The Birchtree Center Elects New Board Officers

September 16, 2009

 

The Birchtree Center is pleased to announce the election of three new officers to its board of directors.

 

Since 2002, The Birchtree Center has improved the quality of life for children and youth with autism and their families through nurturing relationships, therapeutic programming, and specialized education.  This fall, Glicka Kaplan of Portsmouth assumes the role of board president.  Kaplan has served as secretary of the board of directors, is a long-time Birchtree supporter, and is an active community volunteer.  Attorney Timothy Coughlin of Portsmouth, of Coughlin, Rainboth, Murphy and Lown, assumes the role of vice president.  Tracey Tucker of Portsmouth, the executive director at New Heights: Adventure for Teens, will serve as secretary.  Certified Public Accountant Albert P. Stowe of Portsmouth will continue his role as treasurer.  Kevin Attar of Hampstead, founder and chairman of the board of Surge Industries Corporation, will continue as a director.

 

Barbara R. Frankel, Ph.D., of Portsmouth—Associate Professor, Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of New Hampshire, family therapist and mother of two founded The Birchtree Center soon after she learned that her son Elliott had autism.  Dr. Frankel has served as board president for the organization’s first seven years and has seen Birchtree grow from a small school serving six children to a multi-faceted nonprofit organization serving hundreds of students, family members, and educators in schools, homes, and community settings throughout New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.  Dr. Frankel will remain on the board of directors in the role of past president for the next year.

 

“I am honored to be assuming the presidency of Birchtree’s board at this time,” says Kaplan.  “Thanks to Dr. Frankel’s founding leadership, today The Birchtree Center is transforming the lives of children and youth with autism throughout northern New England.  I look forward to working with my fellow board members, our Executive Director,  Dr. Christine Guarino, and Birchtree’s amazing staff to expand our services to reach the growing number of children and youth with autism in our community who need our help.”