We Make the Difference
ABOUT US
Proudly serving Scioto County, STAR, Inc. is a non-profit organization that offers several services and programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to be a provider of choice that enhances the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing services and support that maximize independence, promote community involvement, and provide vocational opportunities to help those individuals achieve the life they desire.
Leadership Team
Elizabeth
Porter
Program
Manager
Elizabeth Porter
Program Manager
740-353-7945
eporter@sciotostar.org
Elizabeth has a BA in Human Ecology with a focus in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University and has been providing services for STAR, Inc. since 2013 in a variety of roles including direct care, plan coordination, and now as Program Manager of Adult Services. However, her first exposure to STAR, Inc. was several years prior as a senior in high school when she was a student volunteer at STAR, Inc. It was during that experience Elizabeth discovered her passion for working with those with developmental disabilities and decided to make it her career.
Kelly
Hunter
CEO
Kelly Hunter
CEO
khunter@sciotostar.org
740-354-1517
Kelly Hunter worked in seven different states in a variety of fields, from planting trees with migratory workers in Louisiana, working in ship yards in Seattle and working on crab boats in the Bearing Sea before starting out as Production Manager for STAR, Inc. in 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Management from Shawnee State University and was promoted to Director of STAR, Inc. in 2005.
Over his 18 year Career at STAR, Inc. Kelly led the Adult Services Program of Scioto DD to five successful ODODD accreditations and three successful CARF accreditations. He was appointed to the 2011 and 2015 Executive Committee for the Scioto DD levy Campaigns both of which passed with 70%+ of the total votes. He considers his greatest contribution in this field moving STAR, Inc. from a Sheltered Workshop to a 100% minimum wage workplace for the individuals served in 2010. STAR, Inc. was the first Sheltered Workshop in the State of Ohio to move to minimum wage for all individuals.
“Be a powerful force for good in the lives of the individuals we serve.” – Kelly
Linda
Woods-Jones
Business
Manager
Linda Woods-Jones
Business Manager
740-354-1517
lwoodsjones@sciotostar.org
Linda is the Business Manager for Star, Inc. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. Linda came to Star with 30 plus years of experience from the Portsmouth Public Library where she was the Fiscal Officer and Assistant Director. Linda has been with Star, Inc. since September 2015. She enjoys working in an environment where she can make a difference to help serve individuals in Scioto County. When Linda isn’t at work she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her children and twelve grandchildren..
Amie Wolfe
Plan Coordinator
Amie Wolfe
Plan
Coordinator
awolfe@sciotostar.org
740-353-7945
I was born and raised in Scioto County and currently reside in Lucasville. I am a 1997 graduate of Northwest High School and the mother of 3 daughters who are my biggest supporters; I wouldn’t be able to accomplish the things I have without them. I am also a volunteer for Scioto Co. 4H – Rough Riders Club and enjoy working with the kids and horses.
I have worked in the DD field for 17 years and have enjoyed every minute of my time spent with the individuals. Knowing that I can make a difference is what keeps me in this field.
I started my journey at Scioto Residential Services in 2002. While there I held positions as a Direct Support Professional, House Manager, Day Hab DSP, and Health Care/Benefit Specialist.
I started working for STAR, Inc. in August of 2014 as an Individual Support Facilitator. In 2017, I started working with our nurse to assist with delegated nursing and building safety. In 2018, I accepted the position of Plan Coordinator.
Since working for STAR, Inc., I have acquired certifications in Level 2 ServSafe Food Management,
CPR/FA AED Instructor, and Work Incentives Practitioner from Cornell University.
