Biographies
Dennis McKeon (Executive Director)
Prior to taking on the position of Executive Director of Where to Turn, a recently formed not for profit organization, Mr. McKeon was a District Manager for ATT while also serving as the Chairman of the St. Clare’s WTC Outreach Program. Since 9/11 Mr. McKeon has coordinated an effort that has provided information and support services to over 1,500 9/11 families. Through Where to Turn he hopes to expand this service to any victim of tragedy. Through the development of an integrated website Where to Turn will provide easy access to all available support services. While developing the website Where to Turn has also initiated numerous local community programs such as the Snow shoveling for Seniors Program and the Gift of Life for 9/11 Program. Mr. McKeon also serves on the Community Advisement Committee for both the Brookfield and Fresh Kills Remediation Projects. He also coaches the St Clare’s Swim Team. He has lived on Staten Island for the past twenty years with his wife, a school teacher and his three sons.
Timothy Rice (Director)
Tim Rice is the principal director and manager of the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home in Great Kills. A Staten Island native, Mr. Rice serves on the board of advisors for the American Cancer Society, Staten Island Region and has served for several years as chairman of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Rice is president of the Great Kills Memorial Parade Committee and is a member and former president of the Rotary Club of South Shore, having received Rotary International highest honor, the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He resides in Great Kills, Staten Island, with his wife and two sons.
Stephen W. Rynn, MSW, CSW (Director)
Stephen Rynn, was appointed Executive Director of the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin/Mount Loretto in November 1994. He is a New York State-certified social worker with a master’s degree from Fordham University(1987). He has extensive experience in child care, rehabilitative services, and mental health social work. Mr. Rynn is actively involved in helping those affected by the World Trade Center tragedy by providing assistance and counseling to victims and families, and is a member of the St. Clare’s World Trade Center Outreach Committee.
Prior to his appointment to MIV, Mr. Rynn was director of outpatient services for Princeton House, a NJ psychiatric hospital. Formerly, he was director of substance abuse services at Bayshore Community Hospital, clinical coordinator for chemical dependency services at CPC Mental Health Services and medical social worker at St. Peter’s Medical Center, all in New Jersey; and supervisor of group facilities at Catholic Home Bureau, NY.
When MIV discontinued its foster care programs in 1994, Mr. Rynn transformed the Mount’s new mission by exploring the needs of the community and meeting those needs.
In addition to expansion of residential programs for developmentally challenged young adults, as well as the pre-school day care program, MIV’s facilities were made available to the Staten Island community. Services currently provided at Mount Loretto by associates of MIV include the Friendship Club for senior citizens, Catholic Charities Family Resource Center, CYO Recreation Center, CYO Summer Day Camp,
PS 3 Annex, Traditions House for those recovering from addiction, Cross Road Foundation offering counseling to expectant mothers, and G.R.A.C.E. Foundation providing support services for families of autistic children.
Jack LaMantia (Director)
Jack LaMantia is currently the Deputy Project Risk Manager acting as a consultant to the NYC DEP and provides technical environmental, safety and health auditing oversight involving 16 billion dollars in capital construction projects under the jurisdiction of this city agency. Jack recently retired from KeySpan Energy Co. one of the largest gas and electric utilities in the Northeast after 30 years of service as the company’s Director on Employee Safety and Health. Jack is a certified safety and risk management professional. While at KeySpan Energy Jack was involved in the Meals on Heels program sponsored by KeySpan delivering meals to the elderly in the Downtown Brooklyn Area.
Along with Mr. McKeon, Jack was one of the members of the St.Clare’s WTC Outreach Committee and was responsible for running several major events and programs to help the family members of the victims of 9/11. Jack with the cooperation of KeySpan Energy Co. constructed an eternal flame on the grounds of the parish church memorializing the parish members who were lost on 9/11. Jack also served as the President of the St. Clare’s Men’s Club and initiated many events that supported the school and parish.
Jack serves on several professional boards and is currently the secretary of the Safety Executives of NY.
Jack has lived on Staten Island since 1976 with his wife, a professional cantor and their three children.