Caring, well-trained staff, are the foundation for all we do in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. There is a strong bond of love, trust and friendship that has been forged between the kids and the staff who guide them.
Chief Executive Officer – Russell Triolo
Russell Triolo has over 35 years executive level experience and is recognized throughout the movement as a visionary leader. Russ is a also a Boys & Girls Club Alumni having attended the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton regularly from age 6 – 18.
He has been affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America national movement for his entire 39-year career. He started with Boys & Girls Clubs in 1973 in the position of Program Director at the Club in Garfield. He was named the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1980, a position he has now held for over 30 years. He was named to the charter class of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton “Hall of Fame” in 2009.
Under his leadership, Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County has grown from a single clubhouse in 1980 serving 2,000 children to five that today provides services to over 7,500 children annually. Widely recognized as a mentor to his peers, his board and his staff, Triolo always makes himself available to help anyone in need from professional guidance to personal inspiration.
Russ has served on countless committees and has been a presenter at conferences on state, regional and national levels. In 2O1O, he began a tenure as Vice President on the Board for the New Jersey Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a longtime member and supporter of the Garden State Chapter Professional Association, serving as President from 1978-1984. He also served as a National Professional Association Board member from 1985-1987 and as Executive secretary of the New Jersey Area Council for 12 years. He has dedicated his career to working with professionals and volunteers for the greater good of New Jersey Clubs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognized his 35 years of service with the “National Service to Youth Award” in 2009. Prior to that, he was selected by The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Professional Association as the recipient of the Northeast Regional “Contribution to the Profession” Award. Representing the Northeast, he is the only two-time recipient of this prestigious honor having been recognized in both 2006 and 1997.
In 2011, Russ was named “Executive of the Year” by the Garden State Chapter of The Professional Association of Boys & Girls Clubs. This award is presented annually to a member who holds the title, duties and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer within their organization and who has made significant contributions to the work of the Boys & Girls Club Movement while in this executive leadership role.
In May 2012, Russ was one of four exceptional professionals recognized as a Masters & Mentors recipient from the Academy of Boys & Girls Clubs Professionals during the 106th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) National Conference in San Diego, Calif. As a testament to the Academy’s belief that “enduring lessons are taught by example,” Triolo was recognized for his inspirational leadership and mentoring of numerous staff within the Boys & Girls Club Movement. Masters & Mentors is a distinguished honor bestowed by the Academy’s National Advisory Council. Triolo was nominated by the National Training and Professional Development Advisory Committee based upon one or more of the following: contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement over a sustained period; successful mentoring of Academy members; demonstrated excellence in the Boys & Girls Clubs profession.
Russ earned his B.A. degree in Special Education in 1972 from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.
Russ resides in Clifton, New Jersey with his wife Linda. Russ and Linda recently celebrated their 38th Wedding Anniversary. Together they raised two children, Robyn and Kristin and are the proud grandparents to Nicholas Robert Caruso, Abby Caruso and Taylor Garibell.
Chief Operating Officer – Sal Dovi
Sal Dovi has worked in the non profit sector for over 35 years at the executive level. He has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County (BGCUC) since 1992.
Sal is responsible for the day to day operations of the organization’s five Units located throughout Union County, NJ. He is the supervisor of over 40 exempt and non-exempt staff. Throughout his tenure at BGCUC he has coordinated the effort of over 200 volunteers annually. He also leads the Club’s many community efforts within those communities that are served by BGCUC.
His major strengths lie in the areas of finance, resource development and facility management. Sal is very active in many civic organizations in Union County. He is the Past President of the Union Township Chamber of Commerce and Founder and Charter Past President of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce.
Previously, to his career with the Boys & Girls Clubs, he was an Executive Professional with the YMCA for over 20 years. His last position held with the YMCA was President.
Sal has received many honors throughout his career and community service from organizations like Kiwanis, Lions and Optimist Club International.
He is an alumnus of the Boys Club of New York where he attended for many years throughout his youth and is currently a member of the Alumni Association.
He earned his B.A. degree from Queens College in New York and has attended Columbia University Not for Profit Institute.
Director of Development & Marketing – Alan Kornblum
With the organization for more than 11 years, Director of Development & Marketing, Alan Kornblum, has successfully led the development efforts as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County has grown from five sites to thirteen sites during his tenure. His skills include the research and writing of foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships, annual campaigns and special events.
Additionally, his marketing of the organization via press releases/media advisories, newsletters and brochures as well as oversight of the website helps to keep the organization in the forefront.
An alumnus of New York University, his passion has always been to provide service and guidance to youth. For 15 years Alan volunteered and served as a baseball, basketball and soccer coach and Director for local youth leagues, co-founded and led the local high school performing arts parents association in order to raise funds for the arts, and additionally, has volunteered to lead science and gym events for elementary school students.
Comptroller – Carlos Calisto
Carlos Calisto’s non-profit career spans over 20 years, the last 15 with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Carlos started his Boys & Girls Club Career in 1996 as Office Manager. In 2001 he held the position of Union Club Director, and now serves as the Comptroller for the Union County organization.
