The President & CEO of Community Mental Health Affiliates since 2006, Raymond J. Gorman has served the people of Connecticut for over 40 years through his efforts in both the public and private sector. Gorman is the former Commissioner of the CT Office of Health Care Access where he regulated the Hospital and Healthcare industry in landmark decisions regarding access to reproductive services, hospital closures, mergers and acquisitions, and the establishment of the first for profit hospital in CT. As Deputy Commissioner of the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, he led a team that was responsible for the orderly closure of the two antiquated State Hospitals at Norwich and Fairfield Hills, and the expansion of Mental Health services across the state. As the registered lobbyist and CEO of the CT Child Caring Association he brought successful legal action against the State of Connecticut, compelling the State to pay the reasonable costs of care for disabled children served in Residential Treatment Centers. He has served in leadership roles in numerous health and human services organizations and trade associations. He has been appointed by several Governors to legislatively mandated committees and task forces. Gorman is a graduate of Antioch University, earning his Master's degree in Human Services Administration in 1990. A Connecticut native, he resides in Newington. An ardent trivia fan, he possesses a vast reservoir of fairly interesting but mostly useless information.

Mary has been CMHA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2008. She graduated from UCONN’s School of Business with a BS in accounting. Mary is also an active member of the Non-For-Profit Committee of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mary has lead, developed, and – in some cases – rebuilt agencies throughout her extensive career. Managing the construction and renovation of several multi-million dollar projects, to realize CMHA’s strategic mission of consolidating sites and improving access to care, proved to be her most difficult – and rewarding – experience. She is passionate about nonprofits and firmly believes in CMHA’s philosophy: Recovery is real, everyone matters, and there is no such thing as a hopeless case. In addition to being a longtime volunteer with CT Special Olympics, she happens to have both a motorcycle and boating license, although she owns neither!

Grace is the Chief Operating Officer at CMHA and has been with the agency for the past 17 years. Grace is a graduate of the UCONN School of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She had spent the beginning of her career in the substance abuse area of the organization, and after obtaining her Master’s Degree in Social Work, transitioned into a leadership role overseeing the Mental Health group home system. She also held leadership roles in both child and adult outpatient programs at CMHA. Grace has spent most of her career focusing on the integration of substance abuse, mental health, and physical health services within the organization to provide a holistic approach for the clients we serve. Grace’s most notable attribute is her laugh; you know when Grace is in the building if you hear the sound of her laugh!

Laura is Vice President of Intensive Operations and has been with the agency for the last 14 years. A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, she practices as an LPC. Over the years, Laura has served in a variety of clinical and administrative positions, most recently overseeing the Intensive, Home Based and Community Support departments. She has been an active member of the senior management group for the last seven years. Laura is an avid runner of almost 30 years and her motto is: “Say yes as much as possible -- and drink plenty of coffee!”

Ann has been with CMHA for 17 years. She is a graduate of UConn School of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ann spent the early part of her career in CMHA's Residential Services, where she helped to transform the agency's system of care. Ann's expertise spans across multiple clinical programs. Part of agency leadership for 14 years, Ann currently oversees Residential Services, Adult & Child Outpatient Services, Forensic Services, the Behavioral Health Home, and other Community Programs. Ann is known for her weekly visits to Marshall's.

Chris has been with CMHA since 2015. He started in the organization's Integrated Health Care program (Behavioral Health Home), where he helped transform and enhance CMHA's healthcare integration model. Chris has served in a variety of positions across multiple community and residential programs. In his current role as VP of Strategy & Innovation, Chris oversees the Performance Improvement and External Relations Departments. Chris is an integral part of CMHA's Legislative Advocacy initiatives, Chair of the agency's Valuing Diversity Committee, and represents CMHA in the statewide CLAS standards initiative. A graduate of the University of Saint Joseph and Central Connecticut State University, Chris holds a Master's in Clinical Social Work and a Master's in Business Management with a Certification in Project Management and Six Sigma. Chris stands at 6 feet and 6 inches tall ... and no, he does not play basketball.

As Vice President of Human Resources, Stacey has oversight of the Human Resources department at CMHA. Stacey holds a Master’s Degree in Labor Relations from The University of New Haven and has been working in healthcare and human services for over 22 years. Stacey previously worked for large health systems in the state but has since shifted her passion for Human Resources towards smaller not for profit organizations, with a focus on both organizational and leadership development. Stacey is an avid Buffalo Bill’s fan and loves nothing more than watching a football game with her family while eating wings. Her favorite wings are from Anchor Bar, the famed birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing.

As Vice President of Finance, Karen has oversight of the finance department and property management at CMHA. Karen is a graduate of Post University and has been working in the non-profit arena for over 30 years. She first worked for the Village for Families & Children in Hartford before joining CMHA 13 years ago. Karen also has over 30 years’ experience in federal and state grants management. Karen’s taste in music is rather eclectic, but her favorite is rockin’ out to the Foo Fighters at Fenway Park.

