Tim Harrington - Executive Director
My connection with the Center began when I was three years old. Pre-school Programming was part of the Center’s services. Through the years I enjoyed being part of Camp Cricket and other programs offered by the organization. My work with the Center began as a Camp Cricket Counselor, which led, eventually, to becoming Camp Director. Over the course of 15 years, I came and went at ACT. As new opportunities arose through grants, I would work at ACT until another prospect in the community presented itself. Finally in 1999, the option to lead this organization was presented to me, and I jumped at the chance.
The power to change the outcome of someone’s life is the most exciting aspect of my position. By putting together a fantastic staff, we get to change lives everyday.
Lisa Justice – Executive Assistant
My association with ACT began at the age of five when I attended Opportunity Kindergarten. After graduating from Lourdes College with a degree in Management in 1992, I worked a few secretarial jobs in the for-profit sector but always knew something important was missing.
In 2001, a want ad caught my eye. It contained the line: “Personal experience with a disability preferred.” After years of showing up for interviews only to find the office on the third floor of a building with no elevator, what a relief it was to see these words. I had not been involved with Ability Center programming since my early teens but walking in the front door I knew I was home.
Though my position is purely administrative I know that, by keeping this office running smoothly, I am making a difference for all people with disabilities.
Ash Lemons – Director of Housing and Advocacy Services
Ash Lemons transitioned into the field of disability related services in 2002, a few years after a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis ended a successful 8 year stint as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force.
He is currently the Director of the Housing Resource Center at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo where he oversees the Home Accessibility program, The Nursing Home Transition program and other programs related to Housing and Advocacy. He previously served as the Ability Center’s Accessibility Specialist and Disability Rights Advocate.
In 2005, Ash was presented the “Spirit of Democracy” award, by former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, for assisting 11 County Board of Elections in working towards compliance with the Help Americans Vote Act. In 2008, he was recognized by Chief Logan of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a key advocate in the passage of SB209, which provided expanded opportunities for hunters with certain disabilities.
Ash currently serves as a board member of the: Toledo Lucas County Housing Trust Fund, Toledo Area Alliance to End Homelessness, Williams County Habitat for Humanity, The Ohio Secretary of State’s ADA advisory committee and the Ohio Governors Council on Persons with Disabilities.
Ash holds an Associates degree in Airframe Technology from the Community College of the United States Air Force, a BS in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and is an ICC certified Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner. Ash enjoys spending quality time with his two sons and wife. His hobbies include walking, listening to music, community improvement activities and watching the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dale Abell - Director of Program Development
In my current position as Director of Program Development, I manage the grant activities related to federal, state, and foundation funded projects to implement best practice independent living programs. My career at ACT began when I accepted the job of Recreation Director for The Toledo Society for The Handicapped in 1983. I am proud to have been involved with The Ability Center’s name change and transition to become a Center for Independent Living in 1990.
I grew up in Illinois where I attended Southern Illinois University, earning a BS degree. I also have a Masters degree in Recreation/Outdoor Education from Indiana University. Prior to moving to Toledo, I worked at The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (Colorado), Bradford Woods Outdoor Education Center (Indiana) and The Vinland National Center (Minnesota) providing accessible fitness and outdoor recreation activities for people with disabilities.
My wife Natalie and I are proud parents of two grown daughters. Both were among the first non-disabled campers to attend Camp Cricket in the late 1980’s. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, home brewing, cycling, fishing and long walks with Miles and Grover (Labrador retrievers).
Dan Wilkins - Director of Public Relations
Dan is an outspoken advocate, story teller and visionary for people living with disabilities and the disability culture. He is a dad, husband, friend, chair-user, artist, writer, graphic designer, humorist, Brown’s fan and a million other things.
Since 1989, he has been sharing stories and ideas in workshops, breakouts, keynotes and roundtables, formal and informal, for students from pre-school (tough crowd) to doctorate, parents, professionals in business, human service and allied health, educators and administrators, and folks with disabilities on a broad range of topics from disability and diversity awareness, advocacy and self-advocacy, to the importance of humor, inclusion, community and seeing through bigger eyes.
Debbie Andriette - Director of Human Resources
I grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, located in Northeast Ohio with four brothers. I started my career in HR shortly after graduating from the University of Akron. I worked for a Personnel Employment Service for five years in the Mansfield and Wooster areas, focusing on employment services, recruitment, and business development.
