Team

Founder & CEO, Chris is a renowned expert in the field of peak performance coaching with an insatiable appetite (yum!) for accelerating the human condition. His immediate focus is on partnering with government and education to increase employment outcomes through proprietary Career TEAM technologies and strategies. When not wearing his social entrepreneur hat, Chris can be found getting into mischief with his wife Susan and their three children Alana, CJ and Olivia; or shagging fly balls at a local baseball field.

Anthony Terlizzi joined CTL in 2018 as Chief Performance Officer for Direct Service awards. In this capacity, Anthony is responsible for Workforce Operations, New Business Development, and Performance Management for our Government division. Anthony has extensive WIOA and TANF experience, previously overseeing large, multi-site workforce operations, particularly in New York City. Anthony graduated from the University of South Florida with a BS in Finance. When not working, Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife (they were previous winners of a trip to Costa Rica on the Newlywed Game!), 3 highly energetic boys and playing point guard wherever a hoop court can be found!

Dana N. Fenwick is the Executive Director for Career Team Delaware. In this role she is responsible for Government functions including: New Business Development, Proposal Acquisition, and Project Management. Dana has maximized her TANF, WIA, and Dislocated Worker contracts while building strong business and community relationships and moving VIP’s toward self sufficiency. Dana is a chocolate conniseur and athlete who holds several records in track and field at her alma mater, Temple University.

“Mr. J” serves as Director of Business Services and as a master connector, ensures process and relationships with national hiring authorities. In addition, he works with the CEO and Program Directors with the goal of building career services capacity, maximize placement of clients and providing assistance to individual teams or Job Developers. His purpose is to maximize candidate placement by engaging the business community, employers and clients in long-term partnerships. When not working, Mr. J can be found in church or designing a new line of Big and Tall Men’s apparel.

Danielle Simone joined CTL in 2008 and has been instrumental in the successful launch of new CTL offices in Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Danielle is one of the chief content architects of the highly successful Career EDGE LMS and web portal with over 100,000 users nationwide. Danielle graduated sum cum laude from Quinnipiac University and has been accepted to the prestigious Yale Graduate School of Management. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and can often be found feverishly browsing through Pinterest for new ideas or playing with her BFF Chloe, a Yorkee Poo.

As President of Career TEAM’s Education Division, Micaela brings a background in higher education, coaching, and career development to the organization. Micaela has observed the Department of Education’s shift toward the gainful employment of our graduates. As a result, what excites her the most about her role is sharing Career Team’s 20 years of Workforce Development experience with partner institutions and, ultimately, with graduates. Prior to CTL, she served as National Director of Sales for McGraw Hill Education. Micaela completed the Accomplishment Coaching leadership and coaches training program in 2013 and she is also a certified trainer in the Aha! Process, Bridges Out Of Poverty program. A Cum Laude graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in International Business, Micaela lives in Denver, CO.

Harrison Tonne joined CTL in 2009 and is charge of the design and development of all CTL Learning Management Systems and Case Management Systems. His passion is using modern technology to streamline education and workforce development systems. He believes in creating fun, entertaining educational products that can help people achieve their dreams and shape their future. Harrison is one of the original architects of the Career EDGE that is now being used by over 400,000 individuals. Outside the office, Harrison enjoys dunking basketballs and spending time with his wife and two sons!

James Hughes joined Career Team in 2019 as Executive Director in Pierce County, Washington. He comes with over 7 years of experience in workforce development. He is a 2010 Graduate of Whitworth University with a Bachelors degree in Social Science. He is committed to breaking the chains of poverty and seeing our very important person’s (VIP’s) thrive. When he is not at work, you can find him spending time with his wife and daughter and serving in ministry. James is an avid chess player and enjoys any athletic adventure. He is native to the Pacific Northwest and is excited to serve in his community.

Barleh “Jessica” Johnson joined Career TEAM in 2019 as Executive Director in Washington, DC. Jessica has 15 years of management, sales, and contracting experience working in the for-profit, non-profit and government sectors. Previously, Jessica managed the group purchasing and strategic sourcing of the Community Purchasing Alliance’s 75 member community institutions in the Washington DC region. Jessica’s focus was growing membership in the MD-DC-VA metro region and building new programs to meet the needs of members. Prior to that, she led a team at EDSI where she assisted with the procurement of $2 million in annual contracts and oversaw the daily operations of the TANF program that enrolled over 1,500 program participants each year. Jessica holds a bachelors degree in Political Science and International Studies from Elmira College in NY and Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Jessica is an avid traveler, lover of exotic cuisine and reality TV.

