Schulman at (732) 745-0200 or jschulman@bianj.org to learn more about applying.