We’d like to thank our Board Members for their time, talents, and commitment to the Center.
Deb Bookman, President
Deb wears many hats; working as a Project Administrative Coordinator for ECRI Institute in Plymouth Meeting, PA and was just elected as the Chester County Prothonotary. In 2005, she moved to Chester County with her daughters. When she isnât serving her community or solving problems, you can find her reading, singing, watching sports, or spending quality time with her family.
Deb Sahijiwani, Interim Vice President
For over 25, Dr. Sahijwani has worked with children, adolescents and families of children concerned with various learning differences. She is a PA Licensed Psychologist. As a teacher, counselor and administrator, in both the private and public sector, she has been involved with students diagnosed with learning disabilities, ADHD, Tourette's Disorder, Asperger's Disorder and other factors affecting learning.
Evan Witmer, Treasurer
With over 15 years of banking experience and a passion for helping others, Evan joined the board in January of 2020 with a focus on providing guidance and assistance with financial matters. A graduate of Leadership Chester County, Evan understands the important role non-profit organizations play in providing services and resources for those who are underserved. Evan resides in Chester County with his wife and two children, and in his free time enjoys coaching youth sports, hiking, traveling, and anything basketball.
Mallory Perrotti, Secretary
Mallory began volunteering at the Center in 2009 with the youth summer basketball league. Prior to joining the board in 2015, Mallory volunteered regularly with the basketball league and the New Directions After School Program. Mallory is currently a Prevention Supervisor with the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc.
Jonathan Long, Governance Chair
Jonathan is a partner at the law firm Buckley Brion McGuire & Morris LLP in West Chester. Outside of his activities with the Melton Center, Jonathan is active in the greater West Chester community, serving on the Comprehensive Plan and University Area Neighborhood Task Forces for the Borough of West Chester, the board of directors for the West Chester University Alumni Association, the West Chester Business Improvement District as well as the Chester County Bar Association.
Daryl Durnell, Advisory Committee Chair
Daryl was born and raised in West Chester, attended Henderson High School, and earned a B.S. in Education from West Chester University. His father was the first African-American police officer in the borough of West Chester and his mother was a well-known hairdresser who owned her own shop. After earning his M. Ed. from Concordia University Portland, in Advanced Studies in Special Education, he has taught students with a wide variety of strengths and challenges in the U.S. and abroad. He currently teaches at Collegium Charter School and serves on the WCASD School Board. Daryl and his husband Ed live in East Goshen. Daryl enjoys volunteering and attending political events with Ed and he also enjoys dining out, movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Glenn Fricke, Fundraiser Chair
Glenn has been a member of Chester County community for over 25 years. He served as the CEO in the non-profit social services field; taught special education classes; founded Second Chance, a consulting firm that worked with families with special needs children and at Community Foundation, where he opened over 50 group homes and vocational programs throughout 6 counties in Pennsylvania. His most recent career as CEO of Safe Harbor of Chester County, a non-profit homeless shelter extended over 10 years.
Members
- Jennifer Johnson
- Kelly Jurs
- Darryl McLain
- Scott Mitchell
- Jean Newsome
- Mark Stevens
- Alice Thomas
- Larry Washington
Advisory Council
- Irv Friedlander
- Darryl McLain
- Myrtle Paskins
- Renee Washington
- Hester Davenport
- Joshua Carter
- Daryl Durnell
Additional Advisors:
- Sam StrettonÂ
- Kory Bell