PEATC is governed by a culturally and geographically diverse Board that includes a majority membership of parents of children with a full range of disabilities. Members also include professionals in related fields, self-advocates, university representatives, legal and business experts.

President, Michael Heaney - is currently a Senior Managing Consultant with IBM. He also serves as a Professorial Lecturer at The George Washington University Graduate School of Forensic Sciences and an Adjunct Professor with Webster University's Graduate School of Security Management. A retired Army Counterintelligence Officer and senior pilot, Mr. Heaney also served for 11 years as a corporate officer and for five years as a practicing family law attorney in Virginia. He is co-developer of the "Safe Schools" Program, used throughout the US and in all Department of Defense Schools worldwide, and a nationally recognized expert on school safety and juvenile justice. Mr. Heaney lives in Fauquier County with his wife of 40 years, Pat.

Vice President for Personnel and Finance, Betsy McGuire - is the proud mother of a 29 year old Special Olympics athlete. She brings to the board more than 15 years of corporate HR experience, as well as her enthusiasm and creativity to fund raise.

Vice President for Development, Nick Sciullo - Nick is an experienced government affairs professional in the non-profit sector. He received his B.A. from the University of Richmond and his J.D. from West Virginia University. He is a noted scholar on critical race theory, feminism, and legal theory. His writing may be found in law reviews, magazines, and newspapers. He has several articles forthcoming in law reviews. He is the current debate coach at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria and a Board Member of Jane Franklin Dance, an Arlington-based dance and performance non-profit. He currently resides in Alexandria, VA.

Secretary, Suzanne Hill - has over 20 years experience helping individuals with special needs and their families. She managed the Exceptional Family Member Program, the public and DoD School Systems and Educational and Developmental Intervention Services on Marine bases in Japan and the US. In addition to conducting training, she helped families with special needs members to plan, coordinate programs, manage their resources and resolve problems. She also helped provide case management services so that families could obtain appropriate medical care, school and early intervention services. Suzanne serves as the Chairperson for the Northern Neck Disabilities Awareness Fair, sponsored by NSWC Federal Credit Union. This annual event in King George County, VA assists individuals and families with disabilities with resources and support from the age of birth through geriatrics and will be coming soon to Spotsylvania County.

Treasurer, Francisco R. Ramirez - Cisco and his wife, Michele are the proud parents of two daughters, Yasmin and Yohanna (w/Down Syndrome). Having worked with special needs children during college, he knew the importance of having a support system available to him and his family, Cisco looked at participating on the Board as a way to give back to an organization that helps families in need. Cisco also serves on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV). To support the family, Cisco works as an executive for an integrated security company. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Seton Hall University and his Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.

Florence Long Bey - is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University since 2008 and was formerly at Virginia Union University where she taught since 1979. She has been working to partner with PEATC to find ways that VCU can reach out to people with disabilities and folks who want to become professionals who improve lives for people with disabilities. She has a history of strong community involvement, research, fundraising, and developing resources for organizations.

Maggie Bishop - Maggie resides in Southwest Virginia (Wytheville) where she studied Police Science and served as an intern with the Wythe County Sheriff's Dept. She has adult children as well as a High School child with autism. Over the years she has worked with youth groups such as Boy Scouts and has been a Sunday school teacher and childhood care counselor. With PEATC support, she is starting a parent support group and is very interested in making sure that families in SW Virginia are able to get assistance in obtaining special needs education for their children.

Susan Chen - is the mother of a son with a learning disability. She has worked as a court interpreter through the VA legal aide society of Northern Virginia. She is also the founder of the hotline for Special Education for the Asian American Community. Susan has an MBA, majoring in Finance/Accounting. Over the years, she has been involved in IEP meetings and Due Process hearings for Asian American students within the Fairfax County School system.

Dr. Subarna Dharia - is a Board Certified Pediatrician whose main area of interest is children with special needs. After working in private practice for several years, she now works for the Infant and Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church. Subarna works with families of children with Developmental Delays as a resource of medical knowledge. She is also the proud mother of two adorable boys. Her oldest son has Global Developmental Delays and has inspired her to help other families overcome the challenges associated with special needs.

Rhonda LaVenuta - Rhonda has worked in the field of special education as a teacher and administrator in schools in New Jersey, DoDDS - Germany, DoDDS - Fort Campbell, KY, and in northern Virginia for 28 years. She is presently working as the Pupil Personnel Services Coordinator for the DoDDS schools at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Quantico - VA and the West Point Schools at the US Military Academy. She has had numerous opportunities throughout the years to serve as a resource to civilian and military families. Her compassion for families of children with special needs is both professional and personal with a particular passion for families managing comprehensive medical and/or behavioral issues. Rhonda was attracted to the PEATC Board as she wishes to bring her expertise in collaboration skills to families and school professionals.

David Mattoon - has been an advocate for people with learning, physical, and behavioral disabilities for the past several years since he was diagnosed with a mild case of Aspergers' Syndrome at the age of 14. In addition to several years as a volunteer for various community service organizations, David has become a growing fixture in local politics in Northern Virginia, as well as an activist for various Fairfax County Public School issues, and Educational Policy in the State of Virginia.

Caridad Mouanga - Caridad is a Program Coordinator and Vocational Specialist at St. John's Community Services (SJCS), a non-profit, non-sectarian human service agency, who supports children and adults with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. She is the proud parent of an 18 year old with disabilities. Caridad taught children with autism for five years and is an ABA therapist. She has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science but a passion to work with persons with Intellectual disabilities, especially Latino families. Caridad is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. She is an American citizen who was born in Cuba and spent eleven years in Congo.

Pam Rhea - Pam is the Parent Advocate/Family Partner for Cumberland Mountain Community Services in Cedar Bluff, VA. She is married with one daughter with Mental Retardation and chronic epilepsy. Pam has been with CMCS since September 1, 2007, where she operates monthly support groups for families and grandparents, provides one on one outreach support with families and advocates for services for families in Russell, Tazewell, and Buchanan counties.

Erin Thompson - is a 23 year old senior at George Mason University's LIFE Program for students with developmental disabilities. She lives full time on campus and is an active participant in campus life auditing regular GMU classes and working part time for the GMU newspaper. Erin is also the Buddy Director for Best Buddies Virginia at GMU, Buddy Ambassador for the State of Virginia and board member for the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV). Erin has become a passionate and accomplished advocate for those with intellectual disabilities. She was awarded the PEATC Virginia Star Icon Award in 2008 for her advocacy work and the 2008 Advocates in Disability Award from the HSC Foundation in Washington, D.C. Her latest accomplishment is the award of both the O'Neill and Tabani Enrichment Fund and the 2009 Dan Piper Award for national recognition of a self-advocate from the National Down Syndrome Society.