Cindy Newman
RN/BSN and Quality Assurance
Cindy Newman
Program Manager
Quality Control Manager
RN BSN
cnewman@sciotostar.org
740-353-7945
Cindy graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She worked at SOMC for ten years in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. After leaving SOMC Cindy worked at the Portsmouth City Health Department as a staff nurse until 1991 at which time she became the nurse for the Adult Program at the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She quickly discovered she truly loved working with and caring for the individuals attending the Adult Program. Due to changes with programming over the years, Cindy has provided services in all three programs operated by SCDD: Carousel Preschool, Vern Riffe School and the Adult Services Program at STAR, Inc. Working in all the different programs has afforded her the unique opportunity in many cases to follow individuals from their first days at Carousel Preschool, through Vern Riffe School and now at the Adult Services Program.
In December of 2017, after nearly thirty years of service with SCDD, Cindy retired, but immediately began employment with STAR INC. as Quality Control Manager while continuing to oversee nursing services. This still allows her to continue to serve and interact with the individuals she has come to know and love over her years with the program.
Kelly Hunter
CEO
Kelly Hunter
CEO
khunter@sciotostar.org
Kelly Hunter worked in seven different states in a variety of fields, from planting trees with migratory workers in Louisiana, working in ship yards in Seattle and working on crab boats in the Bearing Sea before starting out as Production Manager for STAR, Inc. in 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Management from Shawnee State University and was promoted to Director of STAR, Inc. in 2005.
Over his 18 year Career at STAR, Inc. Kelly led the Adult Services Program of Scioto DD to five successful ODODD accreditations and three successful CARF accreditations. He was appointed to the 2011 and 2015 Executive Committee for the Scioto DD levy Campaigns both of which passed with 70%+ of the total votes. He considers his greatest contribution in this field moving STAR, Inc. from a Sheltered Workshop to a 100% minimum wage workplace for the individuals served in 2010. STAR, Inc. was the first Sheltered Workshop in the State of Ohio to move to minimum wage for all individuals.
“Be a powerful force for good in the lives of the individuals we serve.” – Kelly
Elizabeth Porter
Program Manager
Elizabeth Porter
Program Manager
740-353-7945
eporter@sciotostar.org
Elizabeth has a BA in Human Ecology with a focus in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University and has been providing services for STAR, Inc. since 2013 in a variety of roles including direct care, plan coordination, and now as Program Manager of Adult Services. However, her first exposure to STAR, Inc. was several years prior as a senior in high school when she was a student volunteer at STAR, Inc. It was during that experience Elizabeth discovered her passion for working with those with developmental disabilities and decided to make it her career.
Linda Woods-Jones
Business Manager
Linda Woods – Jones
Business Manager
lwoodsjones@sciotostar.org
Linda is the Business Manager for Star, Inc. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. Linda came to Star with 30 plus years of experience from the Portsmouth Public Library where she was the Fiscal Officer and Assistant Director. Linda has been with Star, Inc. since September 2015. She enjoys working in an environment where she can make a difference to help serve individuals in Scioto County. When Linda isn’t at work she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her children and twelve grandchildren.
Amie Wolfe
Plan Coordinator
Cindy Newman
Quality Control Manager and RN, BSN
Cindy Newman
Quality Control Manager & RN BSN
cnewman@sciotostar.org
Cindy graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She worked at SOMC for ten years in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. After leaving SOMC Cindy worked at the Portsmouth City Health Department as a staff nurse until 1991 at which time she became the nurse for the Adult Program at the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She quickly discovered she truly loved working with and caring for the individuals attending the Adult Program. Due to changes with programming over the years, Cindy has provided services in all three programs operated by SCDD: Carousel Preschool, Vern Riffe School and the Adult Services Program at STAR, Inc. Working in all the different programs has afforded her the unique opportunity in many cases to follow individuals from their first days at Carousel Preschool, through Vern Riffe School and now at the Adult Services Program.
In December of 2017, after nearly thirty years of service with SCDD, Cindy retired, but immediately began employment with STAR INC. as Quality Control Manager while continuing to oversee nursing services. This still allows her to continue to serve and interact with the individuals she has come to know and love over her years with the program.
Board of Trustees
Karren
Griffith
Treasurer
Karren Griffith
Treasurer
Karren holds a bachelors degree in vocational home economics education, and a masters degree in special education. She began her
employment with the SCBDD as a pre-school teacher.
