Leadership
Executive Management
![]() |
James H. Gatling, Ph.D. | President & Chief Executive OfficerDr. Gatling is a highly influential and respected leader in the community based organization field and has been a strong voice for change in his own organization and at the state, regional and national levels. He has served as President & CEO of New Opportunities, Inc., a community action agency serving the Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington, Connecticut areas since 1979. |
![]() |
Toni Hirst | Chief Administrative OfficerToni Hirst is the Chief Administrative Officer at New Opportunities. Her background includes over thirty years of experience of serving the community, and over two decades of senior leadership experience. |
![]() |
Mark E. Kovitch | Chief Financial OfficerMark is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Connecticut and Massachusetts. His background includes over twenty-five years of experience providing accounting, auditing, consulting, technology implementation, and governmental interaction services for not-for-profits, housing projects, higher education and governmental entities. |
Division Leaders
![]() |
Joanne Balaschak | Director of energy servicesJoanne Balaschak is the Director of Energy programs at New Opportunities. Her background includes over thirty years of experience working in the energy services field. |
![]() |
James Perry, Ph.D. | Director of Family Empowerment ServicesJames Perry, Ph.D. is the Director of Family Empowerment Services at New Opportunities. |
![]() |
Patricia Donovan | Director of Human ResourcesPatricia Donovan is the Director of Human Resources at New Opportunities. |
![]() |
Sandra Lombardi | Director of Elder ServicesSandy Lombardi is the Director of Elder Services programs at New Opportunities. Her background includes over thirty years of experience and two decades of leadership experience in providing community based mental health/substance abuse, rehabilitation services and residential programming to individuals ranging from young adults to the elderly. |
![]() |
William Rybczyk | Director of Research, Development & PlanningWilliam Rybczyk is the Director of Research, Development and Planning at New Opportunities. His background includes over a decade of experience in serving the community. |