Mr. Burke serves as President and CEO of Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. He has been employed at Hillcrest since 1985, serving as its CEO since 1992.

His experience spans over 30 years, working with children with special needs in both the private sector and public school system. Mr. Burke has been part of a team of professionals who have changed a bankrupt company, the former Avalon Schools, into a fiscally stable and successful Joint Commission accredited organization. Hillcrest employs over 500 professionals and operates with a $30 million dollar budget.

B.S. Special Education, Fitchburg State College
M.S. Psychology, Anna Maria College
M.B.A., Western New England College

Mr. Cusson began his career with Hillcrest as a Youth Development Counselor more than twenty years ago. He has been a senior manager since 1997, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2013.

His current responsibilities include the general oversight of the agency, supervision of the Senior Vice President, Human Resources, the Directors of Information Management and Workforce Development, and the Program Directors for Housatonic Academy and the ASD Residential Program. Mr. Cusson also oversees quality assurance and compliance with licensing and accrediting agencies, facilitation of Senior Management activities as well as the design and execution of company goals and operational objectives.

M.A. in Education - Concentration: Psychological Studies, Cambridge College
B.S. in Business Administration – Concentration: Marketing, Westfield State College

Mr. Smith has been employed by Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. since 1997.

As Senior Vice President, Mr. Smith oversees residential programming for adolescent girls, adolescent boys and the sexual-abuse specific program. He is responsible for all aspects of program oversight through the direct supervision of the Highpoint, Fernbrook and Hillcrest Center Program Managers and the Brookside Intensive Treatment Unit Program Director. Additionally, Mr. Smith is responsible for program development and implementation through the direct supervision of Hillcrest’s Education Director, Nursing Director, Clinical Director and Quality Assurance Director. Mr. Smith is also responsible for overseeing Hillcrest’s Admissions and Marketing department and working in conjunction with programs to maintain Agency census.

Before coming to Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. Mr. Smith had experience working with both adolescent boys and girls during his time living in upstate New York and Vermont.

During his tenure with Hillcrest, Mr. Smith has worked in most areas of residential including: direct-care, supervisory, program management and group facilitation. Additionally, Mr. Smith has held several key management positions including Program Director for the Intensive Treatment Unit, Program Director of the Highpoint Campus and Vice President of Residential Programs.

B.S. Human Services, State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh
M.B.A., Isenberg School of Business of University of Massachusetts Amherst

Mr. Placido is the Chief Financial Officer at Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. His responsibilities include overseeing the overall financial operations of the organization and affiliated organizations, preparing monthly financial statements, and annual operating budgets for each company, coordinating the annual external audits and preparing the monthly financial reports which he presents Boards of Directors for each corporation.

Mark is a member of the Senior Management Team and is involved with external parties such as lenders, retirement plan administrators and insurance providers. As Treasurer for both Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. and Hillcrest Dental Care, Inc. and is a member of the Board of Directors for Berkshire County Kids Place & Violence Prevention Center.

Mark joined Hillcrest in 2007. Prior to this he served as Treasurer of the Berlin Central School District in Berlin, New York for two years. Prior to that he was employed in the Accounting Department at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA for thirteen years, serving as Accounting Manager for the last seven years. Earlier in his career he worked for Hillcrest as a childcare worker and in the Business Office processing Accounts payable.

B.A. Government/Criminal Justice, Western New England University
M.B.A., Western New England University

Michele Morin is the Director of Workforce Learning at Hillcrest Educational Centers.   She is responsible for the generation and direction of blended learning programs with a focus on expanding the capacity of staff to meet the current and emerging needs of the individuals served.      

Michele has 28 years of experience in the field of education including 5 years as a high school educator in the public schools and 23 years as a staff educator in human services.  In 2005, Michele joined Hillcrest Educational Centers as the Director of Workforce Learning.

BS Ed in Secondary Education, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas
Certified Secondary School Educator
M. Ed. in Learning, Media, and Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst

April Slater Roche is the Director of Clinical Services at Hillcrest Educational Centers. In her role, April provides oversight for agency-wide clinical services including individual, group, and family therapies, crisis assessment work, as well as funding agency compliance measures.

