Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

Paul is an accomplished leader, with more than 30 years in developing and executing strategy, team-building, change-management, operations and sales. His focus at ECHO is to protect and expand the mission, diversify operating revenue, and to stay resilient in the face of pandemic shutdowns, increasingly complex regulations and changing public funding priorities. Prior to ECHO he served as Assistant Vice President of SourceAmerica’s Commercial Sales division where he spearheaded the development and launch of new lines of business. Before his time in the non-profit sector, Paul spent over 20 years in Fortune 500 commercial business development. He is an Army veteran and served in Desert Storm for which he was awarded The Bronze Star. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management from Lehigh University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University. He lives in Round Hill, Virginia with his wife Gail and together they raised four children.

Chief Operating Officer

Petronella (Zanelle) Nichols leads a team of direct support staff and their supervisors as well as the fleet services including drivers and their supervisor.

After working nearly 20 years in the Human Services Field, she believes that every individual deserves an opportunity to reach their full potential. She has a BA in Psychology from George Mason University and an MA in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. Before joining ECHO, she worked as a home-based counselor providing in-home supports to adults recovering from serious and persistent mental illness as well as at-risk youth and their families. She also co-lead psycho-educational groups for individuals court-ordered to attend therapy sessions. Zanelle is trained as a Person Centered Thinking coach. 

Chief Financial Officer

An enthusiastic, conscientious seasoned financial professional with integrity and proven expertise in financial management, reporting and analysis. Strengths include detailed knowledge of US GAAP (esp. ASC 606 – Revenue Recognition), audits, accounting controls, experience with ERP systems implementation, development and administration of policy and procedures, 10 plus years experience with Quickbooks, staff development and a commitment to excellence.

Director of Day Support Services

As Director of Day Support, Valerie Burton ensures high-quality, person-centered services are provided in ECHO’s LIFE and LIFE+ Programs. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and she worked for Loudoun County Adult Protective Services (APS) for thirteen years, most recently as Program Manager. She was also a Direct Care Provider at L’Arche in Washington, DC, and spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. She is motivated by ECHO’s mission and a passion for empowering adults with disabilities.

Director of Transportation Services

Kinta Carter is the Director of Fleet Services for ECHO Works, LLC. He is responsible for the overall safety of the participants and drivers to and from ECHO. He takes pride in the fleet and ensuring that each individual needs are met! Kinta is also responsible for the training of all drivers and ECHO staff in therapeutic options. This ensures all employees are adequately trained and ready to handle all daily situations that occur. Kinta has been with ECHO for 8 years and has had great opportunity to grow within the organization.

Director of Employment and Advocacy

Jenifer Liberi is responsible for the implementation of state and Federal regulations, ensures Individual Service Plans are implemented, and holds various certifications including American Red Cross CPR/AED, Therapeutic Options, Crisis Intervention, Investigative Techniques, and Virginia Medication Administration. Jenifer started her career as a Juvenile Justice Specialist working for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention through the Department of Justice. Jenifer also worked for the National Association of Girls and Women in Sport. Jenifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Michigan State University and a Master of Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Jenifer currently volunteers as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

Director of Quality Improvement and Program Integrity

Lorri Murray has worked as part of ECHO’s management in various program service roles for 25 years. As the Director of Program Integrity, Ms., Murray is responsible for ECHO’s compliance with regulatory requirements and quality assurance. She holds a B.A. in Psychological Services from Hollins University (formerly College). Ms. Murray has over 38 years’ experience in the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and severe mental illness in employment/day support, residential and hospital settings.

Director of Development

Todd’s job at ECHO is to help tell our story in the community, to raise awareness of what we do, and to raise funds that will allow us to further our mission of empowering the individuals with disabilities that we support.

After Todd graduated from Johnson and Wales with his culinary degree, he spent 20 years as a hospitality professional at venues such as The Ritz-Carlton, The Willard Intercontinental, The Inn at Little Washington, and The National Conference Center. The last 5 years have been spent in Loudoun County cultivating relationships within the business community that have focused on cross promotional marketing value and bringing people together.

Todd currently resides in Herndon, Virginia with his wife Courtney and their daughter Claire.

Human Resources Manager

DWe are very pleased to announce that Amber Gollner has joined the ECHO team as our new Human Resources Manager. Amber has more than 20 years of diverse experience in the field of Human Resources within both the government and private sectors. We are excited for the expertise that she brings to the organization and to have her on Team ECHO. Some of Amber’s specialty in her field are team building, compliance, recruitment and retention, performance management, and strategic planning.

Amber resides in Ashburn, VA with her husband of 25 years, Bill Gollner with whom she has two loving sons, William and Seth.