1050 Jeanette Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: 908-687-7976
Who We Are
Mission
Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Purpose
Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Locations
Union Club/Corporate Office
Elizabeth Club
513-515 Richmond Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Phone: (908) 351-3344
Plainfield Clubs
145 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Queen City Academy Charter School
Phone: (908) 822-8672
Staff
Caring, well-trained staff, are the foundation for all we do in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. There is a strong bond of love, trust and friendship that has been forged between the kids and the staff who guide them.
Russell Triolo
Chief Executive Officer
Russell Triolo has 49 years executive level experience in the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement and is recognized throughout the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) movement as a visionary leader. Russ has been our Chief Executive Officer for the last 39 years. He is member of the National BGCA President’s Advisory Committee and was a prestigious member of the BGCA “GREAT FUTURES” National Commission that developed the worldwide direction of BGCA and it’s 4000+ local Clubs through 2025.
Sal Dovi
Chief Operating Officer
Sal Dovi has worked in the non profit sector for over 35 years at the executive level. He has served as Chief Operating Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County (BGCUC) since 1992.
Carlos Calisto
Comptroller
Carlos Calisto’s non-profit career spans over 25 years, the last 20 with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Carlos started his Boys & Girls Club Career in 1996.
Lisa Sepetjian
Marketing & Development
Lisa comes to Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County with a background in Sales & Marketing in the corporate sector. She brings over 15 years of experience working with key accounts to develop special programs.
Peggy Woodward
Corporate Administrative Assistant
Peggy has been with the agency for 30 years. Her responsibilities include but not limited to: human resource administration, personal records administration, payroll, and financial systems management.
Joseph DeMaio
Assistant to the CEO
Joseph DeMaio began his career at Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in 1990 as a part-time camp counselor. He now works closely with our CEO on special projects and events for the organization.
Yefim Shoykhet
Aquatics Director
Yefim Shoykhet been involved with swimming for more than 40 years now and has successfully worked with a variety of age groups, developing swimmers from novice to Olympics. Yefim has coached over 15 National Junior & Senior qualifiers from the former USSR.
Lucero Cano
Assistant Aquatics Director
Lucero Cano has been a staff member at our Union Club for 17 years. Lucero has been an asset to our Aquatic programs and has been instrumental in the implementation of our swim lessons providing excellent instruction to our youth members and families in our community.
Gemma Samper
Union Community Center Director
Gemma Samper has been a Director of our Bingo operations for over 20 years.
Patricia De Castro
Union Office Manager
Patricia has been with the Boys & Girls Club of Union County since 2011. She worked at Union Club’s Front Desk for several years focusing primarily on membership retention and recruitment.
Lita Thomas
Elizabeth Club Director
Lita is responsible for administration of the Elizabeth Club. Before she became our Elizabeth Club Director, Lita was employed as the Director of the AmeriCorp program for the International Youth Organization.
Candace Barnes
Elizabeth Education & Teen Services
Candace Barnes has been a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 1998. Through the years, she has been an AmeriCorps volunteer and Youth Advisor for the Elizabeth Club. She is the Teen Services Director for the Elizabeth Club.
Deandre Hollingsworth
Plainfield Club Director
DeAndre Hollingsworth’s career with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County began in 2009 at the Elizabeth Club as the Computer Lab Instructor. During his time with the Club, he has served as a Site Supervisor, Office Manager, Teen Services Coordinator, and Keystone Advisor, and Associate Club Director. He is now Club Director in Plainfield, overseeing before & after-school programming, summer camp, and full day programs throughout the Plainfield Community.
Ronald Brangman
Union Associate Club Director
Ron Brangman has been a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 2004, as the Director of Teen Service & Education. He currently serves as the Union Club’s Associate Club Director.
Board of Directors
The guidance and commitment of our Board of Directors is truly the lifeblood of our organization. Comprised of local business and civic leaders, these volunteers lend their substantial expertise, commitment and support in leading the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.
Brenda Williams - Butts
Board Chair
WNYC
Robert Poles
Chair Emeritus
Retired
Wendy Cama
Vice Chair Financial Services
Crowe LLP
Brian Phillips
Vice Chair Resource Development
Citigroup, Inc.
Frank Lawrence
Vice Chair Support Services
James Guerra Architects
Ed Palmieri
Vice Chair Operations
Economic Planning Group
Geraldine Boone
Board Member
RE/MAX SELECT
Lisa Gingeleski Esq.
Board Member
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Demond Hargrove
Board Member
Union County College
Mary Makfinsky
Board Member
HSBC
Marcy Metz
Board Member
B.J. & M. Auto
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Asisco Auto, Inc.
Scott Myers
Board Member
Altria
Rob Oliver
Board Member
Universal Technical Institute
Anthony Osbourne
Board Member
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A.
Francis J. Purdue
Board Member
True & Associates
Joi Stanley
Board Member
Progressive Achievers
Sid Vaidya
Board Member
Spencer Savings Bank
Derrick Watkins
Board Member
Derrick Watkins Enterprises
Wycliffe Wilkinson
Board Member
MassMutual
Jennifer Young
Board Member
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, PC
Corporate Advisory Board
The Corporate Advisory Board is a vital link in the Clubs' mission to connect with the local business community in the Union County area.
Yvette Bonk
CAB Member
Fresh Start Children’s Boutique BY & EY Management
Stephanie Branna
CAB Member
The Branna Insurance Agency
Mary Kaplonski
CAB Member
Helsinn Therapeutics
Ruth Sutton
CAB Member
Silpadia Designs
Jocelyn Virgil-Phillips
CAB Member
L’Oreal
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader"
- John Quincy Adams
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County appreciates everything our staff and volunteers have done, are doing, and will do to ensure that we continue to make a difference around our community and in the lives of young people.