April is an active member of her community, having served on her local School Committee and Arts Council as well as volunteering to coordinate youth events. She is an officer of her local Lions Club.

A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, April joined Hillcrest Educational Centers in 1996 as a direct care staff. In 1998, after completing her Masters in Social Work, April became a member of the clinical department. She has held positions of Clinician and Lead Clinician at various HEC sites, and has held the position of Director of Clinical Services for the past 4 years. She has been involved in the development and ongoing implementation of Hillcrest’s trauma-informed treatment model called “Skills for Life.” April holds licensure as an independent clinical social worker in the state of Massachusetts.

BSW, Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA
MSW, Boston College, Boston, MA

Mr. Gidarakos is employed by Hillcrest Educational Centers as the Director of Admissions and Marketing. His experience spans over 30 years in the human services field.

He was employed by the Eagleton School Inc. for 25 years until retirement. He began his career as a CCW, supervisor/administrator and then residential director. He served as Program Director for 17 years supervising all aspects of the program. He also served as Admissions and Marketing Director concurrently. Upon retirement he joined the Hillcrest team as the Director of Admissions and Marketing in January of 2012.

Allison Billard is the Program Director of the Housatonic Academy, Hillcrest Educational Centers’ therapeutic day school. She oversees the educational and therapeutic programming of the school, as well as the day-to-day functioning of the campus.

Allison is an active member of the Berkshire Young Professionals steering committee. She is also a member of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Class of 2013 Berkshire Leadership Program. She began her professional career as a School Psychologist within the Springfield Public Schools. In February of 2007, she joined Hillcrest Educational Centers as the School Psychologist for the Housatonic Academy. In October of 2008, she transitioned to her current position of Program Director.

B.S. in Psychology from Pine Manor College
M.S. in School Psychology from the College of St. Rose

Professional Licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in School Psychology

Professional Licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Special Education Administration

Dr. Welts is the Director of Information Services at Hillcrest Educational Centers. In this capacity he is responsible for all electronic communications systems and manages all software and hardware deployment and maintenance with a goal of providing professional and timely services to all programs and departments.

Dr. Welts came to Hillcrest in 1990 with 17 years of direct care experience in residential facilities as a member of the Training Department. He was Director of Training and Information Services throughout the 90's and assumed sole responsibility for the Information Services Department in 2000. He has assumed several interim program management positions over the course of his tenure at Hillcrest.

BA, Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
M.Ed, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA
Ed.D, University of Massachusetts School of Education, Amherst MA

Peter Lopenzina is the Program Director for the Brookside Intensive Treatment Unit, a highly staffed hospital diversion program for 26 behaviorally challenged youth. He has overseen the successful growth of the ITU from a nine-bed facility in Hancock, MA into the current 26-bed facility in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Peter is active in the community, having served on a variety of boards and volunteering time for agencies such as Special Olympics, The Pittsfield Boys and Girls Clubs and the Catholic Youth Association. He worked in the newspaper business, including for the Berkshire Eagle, before joining Hillcrest in 1985. Over the years he has run a variety of programs for Hillcrest while earning two Masters degrees, one in Human Service Administration in 1990 and a second in Social Work from Springfield College in 1999. As a clinician Peter has worked with the most behaviorally challenged students. He has experience programming for a variety of diagnoses and treatment issues, including those with fire setting, sexual boundary, and trauma/neglect backgrounds.

B.S. Journalism, Syracuse University
MSW, Springfield College

Todd Castine is a native of the Northern New York with over 25 years experience working with children and adults having a variety of handicapping conditions. Todd is the Director of Autism Services for Hillcrest Educational Centers and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Todd has co-authored research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and serves on a variety of Boards and Committees serving both the needs of Children with Disabilities, but also youth leadership training, and the development of community partnerships. Mr. Castine also speaks at regional and national conferences covering a variety of topics including the assessment and treatment of severe self-injury, staff motivation and engagement, characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders, specialized teaching procedures for the developmentally disabled, and difficulties associated with a variety of other special populations.

