Howard Center recently recognized more than 60 staff who celebrated work anniversaries of 10 years or longer.
Bruce Audette, Assistant Director of the Baird School, was recognized for 25 years of service. Audette has worked as a physical Educator at the Baird School and as CYO Athletic Director for the Diocese of Burlington. He resides in South Burlington with his wife of 27 years, Wanda Audette, who is an adoption director at Lund Center. They have three daughters.
Executive Director Bob Bick celebrated 30 years with Howard Center. In 1994, he played a key role in the merger of Champlain Drug and Alcohol Services and the Baird Center for Children and Families with Howard Center. Bick has a MS in Clinical Psychology, is a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and has served as a consultant and trainer for regional hospitals and community mental health centers. In addition to providing local and statewide leadership in Vermont’s current efforts to address opiate addiction, he currently serves as the president of the Board of the Vermont Care Network and is president of the Board of the New England Institute for Addiction Studies.
Lisa Bilowith (B.S.W. and M.Ed.) is the Director of the Jean Garvin School. She was recently honored for 25 years with Howard Center. Her previous positions within Howard Center include Clinical Coordinator for the Jean Garvin School, School Services Clinician, First Call Clinician, and Residential Treatment Clinician. She is a resident of Burlington.
Valerie Koropatnick, Director of Westview House, celebrated 40 years with Howard Center. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been with Westview, a recovery program for adults with mental illness, since its opening in 1982. Koropatnik also serves as a field instructor for UVM, hosting social work interns at Westview House each semester.
Dave Kronoff, Privacy Officer and Health Informatics Regulatory Manager, celebrated 30 years working for Howard Center. His previous positions include Director of Health Information and Privacy Officer and Director of Health Information. He holds an MS in Administration from St. Michael’s College and a BA in Psychology from Franklin Pierce University. Kronoff lives in Georgia, Vermont, with his wife, Linda, and their two children, Tyler and Megan.