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STAFF & INTERNS
MARK E. THOMPSON
CEO & Founder
I am the founder and CEO of Vision Enterprises JASON Project, ((J)udicial (A)ssistance (S)erving (O)ur (N)eighborhood). Vision Enterprises Legal Research LLC was developing a prison reentry program for Butler County prison. During that time, I was also helping to develop a veteran’s court, and started helping individual veterans with legal issues. So, I established Vision Enterprises JASON Project 4VETS in 2011. I retired in 2015 as a veteran service officer accredited by the VA to represent veterans with medical issues. In 2020 I started Vision Enterprises JASON Project here in Allegheny County.
Kimberly Rosser
Interim President
My business career commenced in 1982 at The New Pittsburgh Courier, where I began selling advertising space for the local minority newspaper. This role exposed me to diverse education, training, and employment opportunities, leading me to further explore avenues such as the Allegheny County Health Department and pursue part-time studies at Point Park University. Upon graduating, I transitioned into the banking sector, where I have cultivated personal and professional growth. My overarching goal is to establish a life skills initiative aimed at providing empowering information to marginalized minority individuals in my community, county, and state. I intend to engage with relevant boards and commissions to achieve this, leveraging my expertise as a licensed Personal Life and Health Insurance agent, mobile notary, podcaster, and blogger. These initiatives have enabled my transition from a full-time corporate role to dedicate my efforts entirely to enriching disenfranchised communities without constraints or conflicts of interest. I am committed to embracing new challenges and experiences that align with my mission of uplifting and empowering minority communities. My business journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to growth, learning, and service. I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped my path and am enthusiastic about the prospect of making a lasting, positive impact within my community and beyond.
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JAMES WORMACK
Corporate Secretary
I am married, entering my 34th year and have four daughters. I am a retired railroad conductor, having spent 41 years with CSX. I previously served on the board of the County United Way as well as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Jason Project. I now serve as the Secretary on the Executive Board for the Jason Project.
MEET THE TEAM
We currently have Criminal Justice, Intelligence/Cybersecurity, Behavioral Science, Political Science, Forensic science, and Forensic Psychology majors from Point Park University working with our program.
EMILY DHANVADA
INTERN TRAINING SUPERVISOR
ALEXIS BENHART
FORMER DISCOVERY SUPERVISOR
CERISSA PAGE
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/INTERN SUPERVISOR
INTERN INVESTIGATORS
SPENCER WALLACE
Criminal Justice
BREONNA LINDSEY
Criminal Justice
GILLIANNE STEWARTSON
Criminal Justice
SARA COWELL
Criminal Justice
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KAYLA BROWN
Forensic Psychology
KEYSHA ROBINSON
Criminal Justice
RA'NIYA KELLEY
Forensic Science
CELIAH DELOACH
Former Political Science
NICOLE LARA
Political Science
KASSADY BURKE
Behavioral Science
BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Lorelei Stein (Chair), Dr. Barry McCrary (Vice Chair), Cassandra Dehnel (Treasurer/Secertary), Dr. Jermone Taylor, Ricky Moody, and Dr. Christine Secilia
DR. LORELEI STEIN
Chair
I was first introduced to the concept of JASON when Mr. Mark Thompson was an undergraduate student of mine at Point Park University. My hope was that JASON would be established because of its potential to impact and change lives. One could imagine my absolute joy when I received a call from Mr. Thompson who shared with me that JASON was truly established and would I consider serving as the chairperson of the Board of Directors. My hope for JASON had become a reality. Prior to my retirement from Point Park University, I was the Director of the Graduate Program in Criminal Justice Administration. I received a 5-year grant from the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, which afforded an annual stipend for a graduate student to work as my graduate research assistant. The project from the Foundation was to research the issue of how police officers should handle children who are present at the arrest of a parent. At the completion of the project a policy was developed and implemented by the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Currently, my research is focused on the impact to children of incarcerated parents, health care of pregnant incarcerated women, and reentry programs for incarcerated women. My firm belief is that JASON will continue to develop and its goal of providing judicial assistance to members of the Pittsburgh community will just be the start of its potential to work in other communities outside of Pittsburgh
DR. BARRY SHELBY MCCRARY
Vice Chair
Currently, I am a Professor at Western Illinois University, and founder and executive Director of the National Criminal Justice Training Research Consulting Agency, NCJTRC. Prior to Western Illinois University I was the Program Supervisor at Allegheny County Juvenile Court, Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania, where I evaluate and monitor a progressive community juvenile intensive probation program. I am also the founder and Executive Director of a non-profit 501©3
organization entitled Maleness to Manhood, M2M Inc., which provides leadership training for young men living in the inner-city. Additionally I was an adjunct professor at Carlow University,
teaching introduction to criminology. My integrative experience includes mobile crisis counseling, mobile therapy, program development, and individual & family counseling. I possess demonstrated skills in Developmental Psychology and an understanding of the motivation of individuals, which allow for reading situations and develop, customized solutions. I hold the degree of Doctor of Education from Duquesne University, a Masters of Science in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University, and a Bachelor of Science in Human
Resource Management from Geneva College. In both my present and former roles, I have continually demonstrated the passion, desire, and motivation to exceed program goals and
expectations.
CASSANDRA DEHNEL
Secretary and Treasurer
I am an Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Manager with S&T bank. I passionately believe that by helping the community, I am creating a better place for my children. Having worked in the finance industry for over a decade, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges created in the community due to the need for financial literacy.
DR. JEROME TAYLOR
Board member
World Renown Clinical Psychologist
PhD, formerly faculty member in clinical psychology, director of the Clinical Psychology Center, Chair of the graduate program in social psychology, chair of psychology’s racial justice committee, and chair of the Department of Africana Studies all at the University of Pittsburgh; currently faculty member in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh and founder and president of The Center for Family Excellence, Inc. located in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District.
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RICKY MOODY
Board Member
MS, CAADC, CCHW, CTP Community Health & Human Services Policy Manager with the City Council of Pittsburgh / Office of the City Clerk. I’ve also held previous leadership positions at Pittsburgh Mercy, Pyramid Healthcare and Southwood Psychiatric Hospital. I’m a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor and community health worker in Pennsylvania, and am PCB endorsed to treat criminal Justice clients as well as those with gambling issues. Received Pittsburgh Courier’s “Men of Excellence” award in 2017 for community behavioral healthcare work.
CHRISTINE SECILIA
Board Member
My name is Dr. Christine L. Secilia and I am currently the Undergraduate Coordinator and a Lecturer of the Criminal Justice Program at Point Park University. I have several years of law enforcement experience beginning as a police officer and retiring as a Sergeant. I am a Point Park University Alumni graduating first with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and ending my academic goals with a Doctorate in Leadership & Administration, Ed.D.