TRUMBULL COUNTY Mental agency elects new president

Burdman Group offers vocational rehab services to people with mental illness.
NILES -- Mark Gasser, executive vice president of Gasser Chair, has been elected president of the Burdman Group Board of Directors.
Gasser, who has been on the board since 1998, was installed during the agency's annual dinner meeting Thursday evening at Vernon's Cafe.
Burdman Group is a contract agency of the Mahoning County Mental Health Board and Trumbull Lifelines. It is funded by Youngstown-Mahoning Valley United Way.
The agency offers vocational rehabilitation and residential treatment programming to people with mental illness and also comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence.
Burdman also offers vocational services to adults and youth in Mahoning and Trumbull counties who are in need of specialized vocational planning because of special needs.
Nick Ceglia, executive director of Trumbull Lifelines Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Services Board of Trumbull County, was the keynote speaker.
Levy
He spoke on the need to pass a 1-mill, 10-year replacement levy being sought by the Trumbull board in Tuesday's general election.
Laura Lonardo and Volunteer Services to Seniors program were this year's recipients of the Doris Burdman Service Award. The award is given annually to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to human services.
Lonardo founded the Canfield Community Care Net to provide support to families with members who are terminally or seriously ill. The Rev. Terrence Hazel, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Canfield, presented the award.
Nancy Flinn, Burdman's interim executive director, presented the award to VSS for helping senior citizens maintain their independence through services provided by volunteer caregivers.
Several individuals who receive services from Burdman Group were honored at the dinner for their achievements.
Also recognized were local businesses that hire the agency's vocational rehabilitation clients and a group of volunteers who conduct fund raisers for Sojourner House Domestic Violence Program.
Other offices
Other Burdman board officers installed at the meeting were Pamela Miles, president-elect; Dennis Delon, treasurer; Anthony Serluco, assistant treasurer; and Brian Kolenich, secretary.
New board members are Terry Cloonan, Paul Fridley, Clyde Holmes, Barbara Orton, Dr. Jane Reid and Debra Scott.
Dr. Peter Woodlock, Christine Kuklinca and Patricia Murphy were honored as outgoing board members.