Todd has extensive experience working in environments specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed on the Autism spectrum and or individuals having intense learning and behavioral difficulties. Mr. Castine has a background in special education, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and supervising and or training graduate students in Master's Level training programs in special education, school psychology and ABA.

B.S. Ed. Special Education, SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY
M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis, Northwestern University, Boston, MA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Cheryl Richards is the Program Manager at Hillcrest Educational Centers Adolescent Girls Program. 

Cheryl graduated in 2012 with a BA in Psychology/Sociology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in North Adams, MA. She also received a certificate in Business Administration from MCLA in August 2013 and is currently enrolled in the Professional MBA program. Cheryl started at Hillcrest Educational Centers in 1996 as direct care staff and worked her way to Program Manager at the Hillcrest Center campus in Lenox, MA. The Center is an all-girls program with high-risk, emotionally challenged girls with minimal social skills. Cheryl oversees the daily operations of the program and directly supervises the Residential Coordinator as well as Program Supervisors. She is responsible for coordinating with campus administrators to develop, implement, and maintain guidelines, protocols, and procedures specific to the programs student population and is responsible for managing census through the monitoring of admissions and discharges from the program.

B.A., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Currently enrolled – MBA Program, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

David Luckadoo is the Quality Assurance Director at Hillcrest Educational Centers. He has been employed with HEC since 2008 after relocating to the Berkshires from North Carolina. David is a member of the Senior Management Team and coordinates investigation within the agency dealing with possible allegations of Abuse or Neglect. He also takes an active role in campus security maintenance, environment of care, and staff training.

Before joining Hillcrest, David held the position of Youth Services Technician with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Since joining HEC in 2008 David has held several direct care supervisory and administrative positions. Before moving into his current position in 2014, David held the position of Fernbrook Program Manager.

B.A. Sociology & Geography, The Ohio State University

Ashley Collins is the Program Manager of the Hillcrest Educational Centers Highpoint Campus located in Lenox, Massachusetts.  She is responsible for overseeing the successful operation of both the Highpoint and Fernbrook Programs. The Highpoint Program specializes in the care and treatment of adolescent males who are in need of sexual abuse specific treatment. The Fernbrook Program specializes in treating adolescent males who have been exposed to abuse and neglect have a significant trauma history and engage in significant high risk behaviors. Ashley collaborates with the campus administrative team to ensure a trauma informed care environment is provided to students in all areas of program on the Highpoint campus. Additionally, she collaborates with the admissions department regarding referrals and admissions to the programs.  

Ashley served on the Board of Directors in the Secretary position for the Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross until November of 2014.   Experience Ashley joined Hillcrest Educational Centers in June of 2004. She has held multiple positions within the agency over her 10-year tenure. Prior to becoming the Program Manager of the Highpoint Campus these roles have included clinical Case Manager, Clinician, Lead Clinician and Clinical Coordinator at multiple campuses throughout the agency.

Bachelor of Arts Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration, Saint Michael’s College
Masters of Social Work, Springfield College
Licensed as an LICSW in the state of Massachusetts

Nancy has been the Director of Nursing since 2009. Her current responsibilities include total management of the medical and emotional health needs of the entire student population. Additionally Nancy mentors and supervises all nurses and nurse managers as well as actively participates in the Senior Management team.

Nancy has more than 35 years of nursing experience in pediatric health. This includes multiple years in hospital and pediatric office practices. She has gained additional occupational skills in biomedical research and insurance claims consulting.

Nancy has been with Hillcrest Educational Centers since 2006.

ASN Gwynedd Mercy College
BS Health Arts - University of St. Francis

Diane Parks is the Director of Education for Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. She is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Education, supervision of the faculty members, and the leadership and guidance in the provision of effective instructional programming.

Diane is an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) as well as a member of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS). She has held a variety of Teaching and Administrative positions in programs for special needs children in Pennsylvania and New York before joining Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc. in 1992. Over the past twenty two years as a member of the Hillcrest Community Diane has held multiple positions including Teacher, Principal and Assistant Program Director.

