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Michael Finneran

Mike Finneran graduated from St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, Ohio and Gallaudet University with BA in government and MA from CSUN. He was a teacher, a principal, dean of students and then superintendent of two deaf schools: Vermont and Mississippi. He was employed by Sprint and he is now working with ZVRS as senior sales director. He has seven children and now he resides in East Hartland with his beloved Sunshine and two teenage girls. His hobbies are: golfing, gardening, reading newspapers and hiking.

Harvey J. Corson

Dr. Harvey J. Corson graduated from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and attended Gallaudet University earning a B.A. in Economics and Education and a M.S. in Education of the Deaf. He received M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from California State University at Northridge. Harvey received his doctoral degree in Special Education from University of Cincinnati. He held positions of professor at Gallaudet, assistant superintendent at the Kentucky School for the Deaf during 1973-1977. He then became superintendent of the Louisiana School for the Deaf in 1977 before returning to Gallaudet University in 1990 as provost/senior vice- president and professor of education. He served as superintendent of the Kentucky School for the Deaf from 1994 to 2001. Harvey retired from his position as executive director from the American School for the Deaf in 2006 after serving for five years. Dr. Corson continues to be very active in many professional and civic organizations. For the past three years, 2006-2009, he served as law chair/ board member of the Connecticut Association of the Deaf. Harvey and his lovely wife, Mary Ann, reside in Hartford, CT.

Anna Maria Rinaldi

Anna graduated from American School for the Deaf, Gallaudet University and CSUN with Master’s Degree. She taught ASL/Deaf Studies/Interpreter Preparation Program (IPP) to hearing students as she felt they will get much learning from Deaf professor. She taught in several states and recently retired from teaching at NWCC in Winsted. Teaching has left Anna Maria feeling fulfilled with unique experiences. She helped with establishing ITP in Georgia/Holyoke Community College/Springfield College in MA. The Deaf programs are still active in MA with some adjustment called Deaf Studies. Anna’s love affair with theater started as a student in Gallaudet and has remained with her since. She participated acting with several organizations especially with Sound-Off Theater here in CT. Her biggest feat was climbing Mt Hood in Oregon in 1985. Her accomplishments include first recipient of RID Mary Stotler Professional Development Award, Deaf Woman of the Year in Oregon, and Women of Achievement in Georgia. She is presently active with CAD Board, GUAA Board, NAD and CRID member-at large.

James L. Pedersen

James L. Pedersen graduated from Montana school for the Deaf and Blind and also graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.S. in Physical Education. He attended Leadership Training Program at California State University, Northridge and earned M.A. in the area of deafness. He was Principal of Vocational Technical Department at the American School for the Deaf for 18 years and is retired past seven years. Prior to employment at American School for the Deaf, he held different job positions as physical ed. instructor and coach, rehabilitation counselor for the deaf and state coordinator for the deaf in Montana, and Coordinator of Massachusetts Office of Deaf in western part of Mass. He continues very active with different local, state and New England regional organizations for the deaf community as well as out in the West (before moving to Connecticut). He enjoys doing handy projects around his home, spending his time with his family and reading when he has time.

Sandra Inzinga

Sandra (Sandy) Inzinga holds a Masters Degree and is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Sandy current is the Director of the Adult Vocational Services program at the American School for the Deaf. Sandy serves as an advisor/advocate on the following: Chairperson for the State Rehabilitation Council, with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services; the Deaf; Blind Advisory Council at the Board of Education Services for the Blind; The Deaf with Developmental Disabilities Council at the Department of Developmental Services; The Deaf Advisory Council with the Department of Children and Families; The Multicultural Advisory Council with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; the Deaf Advisory board with the Office of Protection and Advocacy; the advisory board to the Collegiate Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Interpreter Preparation Program at Northwestern CT Community College. Sandy is CAD’s 2007 Golden Hand Award recipient, and in her spare time enjoys traveling, reading, bicycling, bowling and a good hand at poker.

Patricia E. Wilson

Patricia E. Wilson won 1973 Outstanding Teenager of America award and was inducted 2003 Hall of Fame High School Sports. Patti graduated from St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, and attended NTID (Miss NTID Outstanding Student) for one year before transferred to Gallaudet University in 1978. She worked in the field of Human Services for Deaf children, adolescents and adults in Massachusetts for 22 years before moving to Connecticut where she was a former coordinator of Sign Language Services at American School for the Deaf. She considers herself as “semi-retired”. Patti was a founder and former director of Deaf Media Collaborative, Inc. (Inactive) in Boston, Mass. She used to be “one woman show” actress. She received The Golden Hand Award from NAD in 1989 when she was involved with Mass. State Association of the Deaf. She is now past president of CAD. Patti enjoys outdoor adventures and travel.

