The staff at PersonnelPlus is comprised of highly capable and nationally recognized individuals who combined serve the Athens County Board of DD in assisting individuals in securing employment in the Athens area. It is their mission to diversify the business community and enhance the lives of the individuals they serve.
Doug Mitchell, Director
Doug Mitchell has been involved in administration and marketing of non-profit programing for 23 years. During the 14 years Doug has worked in the field of supported employment, he has spent the last 9 years as the Director of PersonnelPlus Employment Services. Doug was very instrumental in reshaping PersonnelPlus to become more business focused and customer friendly. The program has expanded under Doug’s leadership to include a larger variety of training and employment services as well as oversight of a VRP3 partnership with the Washington County Board of DD. Doug is involved in the community and has served on the Athens County Red Cross Board, as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and currently as a Rotarian. Doug graduated from Ohio University with a degree in political science and an emphasis in public administration. dmitchell@athenscbdd.org
Karen Hynes, Secretary
Karen joined the PersonnelPlus team in July 2008.
Karen is a graduate of Athens High school, attended Hocking College and has more than 20 years of secretarial and customer service experience. Karen has an extensive background in working with people from diverse backgrounds. Karen is a Notary Public for the State of Ohio and previously worked for Athens County Children Services for more than 12 years as an ongoing
Services Secretary before coming to PersonnelPlus.
Karen is an Athens County native, an active member of her church where she holds the offices of Priest and Records Manager. Karen is also a huge animal lover, has five animals of her own and loves to do dog grooming in her spare time. Karen is a big sports fan, especially when her children are playing. khynes@athenscbdd.org
Mike Beaver, Job Developer
Mike has more than 27 years’ experience working with people with disabilities in a variety of positions.
Mike has a BS from Rio Grande College with a Major in Comprehensive Communications with a Secondary Education Certification and an MBA from Ohio University.
As a QMRP, Mike was involved in case management activities for people with disabilities. As Assistant Program Director Mike was responsible for residential, recreational, medical and workshop oversight and as Operations Director Mike was responsible for a $32 million dollar budget that included the supervision of business office, payroll, transportation, grounds keeping, laundry, food service, medical records, maintenance, police department and MUI investigation.
Mike and his wife have been married for more than 30 years, have two daughters, two cats and a dog. Mike has numerous hobbies, most of which involve the outdoors, carving, painting and music. mbeaver@athenscbdd.org
Craig Browne, Habilitation Specialist
Craig Browne has been with ATCO for 26 years as a Vocational Evaluator, Production Supervisor and now as a member of the ATCO Adult Services team. His role involves assisting individuals in discovering, trying out and adjusting to all types of Community Employment. Brown was part of the original ATCO Job Placement Services and now works daily with PersonnelPlus to ensure the best community based employment services to all individuals served.
Steven Koch, Habilitation Specialist
Koch started working for the Athens County Board of MR/DD in April of 1987 as a Job Coach teaching individuals with disabilities lawn maintenance skills. He has also worked as a Workshop Specialist assisting individuals in the workshop with work and social skills. Since 1991, Koch has been working as a Plan Coordinator/Habilitation Specialist. He coordinates services and supports for individuals receiving adult services through community employment, human awareness, community inclusion and transportation. Koch is one of two staff members who work with the PersonnelPlus Consumer Advisory Council. He also facilitates the Peer-to-Peer sub-committee on Self-Determination. Koch was honored by APSE in 2005 as the State of Ohio recipient for Professional of the Year. skoch@athenscbdd.org
Stephanie Howell, Training Coordinator
Stephanie came to PersonnelPlus as the Training Coordinator in 2008 after more than fifteen years experience in corporate training, quality assurance and management.
As Quality Manager for Baxter Healthcare, Stephanie performed audits and prepared medical facilities for FDA and EMEA (European Medicines Evaluation Agency) audits while developing corrective and preventative plans of action. As Corporate Trainer for McBee Systems, Inc., Stephanie designed training programs for McBee and its parent company, Deluxe Corporation. She facilitated five-week training courses in call centers and sales offices across the U.S. Stephanie has adapted her experiences from the private sector and applied new and innovative programs at PersonnelPlus. As a result, Stephanie was awarded the Ohio Professional of the Year Award by APSE (Association of Persons in Supported Employment) in 2009 and was awarded the National Professional of the Year Award in Atlanta in 2010.
Stephanie lives in Athens with her husband George, son DeVon, and daughters Brooklyn and Malia. She is the varsity cheerleading coach at Athens High School, enjoys the outdoors, photography, sports and is heavily involved in community service. showell@athenscbdd.org
Lavonna Laughlin, Internship Coordinator
Lavonna joined the PersonnelPlus team in 2010.
Lavonna’s previous work experience includes Athens County Children Services in the Family Support Unit, Tri-County Adult Career Center as an Assessment Coordinator and McBee Systems as a Project Manager. She has 25 years of customer service experience and continues her education in the filed of Supportive Employment and working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities. “My desire is to maintain and create relationships that will enable us to continually assist individuals with community employment.”
Lavonna lives in Stewart with her two children, Faith and Adam. Lavonna enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family during her free time. llaughlin@athenscbdd.org
Chris Stewart, Transition Coordinator
Chris has experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities from serving in a variety of occupations. Chris holds a BA from the Kentucky Christian University in Christian Education with an emphasis on Communication. Chris has been a youth pastor, young adult pastor and has assisted and pioneered the start of new church plants. Chris has done public speaking at youth conferences nationwide and taught in public schools as a tutor for at-risk students. Chris has also worked as a high school intervention specialist. Chris is married and the father of two children. He is very involved in the Athens community, serving on the Athens Sandlot Board, and coaching baseball, basketball and football. cstewart@athenscbdd.org
Celeste Salzman, Lead Trainer
Celeste has been with the Atco community employment program for 21 years. Celeste works as a PersonnelPlus Job Trainer, and is exceptional at adaptive measures in the workplace for individuals with disabilities.
In 2000 Celeste received the APSE Professional of the Year award for the State of Ohio as well as nationally. Celeste was the ARC president for 20 years and was involved with the Japanese Exchange Program.
Celeste is a graduate from Cleveland Cuyahoga Community College, International School of Business Machines and Get Set OSU.
Celeste and husband have four children and reside in Athens. csalzman@athenscbdd.org
Kelly Shaw, Trainer
Kelly is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelors in Specialized Studies. Kelly has expanded education in sign language and has taught classes in Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Kelly has also participated in many conferences and workshops regarding Autism and support groups of parents of children with Autism. Kelly states her passion is working with those with developmental disabilities and helping them excel. kshaw@athenscbdd.org
Mike Davis, Trainer
Mike has an extensive background in working and managing restaurants in Athens County. The knowledge Mike has gained from his past work enables him to quickly assist in training individuals with disabilities. Mike’s favorite part of the job at PersonnelPlus is the fact that he can work with young people, and help give them a chance to find good jobs here in the local area. mdavis@athenscbdd.org
Art Jordan, Trainer
Art Jordan is a student and athlete at Ohio University. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Art works hard in the classroom, on the football field, in the community and definitely as a trainer at PersonnelPlus. Art played an important role in the 2011 Summer Youth Employment Program as a trainer and mentor and continues to provide exemplary services to individuals with disabilities. ajordan@athenscbdd.org
Cardon Smith, Janitor
Cardon joined the PersonnelPlus staff in June of 2011. He does an outstanding job ensuring the cleanliness of the offices, conference rooms and training areas. Cardon is also employed at the Albany Roadside Rest as part of the grounds maintenance crew and is one of the featured artists at Passion Works.