Our Staff
Dial (413)586-5855, then the extension #
Joanne Campbell
Executive Director
Email: jc@valleycdc.com, Extension 19
Joanne Campbell was named the executive director of Valley CDC in 1999
after being acting executive director since September 1998. Ms.
Campbell came to Valley CDC in December 1997 as Director of Housing
after working for over 10 years as a housing development consultant for
Housing Action Council, a non-profit housing agency in Tarrytown, New
York.
Ms. Campbell received her M.S. in Social Work with a concentration in
planning and administration from Columbia University in 1980. She and
Dominick Lasaponaro along with their three children, Rebecca, Benjamin,
and Noah, live in Northampton.
Amy Christian
Bookkeeper
Email: ac@valleycdc.com, Extension 17
Amy Christian started working with Valley CDC in June of 2002 as a temp
and became a full time employee of Valley CDC in February 2003. She
graduated from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in February 2003
with a BBA degree in Accounting.
Stacy Kontrabecki, MBA, MLF, LMT
Coordinator, Small Business Development
Email: sk@valleycdc.com, (413) 529-0420
Patrick McCarthy
Project Manager
Email: pm@valleycdc.com, Extension 12
Patrick McCarthy started community work as a community organizer with
VISTA in Hartford Connecticut in 1978 & 1979. Subsequently, Patrick
developed his construction skills working as a technician in the
heating, ventilation, AC and refrigeration field for ten years. In
1989, he combined his experiences of community development with
construction and was employed for over ten years at two grass-roots
community development agencies in South Holyoke – Nueva Esperanza
and the Holyoke Community Land Trust. Patrick earned his B.A. Degree
from Springfield College in 1996. He began employment with Valley CDC
in September of 2000 as a project manager. In 2002, Patrick received a
certificate from the Geographic Information Systems program at Holyoke
Community College. He is very interested in integrating GIS with
community development. If this interests you too, give him a call.
Michele Morris
Director, Homeownership Center
Email: mm@valleycdc.com, Extension 18
Michele Morris worked for years as a mechanical designer for several
companies including 3M. In 1997 & 1998 she worked with low-income
tenants as a community organizer. Ms. Morris started working as a
homebuying counselor for Hilltown CDC from 1999 to 2001. In 2001 she
began working for Valley CDC as a contractor. Since 2002 Michele has
been working as Valley CDC's homebuying counselor.
Richard A Ochs, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Email: do@valleycdc.com, Extension 15
Dick joined Valley CDC in 1999. He came to Valley CDC with over 30
years of experience in the Not-for-Profit world. He has held positions
as Assistant Executive Director, Acting Executive Director, Director of
Finance and Operations and CFO for various agencies in the area.
Dick lives in Westfield with his wife Marti and their three sons and is
a Board member of the Westfield Youth Soccer League and President
of the Westfield CDC.
David Plaut
Homeownership Education Coordinator
Email: dp@valleycdc.com, Extension 16
Dave comes to Valley CDC with knowledge of mortgage financing, credit counseling, and personal finance. He brings 10 years experience as an elementary school teacher. Dave coordinates and teaches our First Time Homebuyer Series. He also provides confidential credit counseling to owners of small businesses, and to individuals who would like to own a small business.
Dave has a B.A. in Economics and a M.A. in Education. He lives in Northampton with his wife, Tanya, and son, Max.
Si usted habla español y quiere comunicarse con Valley CDC, por favor llame a Dave.
Gene R. Talsky
Director, Small Business Development
Email: grt@valleycdc.com, (413) 529-0420
Gene re-opened the Small Business Development office for Valley CDC in late 2005. A veteran business owner (he founded four successful technology firms) and community economic development coordinator in New Hampshire and Vermont, Gene's savvy is evident in his no-nonsense style.
Last Updated: 4/9/08