The Hour
NEON ends uncertainty with new directors
Friday, September 8, 2006
By ANNA GUSTAFSON
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK — After months without a childcare or finance
director, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, or NEON,
recently filled both positions — ending a period of uncertainty
for the non-profit organization.
"We've had some issues that weren't favorable, but we need people to understand that
we're doing a good job," said Joseph Mann, NEON's new executive director. "We're a
strong organization, and we don't want to give anyone an opportunity to point at us and
say we're doing a bad job." Ushering in Chip Anderson as the new director of finance and
planning and Rose Marie McKenzie as childcare director, NEON officials believe doubts
about the non-profit's financial standing and ability to community within, and outside of, the
organization will fizzle.
"I know that there have been mistakes made in the past, but today's a new day," McKenzie
said. "From this point forward we're going to fix any mistakes and build a cohesive team.
We provide an incredible service to families and children and we're going to continue that
and get better."
Anderson and McKenzie enter the scene after the organization went without official
childcare or financial leadership since last winter. McKenzie fills the position previously
held by child care directors Michael Callis, who resigned last January and Carlin Hill, who
retired earlier that month. Anderson replaces Ken Casanova, the finance director fired by
the agency late last year. McKenzie, who grew up in Stamford and previously worked for
Head Start in New Haven, will oversee funds and policies that affect the approximate 400
children serviced by NEON.
Deeming McKenzie as NEON's "superintendent," Mann said the new childcare director will
be in charge of funds from Head Start, an early childhood development program; School
Readiness, which provides pre-school services, and the state Department of Social
Services.
"She wants to make sure we're doing what our funders require," Mann said. "She's going to
help us give every child there the best opportunity to succeed. She's very impressive."
Stressing the need for improved communication between agency members, as well as
between members and the public, McKenzie said she plans on "changing the climate a little
bit."
"People tend to look at us like we're not living up to our expectations. We need to change
that," said McKenzie, who is about to receive her PhD in educational leadership and policy
studies. "We need to make sure that the people working here are dedicated to our vision
for the program."
Having been NEON's director of planning and development for the past six years,
Anderson should smoothly transition into his new role, Mann said.
"He was already doing a lot of our budget and finance work," Mann said. "He is well versed
in our financial operations."
After Casanova left, Mann said they unsuccessfully attempted to find a new finance
director and he expressed relief that Anderson agreed to clutch the financial reigns.
"Our previous finance director was here seven months and it wasn't a good situation. We
didn't want to wait another seven months for somebody to learn the ropes," Mann said.
"The finances are very complicated, and it's tough to learn if you haven't been working in
this arena. Chip already has the expertise."
Presenting a 12-page report to NEON board members during a Wednesday night meeting,
Anderson said members should expect more detailed reports than ever before.
This, Mann said, should alleviate board members' financial concerns.
"My biggest frustration has been not being able to give the kind of financial reports the
board needs," he said. " I believe we're moving in the right direction. The board will get the
information it needs and deserves."
Anderson said he plans on presenting a monthly snapshot of the agency's financial status.
Last night's presentation included information on the financial status of child development
services to criminal justice programs.
While the organization has previously been criticized for a lack of financial planning,
Anderson said the tides are turning.
"We do have money to pay our bills," he said. "People should know that."
Anna Gustafson can be reached via e-mail at agustafson@thehour.com
NEON ends uncertainty with new directors
Friday, September 8, 2006
By ANNA GUSTAFSON
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK — After months without a childcare or finance
director, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, or NEON,
recently filled both positions — ending a period of uncertainty
for the non-profit organization.
"We've had some issues that weren't favorable, but we need people to understand that
we're doing a good job," said Joseph Mann, NEON's new executive director. "We're a
strong organization, and we don't want to give anyone an opportunity to point at us and
say we're doing a bad job." Ushering in Chip Anderson as the new director of finance and
planning and Rose Marie McKenzie as childcare director, NEON officials believe doubts
about the non-profit's financial standing and ability to community within, and outside of, the
organization will fizzle.
"I know that there have been mistakes made in the past, but today's a new day," McKenzie
said. "From this point forward we're going to fix any mistakes and build a cohesive team.
We provide an incredible service to families and children and we're going to continue that
and get better."
Anderson and McKenzie enter the scene after the organization went without official
childcare or financial leadership since last winter. McKenzie fills the position previously
held by child care directors Michael Callis, who resigned last January and Carlin Hill, who
retired earlier that month. Anderson replaces Ken Casanova, the finance director fired by
the agency late last year. McKenzie, who grew up in Stamford and previously worked for
Head Start in New Haven, will oversee funds and policies that affect the approximate 400
children serviced by NEON.
Deeming McKenzie as NEON's "superintendent," Mann said the new childcare director will
be in charge of funds from Head Start, an early childhood development program; School
Readiness, which provides pre-school services, and the state Department of Social
Services.
"She wants to make sure we're doing what our funders require," Mann said. "She's going to
help us give every child there the best opportunity to succeed. She's very impressive."
Stressing the need for improved communication between agency members, as well as
between members and the public, McKenzie said she plans on "changing the climate a little
bit."
"People tend to look at us like we're not living up to our expectations. We need to change
that," said McKenzie, who is about to receive her PhD in educational leadership and policy
studies. "We need to make sure that the people working here are dedicated to our vision
for the program."
Having been NEON's director of planning and development for the past six years,
Anderson should smoothly transition into his new role, Mann said.
"He was already doing a lot of our budget and finance work," Mann said. "He is well versed
in our financial operations."
After Casanova left, Mann said they unsuccessfully attempted to find a new finance
director and he expressed relief that Anderson agreed to clutch the financial reigns.
"Our previous finance director was here seven months and it wasn't a good situation. We
didn't want to wait another seven months for somebody to learn the ropes," Mann said.
"The finances are very complicated, and it's tough to learn if you haven't been working in
this arena. Chip already has the expertise."
Presenting a 12-page report to NEON board members during a Wednesday night meeting,
Anderson said members should expect more detailed reports than ever before.
This, Mann said, should alleviate board members' financial concerns.
"My biggest frustration has been not being able to give the kind of financial reports the
board needs," he said. " I believe we're moving in the right direction. The board will get the
information it needs and deserves."
Anderson said he plans on presenting a monthly snapshot of the agency's financial status.
Last night's presentation included information on the financial status of child development
services to criminal justice programs.
While the organization has previously been criticized for a lack of financial planning,
Anderson said the tides are turning.
"We do have money to pay our bills," he said. "People should know that."
Anna Gustafson can be reached via e-mail at agustafson@thehour.com
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