She was employed by the SCBDD from 1980 to 2011 and during that 31 years she also served as primary teacher, case manager, case management director and adult services director.
She is retired and lives in Minford
with her husband, Sam, where she enjoys her 4 children and 10 Grandchildren.
Lisa
Buckler
Secretary
Lisa Buckler
Secretary
Lisa has been involved with DD programs since 2005 when she first enrolled her daughter in Preschool at the Carousel Center. Both of her children attended and completed this Preschool program. Lisa continued to be active with DD activities and events, and she began her service on the Board in 2013.
A graduate of Valley High School, Lisa also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Morehead State University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Findlay. She is an employee of the State of Ohio – Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Mrs. Buckler is a lifelong resident of Scioto County where she resides with her husband Jerry. She is the mother of Adrienne and Adam
Jennifer
Lavender
Board Member
Jennifer Lavender
Board Member
Jenny Lavender currently serves as the Manager of Volunteer Services & Guild Coordinator at Southern Ohio Medical Center. She is a Contributing Columnist for The Scioto Voice Newspaper and TV Host for “Positively Portsmouth” on WTZP Zone TV. Jenny has always been very active in the community serving as a member/and or officer of various organizations throughout the area. Jenny is the former Program & Publicity Coordinator for the Portsmouth Public Library, where she served for 16 years and currently, and for the past two years, she is the steward of her own chartered Little Free Library (located at Wolford’s Landing) where she continues to offer fun seasonal programs, while always encouraging the love of reading.
Jenny has always been impressed with the amazing contributions and genuine impact Star, Inc. has made in our community and she has worked very closely for the past several years as an Advisor, originally through the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth for the Star Impact team. In conjunction with Star, Inc. Jenny continues to work with Impact team through the Volunteer program at Southern Ohio Medical Center, whereas for the past several years this extraordinary team has truly made a difference in the lives of hospital patients and staff – as well as in the community.
Jenny resides with her husband Jon in Lucasville. She enjoys spending time with their canine children Marley Mo, Maxell Q., their grandchildren Isabella and Raegan, and their grand dog Mongo, as well as spending enjoyable moments with great friends!
Leanne Johnson
Board Member
Leanne Johnson
Board Member
Leanne Kinker Johnson is the Vice President of Business Development and Banking Center Manager at WesBanco Bank in Portsmouth, Ohio since 2014. Under Leanne’s management, the Portsmouth Banking Center won the prestigious President’s Club award for Overall Top Performing Branch within WesBanco in 2015, 2016, and 2017. She also has 12 years of business management and business banking experience.
Leanne currently serves on the boards of the American Red Cross, Star Inc., and Treasurer of the 14th Street Community Center. She also Co-Founded Watch Me Grow, a Youth Agriculture & Entrepreneurship in 2018. Leanne currently resides in South Webster, Ohio with her family.
Tom
Stiverson
Board Member
Tom Stiverson
Board Member
Tom is a graduate of Northwest high school class of 1968. He was Drafted and joined the Us Navy where he served for 4 years of Active Duty. After the military, he attended welding school in Columbus, Ohio and at the Scioto Joint Vocational School.
Tom has held a variety of positions throughout his career. For 10 years he was employed at CSX Railroad where he was a pipefitter and sheetmetal worker. He was a group home manager at Scioto Residential Services, A bus driver for Northwest School District and Scioto County MRDD program.
Tom Retired from STAR, Inc Adult Services Program where he served as an Individual Support Facilitator and Job Coach. Since his retirement in 2011, he like to spend his time playing music and gardening.
Charlie Kirby
President
John Burke
Vice-President
Lisa Buckler
Secretary
Karen Griffith
Treasurer
Jennifer Lavender
Board Member
Klaire Purtee
Board Member
Leanne Johnson
Board Member
Tom Stiverson
Board Member
Tony Fisher
Board Member