Glenn Michael Beigay, President                                                          Pittsburgh/Rehoboth Beach

Glenn Michael Beigay has been an educator for over 25 years, specializing in Special Education and Community Education. He recently retired from his role as a Travel Instructor with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, a regional educational support agency in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In this position, he provided individualized travel instruction services in schools, training programs, and community work sites for students with cognitive disabilities (excluding those with visual impairments), ages 14 through adulthood. His work aimed to enhance students’ independence and employment readiness. Before this role, Michael served as an educational coordinator at a private special education school, where he oversaw special education services and student transition programs.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education and is currently completing his Master’s degree in Special Education and Supervision.

Shanie Lininger, Vice-President                                                                                  Pittsburgh, PA

Shanie Lininger, M.Ed., is a certified special education teacher with over 20 years of experience. She is currently employed by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU3) as a Travel Instructor, succeeding a recently retired professional. Throughout her career, Shanie has taught in a variety of special education classrooms, most recently as an instructor for the PRIDE Program, a community-based life skills class for students aged 18–21. She recently completed her certified travel instructor training through the AIU and Easter Seals. She is passionate about creating meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and strives to help students build confidence and develop the skills to lead fulfilling lives.

John Ford, Secretary                                                                                                       Allentown, PA

John Ford has been a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist since 1997. He has worked at the Berks County (PA) Intermediate Unit providing Travel Instruction and O&M since 2008. He is also an Adjunct Professor for the Salus University Orientation and Mobility graduate program. He served on the Board of Directors for the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals from 2007 - 2012, serving as Chair in 2011 and 2012. He has an M.A. in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University.

Autumn Booths, Treasurer                                                                                                Juneau, Alaska

Autumn Booths is a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS). She is a graduate of Kutztown University with bachelor’s degrees in special education: visual impairment (birth – 21) and elementary education (pre-k – 4). She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 with her masters of education and in 2021 with her orientation & mobility certificate. 

            She has been teaching for five years (all in Pennsylvania) and is currently transitioning into her first year as a TSVI and COMS for the Juneau School District in Juneau, Alaska. She has attended and presented at various conferences throughout her teaching career. Her Practice Report, “Perceptions of High-Tech Assistive Technology Held by Students with Visual Impairments”, was published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (JVIB) in August 2022. She presented at Penn-Del AER’s conference in 2023. She is certified through ACVREP and is an active member of AER.

Arleen Wheat                                                                                                                              Pittsburgh, PA

Arleen Wheat, Ed.D., is an associate professor of special education for Point Park University's School of Education. Prior to joining Point Park, she was assistant superintendent of special education and pupil services for North Allegheny School District. Before that, Wheat was North Allegheny's supervisor of special education. In addition, she has served in the roles of associate director of special education for Armstrong School District; supervisor of special education programs, Gateways inclusion specialist and special education teacher for Allegheny Intermediate Unit and director of U.S.A.A.C.'s summer program for the Education of Autistic Kids. Wheat has done various media interviews and has expertise in the areas of autism, special education, gifted education, health services, psychological services, student assistance programs, school counseling, social work, ESL, homeschooling and home education. 

Jessica Sloan, TVI, COMS                                                                                                    Pittsburgh, PA

Jessica Sloan is a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS). She earned both certifications at the master's level from the University of Pittsburgh.

 Additionally, she holds a bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy from Slippery Rock University, completed in 1996.

With 12 years of teaching experience, Jessica is currently employed at the Midwestern Intermediate Unit 4, where she works as a TSVI and COMS teacher, serving students aged 3 to 22. Her prior roles include working in a transition program for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3, serving as a case manager for a vocational rehabilitation program, and working as a job coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

Melody Bundy                                                                                                                    North New Jersey

Melody Bundy is a program manager with experience in travel training and ten years of experience in education. Most of Ms. Bundy’s work includes training individuals to use public transportation to become independent travelers.  She has experience as a trainer with community organizations and high school transition students, and her professional strengths focus on program/curriculum development and implementation.   She received her Master of Public Administration degree in Non-Profit Management from Capella University and Bachelor degree in Economics from Seton Hall University.

Recent examples of her work include school instruction presented at Spectrum 360 (formerly The Children’s Institute), Deron School, Montville High School, Dumont High School, Hackensack High School, Bloomfield High School, Bayonne High School, Banyan School, Chancellor Academy, Clifton High School, Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley High School.  Since 2010, she has managed small community group, school, professional, and one-on-one trainings in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties through federally-funded programs.

Ms. Bundy is actively engaged in committees that serve youth, senior citizens, and community affairs and is a member of the Workforce Development Board of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic Counties.

She was recognized in 2017 as Provider of the Year by the Passaic County Workforce Development Board Disability Committee and was elected Transportation Chair for the Bergen County Workforce Development Board

Walt Zofcin                                                                                                                               Pittsburgh, PA

Walt Zofcin is a certified Special Education and Cooperative Education Teacher for Allegheny Intermediate Unit in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area. He has over 30 years of professional experience working with students in a wide variety of settings, including four years as a Travel Instructor in the early 2000's. In his current role as a Transition Consultant, Walt coordinates and informs both students and instructional staff on best practices for being safe when on the job and while traveling in the community. His background allows him to be a well-seasoned advisor to individuals and their families explore transportation options. 

Ray Wiethorn                                                                                                                               Pittsburgh, PA

Ray Wiethorn has been a Job Coach for 11 years and is currently provides Job Coaching services for Wesley Family Services in the Pittsburgh area.

Ray strongly agrees that transportation can be one of the greatest barriers to employment. If the individual cannot get to work, the employment opportunity is worthless. Access to transportation and the ability to utilize it are very important aspects of the employment process. Transportation training allows the individual to access the employment experience to the fullest. It also allows the supports to be confident in the individuals ability to make it safely to and from work. A job coach typically does not transport or accompany the individual to their employment.