Jessica Irwin, BCABA – Chief Executive Officer
Jessica has been working in the Social Services field since 1995, serving the developmentally disabled population both directly and in supervisory capacities. Prior to founding S.E.E.K. Arizona in 2003, Ms. Irwin has worked in the Valley in a variety of positions ranging from Habilitation Provider to Program Manager. She has logged over 300 hours in Early Childhood Education and Autism Spectrum Disorder trainings and is a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst. Ms. Irwin has dual degrees in Sociology and Psychology focusing on Child Development and Special Education from Arizona State University; and is currently completing her Master’s in Education.
Brian Pfingstl, MA, BCBA – Vice President / Business Development
Brian received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Lehigh University in January 1996 and 1998. Since then, Brian has enjoyed a career teaching a myriad of subjects to both special needs and typical learners before joining S.E.E.K. Arizona’s administrative staff. His duties include management of classroom and direct care employees, providing them support and training, and developing new areas of expansion for S.E.E.K. Arizona.
Kevin Ressler – Controller
Kevin joined S.E.E.K. Arizona’s business department in August 2011. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and has extensive experience in healthcare accounting and management serving both the non-profit and public sectors. As Controller for S.E.E.K. Arizona, Kevin is responsible for billing, accounting, forecasting, and general fiscal duties. He hails from northeast Ohio, and enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering with cat rescues, and traveling.
Eric Frey, BCBA – Behavior Analyst
Eric Frey was born and raised in Northern New Jersey and attended the University of Massachusetts earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Eric then attended the Teacher’s College of Columbia University where he earned a Master’s degree in Psychology in Education, and received his training for Applied Behavior Analysis through Pennsylvania State University. After living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and working in the Behavioral Health field for the past 13 years, Eric moved to Arizona in September of 2011. Eric has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since December 2004, and oversees behavior analytic services in S.E.E.K. Arizona’s Behavioral Health department.
Joy Story-Perkins – Family Support Liaison
Joy was born and raised in Minnesota. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from St. Olaf College. After spending a few years working in Yellowstone National Park, Joy moved to Arizona in 1995. She worked for 7 years as a social worker providing assistance to underprivileged children and their families. She joined S.E.E.K. Arizona in January 2008. Joy works to provide clients with providers and services, but helps with the planning of Camp Runamuk, writes the quarterly newsletters, and provides fundraising ideas and support.
Jenna McClain – Program Supervisor
Jenna moved from Southern California to Arizona in 2005 to attend Arizona State University. She joined S.E.E.K. Arizona in 2006 as a direct care provider in addition to being a full time student. It was through her work at S.E.E.K. that led Jenna to change her college major from kinesiology to education. Jenna earned Bachelor’s degrees in Special Education and Elementary Education with a minor in Family & Human Development in May 2010. She is certified and credentialed to teach in Arizona. S.E.E.K. Arizona is proud to have Jenna overseeing S.E.E.K. Arizona’s classroom and specialty programs. When Jenna is not in the classroom, she provides administrative leadership and support for S.E.E.K. Arizona.
Wendy Romo – Bilingual Office Administrator
Wendy comes to the Phoenix area from east Los Angeles and has been with S.E.E.K. Arizona since 2010. She has an Associate’s degree in Paralegal studies and supports our administrative staff with compliance calls, organizational help, and overall positive interactions with all personnel. Wendy is our primary Spanish-speaking interpreter for families and providers, and is currently enrolled in a Criminal Justice program at CCI. She is a valuable member of the S.E.E.K. Arizona administrative team.
Laura Keller – Administrative Associate
Laura was born and raised in Arizona, and graduated from ASU in May 2011 with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Family and Human Development. She joined S.E.E.K. Arizona in May 2009 as a direct care provider and currently works full time as an Administrative Associate. Laura’s long term goals include attending graduate school for a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and having her dog, Zeus, certified to be a therapy dog.
Tara Kiener – Administrative Associate
Tara was born and raised in Arizona and received her undergraduate degree from ASU in Psychology. She recently completed her Master’s in Counseling at Grand Canyon University and is currently working on completing the Applied Behavior Analysis program through Florida Institute of Technology to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Tara works as a behavior coach and provides administrative support for S.E.E.K.’s “Committed to You” team and looks forward to making a difference in children’s lives.
Jonathan Rudow – Administrative Associate
Jonathan has been involved with the special needs community since he was eight years old. He has worked with persons of varying levels and diagnoses, including cognitive and physical disabilities. He received his Bachelor’s degree majoring in Journalism and Political Science with a minor in Psychology from Northern Arizona University in December of 2010. As an Administrative Associate, Jonathan will be utilizing his background in Outdoors Club, behavior coaching, and grant writing for S.E.E.K. Arizona.
Allie Hepler – Administrative Assistant
Allie has been working in the direct support field since she was fifteen. Since then, she has worked as a teacher’s aide in a Life Skills class, a peer tutor in a physical education class for children with special needs, a Group Home Program Manager, and has held various Camp Counselor positions. As an Administrative Assistant at S.E.E.K. Arizona, Allie provides direct care services, develops and promotes various fundraising ideas, writes and edits newsletters and company correspondence, and provides general office support.
David Jorgensen – Administrative Assistant
David was born and raised near Salt Lake City, Utah and has been working in the field of autism therapy for over five years. Throughout his career, David held an assortment of positions including Behavioral Therapist, Behavior Coach, Teachers Aid, habilitation and respite provider,and administrative positions. He began working at S.E.E.K. Arizona in 2011 with a focus on behavior coaching and behavioral data graphing and analysis. David is currently pursuing his degree in Psychology, and has a goal of achieving his Master’s degree to become a BCBA.
Maria Piccirilli – Administrative Assistant
Maria moved to Arizona in 1992 from Southern California, and joined the S.E.E.K. Arizona team in June 2011. She has over six years experience working with children who have special needs. She is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University and is working on her Bachelor’s in Special Education. As an administrative assistant, Maria provides billing and phone support in the office as well as behavior coaching in home and in school. Using her experience working in behavioral settings, Maria aspires to obtain her Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst.
Heather Harris—A/R Billing Specialist
Heather was raised in Anchorage, Alaska and has lived in Arizona for the past ten years. She attended the University of Alaska in Anchorage and has been in the medical field as a billing specialist for over twenty years. Heather’s hobbies include running, biking, hiking, and spending her spare time outdoors with her two dogs.
Katarina Alvillar – Office Assistant
Katarina first began working at S.E.E.K. Arizona in July 2009, providing in-home habilitation and respite services. Since that time, Katarina’s diverse skills have made her a valuable provider in many of S.E.E.K. Arizona’s programs: Early Childhood, Early Life Skills, Respite and Social Groups, and both Junior and Senior Life Skills Academies. She also finds time to provide administrative support to our Family Support Liaison and aids with compliance and office reception.
