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National Office Staff

Matthew O’Hara, M.S., CI and CT, NAD IV, CAE, Ext. 214
Acting Executive Director
MOHara@rid.org

Matthew is a native of West Palm Beach, FL. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and a Master of Science in Education and Human Services Administration from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Matthew, who has more than twelve years of association management experience, is an active member in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), currently serving on the ASAE Professional Conduct Committee. He holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering with the Special Olympics and trying to keep up with his young children, Elijah and Mackenzie.

 

Finance and Administration Department

Elijah Sow, Ext. 205
Office Manager
ESow@rid.org

Elijah is a native of Senegal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and an Associate in Economics. He worked for BearingPoint, formerly KPMG Consulting and came to RID with several years of conference services and office management experience. In his spare time, Elijah enjoys working out, reading and playing classical guitar.

Sarah Luo, Ext. 206
Accountant
SLuo@rid.org

Sarah is a native of China. She holds a Bachelor of Industrial Enterprises Management in Business degree from Yunnan University and is a certified Industrial Accountant in China. Sarah has more than 6 years of accounting and finance experience. She worked for the National Kidney Foundation as an Accountant/Office Manager before coming to RID. In her spare time, she enjoys outddor activities, tennis, volleyball and traveling.

Jennifer Apple, 703/838-0459 TTY
Accounting & Project Specialist
JApple@rid.org

Jennifer hails from hails from northeast Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Gallaudet University. In her spare time, she enjoys studying Biblical eschatology, cooking and spending time with her family.

Robyn Starks, Ext. 213
Accounting Specialist
RStarks@rid.org

Robyn recently relocated to the D.C. Metro area by way of New York with a background in the financial industry. Most recently, Robyn worked for the Citibank World Head Quarters as a bank officer. When away from work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Catherine McKenna, Ext. 200
Administrative Specialist
CMcKenna@rid.org

Catherine McKenna is a native of New York City and as a former Air Force wife has lived all over the United States and Europe.  She has a background in administrative work and customer service.  She has four grown children and in her spare time reads, does needlework and spends time with her family.

Certification and Education Department

Phara Georges Rodrigue, M.A. Ext. 207
Director of Certification and Education
PRodrigue@rid.org

Phara is a native of Haiti. She's a graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor's in Economics and a Master's degree from the School of Public Policy. Phara has been in the certification industry for over eight years. Most recently, she was the director of certification at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Prior to that, she worked as the associate director of certification for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. In her personal life, she devotes her time and efforts to her husband, mother and two small children.

Jennifer Antiporda, Ext. 232
Certification & Education Manager
JAntiporda@rid.org

Jennifer (Jen) was born in California and moved to Maryland when she was seven. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Theology and Religious Studies from The Catholic University of America. In her free time, she enjoys going out with friends and family, playing with her dog, traveling, reading, eating and shopping.

Laura Joy (LJ) Morris, Ext. 233
Certification & Education Manager
LMorris@rid.org

LJ is originally from a small town in northwestern Illinois.  She earned an associate degree in sign language interpreting from Iowa Western Community College in 1990.  Shortly after graduation she moved overseas and did not pursue a career in interpreting but taught American Sign Language and Deaf culture to groups and individuals until 2004.  LJ has lived in Germany, Korea and across the U.S. as a former military spouse, during which she was a home school educator for her two children through elementary school.  Over the last few years, while developing a career in administrative assisting, she earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from University of Maryland University College and graduated in December 2008.  In her spare time, LJ enjoys nurturing a healthy obsession with Hello Kitty, going to Zumba classes and spending time with friends and her wonderful teenagers, Alyssa and Zach.

Brian Trump, Ext. 212
Education Specialist
BTrump@rid.org

Brian is originally from the northern Virginia area. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Longwood University. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, traveling, working out and playing volleyball.

Renée Kunia, Ext. 224
Certification & Education Specialist
RKunia@rid.org

Renee is originally from the Northern Virginia area.  She has a finance, administrative and customer service background.  In her personal life, she enjoys pleasing and spending time with her daughter, husband and grandmother. 
 
Dan Ebeling, Ext. 211
Certification & Education Specialist
DEbeling@rid.org

Dan is originally from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, MI.  He graduated from Hope College with a degree in Vocal Music Education.  With a background in customer service, he has most recently been employed in the private education industry.  Currently, he sings regularly in two choirs and is also learning to play the banjo.  The rest of the time, he enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with his lovely wife.
 

Member Programs and Services

Tina Schultz, Ext. 208
Senior Director Member Programs and Services
TSchultz@rid.org

Tina hails from Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Tina’s previous experience includes working for Congressman Mike Doyle in his district office in Pittsburgh and on Capitol Hill. She enjoys family time and playing with her son, Aiden, and her daughter, Samantha.

Ryan Butts, Ext. 203
Director of Member Services
RButts@rid.org

Ryan was born in New York City and moved to Virginia when she was 13. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Before coming to work at RID, she worked at the University of Mary Washington in a community based program for minority students. In her spare time, Ryan enjoys going out with friends and spending time with her family.

Cori Dossett, CMP, CEM, Ext. 235
Director of Meetings
CDossett@rid.org

Cori hails from Dallas, TX. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Texas A&M University, is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and a Certified Exhibit Manager (CEM). Cori serves on the Board of Directors of her local college alumni organization and has more than seven years of association management experience. In her free time, Cori enjoys reading and biking.
 
Janet L. Bailey, CSC, SC:PA, NIC Master
Government Affairs Representative
govtaffairs@rid.org

Janet is RID's first Government Affairs Representative. Janet worked for the NAD and Gallaudet University before becoming a professional interpreter. An interpreter for over 30 years, Janet has worked in every possible setting; in both federal and private sectors, from hospitals, classrooms to courtrooms and conferences; as well as in her specialty area as a performing arts interpreter. In 1982, Janet became co-founder, President and CEO of the first interpreting business, Sign Language Associates, Inc. (SLA). Ms. Bailey served two terms as President of RID (1991-1995). As an interpreter, a businesswoman, a professional leader, a speaker and an instructor, Janet represents the best practices of the field.

Lindsey Walter, Ext. 210
Communications Manager
LWalter@rid.org

Lindsey is a native of Holland, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing from Michigan State University. She also studied at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. Lindsey's previous experience includes state government, magazine publishing and public relations work for a small non-profit organization. Lindsey likes to work out, spend time with family and friends and travel.

Erica White, Ext. 204
Member Services Manager
EWhite@rid.org

Erica is originally from Little Rock, AR. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Howard University in Washington, DC. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends and chasing after her toddler, Kaden.

Devon La May, Ext. 201
Communications Specialist
DLamay@rid.org

Devon is originally from the California Bay Area. She moved to Utah in high school and remained there until she graduated from college. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Deaf Studies from Utah Valley University and completed an internship working with Deaf children in the Utah school system. Most recently, Devon worked as an ASL Employment Specialist in the greater Salt Lake City area. Devon enjoys reading, dancing and her family.

Laura Romaine, Ext. 236
Meetings Specialist
LRomaine@rid.org 

Laura was born in Richmond, VA, where she resided until relocating to Northern Virginia to attend George Mason University. Laura graduated holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism and Events Management. Laura has held a variety of internships which included serving the Department of Commerce for The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries. Her last internship was for a non-profit, which sparked her interest in the association community. Laura is a firm believer in community service.