John is CMHA’s Medical Director. He first served in the role from 2002-2005, then John worked at various hospitals throughout Connecticut for the following 8 years. He returned to CMHA in 2013 and worked in a number of programs, including the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Ability Beyond, and the Torrington Adult Outpatient Program. He became Medical Director in 2020 and continues to have clinical responsibilities. John graduated from the University of Virginia then attended the University of Maryland's School of Medicine. He completed his psychiatry residency and fellowship at Cornell and Yale. John would consider leaving CMHA only to be a roadie for the Cowboy Junkies. He’s especially proud of himself for finally learning how to cook during the COVID lockdown.

Todd is a registered pharmacist and owner of Beacon Prescriptions in New Britain. A graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Todd spent 17 years as a pharmacy manager at CVS before becoming manager at Beacon Prescriptions in 2011. Todd became the owner of Beacon Prescriptions in 2014 and has since formed a great relationship with the staff and clients of CMHA. He is a proud supporter of CMHA and the community of New Britain and is thankful for his involvement in the organization. Todd is a lifelong resident of Berlin.

A lifelong New Britain/Berlin resident, Hunter is a realtor who owns several rental properties near CCSU (his alma mater) and works as an environmental sales rep for Clean Harbors. As a former member of the New Britain fair housing commission and a current member of the Berlin Zoning Board of Appeals, Hunter is particularly interested in CMHA’s operations. CMHA’s mission is also very important to Hunter. “My family has a long history of addiction,” he explains. “Being a part of the recovery process gives me internal satisfaction beyond what I can explain.”

Marissa is a staff attorney with the General Counsel’s Office of the Hartford accounting firm RSM US LLP. She is part of a team of in-house attorneys that defends professional liability cases brought against the firm, focused largely on the assurance practice, and also advises the firm on regulatory and risk management issues that affect and arise out of that practice. Prior to her current role, she served as an audit manager with RSM US LLP, and her clients spanned several industries, including financial institutions, manufacturing, commercial, real estate, not-for-profits, and employee benefit plans. Marissa is also an active member of various professional organizations within accounting and law, serves on the Securities Litigation Committee of the New York City Bar Association, and regularly participates in community volunteer opportunities. Marissa was named one of CTCPA’s New and Young Professionals to Watch in 2018 and Women to Watch in 2021. She is a graduate of CCSU and Quinnipiac University School of Law.

Trained in nursing, biology and gerontology, Jennifer has worked as a nurse in several area hospitals and as a public health nurse for the city of New Britain. After completing her forensic nurse examiner training, Jennifer graduated from the Hartford Police Academy and began working as a patrol officer for the City of New Britain. Promoted to Detective in 2007, she specialized in investigating child abuse, and she is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. In addition to serving on the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, she is a Field Training Officer, coordinator of the Crisis Intervention Team, and a member of the Peer Support Team.

Steven is Chairman of the DMHAS North Central Regional Mental Health Board Catchment Area Council 19. Many of you may recognize his smiling face, having seen him around CMHA when he delivered mail and transported clients as a driver for us for seven years. As a person with lived experience in the Behavioral Health system, as well as a long history of client advocacy, Steven brings an insightful and unique perspective to our board.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Veronica moved to Connecticut 20 years ago to join ESPN, where she worked for six years before moving to the nonprofit arena. After joining the Governor's Prevention Partnership, she then served as Executive Director for College Summit, a national college access program. Upon being elected to Congress in 2018, Jahana Hayes appointed Veronica to be her district director. Veronica serves on the Board of the New Britain YWCA and the New Britain branch of the NAACP.

First elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2004, representing the 30th House District, Joe served as House Majority Leader from 2012 to 2016, and as Speaker from 2016 to 2020. During his 16 years as a state representative, he has received many awards and accolades, including the CT Community Provider Association's Community Champion Award, and named a Children's Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for his work to ensure that Connecticut's children remain a legislative priority.

A lifelong resident of Bristol and former Interim Mayor (2015 - 2017), Anthony is part of the 3rd generation of family leadership at D'Amato Construction, where he's charged with the management of special projects for entities under the D'Amato umbrella, overseeing technology and implementation organization wide. Prior to joining the family business, he managed compliance, risk management, and purchasing for Bristol's Power Fuels Heating & Cooling. Director of the Bristol Education Foundation, Anthony is a former Commissioner for the Board of Police Commissioners for the City of Bristol.

Dr. Merenstein is the Interim Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning, as well the Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research (CCESR) at CCSU. She joined the faculty at CCSU in 2004 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor and Professor. Dr. Merenstein has an active role in curriculum development and was instrumental in implementing Equity, Justice, and Inclusion into the university's general education curriculum.

Paul, born and raised in Providence, RI, attended CCSU and was a member of the Men’s Swim Team. Upon graduation, Paul settled in New Britain where he began his Medical Sales career 20 years ago. Currently a Vice President of Sales, Paul follows his passion to educate physicians and health institutions on leading regenerative technologies to help their Wound Care Patients. He is looking forward to supporting CMHA’s mission to help individuals in our community access the quality care they need.