BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Vladescu, Ph.D., BCBA-D

President

Jason C. Vladescu is the Chair of the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at SUNY Downstate. Jason completed his pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. He is the co-author of the book Statistics for Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners and Researchers and has published 85+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters spanning his research interests in early behavioral intervention for children with autism spectrum and related disorders, increasing the efficiency of academic instruction, staff and caregiver training, equivalence-class formation, and mainstream applications of behavior analysis. Jason is on the Science Board of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and is a current or former Associate Editor for Behavior Analysis in Practice and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He currently or previously served on the editorial board for Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, Behavioral Interventions, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, The Psychological Record, School Psychology, Behavioral Development, and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. He was the 2020 recipient of the APA (Division 25) New Applied Researcher Award. In his personal time, Jason enjoys traveling, reading biographies and science fiction, and being an avid pickleball player and pizza aficionado.

(Term Ends: June, 2025)

Frances A. Perrin, Ph.D., BCBA-D

President-Elect

Frances Perrin earned her B.S. in Psychology from Stockton College, followed by an M.S.Ed. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Temple University. She has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2002. Currently, Dr. Perrin serves as the Executive Clinical Director for Brett DiNovi and Associates, LLC. She previously coordinated the Master’s in Applied Psychology (MAP) Applied Behavior Analyst program at Rider University for 12 years. Before that, Dr. Perrin spent 15 years at Bancroft’s Lindens program, where she completed her supervised experience, advanced to a behavior analyst role, and eventually became the Clinical Director. Her clinical and research interests encompass functional assessment methodology, treatment development for severe challenging behavior, staff training, behavioral economics and preference assessments, as well as behavior analytic approaches to health and physical activity.

(Term Ends: June, 2025)

Patrick Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Past President

Patrick R. Progar currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Brett DiNovi and Associates. Patrick also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Rider University. Previous to this he served as the Executive Director of Princeton Child Development Institute for several years. Patrick also served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell College (now Caldwell University). Patrick received his BA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and his MS and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Patrick has served as a faculty member at several colleges and universities and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in developmental disabilities and applied behavior analysis at Children’s Seashore House of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Clinical and research interests involve staff training, functional assessment and functional analysis, choice behavior, behavioral economics, self-management, and a general interest in translational research.  (Term Ends: June, 2025)

Meghan A. Deshais, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Treasurer/Finance Chair

Lindsay Keker, MAT, BCBA

Secretary

Lindsay Keker is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the co-founder and Executive Director of Positive Pathways Behavior Services, a private practice which delivers home based ABA services, supervision and training, and school consultative services. Lindsay has over 13 years of experience practicing in the field. She received her Masters of Arts in Teaching from New Jersey City University and went on to complete her coursework and experiential hours towards her BCBA at Rutgers University. Lindsay began her work as a fieldworker at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center during her undergraduate studies and returned as a teacher at the center after receiving her Master’s degree. She has taught special education at Freehold Township public schools. Lindsay has extensive experience working with clients with a variety of needs, training family members of clients and other professionals, and collaborating on multidisciplinary teams. Currently, Lindsay provides home based services, serves as a consultant in school districts throughout the state and provides supervision and training for prospective Behavior Analysts. Lindsay has presented her work on topics such as treatments targeting reduction of behavior, approaches in parent training, and best practices in district consultative services at the Autism NJ Annual Conference in 2017, and the Annual NJABA Conferences in 2023 and 2024. Her primary interests lie in spreading knowledge on and awareness of best practices in Behavior Analysis through parent training, teacher training, and increasing accessibility of services for clients throughout the state. (Term Ends: June, 2025)

Nicole L. Stewart, M.S.Ed., BCBA, LBA-NY

Government Affairs Chair

Nicole L. Stewart, MSEd, BCBA, LBA-NY, is a behavior analyst, educator, and advocate in the field of ABA. Nicole’s extensive background includes working in various settings, such as residential, public schools, private schools, home-based, community-based, and center-based programs, where she has gained valuable expertise in supporting individuals with autism, developmental delays, rare genetic disorders, ADHD, and emotional regulation. In addition to running her own private practice, Nicole is the co-owner of Supervision Reimagined, a company focused on improving the quality of supervision within the ABA field. She also serves as an adjunct professor in the Applied Behavior Analysis program at CUNY Hunter College. Nicole is deeply committed to advancing the field of ABA, supporting continued growth of funding options and ensuring compliance with licensure requirements.  (Term Ends: June, 2025)

Marlene Brown, M.S., BCBA, LBA-NY

Events Co-Chair

Marlene Brown is the Associate Director of Consultation and Communications at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.  Marlene has a BS in psychology from Rutgers, The State University of NJ, and a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and autism from Sage College. She has over 10 years of experience in statewide advocacy, influencing policy development, and working with learners with autism spectrum disorders. Marlene has specialized in working with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders in employment, educational, community, and home settings for over 25 years. Marlene currently serves as a board member of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Marlene has also presented at local and national conferences on various topics surrounding home-based services, consultation with public schools, and support for families of learners with ASD. Her clinical interests include the application of behavior analytic principles with families in community-based settings. (Term Ends: June, 2025)

Quintara Tucker, M.S., BCBA, IBA, LBS, LBA

Events Co-Chair

Quintara Tucker is currently working on a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Capella University. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Child Psychology and Development from Southern New Hampshire University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological and Social Sciences from Pennsylvania State University (Abington College).

