Board of Directors
David Holck, President
David was asked to join BCS as a Board of Director eleven years ago, his son Dan attends BCS. He feels BCS provides a valuable service to individuals with disabilities and their families. David believes BCS is a unique organization because it provides opportunities for adults with disabilities to volunteer their services and contribute to the community. David has been married to his wife Nancy for 34 years. He has a stepdaughter (Jennifer) and stepson (David) who are both married with children. Together David and Nancy have two sons, Dan who has attended BCS for the past 12 years, and Kevin. David raises sheep and enjoys showing them with his family at the Washington County Fair, He enjoys sports, and attending his grandchildren’s games.
Irene Headwell, vice president
Philip Bell, Secretary
Colette Brennan, Treasurer
Colette joined BCS as a Board of Director three years ago after an invite from BCS BOD President David Holck. She knew Dave from his service on the Argyle Central School Board of Education. Colette retired after 33 year of teaching Special Education. She was familiar with BCS as former students attended programming here following High School. Colette has been honored and proud to be a part of the great work and amazing community BCS is and look forward to many more years’ service to move the agency forward. Colette feels it’s important to always be innovative and adapting to the needs of individuals and families who utilize the services at BCS. She looks forward to being a part of those changes and providing quality programs now and in the future. Colette has been married to her husband Tim for 27 years, they have 3 children, Sarah (33) a paralegal, Keenan (26) a sales manager, and Riley (23) a Domestic Violence Caseworker. All currently live in the area, which she loves because it allows her to spend more time together. In the summer Colette enjoys golf, Stand Up Paddle-boarding, kayaking, walking/hiking, swimming and bike riding, for winter she likes downhill and cross-country skiing. She enjoys reading, traveling and trivia.
Keith Cook, Member
Cheryl Cook, Member
Robert Headwell, Member
Donna Digangi, Member
Donna joined the Board of Directors a year ago her daughter Dara attends BCS. She wanted to learn more about the Board and wanted to know how she could best serve the agency. Donna believes BCS is a great program and feels everyone has gifts to share with all! Donna and her family enjoy hiking, scenic drives, bowling, swimming, gardening, and all outdoor activities. She would like to encourage all to participate in any way you can for our BCS family.
mary Madison, Member
Management Team
SUSAN BANKS, Executive Director
Sue Banks joined BCS on August 1st as the new Executive Director.
Sue has her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Temple University and a Masters of Social Work degree from Boston College. Sue is currently enrolled part-time in a Social Work Doctoral Program at UAlbany. She hopes to use her education to benefit Battenkill Community Services in the future.
Prior to joining BCS, Sue worked for an agency in Fulton County where she worked as a Clinical Director and grant writer for a large organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
While living in Massachusetts Sue worked at the Department of Developmental Services which is the OPWDD counterpart in that state. Sue was the Regional Community Systems Director and responsible for contracts and development of Family Support, Supportive Employment, Acquired Brain Injury, Autism and Learning and Development services for Central and Western Massachusetts. Sue has worked in the field throughout the years, in other ways- she was once held positions as Job Developer, Residential Director and Behavioral Specialist.
Here at BCS we are just like a family, several of our staff have family who attend programming, several BCS parents also sit on our Board of Directors. Sue understands this as she is the mother of a son, Patrick, who has Autism. Sue also has a daughter, Allie, who loves to dance!
Sue is excited about the opportunity to serve and support all those who benefit from Battenkill Community Services.
Karen Squires, Development and Program Director
Karen started at BCS in May 2020. She has extensive experience in Fundraising, Marketing, Travel & Event Planning, Social Media, with strong organizational and communication skills. Karen is active in her community, serving several volunteer organizations. Her hobbies include travel and camping. Karen resides in Greenwich, with her husband, Jerry, and daughter, Kayla, who attends BCS. She is a dog mom to Charlie, an 10 year old Yorkie mix and Maizie Mae, her 3 year old Newfoundland and EmmyLou her 2 year old Aussie mix
Mark Kingsley, Operations and clinical director
Mark joined BCS in February 2022. He and his wife live in Argyle. Mark has 3 children who attend and play sports at Argyle Central School. Mark retired as a Captain from the US Army Reserves after a 21 year career. He has spent his entire career in the healthcare field. Mark started as an LPN, went back to school for his RN, has been a Nursing Supervisor and Nursing Administrator. He is a fan of the NY Mets and San Francisco 49ers, he enjoys golf and bowling. In his free time, Mark likes spending time with his family and friends.
Direct Support Professional Team
Shelly Beayon, Program Coordinator, Blue Zone
Shelly started at Battenkill in 2010. Her first roll was as a Wednesday Volunteer. Within a month, left her 20 year career in the restaurant industry. Shelly felt like this was right where she was meant to be, and like she should have been here, all along. Shelly is a crafting guru, she absoutely loves creating things. She likes music and loves being silly. Shelly loves everything about BCS. She said there is never a dull day and everyone is always happy to be together. It really is a big family, and there is no other place esle she would want to be. Shelly is mom to 2 adult children and has 2 dogs.
Sarah Moses, Program Coordinator, Green Zone
Sarah joined the BCS team in December of 2018. Sarah loves to garden both flowers and veggies. She enjoys camping and swimming during the summer months, also loves to hike and snowshoe. Sarah describes herself as an outdoors kinda gal. She enjoys painting and cooking. During our Covid shutdown, Sarah cooked weekly healthy meals while sharing cooking lessons with our folks in virtual programming. She loves cats and hopes to adopt two kittens fall of 2020. Sarah loves her BCS family and cannot imagine her life without the love and support they give her.
Jill Patterson, program coordinator community habilitation
Jill joined BCS in June 2019. She is a country girl, growing up on a small farm in Easton, NY, just a few miles from BCS with goats, bunnies, chickens, geese and of course dogs and cats. Jill now has 2 dogs, 5 chickens, a parrot and a very old Guinea pig. Jill's background is in Special Education; she has worked with the elderly and young children. For many years Jill, along with her sisters ran a summer day camp for young children.
Carole Liggett, DSPII
Carole joined BCS in 2016. She has a lifetime of interaction with people who have challenging needs. Carole's older brother attends BCS. She has a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Carole has cumulative experience in care giving, dance, music (currently favors the tenor ukulele) costume designing, drama and puppetry. She has worked in a food magazine test kitchen and has done catering. Carole's interests include organic gardening, kayaking, sailing, and nature in general.