The Meriden Children First Initiative (CFI) makes great strides in
creating positive educational, social and health outcomes for all children in
greater Meriden with the assistance of the following dedicated members of its
board of directors (2013-2014):
Marisol
Estrada-Soto President
Meriden resident for over 30
years. Graduated from Maloney High School. Two children.
2007 Parent Leadership Training Institute graduate. She is employed full
time and holds an A.S. from Middlesex Community College and a B.S. from the
University of Hartford. Passions include educating parents on
the importance of their involvement in their children's education and providing
continuity for all children K – 12.
Sonya
Jelks Vice
President
Sonya is an involved and energetic
member of the Meriden community. She is an active volunteer at her children's
school and has been a CFI board member for three years. In addition to her
volunteer activities in Meriden, she is also a member of the Junior League of
Hartford, a member of SNEC PMI Chapter, a soccer coach and a new Daisy troop
leader with the Girl Scouts of CT. Sonya is also a 2009 graduate
from the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). Sonya earned a BA in
Anthropology and a BS in MIS from Syracuse University and she currently works
as the CT FIRST Robotics JFLL Program Manager. Sonya has been a Meriden
resident for over nine years where she lives with her two daughters, Zari (age
8) and Aja (age 5).
Craig
Hazel Treasurer
Craig has
over twenty years experience in the banking, finance and insurance
industries. His formal educational background includes a BA
from Wesleyan University in 1985, completion of a formal credit-training
program at a money center bank in NYC, with courses in Advanced Accounting, and
Banking Law. He has designed and conducted Corporate Training
programs and has had several public speaking engagements. He joined Tuttle Inc.
in February 2011 as Chief Financial Officer. Previously he was the
CFO and Business Manager of Capital Access Sources, LLC, a specialized funding
source for Rehabbers who invested in low and middle income communities. Mr.
Hazel also spearheaded a national lending program. Originally from NYC, Mr.
Hazel is a 14 year resident of Meriden. Along with his wife Shirene,
he is raising two teenage daughters – Chase and Skye.
Karen
Roesler Secretary
Karen Roesler is the mother of five
grown, public school educated children, and a 35 year resident of
Meriden. She currently is the Director of the Meriden Public
Library. Over the years she has been active in many community
initiatives including school PTO/PTA’s, the School Readiness Council, and her
neighborhood association.
Kim
Carbone-Pandiani
Lifelong resident of Meriden. Married/mother
of three children, the oldest two enrolled in Meriden Public Schools. Active
parent leader. Member of Meriden Board of Education and School
Building Committee-City of Meriden. St. Joseph's Parish - CCD teacher.
Asaad Elsaadani
Asaad is married with two children
and has been a resident of Meriden for over seven years. He is employed full
time and holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cairo University,
Egypt and University of New Haven, CT. Asaad is a graduate of the 2012 Meriden
Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI).
Pam Bahre
Pam was born and raised in West
Virginia and has lived in Meriden for almost 14 years. She is
married to George, who was born and raised in Meriden. Pam is mother
to 12 year old Matthew who attends Washington Middle School. She has
BS degrees in Medical Technology/Biology from West Liberty University in WV and
works as a Client Integration Analyst at Clinical Laboratory Partners. Pam was
elected to the Meriden Board of Education in 2011. She
currently serves on the Meriden BOE Finance Committee and the Policy
Committee. She also serves as a liaison on the Class Size
Committee. Pam actively serves on the Board of Directors for Meriden
Children First and serves as the Charter Organization Representative for Boy
Scout Troop 52. She is also active in the Washington Middle School
Parent-Teacher Organization, Band Boosters, City-Wide Band Boosters and is also
a member of the First United Methodist Church. Pam’s interests
involve volunteering especially in activities involving youth and activities
that her son is associated with.
David Salafia
David is a lifelong Meriden resident,
a Platt High School graduate and a graduate of the University of Hartford. He
is the father of Ali and Joey. David spent 18 years as a commercial printing
account executive and 9 years as a small business owner in downtown
Meriden. David is currently the Family-School Liaison Coordinator
for the Meriden Public Schools. David has spent over 30 years coaching and
mentoring Meriden's youth with organizations such as the Meriden Boys and Girls
Club, Meriden Y, Ed Walsh and South Meriden Youth Baseball leagues. David is a
former Meriden City Councilor where he served as the chairman of Falcon Field
Building Committee.
Cathy Abercrombie
Cathy is serving her fifth term as
State Representative in the Connecticut General Assembly for the 83rd House
District of Meriden, Berlin & Kensington; she claimed her seat in 2005
under a special election. Catherine is currently the House Chair of the Human
Services Committee, and serves on the Appropriations and Insurance Committees.
During her tenure in the General Assembly, Rep. Abercrombie has been a strong
supporter and advocate of social service programs, children and family welfare,
and services for the disabled and educational issues. Cathy has also partnered
with several groups and organizations to help raise awareness about Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASD), a condition that affects as many as one in every 110 children
in the United States. She is a small business owner and board member of “Beat
the Street” in Meriden, The Meriden & Wallingford Substance Abuse Council
(MAWSAC), the Meriden Children First Initiative and The League of Women Voters.
Catherine and her husband John reside in Meriden and are the proud parents of
three boys, Sean, Jason and Kyle.
