Staff
Peter W. Clakeley, Executive Director
Peter has been the executive director of the Woodlands since September 2000. During his tenure, he served as the president of the Woodlands Board of Directors for 8 years, executive director and president of the Board of Directors of the Spina Bifida Association of Western Pennsylvania from January 2004 through June 2006, and founding president of SBAWP Housing Board of Directors. Prior to joining the Woodlands, Peter was vice president of operations at Allegheny General Hospital. He possesses more than 22 years of management experience in healthcare.
Jesse Solomon, Director of Programs
Jesse brings a variety of experience to the Woodlands, including direction, leadership and instruction for camps for people with disabilities. She was summer program director for Camp R.O.C.K., a camp for children with autism spectrum disorder at Slippery Rock University and was lead teacher for Camp S.P.E.A.K. held by the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. She was counselor at Camp Wonderland, Lake of the Ozarks, MI, where she supervised more than 200 campers with intellectual and physical disabilities. Jesse taught in the Extended School Year setting, and most recently, worked as inclusion teacher at Southern Lee High School in Sanford, NC. She obtained her Master of Science in Adapted Physical Activity and Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University.
Denise Balkovec, Director of Development
Denise has spent her entire professional career working in fund raising and fund development in the not-for-profit arena. In her role as Director of Development, Denise is responsible for developing strategies and communications that will most effectively position the Woodlands for support from the private, corporate and government sectors. Denise is a graduate of Duquesne University and the Ealing School of Higher Education in London, England. She resides in Wexford with her husband John and daughters, Rachel and Morgan.
Andrea Vasil, Program Manager
Andrea is a 2011 graduate of Slippery Rock University, where she obtained a Master of Science in Adapted Physical Activity and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. She was camp coordinator for the VIP Sports Camp at Slippery Rock University, a camp for children who are blind or visually impaired. In addition, she was an adapted physical activity consultant for the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association in Patterson, NY. Andreal was awarded Adapted Physical Activity Graduate Student of the Year in March 2011 by AAHPERD, signifying that she is the top adapted physical activity graduate student in the nation.
Denis Bishop, Facilities Manager
Denis manages the on-going, year-round maintenance of the Woodlands’ 32-acre campus. He previously served as an operations manager at Home Depot, and was self-employed as a builder and building inspector in Michigan. He resides in Callery with his wife Jaclyn, and son and daughter, Emmett and Elise.
Martha Kummer, Administrative Assistant for Programs and Services
Martha has served as administrative assistant at the Woodlands in various capacities since 2002. Prior to returning to Pennsylvania, she resided in Michigan, where she owned and operated a secretarial service for 15 years in the Detroit area and pursued her passion for music by serving as a church organist for 10 years. She especially enjoys the Notes from the Heart Music camp, and is passionate about the Woodlands and the children they serve.
Maureen Patton, Development Coordinator
Maureen has been with the Woodlands as development coordinator since October 2008. She oversees grant writing, manages the database, and is the local IT administrator, in addition to other functions. She previously served 17 years with the Spina Bifida Association.
Eric Stanley, Maintenance Assistant
Eric joined the Woodlands staff this summer as maintenance assistant. He is a 2009 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, where he currently volunteers as a wrestling coach for the team of which he was formerly a member. He resides in Cranberry Township.
Bethany Warner, Staffing and Volunteer Manager
Beth joined the Woodlands as the manager of staffing and volunteers. She has worked for organizations which provide services to people with special needs since 2004. Beth is currently working toward her degree in Human Resources Management at Point Park University. Born and raised in Ohio, Beth moved to Pittsburgh in 1999. She currently resides in the Churchill area of Pittsburgh with her husband Brian and their 2 cats, Biddie and Pizza.
Terri Stevens, Financial Coordinator
Terri joined the Woodlands as financial coordinator and official accountant in 2008. She brings 15 years of experience as a corporate accountant to the position. Terri is a graduate of La Roche College.
Rachel Regester, Administrative Manager
Rachel is Administrative Manager at the Woodlands. She prepares materials and facilitates communications for the Board of Directors and its subcommittees. In addition, she produces the Woodlands "Imagine" newsletter and assists with the flow of marketing information.
Adam Bostwick, Wellness and Fitness Manager
Adam joined the Woodlands after completing an internship in the Wellness Center during the summer of 2011. He currently manages the year-round aquatic and land-based fitness programs. Adam received his Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies and completed his Master's Degree in Adapted Physical Activity, both from Slippery Rock University. He now lives in Ellwood City, PA with his wife Pam.
Lisa Caputy, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Lisa joined the Woodlands staff in the summer of 2011 as marketing and communications coordinator. She is a graduate of James Madison University, where she majored in Marketing and minored in Human Resource and Development. She was also very active in the Alternative Break Program at JMU.
Jack Mowry, Maintenance Assistant
Jack has been with the Woodlands Foundation since November of 1998 as a maintenance assistant after his retirement from working with industrial electronics for 32 years. Jack has worked on projects across the Woodlands 32-acre campus including the Farmhouse front porch, concert pavilion, gazebo, Farmhouse deck, and Meditation Center library. Almost everything on the campus has been touched by Jack’s carpentry skills. Jack is happily married to Priscilla and enjoys spending time with his 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
Margaret "Peggy" Harris, Food Services Manager
As the Woodlands’ food services manager, Margaret plans and prepares meals for retreats, summer camps, volunteer groups and guest functions. She also coordinates staffing and provides instruction during cooking class at retreats or summer camp. Margaret teaches Religious Education, works with the youth group and is a choir member at St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry Township. With her husband Dave, she is the proud parent of a son, D.J. (and daughter-in-law Jami), and daughter, Tiffany.
Joe Trgovac,C.P.A.
Joe has been working with various nonprofits for more than 20 years, and was instrumental in setting up the Woodlands' accounting system. He is a 1980 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, and is an avid hockey enthusiast.
Judi Cannava, Creative Arts Coordinator
Judi began her position as the part-time creative arts coordinator at the Woodlands in 2007. She is a former WQED producer who served for many years as the host of Morning Classics, and as a producer of the PSO radio series.
Grafton Eliason, Spirituality Coordinator
Grafton is the chaplain and coordinator of the spirituality program at the Woodlands, implementing the spirituality component and supervising interns from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He also serves as an associate professor of counseling psychology at the California University of Pennsylvania. Grafton is certified in School, Agency and Community Counseling and holds a Doctorate of Education from Duquesne University.
*all staff emails are first initial last name @woodlandsfoundation.org