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
Roselle Clubs
Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School
Harrison Elementary School
Washington Elementary School
L.V. Moore Middle School
Kindergarten Success Academy
Phone: (908) 351-3344
Plainfield Clubs
145 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Stillman Elementary School
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 45 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.
Jennifer Cerqueira
Union Office Manager
Jennifer has been an employee of Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 2000. She is now the Office Manager for the Union Club and was the Hillside Club Director, overseeing 5 site locations and about 200 kids on a daily basis.
Lita Thomas
Elizabeth & Roselle Club Director
Lita is responsible for administration of the Elizabeth and Roselle Clubs. Before she became our Elizabeth & Roselle 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.
Erin Duffy
Plainfield Club Director
Erin Duffy has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County since 2001. Her current responsibilities include Director of the Plainfield Club, Website Content Manager and IT technician for the Club.
Deandre Hollingsworth
Plainfield Associate 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. He is now Associate Club Director in Plainfield.
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.
Jurvany Damas
Union Education & Teen Services
Jurvany Damas has been with the Union Club for over 15 years, first as a member, then as a part-time staff member for many years. She now oversees the Education and Teen Programs.
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.
Robert Poles
Chair Emeritus
Toll Brothers
Brenda Williams - Butts
Chair
WNYC
Wendy Cama
Vice Chair of Financial Services
Crowe LLP
Brian Phillips
Vice Chair of Resource Development
Citigroup, Inc.
Frank Lawrence
Vice Chair of Support Services
James R. Guerra Architects PA
Ed Palmieri
Vice Chair of Operations
Economic Planning Group
Michael Kaplonski
Board Secretary
Law Offices of
Michael Kaplonski
Geraldine Boone
Board Member
RE/MAX SELECT
Lisa Gingeleski
Board Member
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C.
Demond Hargrove
Board Member
Union County College
Marie Maguire
Board Member
BCB Community Bank
Mary Makfinsky
Board Member
HSBC Bank USA
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, Attorneys at Law
Francis J. Purdue
Board Member
True & Associates
Joi Stanley
Board Member
Progressive Achievers
Sid Vaidya
Board Member
Metropolitan Commercial Bank
Tricia Vohden
Board Member
Vericon Construction
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
Russ Lomuscio
CAB Member
Northeast Planning Corporation
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.