B.A. Psychology-Ithaca College- Ithaca, N.Y
M.Ed. in Special Education-Temple University-Philadelphia, PA
Licensure as:
Special Education Administrator (all levels)
Special Needs (PreK-9)
Special Needs (5-12)
Children with Severe Special Needs (all levels)

Sheila Mason is the Director of Development and Community Outreach. She is responsible for seeking individual and corporate gifts in addition to overseeing donor cultivation and stewardship efforts. Community fundraising events and programs include- the Hillcrest Annual Campaign, Staff Campaign, St. Patrick’s Spring Reception, The Fall Golf Classic benefit and the student Holiday Wish Program. She is also the agency’s volunteer program liaison.

Sheila volunteers as the Co-Chair of the Berkshire County Development Alliance, a group of fundraising professionals representing non-profit Berkshire organizations. She is a 2012 graduate of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s, Berkshire Leadership Program, and currently serves as a member of their steering committee.

Before coming to Hillcrest in 2012, Sheila served as the Assistant Director of the 50th Reunion Program at Williams College for many years. She was also a member of their Staff Advisory Board. Previously she worked in the dotcom industry having served as Assistant Producer and later Newsletter Production Manager at the former national media company, Streetmail.com. Additional career experience includes human resources, advertising and working in a family business.

B.A. English and Public Relations, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Mike Supranowicz is the Director of Communications at Hillcrest Educational Centers. He oversees Hillcrest Dental Care, Hillcrest Community Support Services, and the Hillcrest grant writing office.

Mike serves on the boards of the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Berkshire Applied Technology Collaboration and In May of 2011, Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick appointed Supranowicz to a five-year term on the Board of Trustees for Berkshire Community College.4

From 2005 - 2014 Mike was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Chief Operating Officer of 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Inc. From 2000-2005 he served as Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. Previous to his Chamber work, Mike managed supermarkets for Big Y Foods and the former Adams Supermarket.

Certificate in Geographic Information Science from the University of West Florida
B.S. Business Administration, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (2015)

Katrina Cardillo is the Director of Communications at Hillcrest Educational Centers. She collaborates with the members of the senior management team and other key personnel to develop a comprehensive brand strategy and communications plan for the agency/foundation.

Katrina is an active mentor in the Pittsfield High School Finance Academy Mentor Program and recently joined the Advisory Board for the Finance Academy. She is also a member of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Class of 2014 Berkshire Leadership Program.

Katrina joined automotive technology provider Dominion Dealer Solutions in 2003. She held multiple positions over her 7-year tenure. Most recently, she was the second member of the corporate Dominion Dealer Solutions marketing team with responsibility for division participation in industry events.

In 2014, Katrina changed careers and joined Hillcrest Educational Centers.

B.S. Business Administration, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
M.B.A., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Tricia Hunt joined Hillcrest Dental Care, Inc. as the Operations Director in December 2008. She manages both of the dental clinics for Hillcrest. The primary office which is located in Pittsfield MA and the satellite location which opened in October 2013 in North Adams MA.

Tricia enjoys working with Community Resources for People with Autism during their annual benefit event in May of each year. She previously participated and graduated with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Class of 2012 Berkshire Leadership Program.

Tricia joined the healthcare industry in 1997. She has held administrative and managerial positions over her 17-year tenure. Most recently, she was the Business Office Manager of a Federally Qualified Health Center in Bucksport Maine.

In 2008, Tricia moved back to the Berkshires and currently resides in Hinsdale MA. She has two children Alex and Abby and one grandson, Carter James.

Christa Collier is the Director of Berkshire County Kids’ Place, an affiliate of the Hillcrest Educational Foundation.  She is responsible for the oversight of the fiscal, administrative, clinical and fund development operations of the agency.      Christa is an active member of the ZONTA Club of Berkshire County and member of the Department of Children and Families Pittsfield Area Office Advisory Board.      

Christa has 18 years of nonprofit human services experience including being licensed as a social worker in Massachusetts. Prior to her role at Kids' Place, she worked at the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center from 1996-2011 in various managerial positions. In 2011, Christa joined Berkshire County Kids’ Place.

A.S., Criminal Justice, Bay Path College
B.S., Criminal Justice, Southern Vermont College
M.S, Communications and Information Management, Bay Path College