Retired Special Education Director

Jean has served several roles in 43 years of working with students with disabilities in NH. She began her career as a registered occupational therapist in NH public schools, then as director of OT and PT for a regional special education consortium ( Strafford Learning Center). For the last 16 years of her professional career she served as a certified special educator and Special Education Director/Administrator for several NH school districts in turn. She has been a member of the NH Occupational Therapy Association, the NH Association of Special Education Administrators, the NH School Administrators Association, and served as a representative of NH Special Education Administrators on the NH State Special Education Advisory Board. Jean is recently retired and lives in Durham with her husband, John.

Steve was first introduced to the Monarch School of New England in the spring of 2018 while visiting as a possible choice for his youngest daughter. It was immediately apparent that the Monarch School was a special place, and he has been the proud father of a Monarch School student ever since. He lives in Windham, NH with his wife Kimberly and their three children. He is employed by Alinabal, Inc. as the President & Chief Executive Officer. Steven holds two undergraduate business degrees and a Master of Business Administration degree. He enjoys traveling with his family, playing golf, and working in his yard.

Profile Bank, Rochester

McManus Coal & Wood Pellet Sales, Barrington

Kate’s connection to MSNE originates with her mother, Diane McManus. For more than 40 years, Diane taught at the school and worked alongside founder Carrie Foss, when the organization was first known as the Child Development Center. As a teenager, Kate worked in the school’s summer program and has assisted with numerous fundraisers. Today, her commitment to MSNE continues through her service as a Board member. Along with her sister, Marlene, Kate is carrying on her mother’s legacy, supporting families and children with special needs and ensuring that MSNE will continue to grow.

Kate works as the Assistant Treasurer at Profile Bank in Rochester. She has been a banker for over 25 years and is an Accredited ACH Professional, a highly specialized credential. Along with banking, Kate works with her father, Henry, selling bagged coal and wood pellets on the weekends. She loves driving the forklift.

In her free time, Kate can be found enjoying time at home, with her husband and dog. She also likes a good craft wheat beer, soaking up the sun on her patio, spending time with her nieces and looking for moose in Pittsburg NH. Simple things make her the happiest.

Ron Brown is the owner of Yankee Electric & Co. in Rochester, NH, and is a proud U.S. Navy veteran. As a Master Electrician with over 25 years of experience, Ron's career and success are rooted in his lifelong connection to the construction industry, growing up in a family of builders.

When he steps away from work, Ron enjoys traveling, perfecting his golf game, experimenting in the kitchen, spinning vinyl records, sampling craft beer and spending quality time with friends and family.

Nurse Manager

Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth Douglass Hospital

Officially, Julia was introduced to the Monarch School of New England through a friend currently serving on the Board, but she had already been aware of the school through her work as a nurse and other connections. She was inspired to serve on the Board of Directors in order to become part of the school’s good work, create a positive impact on all members of the school community, and provide necessary support, both in and out of the classroom.

Julia is employed as a Nurse Manager at the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover. She makes a positive impact on patients’ lives and the lives of their families, while effectively leading and supporting her professional team to ensure they can give provide the best care possible. Julia knew she wanted to be a nurse since childhood!

Outside of work, Julia enjoys attending concerts and listening to live music. She also loves to cook and credits her Italian heritage with her passion for feeding others. She lives with her husband, and two dogs – all of whom bring her great joy.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Lighthouse Credit Union

Chris is relatively new to the New England area, having moved here a year and a half ago to join and lead Lighthouse Credit Union. After relocating, it became a priority for him to find meaningful ways to engage with the New Hampshire community. Through the credit union, he was introduced to the Monarch School of New England and he found that the school’s approach strongly resonated with him on both personal and professional levels. Chris serves on the Board of Directors so that he can help the school fulfill its mission to support students to reach their greatest potential, which aligns with the mission of Lighthouse Credit Union to enrich and nourish the lives of others.

Before joining Lighthouse Credit Union in 2021, Chris worked for 14 years at Partners Federal Credit Union, part of The Walt Disney Company. Through his work at Disney, Chris was a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics of Florida. Chris currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Credit Union. An accomplished executive with more than 28 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, his purpose is to awaken the possibilities with others through curiosity, collaboration, alignment, and partnerships that create a profound impact.

Chris holds a BA in English from the University of South Florida and earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. Chris and his wife Tricia are avid hockey fans and reside in Dover, NH, with their two dogs, Marty and Stamkos.

Sharon’s association with MSNE began when her late husband Alan became the Executive Director in 1996. An educator with 44+ years working with students and school professionals, she was asked a few years later to fill in as Program Director on a temporary basis during a critical time when the school’s Program Director died suddenly and the deadline was approaching for delivering the MSNE school curriculum to the state board for program approval. 

With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, Sharon started her professional teaching career in special education, later founded a nursery school and kindergarten in her home while her children were preschoolers, and has taught at several elementary and middle school grade levels. She subsequently went on to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and held positions as Assistant Principal and Curriculum Coordinator after earning certification as a School Administrator. 

All of that is to say that none of the various schools she has worked in have had the incredibly specialized knowledge and approach with such successful outcomes as she has witnessed at MSNE. She recognizes it as a truly special place and is quite honored to be asked to serve on the board. 

Sharon lives in Rochester with her current husband and their dog, Jack. She has two grown married children and two grandchildren, enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and many outdoor activities. She has served on various non-profit boards in the past, and currently volunteers at the Rochester Fellowship Kitchen and is Vice Moderator at First Church Congregational UCC in Rochester.