Richard Soboleski

Richard Soboleski is currently President and CEO of USA Deaf Shooting, Incorporated, under the United States Deaf Sports Federation and Deaflympics. Richard was a former participant in the Deaflympics on the US Deaf Shooting Team in 1985 and 1989. He is also retired from the Pratt &Whitney Eagles Services (Overhaul and Repair Center) where he worked as an assistant supervisor for 37 years.

Richard is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, the North American Hunting Club, the National Shooting Sports Federation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association, and many more. He continues to travel locally and internationally to pursue his hobbies of fishing and hunting. He is involved with deaf organizations such as the previous National Fraternal Society of the Deaf and as an active member of the National Association of the Deaf and CT Association of the Deaf, and he has received many certificates and awards. Richard’s wonderful wife, Luisa, is currently principal of the elementary school at the American School for the Deaf. They have two grown children, a son living in Vermont and a daughter living in Oregon.

Joan Krostoski-Hanna

Joan has been involved with the deaf community for over 35 years. Her parents and most of her family members are deaf. She is currently a teacher at American School for the Deaf and has several other side jobs such as certified deaf interpreter for Family Services of Woodfield, ASL consultant for Bushnell Theatre and Program Coordinator for Total Immersion (Sign Language Retreat) in CT, WA, AZ and MO. Joan is actively involved in many different organizations and clubs. She is a member of the National Theatre of the Deaf and is a performer for both Sound-Off Theatre and CRIDDERS. She is chairperson for CT Relay Services. Joan continues to work with many deaf-related advocacy issues on state and federal levels by writing and/or emailing letters to the politicians and legislatures. Joan is happily married to Ben Hanna for 26+ years. She has 2 step-children and 6 grand-children. Joan looks forward to serve you as a CAD’s member-at-large.

Barbara J. Cassin

Barbara J. Cassin was born and raised in CT. She graduated from American School for the Deaf. She then went to Gallaudet and NYU to receive her BA in Social Work and MA in Deaf Rehabilitation & Counseling respectively. She worked at New Jersey School for the Deaf, also known as Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf, for 4 years and moved to Philadelphia (worked at PSD) for 5 years. She realized that she missed New England and decided to move back home. Barbara has been working as a BRS counselor in Norwich area. Her hobbies are: camping, kayaking, racquetball and traveling.

Michael Elio Fiorino

Michael Elio Fiorino graduated from American School for the Deaf in 1985. He was formerly employed with The Hartford Insurance Group for almost 20 years and American School for the Deaf as a teacher aide in PACES program. He is currently working with Sprint as an outreach specialist. Elio is currently president of Connecticut Retirement Colony, a board member of Communication Advocacy Network, and CCOSD. He was also a board member of Hartford Deaf Club and a chair of Thanksgiving dinner for 7 years. He resides in West Hartford. He is still close with his beloved family – parents: Marie and Mike; sister Viola; two nieces, Rachel and Violet; and a nephew Albert. His pastimes are: rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Red Sox, reading newspapers, traveling, socializing with friends and politics.

Tammy Mae Ennis

Tammy Mae Ennis was born, raised in West Virginia and has two older sisters whom she considers her best friends and role models. She graduated Gallaudet with BA and MA. Tammy enjoys being a vegetarian and is a caffeine-addict. Her favorite food & drink are Nachos, peanut butter and chai. Her hobbies include reading books and traveling. She is a proud mother of an adopted dog and two cats. Tammy works as counselor at FSW in Bridgeport.

Heidi Forrest

Heidi graduated from Southington High School in 1995. She obtained her Bachelors in Criminology from Central CT State University with Department Honors. She then went on to the UConn where she received her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Policy and Planning and Children and Family studies. Heidi has been employed by the State of CT Bureau of Rehabilitation Services for 8 years, first as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf in Bridgeport and currently as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Transition Specialist in New Haven. She received Award for Excellence from the State of CT in October 2007 and was appointed by the Governor to the State Rehabilitation Council in 2008. Heidi also works for the State of CT Youth Leadership Project where she has volunteered for over 6 years now, first as a counselor and currently as a Program Facilitator. In addition to this, Heidi is employed by Yale University as a Language Partner encouraging students to study and learn about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Heidi is currently living in Southington, CT with her dog.

Maryann Peets

Maryann grew up in New Jersey and attended school for the deaf for a couple of years in Newark and then transferred to public schools in the Bronx, New York until her graduation. She decided to attend NTID to get involved with the deaf culture and majored in Health Information Management. She has been working at Greenwich Hospital for 27 years and is Coding Manager in Health Information Management Department. She was one of the first candidates to pass the Certified Coding Specialist examination in 1991 and is still actively a member of American & CT Health Information Management Associations. She taught sign language for several years in Greenwich and Norwalk. Maryann was CAD secretary for few years and is presently an editor for the CAD Newsletters. Maryann and her husband, Tom, are married for almost 30 years and they have 3 adult children.