We listen, we act, we care for the welfare of children
Board Members
Dr. Kathleen Daniele, President
Dr. Kathleen Daniele, President, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA. She transitioned into education after 13 years of clinical family practice, with a concentration on women’s health and adolescent medicine. As a member of the medical school faculty, she teaches first and second year osteopathic medical students the art of History and Physical Exam Skills, Problem Based Learning, and Spirituality and Ethics in Medicine. Kathleen earned her MD at the University of Connecticut and her BS at the University of Notre Dame.
Julie Sacriponte, Vice President
Julie Sacriponte, Vice President, is owner and President of Choice One Staffing Group, Inc., a full-service staffing firm located in Cranberry Township, PA. The company is proud of its footprint in Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler and Allegheny counties. Choice One has grown over 20 years to now provide staff in seven states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina. Julie is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BS in Human Ecology. She is past President and board member of the Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce. She is a founding member of Butler County Young Professionals; a charter member of the Pittsburgh Chapter-Seton Hill University Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO); and is the Chairperson for the Stewardship Committee and a member of the Mutual Ministry committee of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Denise Thoma, Secretary
Denise Thoma, Secretary, is the Executive Business Administrator at Stellar Precision Components, a high precision manufacturing company specializing in aerospace machining. She has been in the administrative support field for over 20 years. Denise and her husband, Rich, have three grown daughters and three grandchildren. She was an active in-school volunteer, Brownie/Girl Scout leader, and school sport/activity volunteer throughout her children’s school years. She completed her Associate’s degree in Business Administration while working full-time. Denise joined the board in 2019 looking forward to doing her part in enriching the lives of the children in WCCB care.
Donald Graham, Treasurer
Donald Graham, Treasurer, is a life-long resident of Westmoreland County. Don has been a banker for the past 44 years and currently works as a regional manager for InFirst Bank in Greensburg. Don and his wife were active foster parents for the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau for 20+ years before retiring from that program. They have three grown children of their own whom they are very proud of. In addition to Westmoreland Children First, Don is also an advocate for autism research and various autism programs.
Kitty Hricenak
Kitty Hricenak has been a member of Westmoreland Children First since 2012 when she retired as an administrator from Greensburg Salem School District. As an elementary principal, she worked to develop community partnerships to enhance opportunities for students, particularly in the areas of literacy and early childhood education. Kitty is also President of The Committee for the Westmoreland supporting the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and helps edit a neighborhood newsletter.
Patty Quatrini
Patty Quatrini is a registered nurse who has spent most of her career as a nurse educator. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Nursing and from the University of Pittsburgh with a Master’s Degree in Nursing Care of Children. Patty taught many years for the Westmoreland County Community College Nursing Program and was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at IUP for 14 years until her retirement. Patty specialized in pediatrics, instructing her IUP students at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. She has been actively involved in programs that focus on the health and safety of children for many years. As a past board member of Parent’s Anonymous of Westmoreland County, she served terms as President and Vice President. She has been a member of the Children’s Bureau Advisory Board under four Executive Directors and has held the positions of Secretary, Vice President and President of the Board. In 2017, Mental Health America of Westmoreland County presented Patty with its Children’s Advocacy Award.
Judy Rutter
Judy Rutter is a retired administrator from Adelphoi USA, a large nonprofit childcare agency based in Latrobe, PA where she was employed for 33 years and gained experience in budgeting, finance, facility management and customer relations. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and began her career at the Indiana Printing and Publishing Company with her background in finance. Judy was Treasurer of the Latrobe Foundation for 25 years, active on the Board of Wimmer Commons for 10 years including past President. In addition, she was a past Board Member of Northern Tier Children’s Home and Accessabilities.
Aaron J. Allen
Aaron J. Allen is a law enforcement officer, professor, and consultant, who values service and education to improve relationships within his community.
Aaron graduated from Chowan University in North Carolina with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Shortly after, he went on to earn his Masters Degree from Point Park University in Criminal Justice Administration and Management.
A native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Aaron attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 2015. Upon graduation, he worked in the patrol unit for approximately five years. Aaron has since served as a Firearms Instructor, Field Driving Instructor, Field Training Officer, Child Car Seat Technician, School Bus Inspector, PACIC Intelligence Officer, De-Escalation Instructor, Diversity and Inclusion Instructor, Alternate Community Service Officer, and Recruitment Coordinator.
Aaron was recently promoted to Corporal and is currently serving as a Heritage Affairs Liaison Officer with the Pennsylvania State Police, Office of Community Engagement. As a Heritage Affairs Liaison Officer, Aaron works with local, state, and federal agencies where he investigates, oversees, and responds to hate crimes, bias related incidents, and any incidents that deals with racial tension throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal of the Pennsylvania State Police, Heritage Affairs Office, is to improve community relations and build positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Using real-world examples and experience, Aaron brings a unique perspective to his role as adjunct professor at Westmoreland County Community College, University of Pittsburgh, and Saint Vincent College in the Criminal Justice Department. Aaron also teaches at the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Academy held at Robert Morris University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Aaron’s career has been a model of service recognized with several awards and recognition at the federal, state, and local level, including an NAACP Award, Department of Justice – United States Attorney Award, and 2020 Westmoreland County Community College Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Bill Bretz
Bill Bretz is the Service Production Coordinator at Hitachi Energy with responsibility for operations planning and project management. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Saint Vincent College and was elected to the Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors. He currently serves as Chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Southwest Caucus of Pennsylvania State Republican Committees. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and serve as a volunteer in support of local athletic programs and ministry organizations.
Christopher B. Divito, Ph.D.
Dr. Christopher Divito completed his doctoral studies in Neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh in 2013. He then continued post-doctoral training studying neuroprotective plasticity in Parkinson’s disease at the University of Pittsburgh and chemical modification of ion channels at Duquesnes University. Dr. Divito then transitioned into the biotech sector where he was employed at MolecularDx, LLC as a research scientist and assistant director. During his time there, he served as the operations director, quality assurance director, and then interim director of business development. Also at this time, he became a foster father working with both Somerset and Allegheny county and in 2020 adopted his foster daughter. In 2022, Dr. Divito joined academia as an Assistant Professor of Basic Science at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, located at the Seton Hill campus, where he teaches neuropharmacology and medicine. Dr. Divito has lived in Unity Township since 2016 with his wife and two children and joined the board of Westmoreland Children First in 2024.