[To send an email, click on the name below]

Cynthia L. Fiore
Cynthia* is Executive Director for Taconic Resources for Independence and the Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service, a program of TRI. She has been working in human services since 1980. She has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities as a Life Skills Instructor, and has also worked in Staff Development and Training.  Cynthia is a member of the Dutchess County Long Term Care Council and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.  She is married, has two lovely daughters with learning disabilities, and lives with a hidden disability, diabetes.  When not on the job, she can be found hiking one of the many trails in the Hudson Valley; attending a concert, play or movie; playing tennis; or doing Tai Chi in the parking lot.

Cynthia's extension is 105

Patrick Muller
Patrick is the Program Director for TRI. He joined the team on May 9th, 1990 as the Independent Living Specialist.  In 2000, he helped develop the position of Mobile Benefits Counselor, funded through the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene.  Patrick received his A.A.S. in Community Mental Health Assistance from Dutchess Community College, his B.A. in Social Worker Education from Marist College, and his M.A. in Social Work from Fordham University. In 2007 he completed Leadership Dutchess, a community leadership program through the Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce.  Patrick deeply appreciates the support of his mother, father and three brothers, along with longtime friend and mentor Patricia Glennon.  He continues to study independently and to enjoy outdoor living. If he is not home, Patrick is out camping somewhere on the east coast.

Patrick's extension is 110

Diane Barkstrom
Diane is the Program Director and Staff Interpreter for the Mid Hudson Interpreter Service (MHIS), and has been part of the TRI team since 1995. She holds both a Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.  Diane graduated from the Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance, and performed with various dance companies.  While performing with the Body Language Dancers, she was introduced to American Sign Language (ASL), which was utilized for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences. Sign language captivated her so much that she attended Northeastern University’s ASL/English Interpreting Program and became a freelance interpreter in Western New York. Diane now resides in Dutchess County, where she still enjoys interpreting and dancing, and on occasion performing in and around the Hudson Valley and teaching for Dream Studio, LLC in Rhinebeck.

Diane's extension is 104

Joanne DeLuca
Joanne is the Financial Director at TRI and has been with the Center since 1995.  She graduated from Hofstra University on Long Island and has worked for both public accounting firms and private industry before entering the not-for-profit world.  At TRI, Joanne manages the financial and human resource elements of the organization.  She is married with two children.  Off hours, Joanne enjoys biking, reading, yoga, Pilates and drinking tea!  (Ok, she drinks tea at work too).  Fashion design is her passion; she could be a very successful clothing stylist if she was to give up her day job!  

Joanne's extension is 101 

Michael Sweeting
Michael, Peer Advocate and Employment Readiness Counselor, has worked in the human services field since 1981.  His experience includes employment counseling, job develoment, chemical dependency counseling, and serving as a life skills coach.  Michael served as the Mobile Benefits Counselor at TRI, and currently is a Peer Advocate with the responsibility of providing Employment Readiness Training.  His mission has always been, and continues to be, to assist others to attain self-sufficiency.  Michael’s passion for public service is an extension of his spiritual belief in service to others.  He is involved in a ministry to young adult males at a youth detention center and assists at the education department of his place of worship.  In his spare time, he attends Dutchess Community College, watches spy movies, and enjoys the TV shows “Burn Notice” and “The Closer.” 

Michael's extension is 111

Karen Lynch
Karen is the Special Education Advocate at TRI.  She has facilitated support groups for Mental Health America in Dutchess County and has been a parent member in her home district since 1998. Karen's oldest of two sons has been classified since he was a preschooler. This has provided her the incentive to learn all she can about her son's rights, and about the responsibilities of the school district for his education.  Karen is involved in many special education groups throughout the Dutchess county area.  If you need resources, information or help in advocating for your child, please contact Karen. When not at the job, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Karen's extension is 112

Elizabeth Holodak
Elizabeth is the Mobile Benefits Counselor. She joined the TRI team in July 2008 as a Peer Advocate.  Her interest in promoting independence among individuals with disabilities is exemplified by her own determination to be self sufficient and well educated, while living with a disability.  She is a graduate of Mercy College and plans to pursue a Master’s degree to enhance her effectiveness as a member of the team.  Her primary goal is to effectively and respectfully support those who request TRI’s services.  In addition to helping others, Elizabeth loves animals and children, the beach, swimming, bike riding, listening to music, crossword puzzles, travel, gardening, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Elizabeth's extension is 113

Pegi Johnson
Pegi is the Intake Coordinator at TRI. She attended Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY with the goal of working with children as a Social Worker.  Although circumstances prevented her from finishing those courses, she continued to pursue her dreams.  She managed to go back to school, received a Certificate in Child Care and became a Teaching Assistant. Pegi also completed a training course to become a Peer Advocate, which led her to volunteer at Taconic Resources. After two months as a volunteer receptionist, she was hired for her current position. Pegi now lives in upstate New York and is enjoying every minute of living in this area.

Pegi's extension is 100

Jeanine Byrnes
Jeanine is the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services Community Liaison here at TRI.  She herself is Hard of Hearing and is a native of Dutchess County.  Her former positions with ARCDC and Greystone House Inc. have broadened her experience with persons with disabilities.  In addition, Jeanine has been learning Sign Language through association with many Deaf individuals in Dutchess County.  While learning the language, she came to realize a need for greater community awareness in regards to providing effective communication for persons who are deaf.  If you have any questions about the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act towards those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, please contact Jeanine.

Jeanine's extension is 103

Sarah Roberts
Sarah* is the Effective Communication Advisor for MHIS. Her goal is to motivate businesses to provide sign language interpreters to those that need them by educating them on the ADA and LEP laws. She also provides businesses with the information needed to hire an interpreter and the procedures that are involved with that process. Sarah began her involvement in the deaf community over 12 years ago in Texas. Although raised in Austin, Sarah came to New York by way of Virginia. Don’t let her lack of an accent fool you, she is southern through and through! If you are a business that would like more information, or a deaf/hard of hearing individual that know of a business that needs information on providing interpreters, please contact Sarah.

Sarah's extension is 106

Rae Yamashiro
Rae* has been Program Coordinator of MHIS since 2003, assisting businesses and organizations obtain interpreting services that effectively meet the needs of the customer and the consumer. She finds there is something new to learn, and never a dull moment, in working with the great variety of individuals and situations encountered every day. Please contact Rae to schedule sign language interpreting services. She is also Tai Shan’s #1 fan at MHIS, so please check out Tai Shan's Corner for photos and news about Pandas.

Rae's extension is 102

Bill Quinn
Bill is a Volunteer peer advocate who has been associated with TRI since 2003.
He is also a member of the Dutchess County Human Rights Commission and can assist people with disabilities determine discrimination under New York State Human Rights law and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bill obtained his B.A. in Social Work from Marist College and his M.A. in Social Work from SUNY Albany. In his spare time, he is working on breaking Michael Phelps' records in the pool. He enjoys music, and has memorized all the words to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.  

Bill's extension is 118

*web editing team