He earned his B.A. degree in World History from The University of Lisbon, Portugal. In his current position Carlos directs the financial affairs of the organization and prepares financial analysis of operations, including interim and final financial statements with supporting schedules, for the guidance of management. He is responsible for the Clubs financial plans and policies, its accounting practices, the maintenance of its fiscal records, and the preparation of financial reports.
In addition he has supervision responsibilities for general accounting, property accounting, internal auditing, cost accounting, and budgetary controls. Carlos also manages the information systems and computing resources for the entire organization. Throughout his Boys & Girls Club career, Carlos has and continues to provide consultation in the area of technology to Boys & Girls Clubs of America National staff and local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout New Jersey. Carlos has attended Columbia University Not for Profit Institute.
Corporate Administrative Assistant – Peggy Woodward
Peggy has been with the agency for over 20 years. Her responsibilities include but not limited to: human resource administration, personal records administration, payroll, and financial systems management. She was formally employed as an Administrative Assistant for the Township of Union Recreation Department.
Director of Program Services & Community Relations – Joseph DeMaio
Joseph DeMaio began his career at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1990 where he started working part-time as Camp Counselor for our Summer Camp Program. Through hands on training and Boys Girls Club of America trainings, Joe was promoted up the ladder to Social/Cultural Director, Director of Program Services, Director of Teen Services and his most recent promotion within the past four years as Club Director for our fairly new Club in Roselle Park.
Joe has served on the 1995 Program Institute Committee for two (2) consecutive years providing valuable training to staff within Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the North East Region. He has been a State Youth of the Year Committee Member for the past 8 years and has worked closely with our State Director on a variety of Projects.
Joe has also lead a state initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to increase CLUBService enrollments within Clubs in New Jersey. With this, he has provided informative trainings to Club Staff along with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has increased CLUBService participation within many Clubs throughout the State.
He is a graduate of Union County College earning an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Management and is currently attending Kean University in the Social Work Program.
Elizabeth & Roselle Club Director – Lita Thomas
Lita is responsible for administration of the Elizabeth and Roselle Club programs and services, in addition to maintaining the fiscal operations, community relations and program development. Before she became our Elizabeth & Roselle Club Director, Lita was employed as the Director of the AmeriCorp program for the International Youth Organization.
Elizabeth Teen Services Director – Candace Barnes
Candace Barnes has been apart of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 1998. She started as a junior camp counselor during the summer seasons at the Plainfield Club. In 2006, Candace was chosen as Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County Youth of the Year. Throughout her college years, she has been an AmeriCorps volunteer and Youth Advisor for the Elizabeth Club. She is now the Teen Services Director for the Elizabeth Club. Candace has graduated Summa Cum Laude from Montclair State University gaining a bachelors degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. She is currently in graduate School for her Masters in Business Administration and will look forward to graduation in December 2011.
Plainfield Club Director – Erin Duffy
Erin Duffy has been part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 2001. She is a graduate of Kean University with a Bachelors Degree in Recreation Administration. For 8 years she held the responsibilities of the Director of Athletics and Director of the “Summer Fun Club” at the Union Club. She was responsible for creating and running all athletic programs at the Union Club, overseeing the day-to-day operation for their after-school program, and coordinating and supervising the very popular “Summer Fun Club”. Erin then moved on to become the Hillside Club Director for 3 years. As the Club Director, she was tasked with supervising 5 after-school program locations in Hillside for grades K-8th, with almost 200 kids enrolled and attending on a daily basis. She is now the Plainfield Club Director, and hopes to use her skills to enhance the lives of the club members and the surrounding community.
Union Club Associate Club Director – Ron Brangman
Ron Brangman’s career with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County started 7 years ago as the Director of Teen Service & Education. He oversaw teen recruitment as well as supervising the activities of the After-School Program for ages 5-10 years old. Prior to becoming a part of the Movement, Ron worked for several major companies in Finance. During that time he volunteered for 2 years as an advisor for the Keystone Club, the Boys & Girls Clubs teen leadership group. To date, Ron works with many community organizations as a speaker & trainer and currently serves as the Union Club’s Associate Club director.
Director of Aquatics (Union) – Yefim Shoykhet
Yefim Shoykhet graduated from the Pedagogical University of Russia in St. Petersburg with a master’s degree in Physical Education and sports, specializing in swimming. He has been involved with swimming for more than 30 years now and has successfully worked with a variety of age groups, developing swimmers from novice to Olympics. Yefim has coached over 15 National Junior & Senior qualifiers from the former USSR .
He has been the Aquatic Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, Union Club since 1992. Yefim has developed and promoted very positive and strong programs for Aquatics such as Swim Lessons, Swim Team and the Summer Swim Camp.
Hillside Club Director and Union Office Manager – Jennifer Cerqueira
Jennifer has been an employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 2000. She started as a camp counselor during the Summer season at the Union Club. Since then she held the position of Front Desk Attendant at the Union Club and Membership Coordinator at the Roselle Park Club. She is now the Office Manager for the Union Club and the Hillside Club Director, overseeing 5 site locations and about 200 kids on a daily basis. In addition to being an employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County she was also a member for over 10 years. Jennifer was chosen as the 2002 Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County Youth of the Year. Jennifer has graduated from William Patterson gaining a bachelors degree in Humanities and Social Sciences and will be graduating this year from the University of Phoenix with her Masters in Management.