My family and I relocated to the Toledo area in 1999. In 2001, I began working in Human Resources for a non-profit organization and realized the impact I could make in people’s lives. I was part of an organization whose main focus was saving lives and that was an extremely rewarding experience.
In 2007, I started at the Ability Center. This was my first experience working with people with disabilities. I learned to appreciate the importance of Independent Living very quickly. My experience here has been very rewarding because it has enabled me to hire qualified people to represent a top-notch organization and to be part of a team working toward a common goal of building and supporting inclusive communities.
Jack Perion – Director of Finance
After living in many different areas on the country, my family settled in Dundee, Michigan when I was in middle school. I come from a large family and parents that taught us a strong work ethic and community involvement. After high school I graduated from Siena Heights College.
I have more than 25 years of accounting experience. I have spent the last thirteen years at a child welfare non-profit agency in Michigan. I look forward to becoming part of the ACT team and serving the community.
Jan Brown - Assistance Dogs Fundraising Manager
Jan was born and raised in West Toledo, attending Start High School and the University of Toledo. She moved to West Virginia, receiving her masters degree in Special Education from Marshall University. Jan began working for Special Olympics in 1976, becoming Chapter Director of West Virginia Special Olympics in 1979. She served in that position for five years, growing the state chapter from 14 to 55 local programs and raising more than five times the original budget.
She moved to Washington, DC to work for Special Olympics International as Assistant Development Director. She managed corporate affinity marketing accounts, direct marketing and provided fundraising and public relations training to hundreds of local, state and national volunteers across the country. Jan accepted a position with Florida Special Olympics, moving to Tallahassee and staying there for 22 years. While in Tallahassee, she also worked at Florida State University as Assistant Vice President for University Relations, owned a staffing and recruiting firm for seven years and became a licensed financial professional. Jan was very active in the Tallahassee community where she served on a number of boards of directors, is a former Rotary club president and a graduate of both Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida. She returned to the Toledo area in February of 2009.
Kimberley Arnett – Director of Community Operations
After graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 1996, I began my career as an Activities Director in a nursing home and, later, in a community setting for people living with Alzheimer’s. During my first four years of work experience I learned one thing: a nursing home is not, and never will be, a place to call home!
In January of 2001, I began my journey at The Ability Center as the Youth Services Coordinator. From day one, I experienced the “AH-HA!” feeling we all search for in our careers, and I knew this is where I belong! Over the years I have worn many hats, dabbling in a little bit of everything the center has to offer. In 2005, I settled into my current position of Director of Consumer Services.
My current role at ACT includes being the sounding board for all programs. I provide support to both ACT staff and the consumers we serve to ensure that things run smoothly and that our Mission is on track.
Sue Hetrick - Director of Public Policy
My life can be distinctly divided into Before Micah and After Micah!
I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with K-12 teaching certificate and 20 years later a Masters in Education (M.Ed.) Special Education, both from Bowling Green State University. I had some experiences as an art teacher before being employed by Owens-Corning Fiberglas as a computer graphic artist. Later was Vice President in charge of Computer Graphics at a company producing corporate computer graphic audio-visual presentations, commercial photography and micrographics.
Before ACT, I worked for the Arc of Ohio as a regional leadership development coordinator and then for the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities as an advocate. I have worked for The Ability Center of Greater Toledo since 2000. I love my job! It has truly made me a more complete advocate in experiencing the issues of all people with all disabilities.
I have two sons whom I adore! Nick is married to wonderful Lesley. He is a graduate assistant working on his Ph.D. in English at Ohio State University. I am thrilled that some of his work has been with the Disabilities Studies Dept. at the University. Micah is working on getting a job! He’d like to take some college classes at some point. Micah has Down Syndrome and is the reason I do what I do!
Debbie Keller – Options for Tomorrow Planning Specialist
A graduate of Ohio University with a BA in Social Work, I am a LSW-licensed social worker. I have a graduate level certificate in Contemporary Gerontological Practice from the University of Toledo. I worked with the Options for Tomorrow program since its inception 3 years ago on the campus of the University of Toledo.
I have been married to my husband, Randy, for 38 years and we have 3 children. Our oldest just made us grandparents of identical twin boys. He lives in Columbus. Our middle child lives in Alabama and our daughter is getting married in Charleston, SC in February.
