Board of Directors

Dr. Ryan Plosker – Executive Director and Founder

Dr. Plosker is the Executive Director and founder of New England Academy. Throughout his career, Mr. Plosker has worked to bridge the gap between psychology and education to meet the needs of students—from his clinical work at Children’s Hospital in Boston to his later work as a public school psychologist, school director and special education administrator. Mr. Plosker shares his educational and clinical insights, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level for Gordon College and Endicott College. He has a B.S. in Psychology and a Masters and CAGS in School Psychology from Northeastern University and completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts.

John Vogus - Chairman

Mr. Vogus is co-founder and managing partner of Haug Capital Partners, a private equity firm providing capital and business expertise to small business entrepreneurs to help them achieve their full potential. Previously, Mr. Vogus was a partner in Book Club Holding (BCH), a leading wholesale and online book distributor. Mr. Vogus has served in variety of key management positions for industry-leading companies, including American Tool Company, Inc., and The Stanley Works. Mr. Vogus also serves on the Advisory Board of Beverly National Bank, Cummings Center Branch. He has a B.S. in Business from Worcester State College.

Patricia Gardner-Goodof, MSW, LICSW

Ms. Gardner-Goodof is the Clinical Coordinator for the Outpatient Behavioral Health Department at North Shore Children’s Hospital (NSCH) in Salem, Ma. She also maintains a private practice in Marblehead and teaches skills groups to adolescents and adults on the North Shore. She has more than a decade of clinical and administrative experience working with children, adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, mood disorders, attention disorders, personality disorders, grief/loss issues and family systems conflict. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Geoffrey D. Ketcham, J.D.

Mr. Ketcham is a staff attorney for housing and public benefits for Merrimack Valley Legal Services. He has extensive background in non-profit law, having practiced in the public sector for many years in the areas of general civil practice, public benefits and public housing. He has a J.D. from the University of Tennessee and a B.A. from Gordon College.

Doreen DiCienzo, M.A.

Ms. Dicenzio is a Social Work Supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, where she has worked since 1985 managing casework and conducting assessments and investigations.  Ms. Dicenzio has worked with communities on establishing a visitation center and also worked as a visitation supervisor. She has a B.S. and an Masters in Counseling and Psychological Services from Fitchburg State College.

Albert Haug

Mr. Haug is Chairman and co-founder of Haug Capital Partners, a private equity firm which specializes in providing capital and business expertise to emerging entrepreneurs. Mr. Haug has extensive experience as a business owner having founded several companies, including Book Club Holding, a leading wholesaler and on-line book distributor. In late 2001, Mr. Haug divested part of his interest in BCH in order to establish Haug Capital Partners and concentrate his efforts and talents on helping HCP’s portfolio companies grow and reach their full potential.

Judge Sally Padden

Judge Padden is the Chief Juvenile Justice for Essex County and has been serving the children of the Commonwealth for over 20-years.  Judge Padden began her career as a special education teacher for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities before moving into the practice of law.  Judge Padden began her legal career as an attorney for children and families; she held the role of Assistant District Attorney before being promoted to her current judiciary role.  Judge Padden also teaches locally at the local college level.

Malcolm Patterson, Ed.D.

Dr. Patterson is currently Associate Dean of Graduate Education at Endicott College.  Dr. Patterson worked for Massachusetts public schools for almost 30 years as a Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent, Principal and Teacher.  Along with his administrative responsibilities, he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses and he has a passion for educational leadership.  Dr. Patterson received is Masters and Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  He currently lives on the North Shore with his family.