The Association has several committees. Several are offshoots of our Board of Directors, established to oversee specific parts of our organization or events. Others are groups of experts that we have assembled to oversee the organization’s efforts in specific areas related to brain injury.

Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee

Our Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee advises the Association’s public policy and advocacy goals and endeavors. The staff liaison to this committee is Tom Grady, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs. Current committee members are:

Board Development Committee

Our Board Development Committee is responsible for the continual development of our Board of Trustees. The staff liaisons to this committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, President & CEO, and Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development. Current committee members are:

• Irene Parisi, Ph.D., Co-Chair
• John W. Indyk, Co-Chair
• Edward Kim
• Bonnie Evans
• Brian Greenwald 
• Michael Greenwald
• John K. Tiene, Ex-Officio
• Barbara Geiger-Parker, Ex-Officio

Children & Adolescents Committee

Our Children & Adolescents Committee was developed to address the specific needs and issues of school-aged children. Staff liaisons to this committee are Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator and Justin Stanley, Information & Resource Specialist. Current committee members are:

• Bradford J. Ross, PhD, Co-Chair
• Malia Corde, Co-Chair
• Stephanie Bar Am
• Donna Bogart, Ph.D.
• Barbara Couvadelli, M.D., Ph.D.
• Connie Domingo, MD
• Paula Henry
• Wallace Kyle
• Lenore Laracuente, Esq.
• Linda Levine
• Kathy Majewski, LDTC
• Joseph Marcantuono, Ph.D.
• Thomas McBride, Ph.D.
• Kerri Meberg
• Lois Mishkin, MA, CC/LDTC
• George Niemann
• Susan Paradise, MEd.
• Sue Stephens
• Judith Woop, M.Ed., RN

The Children and Adolescents Committee is currently seeking new members.  If you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact Rene Carfi at rcarfi@bianj.org

Concussion in Sports Steering Committee

Our Concussion in Sports Steering Committee is responsible for spearheading the activities of the organization’s Concussion in Sports Campaign. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator, and Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate.

• Barbara Geiger-Parker, Chair
• Robert Baly
• Jill Brooks, PhD
• Cynthia Cross, RN, MSN, CCRN, APN-c
• Connie D. Domingo, MD, FAAP, FAAPMR
• David Gealt, DO
• Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC
• Gregg S. Heinzmann, EdM
• Phil Hossler, ATC
• W. Robert Howarth, DDS
• Jack Kripsak, DO
• Stephen Rice, MD, PhD, MPH, FAAP, FACSM
• Ronald C. Savage, EdD

Council for the Head Injured
Community (CHIC)

The mission of the Council for the Head Injured Community [CHIC] is to champion and publicize the advocacy, rights, and needs of people who have survived a brain injury.  CHIC is comprised of people with brain injuries, who empower themselves and others to become effective self advocates and advocates on brain injury-related issues. The staff liaison to this committee is Tom Grady, Directory of Advocacy and Public Affairs. The current Chair of this committee is David Mariconda. CHIC always welcomes new members. Please visit our CHIC page at http://bianj.org/chic to learn more or contact Tom Grady at 732-745-0200 or tgrady@bianj.org

Finance Committee

Our Finance Committee serves in an advisory capacity for the overall operations of our organization. The staff liaison to this committee is Gisela Rutch, Director of Finance and Operations. Current committee members are: 

• John K. Tiene
• Rich A. Sackin (Chair)
• Wallace Kyle
• Michael Niemiec
• Barbara Geiger-Parker
• Gisela Rutch

Gala Event Committee

Our Gala Committee is responsible for planning the Association’s Annual Gala. The staff liaison to this committee is Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, and other BIANJ staff involved with the committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, President & CEO; Gisela Rutch, Director of Finance & Operations, and Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate. Current committee members are:

• Barbara Getz
• Barbara Scheffel
• Bonnie Evans
• Dave Grubb
• Dave Mariconda
• Edward Kim
• Harrison Gordon
• Irene Parisi
• John K. Tiene
• Michael Niemiec
• Patricia DeHart
• Rich Sackin
• Wallace Kyle

Public Information and Prevention Education (PIPE) Advisory Board

Our PIPE Advisory Board is responsible for advancing the organization’s public information and prevention education activities. The staff liaisons to this committee are Barbara Geiger-Parker, Executive Director, Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, and Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate. Current committee members are:

• Ronald J. Czajkowski, Chair
• Jill Brooks, PhD
• David N. Grubb
• Ted Kastner, MD
• David Koury, PMP
• William Margaretta
• Jim McGarry
• Cynthia Noble
• Rich Reitman
• John K. Tiene

Seminar Committee

Our Seminar Committee is responsible for planning and running the Association’s Annual Seminar. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development and Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator. Current committee members are:

• Joanne Azulay, PhD, MSW, Co-Chair
• Chris Berglind
• Bradford Ross, PhD, Co-Chair
• Sam Bayoumy, PT
• Steven Benvenisti, Esq.
• George Carnevale, PhD
• Georgianna Dodd
• Tennessia Gaines 
• Nina Geier, MS, MPT, PT, ATC
• Sharon Gola
• Karen Lindgren, PhD
• Roy Lippin
• Gary Mabie
• Lois Mishkin, MA, CCC/LDTC
• Dianne Simmons-Grab, MA, CLCP
• Suzanne Williams
• Rita Yohalem

The Seminar Committee accepts new members annually, after the event takes place in May. If you are interested in applying, please contact Jill Schulman at (732) 745-0200 or jschulman@bianj.org to learn more.

Support Group Task Force

Our Support Group Task Force is responsible for addressing issues related to Association-affiliated support groups. The staff liaison to this committee is Judi Weinberger, Director of Family Support. Current committee members are:

• Michael Greenwald, Chair
• Milton S. Hall
• Irene Parisi, Ph.D.

Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety Subcommittee

Our Walk and Cycle Committee is responsible for planning and running the Association’s Annual Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety. The staff liaisons to this committee are Jill Schulman, Senior Director of Development, Joanna Boyd, Public Education Coordinator, and Bill Kolbenschlag, Communications Associate. Current committee members are:

• John W. Indyk, Chair
• Lorraine Adawi
• Donna Jones
• Nancy Sommerville
• Cindy Dittfield
• Virgilio Caraballo
• Allison Devor
• Dianne Eck
• Sue Pina
• Mary Ann Applegate
• Sam Bayoumy

The Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety Committee accepts new members annually, after the event takes place in October. If you have expertise that would help us grow this event and the desire to help us do so, please contact Jill Schulman at (732) 745-0200 or jschulman@bianj.org to learn more about applying.