Quintara is the Owner of QB Consulting, LLC, and provides behavior analytic and organizational behavior management services to clients in school, home, clinic, and community settings within the tri-state area. She mentors, supervises, and tutors graduate-level students pursuing the behavior analyst certification and is also an assistant instructor at Capella University. Her research interests focus on promoting cultural humility in ABA, and her work has been presented at academic conferences and featured in publications.

In addition to her professional work, Quintara is an award-winning volunteer, serves on the board of her undergraduate alma mater, and mentors first-generation college students of color. She frequently speaks at university events, encouraging undergraduate students to become compassionate, ethical, thought-leaders in ABA.

(Term Ends: June, 2026)

Laurie Gabriel, M.A., BCBA

Continuing Education Chair

Laurie Gabriel is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and currently works full time in Madison NJ Public Schools. Prior to Madison, Laurie worked for 8 years in Roselle Park NJ Public Schools in which she assisted in the development of ABA programs, creating policies and procedures, provided staff training, and collaborated extensively with other disiplines and families in order to best serve the students. Prior to these experiences, she worked in Bernard’s Township as a teacher and paraprofessional. Laurie has over 10 years experience, additionally working throughout the years assisting in homes through private companies and through the state. She received her Masters of Arts in Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities from College of Saint Elizabeth and completed her coursework towards her BCBA at Caldwell University. Laurie began her work in the field in Bernard’s Township during her undergraduate studies and returned as a teacher after student teaching. Laurie has extensive experience working with clients as a child study team member and working alongside multidisciplinary teams. Her main areas of interest are in collaborating with other fields and sharing the benefits of Applied Behavior Analysis, ethics, supporting families, and providing teacher and paraprofessional training.

 (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Robert Isenhower, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Membership Chair

Robert W. Isenhower, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is an associate teaching professor at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. He earned his doctorate in experimental psychology at the University of Connecticut in 2010. Prior to joining the faculty at Rutgers, he was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Rider University for five years. He currently serves as the Director of Graduate Student Training at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, where he coordinates the DDDC practicum. He has more than 10 years of experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in clinical, school, and home-based settings. He has published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Journal of Behavioral Education and has presented at conferences including the Association for Behavior Analysis, New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, and Autism New Jersey. His research interests include preference and reinforcer assessments, stimulus discrimination training, staff training, and assessment/intervention targeted at improving the lives of adults with autism. (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Courtney Butler, M.S., BCBA

Communications Chair

Courtney Butler, M.S., BCBA, is a Behavior Analyst with the SCALE Program at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS). Courtney earned her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western New England University in 2018. Prior to her work at Rutgers, Courtney worked on the Intensive Treatment Team at the New England Center for Children in Massachusetts. Courtney has worked as a behavior technician and behavior analyst at the RCAAS and more recently served as the Program Coordinator of the College Support Program for students on the autism spectrum at Rutgers. Courtney has presented at many conferences and is interested in the integration of Applied Behavior Analysis to the various supports of college students. The focus of her current research and clinical work includes the assessment of social and employment skills as well as the development of support systems for adults on the autism spectrum. (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Pranali Hoyle, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY, VA)

Service Delivery Chair

Pranali Hoyle has been a part of the field of behavior analysis since 2001, her first experience was in a private school in NJ as a paraprofessional. Her passion for learning more about autism and ABA grew over the years. She holds her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a certification as a Teacher of the Handicapped. She has taught across various settings including public, and private schools, resource classrooms, inclusion, ASD, and most recently as a Professor. Her master’s and Ph.D. are in Applied Behavior Analysis, with a thesis study focusing on conditional discriminations followed by her dissertation on mindfulness and parent-child interactions. Her current areas of interest are in mindfulness-based interventions, social skills, play skills, and compassionate care. She has been featured as a guest on various podcasts including Behavior Speak and Autism Weekly. She provides consultation through her company Neurodiversity of Northeast across schools, clinics, and adult programs. She is excited to be a part of this incredible organization to help promote evidence-based treatment across various settings, demographics, and socio-economic status. (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Ruth M. DeBar, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY)

