Staff

Our entire staff consists of caring, highly trained professionals who gladly put students first on a daily basis. The staff are overseen by a dedicated team of directors who ensure the smooth daily operations of the School.  Many staff members have been at MSB for 10 or more years.

Senior Management Team

Carl Lancaster, Interim President & CEO
Robin L. Churchill, CPA, VP and Chief Administrative Officer
Mark B. Althoff, Director of Development
David B. Ashley, Director of Physical Facilities
Michael Schemm, Director of Residential Services
Maureen E. Bisesi, Director of Interdisciplinary Services
Irina Cherynyak; Director of the Statewide Instructional Resource Center
Duane Geruschat, Ph.D., Director of Research
Linda A. Rosendall, Director of Education

Current Board of Directors

John M. Hart, AIA, AICP
Manager, Planning & Urban Design
URS Corporation, Gaithersburg, MD

John M. Hart, a long-time architect, began his new post as The Maryland School for the Blind’s 12th chairman of its Board of Directors on January 1, 2005. He joined the Board in 1996 and most recently served as the Board’s secretary.

An Urban Planning and Hazard Mitigation Team Leader in URS Corporation’s Gaithersburg office, Mr. Hart manages a national contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide technical assistance to state and local governments in preparing Hazard Mitigation Plans. Prior to joining URS, he was Vice President and Director of Urban Design for RTKL Associates in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Hart was first introduced to MSB in 1991 when he directed development of a comprehensive campus master facility plan.

Former MSB President and CEO Elaine Sveen said Mr. Hart’s architectural and planning skills will be a major asset as the school moves forward in developing a new master facility plan. “Since my arrival in 2003 as The Maryland School for the Blind’s president, I have found John to be very committed to the school,” President Sveen said. “With his strong architectural, planning and organizational skills, he is a natural to take the lead as we move into the next master facility planning cycle.”

Mr. Hart succeeds James Datovech, of Gaithersburg, who has chaired the MSB Board for the past six years. During Datovech’s tenure as Board Chair, the school worked closely with the Maryland legislature and the Maryland State Department of Education to enact legislation which resulted in changes to the school’s funding formula, assuring its financial stability for the long term. The School also was successful in getting “Parent’s Right to Know” legislation passed, mandating that parents of children who are blind or visually impaired are informed of their options to take advantage of the many services MSB provides. Mr. Datovech continues to serve on the Board.

BOARD OFFICERS

John M. Hart, AIA, AICP, Chairman
Edward J. Veilleux, 1st Vice Chairperson
Katharine E. Tuchman, Vice Chairperson
Christopher E.A. Scholtes, Treasurer
Jack R. York, Secretary

DIRECTORS

Craig F. Ballew
Virginia Beauchamp
Craig D. Borne
Marie Celeste, Ed.D
Glenn N. DiChiera
Alfred A. Filar, MD, PA
John R. Hill, CFP
Sen. Katherine Klausmeier
Steven Koren
Marion Mullauer
Dennis Parnell
Del. James E. Proctor Sr.
Karen Rigamonti, MD, MBA, MPH
Jeffery W. Valentine

BOARD EMERITUS

James J. Datovech, Chairman Emeritus
Richard N. Andrews, Director Emeritus
Raleigh Brent, Director Emeritus
William Buchanan, Director Emeritus
Catherine Byrne Doehler, Director Emerita
John E. Sippel, Director Emeritus