Charles is the Director of Training at Career TEAM. Charles first joined Career TEAM in 2015 as a subject matter expert working on the very contract he is now directing. In his current role Charles manages the online learning and employer engagement activity for the Capital Workforce Partners One Stop contract, providing services and support across the region in six office locations; New Britain, Bristol, Enfield, Manchester, East Hartford and Hartford. Charles has a passion for professional development and uncovering hidden potential. He is thrilled at the opportunity to serve his team, customers and community.

As the Chief Financial Officer, Peggy is responsible for all financial activity for Career Team and Career Edge.  She brings over 30 years of domestic and international finance experience in a broad range of industries. Most recently she worked for the largest franchisee of Planet Fitness – managing financial activities for over 100 clubs in the US and Canada.  She spent 11 years with Deloitte assisting clients with Strategy and Financial Operations - implemented systems, controls and process improvements to streamline and automate financial operations to improve productivity and performance. Peggy graduated from the University of Southern New Hampshire with a BS in Finance & Information Technology and received her MBA from Sacred Heart University.  Peggy enjoys spending time with her husband Isaac and their daughter Megan. When not working, she can frequently be found on the sidelines cheering on her daughter’s soccer team! 

Amanda Pedigo joined Career TEAM in 2018 as Operations Manager. Amanda has 15 years management experience in workforce, for profit, non-profit and government sectors. In her current role, Amanda provides service and support to the One Stop Contract, TEAM, partners, and participants. She over sees the daily operations for the Kentucky Division. Amanda thrives on the success of others. When not working Amanda enjoys, spending time with her family, traveling anywhere there is sun and a beach and when she is not traveling, she can be found enjoying their boat on Dale Hollow Lake.

Mary Ann Rojas began her career in workforce development in 1995  when she founded Job Source a small workforce services company serving individuals with disabilities and preparing them for suitable employment. Throughout her career she has touched  lives by mentoring others to build high performing teams, effective program design and leading organizations to prominence on the national stage for innovative workforce solutions. She brings a unique perspective having served in governance, administration and operations of the public workforce system. She is a true professional and brings a depth of experience , knowledge  and an entrepreneurial spirit to Career TEAM!

Robin Dirro joined Career TEAM in 2020 as an Executive Director in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee.  He comes with over 15 years of experience in leading high performing teams in the Retail space.  He enjoys coaching and mentoring his teams to create a culture that is founded on taking care of the customer.  He is a graduate of California State University Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in business management.   In his personal time, Robin enjoys spending time with his family, restoring cars, real estate investing, and enjoying the great outdoors of Tennessee.

Over 17 years Gary built North America and Europe’s leading application and data service for transportation rate intelligence (FMIC). Throughout his career, he has delivered operations improvements and technology consulting projects for hundreds of leading companies including Kraft, PepsiCo, Walmart, and The Home Depot. His last position at i2 was Vice President of Logistics Products development, where he was responsible for managing product development, marketing, and delivery of i2’s logistics solutions which generated annual revenues of over $100M. Gary joined i2 through the acquisition of ITLS (a software development company based in Toronto) where Gary was an early participant. Previous to ITLS, he was a Consultant with Bain and Company in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Boone served as President/CEO of the South Central Workforce Development Board and its non-profit enterprise, Employward, Inc.  based in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Dr. Boone is recognized as an expert in innovative program design and delivery in workforce development; organizational strategic planning and transformation; and the orchestration of technology platforms to create large-scale solutions, resulting in performance-based and customer-centered workforce systems.Prior to regional workforce board service, Dr. Boone served in workforce development leadership capacities in the post-secondary education and private health care sectors in Kentucky and Georgia, respectively.Dr. Boone holds a bachelor of science (BS) degree in psychology (with an emphasis on Industrial/Organizational Psychology) from The University of Georgia; a master of public administration (MPA) in non-profit management and community development from Morehead State University, where he graduated at the top of his class and was recognized as the MSU College of Business and Public Affairs' 2014 "Outstanding Graduate Student;" and a doctorate in education policy, measurement, and evaluation (EdD) from the University of Kentucky, with dissertation research focusing on work-based learning opportunities (WBLOs) as an impactful mechanism to transmit workplace-specific cultural capital to “first-generation career seekers,” a term he coined based on this research.