University Program Liaison 

Ruth M. DeBar is a professor in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Caldwell University and serves as a Clinical Supervisor for the Center for Autism and ABA at Caldwell University. She earned her master’s degree from Northeastern University via The New England Center for Children and completed her doctorate degree in ABA at The Ohio State University. Ruth has been active in the field of ABA and has worked with individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders for over 20 years. She has published research in journals like Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and in Behavior Analysis in Practice and presented at state, national, and international conferences on various topics relevant to serving individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Ruth currently serves on the Editorial Board of Behavioral Interventions and  Behavior Analysis in Practice.  Her current research interests include functional behavior assessment, preference, choice, social validity and use of video-based instruction to teach a range of adaptive skills including social, vocational, and leisure skills. (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Robert Troxell, M.S., BCBA

Representative-At-Large

Robert Troxell graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2007. Upon graduation Robert started his career as a Secure Detention Counselor in the juvenile detention system of Pennsylvania. Robert worked as a counselor for adjudicated and incarcerated youth in Montgomery and Chester Counties. During this time, Robert was introduced to the world of Applied Behavior Analysis through a part time job with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit as a Personal Care Assistant for youth with behavioral concerns 3-5 years of age. The impact of his part time work inspired a new career path and Robert completed his M.S. from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2010.

Robert moved into the field of ABA full time in 2011 and earned his Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst in 2013. Following completion of his BCBA credentialing, Robert accepted the role of Lead Behaviorist for a non-profit in New Jersey. Robert worked as the Supervisor of Behavioral Services for 2 group homes for youth 13-21. While performing behaviorist duties, Robert assisted in the writing of proposals to open new programs. Over the 5 years working in the non-profit arena Robert assisted in the opening of 11 new group homes throughout New Jersey for children ages 5-21. Robert was involved in the oversight of 13 homes and served as the Residential Director of 5 Crisis Stabilization and Assessment programs, which were the highest level of community-based care for children with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. Concurrently Robert started and managed the Intensive In-Home (IIH) and Individual Support Services (ISS) programs, which offered ABA and related services to more than 30 families.

Following his move from the non-profit sector, Robert started as an analyst with Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) in 2016 and grew into the role Regional Coordinator of New Jersey and moved into the role of Regional Director of New Jersey and Massachusetts in 2020. Robert currently serves as the Clinical Director of New Jersey and Massachusetts and works to support his teams in providing quality, consistent ABA services for more than 500 families in the Northeast.

As a BCBA Robert is passionate about language development, which ties nicely into his marriage to a Speech Pathologist. Robert believes in an interdisciplinary model that provides families with the tools needed to support best outcomes for their loved ones, as well as the need for ongoing training for ABA professionals to continue to grow the field. (Term Ends: June, 2026)

Kellie Goldberg, M.S. Ed., BCBA

Representative-At-Large

Kellie Goldberg currently serves as the Director for Bancroft’s ABA Center of Excellence where she focuses on the clinical training and supervision of BCBAs and trainees, as well as clinical quality and standards. Kellie earned her Master of Science in Special Education, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis, from Temple University.  Kellie has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for more than 20 years with a variety of client populations and settings but has a proclivity for working with behaviorally acute adults in residential settings.  Ms. Goldberg is currently an adjunct instructor at Rider University and an Instructor at the Florida Institute of Technology.

(Term Ends: June, 2026)

Brian D. Greer, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Representative-At-Large

Brian D. Greer, Ph.D., BCBA-D directs the Severe Behavior Program within the Children’s Specialized Hospital–Rutgers University Center for Autism Research, Education, and Services (CSH–RUCARES). He is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and a core member of the Brain Health Institute. He received a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Florida, a Master of Arts in applied behavioral science and a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology, both from the University of Kansas. He later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a current associate editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, past associate editor for Behavioral Development, and has served as a guest associate editor for the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Perspectives on Behavior Science, and Learning and Motivation. He is the 2013 recipient of the Baer, Wolf, and Risley Outstanding Graduate Student Award; the 2019 recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Heartland Association for Behavior Analysis; the 2019 recipient of the B. F. Skinner Foundation New Researcher Award; and in 2020, he was awarded the Contribution of the Year from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Greer is former Executive Director of the Society for the Quantitative Analyses of Behavior and a three-time recipient of the Loan Repayment Program Award from the National Institutes of Health. He and his colleagues have been supported by over $15 million in federal research grants. (Term Ends: June, 2025)

Courtney Kane, M.A., BCBA

Student Representative

Courtney Kane, M.A., BCBA, is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Caldwell University and is an assistant clinical supervisor at the Caldwell University Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her master’s of arts degree in ABA also from Caldwell University. She graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education.

She currently serves as the student representative to the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis executive board and president of Caldwell University’s Student Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. Her current research interests include best practices and application of preference assessment or choice, vocational skills training, and best practices for teaching valuable, socially valid, skills to for young adult learners. She is also passionate about promoting the skill development of graduate students in the field of behavior analysis.  (Term Ends: June, 2026)