BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patrick Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D

President

Patrick R. Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D 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, 2024)

Jason Vladescu, Ph.D., BCBA-D

President-Elect

Jason C. Vladescu, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is a Founding Partner at The Capstone Center and Professor in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University. 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.  (Term Ends: June, 2024)

SungWoo Kahng, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Past-President

SungWoo Kahng, Ph.D., BCBA-D is Chair of the Department of Applied Psychology, Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA, and Professor at Rutgers University. Prior to his current position, he was an associate professor at the University of Missouri (MU) where he was also the chair of the Department of Health Psychology, the Founding Director the MU Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Director of the Applied Behavioral Intervention Service of the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. He was also a faculty member in the Department of Behavioral Psychology and a senior behavior analyst on the Neurobehavioral Unit  at the Kennedy Krieger Institute as well as an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Kahng graduated from Kalamazoo College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and received his Ph.D. in behavior analysis from the University of Florida. He was an Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis where he also served on the Board of Editors. Additionally, he is on the Board of Editors for Behavioral Intervention and Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Dr. Kahng is the President of the Board of Directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, a member of the Scientific Council of the Organization for Autism Research, Past President of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis, and a member of several advisory boards including the AutismMVP Foundation. He is the recipient of the 2003 B.F. Skinner New Researcher Award given by Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Kahng has co-authored over 100 peer reviewed articles and chapters. The focus of his research and clinical work has been on assessing and treating severe problem behaviors exhibited by individuals with developmental disabilities. He is also interested in a broader research agenda, which includes topics related to employment and college supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder as well as obesity and aging. Finally, he has mentored numerous undergraduate, master’s level, and predoctoral students as well as post-doctoral fellows.  (Term Ends: June, 2024)

Erin Richard White, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Events Co-Chair

Erin Richard White, Ph.D., BCBA-D is a behavior analyst at the Child Development and Autism Center at Morristown Medical Center. Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of Adult & Transition Services at Alpine Learning Group in Paramus, NJ.  Dr. White has specialized in working with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders in employment, educational, community and home settings for over 20 years. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds both teacher of the handicapped and elementary teacher certifications in New Jersey. Dr. White completed her doctorate and master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Caldwell University. She has published articles in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis in Practice. She regularly serves as a guest review of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. White has presented at many local and national conferences on a variety of topics including preparing learners for adulthood, assessing and reducing problem behavior, and ethics. (Term Ends: June, 2024)

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

Events Co-Chair

Marlene Brown, M.S., BCBA, LBA, 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)

Crystal Harms, M.Ed, BCBA

Continuing Education Chair

Crystal Harms M.Ed., BCBA is the Behavior Services Manager for Bayada Home Health Care’s Behavioral Health Services in Pennsauken, NJ. Crystal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis in 1994 from Florida State University, and a Master of Education in 2001 from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania — a program in which she later taught as an adjunct professor.  She became a Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (CABA-fl) in 1997 in Florida, where certification in the field originated.  She then became a charter certificant for the BCaBA certification in 2000 and served on the organization’s Board of Directors for 4 years. Crystal sat for her boards in November of 2020 and obtained her full BCBA. Crystal has also served as an adjunct professor for Rowan University in the Psychology Department since 2006 and the Center for Behavior Analysis, Research, and Service since 2021.

Throughout her career, Crystal has worked as a behavior analyst, teacher, clinical director and learning consultant in public and private facilities and in homes.  She has treated children with autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and many other conditions, working in partnership with their parents and educators. She has had the privilege of providing these services across the United States and in parts of Canada. Crystal is passionate about taking this breadth of experience and using it to support our newest practitioners coming into the field. (Term Ends: June, 2024)

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, 2024)

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, 2024)

Craig Domanski, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Service Delivery Chair

Craig Domanski, Ph.D., BCBA-D has been working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders using ABA for almost 20 years. He received his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University while working at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. Dr. Domanski then went on to receive his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University, where his research focused on parent-training and optimizing teaching conditions for learners with ASD.

Dr. Domanski co-founded and has been serving as the Clinical Director of The DATA Group for almost 10 years. The DATA Group is an NJDOE-approved agency for ABA service delivery, focusing primarily on using ABA programming to build skills towards increasing independence in the home and community environments. By implementing programs in learners’ actual natural environments, generalization and maintenance of skills is more likely, and there are more opportunities for training caregivers and providing support for families where they need it most.

Aside from his work in The DATA Group, Dr. Domanski also currently serves as the Chair for the NJABA Insurance Provider Workgroup, which aims to disseminate information about providing services through health insurance plans to the behavior-analytic community. He is an active member of NJABA, ABAI, and APBA and has served as an adjunct lecturer at Georgian Court University and Kaplan University. Dr. Domanski places a high value on the importance of promoting the science of ABA to both the behavior-analytic and mainstream communities and will bring that same dedication to the Representative-at-Large position. (Term Ends: June, 2024)

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

University Program Liaison 

Ruth M. DeBar, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA (NY), 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, 2024)

Robert Troxell, M.S., BCBA

Representative-At-Large

Robert Troxell, M.S., BCBA, 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, 2024)

Kellie Goldberg, M.S. Ed., BCBA

Representative-At-Large

Kellie Goldberg, M.S. Ed., BCBA, currently serves as the Associate 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 a co-Instructor with ABA Technologies at the Florida Institute of Technology. (Term Ends: June, 2024)

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, 2024)