J. Philip Kirchner, Esq. Elected President of the MHASWNJ Board of Directors

Mary Lynne Reynolds, Executive Director of The Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey (MHASWNJ), announced the Officers and incoming class of the MHASWNJ's Board of Directors for 2009-2010 during the Agency's Annual Meeting at Tavistock Country Club.   Reynolds noted that the newly elected officers and board members bring a wealth of knowledge, commitment, and experience to The Association. The following individuals were elected to serve as officers:

J. Philip Kirchner, Esq., President - Flaster Greenberg, PC
Ted Novak, Esq. - Office of the NJ Public Advocate
Jo-Anna Rubin - Berman, VP Human Resources TD Bank
Chief Thomas J. Garrity, Jr., Vice President - Chief of Police, Borough of Collingswood, NJ
Nancy Cuomo, Secretary - Mental Health Advocate
Richard A. Middleton, Treasurer - CPA, Alloy, Silverstein, Shapiro, Adams, Mulford, Cicalese, Wilson & Co.
 
Reynolds also stated that the incoming class for the Board of Directors included:
Rose W. Chin, MBA -Carat Juroca LLC
Amelia B. Kressler -Community Activist

The MHASWNJ works to create a community where individuals with mental illness can live and participate to their fullest potential.  We pursue our mission through advocacy, education and training, and supportive services.
 
According to Reynolds, "Each of the new board members and officers were recruited because of their dedication to the mission of the agency and their significant role in advocating, educating, and promoting mental wellness on behalf of those suffering with mental illness." 

Reynolds added, "We are confident that their personal commitment as well as considerable knowledge and skills will be a significant asset to The MHASWNJ as we continue to strengthen and expand our programs and services."

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Introducing the New Executive Officers & Board Members of The Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey (MHASWNJ)

J. Philip Kirchner, Esq., President
Phil Kirchner is a shareholder and attorney at Flaster Greenberg P.C. in Cherry Hill, NJ. Phil concentrates his practice on resolving business disputes, including complex litigation of all types of business issues in both the federal and state courts of NJ and PA, and in the federal courts of NY.  Phil joined The MHASWNJ Board of Directors in May of 2006.  Phil's reasons for joining the board three years ago were, "My wife and I wanted to work with a non-profit in their community and [The] MHASWNJ is local, the good work it does is realized locally, and the money we hope to raise for [the agency] will be spent locally."  Phil Kirchner and his wife, Karen, reside in Haddonfield, NJ with their sons John and Matthew.  

Chief Thomas J. Garrity, Jr. BA, CPM, CIT
Tom Garrity has been the chief of police in Collingswood, NJ since 1996.  After the death of an inmate with mental illness at the Camden County Jail in 2004, Tom became interested in working with the mental health community to create a jail diversion program for persons with mental illness.  He joined The MHASWNJ Board of Directors in May of 2006 to help foster that relationship.  Shortly after joining the board of directors, Tom learned about an innovative police program entitled "CIT" (Crisis Intervention Team) that was being used in Memphis, TN.  The CIT diversion model is a partnership between the police department, advocacy groups (such as The MHASWNJ), and the mental health system.  Law enforcement officers volunteer to participate in a 40-hour training program that teaches them how to recognize psychiatric and substance abuse problems, de-escalation techniques, and how to link individuals to resources in the community.  He comments that "I see this program [CIT] and the area of [mental health] as the next big ground shift for law enforcement.  It changes the way we deal with people suffering with mental illness and it provides a better service to the people in need as well as their families."  He resides in Collingswood, NJ with his wife, Rose, and two children, son TJ and daughter Lara. 

Rose W. Chin, MBA
Rose Chin is the principal at CARAT Juroca, a consultation firm that works with non-profit organizations and small businesses in applying core business skills to impact efficiency and effectiveness.  Rose has an extensive background in business that began with the receipt of her Bachelor of Arts Degree Cum Laude in Economics and Computer Science from Smith College and her MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.  Rose has worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers, CITIGROUP, Inc., AVON Products, Inc., and Campbell Soup Company.  During her years working for AVON, Rose obtained global business experience via her direct involvement in initiatives that spanned Asia Pacific and European regions.  Rose and her family reside in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Amelia B. Kressler
Amelia Kressler is an active civic leader in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  She has recently served as a loaned executive for the United Way of Gloucester County as well as serving on its board.  Amelia is involved with the Gloucester County Commission on Women, League of Women Voters, Child Care Coalition of Gloucester County, Holly Shores Girl Scout Council, Inc., and is a Second Auxiliary at Underwood Memorial Hospital.

Amelia has held several prestigious business positions as a Government Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Marketing Officer and Manager of Marketing Research at First Pennsylvania Bank, and as an Economist at the Federal Power Commission, Bureau of Natural Gas.  She lives in Woodbury, NJ.