BOARD MEMBERS
Beth Riley – Board President
Beth Riley, a Binghamton native, is Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Case Management Services at Binghamton University. She is also a certified mediator at the University and with ACCORD, having earned her certification in Mediation and Restorative Justice in 2016. After working at IBM for 10 years, Beth left to finish her degrees and was one of the first to graduate with dual diplomas earning her Masters in Social Work at SUNY Albany simultaneously with her Masters in Arts and Social Services at Binghamton University. She maintains her Social Work licensure. Committed to the wellbeing of others, Beth’s passion for helping people has motivated her throughout her entire career.
As an advocate for people across the lifespan, she has been advocating for justice and helping others find their voice for over 25 years. She is co-author of the textbook “Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care” published by Columbia University Press. Additionally, Beth has served on various local, state, and national boards since 2006, including the Leadership Board of the Higher Education Case Managers Association where she chaired the committee which developed standards of practice for Case Managers in North America. Beth is also a facilitator of Racial Justice Deliberations and has recently co-presented on the Racial Justice Deliberation process at regional and national conferences.
Beth has over 25 years as a social worker working with families members of all ages. She currently works for Binghamton University as the Asst. Dean for Early Intervention & Crisis Management where she is primarily responsible for assisting with identifying students at risk for dropping out and connecting them with services to support their retention; as well as supporting staff who handle student crises, via staff training and establishing crisis response processes.
Beth now brings her vast experience working with local families to ACCORD as President of the Board of Directors.
Jamie Atkinson – Treasurer
Jamie Atkinson, CPA is a Director at Davidson, Fox & Company, LLP in Binghamton, NY. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Keystone College in 2005 and became a CPA in 2012. She participated in the Broome Leadership Institute Program, which she completed in March of 2014. Additionally, she serves in a leadership role for the NYCPA – Southern Tier Chapter, as well as a committee member of PLLI for the NYCPA. Outside of her professional life, Jamie enjoys spending time with her family, particularly traveling to her kids’ sporting events, playing softball, and golfing. She is a native of Hallstead, PA, where she resides with her family and dog, Jackson.
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George Haddad - Board Member
George B. Haddad is a member of the Accord Board of Directors and Litigation Director with the Hudson Valley Justice Center (HVJC), where he provides direct representation and advice to low income residents of the Hudson Valley, in matters of eviction defense. As the Litigation Director, he provides assistance with case strategy and litigation support for attorneys across HVJC’s offices. Prior to joining HVJC, George worked at the Legal Aid Society in the Bronx, where he worked on the Right to Counsel Tenant Defense Project. George is dedicated to serving his community and making a positive impact.
Tom Collart – Board Member
Tom has over 35 years of technical, managerial and program management experience in the areas of computers and defense electronics while working for IBM and Lockheed Martin. In addition he has consistently been a strong leader in team performance. Since formal retirement Tom has served as a member and officer on several non-profit boards including ACCORD and Mercy House of the Southern Tier, worked as a Court Advocate with ACCORD, in local food distribution with Catholic Charities and traveled 15 times to Haiti to work in water purification and community development.
Evan Lowe - Board Member
Evan is a devoted nonprofit professional with over 10 years of experience in substance use treatment, and social work and LGBTQIA+ education. As a passionate social worker working with vulnerable populations, Evan brings an abundance of experience in community building and engagement, program development, and relationship building. Evan currently serves as a supervisor at The Addiction Center of Broome County, where he ensures compassionate care for those struggling with substance use and their friends and family. In his previous position at Binghamton University, Evan led the initiative to make social work education accessible to all students through building the internship program for online students. Evan, volunteers his time and skills to support people with substance use disorders and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Evan is a previous social work intern with ACCORD and continues his dedication to give back to the organization that afforded him with many opportunities. Evan’s diverse background and commitment make him a valuable board member, to continue to drive for change in this community.