Long-serving staff and Board of Directors honored at Annual dinner

Woodstock, CT – United Services recognized long-serving staff, including a 40 year milestone for its President/CEO Diane Manning and welcomed new board members with its Annual Dinner Thursday Nov. 16 at The Mansion at Bald Hill.

United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning reflected on exciting changes the agency undertook in the last year, including certification in the rigorous federal standard Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and the upcoming launch of its Integrated Primary Care program.

United Services is the non-profit, community-based outpatient behavioral health center and Local Mental Health Authority for northeastern Connecticut. The agency operates more than 30 programs under its one administration, including outpatient mental health and addiction services, parenting and family programs, youth programs, crisis programs, domestic violence programs and community education and prevention programs.

Founded in 1964, United Services marked its 59^th anniversary this year.

United Services elected new board leadership for the 2023-24 year as well as two new members at its annual meeting Wednesday.

United Services’ continuing board leadership includes chairman Diane Sauer of Storrs. vice chairman Peter Manilow of Willington and treasurer Christopher Dooley of Brooklyn. New leadership includes secretary Philip Gaudette.

Newly elected to the United Services Board of Directors were Doria Daviau of Woodstock and Cheryl Feuerman of Coventry.

Returning board members include Kevin Bernier of Woodstock, Terry Berthelot of Mansfield, Romeo Blackmar of Woodstock, Carlita Cotton of Mansfield Center, Gerard Gagne of Pomfret Center, Maximo Garcia of North Windham, Carol Kent of Canterbury, Roland Lupien of Dayville, Jeanne Nuhfer of Columbia, and Linda Parsons of Brooklyn.

United Services also honored retiring board members Valentine Iamartino of Thompson, who served six years on the board, and Anne Konczakowski of Windham, who served nine years on the board.

United Services staff were honored for their long-standing service to the organization. Manning was recognized for her incredible leadership with significant fanfare, including tributes from USI’s former longtime Medical Director Dr. Jay Patel, Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Colleen Harrington, who is also a former longtime USI employee, and State Rep. Brian Lanoue, R-Griswold. Manning was also honored with citations from the Connecticut General Assembly and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

“It’s been a remarkable journey with remarkable people,” Manning said. “I am truly proud at how far we have come in providing behavioral health services, not just as an agency but as a state and country.”

In addition to Manning, United Services recognized many long-serving staff.

Celebrating 35 years was Quality Assurance and Corporate Compliance Division Director Sandra Long. Celebrating 30 years were Data Compliance Manager Debra Rivard and Data Compliance Specialist Patti McClanahan. Celebrating 25 years were Comprehensive Care Division Director Holly Fish, Director of Human Resources Cassandra Mantoni and Accounts Payable Specialist Sharon Pulver. Celebrating 20 years with the agency were: Client Accounts Manager Cindy Perry, Controller Barbie Soler and Milner House Adjunct Marisol Danehy. Data Compliance Analyst Meghan Silvestri, Employment Specialist Katherine Anderson and Client Support Assistant Lisa Shaw all marked 15 years with the agency. United Services also recognized seven employees who have been with the agency for five and 10 years.

About United Services, Inc.

United Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit and comprehensive behavioral health center, creating healthy communities throughout northeast Connecticut for more than 55 years by providing psychosocial, behavioral health, chemical abuse, primary care, care coordination, wellness and prevention services to the community, and employee assistance program services for business and industry.  With 12 locations and a staff of over 250, United Services operates more than 30 separate behavioral health programs, including the only domestic violence shelter for women and children in the region.  United Services, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.  To learn more, visit  www.UnitedServicesCT.org.