WOODSTOCK — United Services recognized long-serving staff, including a 40 year milestone for its President/CEO Diane Manning and welcomed new board members with its recent Annual Dinner.
United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning reflected on changes the agency undertook in the last year, including certification in the rigorous federal standard Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and the upcoming launch of its Integrated Primary Care program.
United Services is the non-profit, community-based outpatient behavioral health center and Local Mental Health Authority for northeastern Connecticut.
United Services elected new board leadership for the 2023-24 year as well as two new members.
United Services’ continuing board leadership includes Chairman Diane Sauer of Storrs. Vice Chairman Peter Manilow of Willington and treasurer Christopher Dooley of Brooklyn. New leadership includes secretary Philip Gaudette.
Newly elected to the United Services Board of Directors were Doria Daviau of Woodstock and Cheryl Feuerman of Coventry.
Returning board members include Kevin Bernier of Woodstock, Terry Berthelot of Mansfield, Romeo Blackmar of Woodstock, Carlita Cotton of Mansfield Center, Gerard Gagne of Pomfret Center, Maximo Garcia of North Windham, Carol Kent of Canterbury, Roland Lupien of Dayville, Jeanne Nuhfer of Columbia, and Linda Parsons of Brooklyn.
United Services also honored retiring board members Valentine Iamartino of Thompson, who served six years on the board, and Anne Konczakowski of Windham, who served nine years on the board.
United Services staff were honored for their long-standing service to the organization. Manning was recognized for her incredible leadership with significant fanfare, including tributes from USI’s former longtime Medical Director Dr. Jay Patel, deputy commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Colleen Harrington, who is also a former longtime USI employee, and State Rep. Brian Lanoue, R-Griswold. Manning was also honored with citations from the Connecticut General Assembly and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Long-serving staff were recognized: Quality Assurance and Corporate Compliance Division Director Sandra Long, 35 years; Data Compliance Manager Debra Rivard and Data Compliance Specialist Patti McClanahan, 30 years; Comprehensive Care Division Director Holly Fish, Director of Human Resources Cassandra Mantoni and Accounts Payable Specialist Sharon Pulver, 25 years; Client Accounts Manager Cindy Perry, Controller Barbie Soler and Milner House Adjunct Marisol Danehy, 20 years; Data Compliance Analyst Meghan Silvestri, Employment Specialist Katherine Anderson and Client Support Assistant Lisa Shaw all marked 15 years with the agency. United Services also recognized seven employees who have been with the agency for five and 10 years.
The agency operates more than 30 programs under its one administration, including outpatient mental health and addiction services, parenting and family programs, youth programs, crisis programs, domestic violence programs and community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1964, United Services marked its 59th anniversary this year.


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