LEADERSHIP
Terilynn Rogers
President
Justice of the Peace
Notary for the State of Connecticut
Small Business Owner
Volunteer in the Rockville/Vernon
Vernon Human Services Commission
Cornerstone Board
Community Voice Channel Board
Amy Blank
Vice President
Amy D. Blank is the Owner of Tutor Doctor Hartford who had previously been a Retail Training Manager for 10 plus years. In this capacity, she trained potential Store Manager, Assistant Store Managers, Receivers, and Crew members while managing a 1.25-million- dollar store with over 50 employees. Amy has over 20 years of training and managerial experience overseeing a cohort of up to 50 employees.
In addition, Amy has served on her local Board of Education for the past 12 years The last Four of which she was elected as Vice-Chairman. She has also served as a member of the EASTCONN Board of Directors since 2018 and was elected to the Executive Board of Directors in November 2019 where she still serves.
Amy currently serves as the Vice President of the Vernon Community Network (VCN) where she oversees the Backpack Program to provide food for the weekends for families of children who attend the Vernon Public Schools District. She is also a member of the Tri-town Hunger Action Team (HAT) where she worked closely with the FOODSHARE representative to receive a grant award to provide training to unemployed/under-employed members of the Vernon/Rockville community.
OUR STAFF
Tom DiDio
Treasurer
Wife: Pamela
Occupation: Tutor
University of Connecticut, BS, Cum Laude
University of Hartford, MBA
Vernon Town Council, Member
July in the Sky Downtown, Chair
National Night Out, Chair
Hockanum BrewFest, Food & Exhibitor Chair
Rockville Community Alliance, Participation Chair
Robin Kohler
Secertary
Robin Kohler is the Site Director at KIDSAFE CT, an affiliate of The Village for Families & Children and has been with the agency for over 30 years. She oversees the day to day operation of the building and manages the Supervised Visitation Program. She plays a key role in fundraising events, and is an active member of the Staff Engagement and Health & Safety Committees. Robin is the current Secretary of the Vernon Community Network, a member of the Rockville Rotary and the Vernon ROCKS Coalition, is enlisted to help with projects in the community, belongs to the Exchange Club of Rockville and was appointed for a second year to the Child Abuse Prevention Relations Committee of the National Exchange Club. Robin earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Hofstra University.
Melanie Merkel
Communications Contact
Melanie Merkel is the Outreach/Trainer Manager for Community Voice Channel (CVC), a public access television studio located in Bolton, CT. Employed since 2012, Melanie hosts tours and workshops training members of the community to film on-location or in a studio setting and editing. She attended RHAM High School (1999-2003) participating in video club all four years, obtained an Associates Degree in Communications from Manchester Community College (2003-2005) and a Bachelor's Degree in Film Study from University of Hartford (2007-2009). Before working at CVC, Melanie worked in radio promotions for Country 92.5 (2004-2006), Radio Disney Hartford (2007-2010) and Radio Disney Boston (2010-2014). She currently lives in Ellington with her two children, three cats and rabbit.
Dr. Laura Domer-Shank
Consultant to the VCN
Laura Domer-Shank Ed.D., is a School Psychologist, Educational Consultant, Adjunct Psychology Professor at Tunxis Community College, and Educational Surrogate for the Connecticut State Department of Education. Additionally, she volunteers her time by serving on Boards that provide services and protects the welfare of survivors of human trafficking and homeless pregnant mothers. Laura was the Vice President of the Vernon Community Network for three years and is currently the acting Consultant for the Vernon Community Network.
Laura received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Education at Elms College, her Master’s and Sixth Year degrees in School Psychology at the University of Hartford, and her Doctorate Degree at American International College. She is currently enrolled in a Women in Leadership Certification Program at Yale University. Laura is also a Certified Life Coach and has advanced certification in Mindfulness, Child and Adolescent Trauma, and Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools.
Laura and her husband, Neil, an Athletic Director and Coach spend much of their time actively involved with their three children, ages 9, 11, and 19.