Our Caring Team

Our Team

Experts in Their Fields

A Personal and Responsive Relationship with You During This Most Sensitive Time.

New England Low Vision and Blindness is a place where the genuine care and service of our clients is our highest mission. We pledge to foster client independence, instill well-being, provide the finest personal service and aim to meet or exceed the expressed and unexpressed needs of our clients. "We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen." This motto exemplifies the anticipatory service provided by all team members. No other company provides the unique talent, technology, training and care to help serve people with mild, moderate or severe vision loss. We are here to help.

Our Team

Scott V. Krug

President & Co-Founder

Scott co-founded NELVB with a spirit of personal care and desire to find the right solutions for people with vision loss. He has worked in the Low Vision and Blindness technology field since 1992. Recognized as a low vision technology expert, Scott frequently facilitates training workshops and presents for regional conferences, senior communities, colleges, veterans and eye care professionals.

Beyond group lecturing, Scott enjoys bringing low vision rehabilitation technology into a client's home, workplace or school and demonstrating its ease of use. He recognizes the responsibility of helping someone choose the correct rehabilitation technology tool, which will typically have a sizable impact on improving day-to-day living, and in becoming more independent, active, and happy.

"Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry” — St. Padre Pio

Our Team

Sharon Krug

Co-Founder

Sharon has been part of the New England Low Vision and Blindness team since 2009. She spends most of her time in the office, calling clients to schedule delivery, installation and instruction of purchased technology. Sharon also helps out with a variety of office administrative tasks and projects. Sharon is a former high school math teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Clark University and a Master of Secondary Education from Worcester State University.

 

“Do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa

Our Team

Craig G. Pierce

Director of Marketing

& Partner Relations

Craig is an experienced executive with a career focused on strategic and direct marketing, business development, operations, and team development.  He is passionate about a customer centric approach – wrapping everything around a positive customer experience while improving team dynamics.  Craig has the unique ability to identify new market opportunities, establish and strengthen business partnerships, develop and execute strategic plans and analyze and improve business processes.  Craig volunteers his time as a Board of Director at several organizations as well as a LUK Volunteer.  When not working or volunteering, he enjoys time with his family and friends, and playing golf (poorly).

“Your real legacy is what you give the world, not what you leave it.” ~Philip McKernan

Our Team

Erin Davis

Director of Operations

Erin joined the New England Low Vision and Blindness team in 2014. She is an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the company. Erin primarily serves as the point person for all things pertaining to processing an order. Erin works closely with key accounts, State Agencies and VA hospitals throughout New England. When she isn’t working Erin is active in her community serving on a variety of volunteer boards as well as being a soccer & basketball coach. Erin and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters; her family is very active and enjoys playing and watching soccer and basketball.    

 

“It is what it is.” ~J.E. Lawrence

Our Team

Amy Muldoon

Finance & Operations Administrator

Amy joined the New England Low Vision and Blindness team in 2018.  Amy’s primary role is to ensure the timely and accurate processing of customer and vendor orders.  Amy is also involved in supporting the NELVB management team and to ensuring that our clients receive the finest personal service.  When Amy is not in the office,  she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. Amy also enjoys quilting and sewing as well as community volunteerism.

Our Team

Tracy Andrews

Low Vision Specialist

Tracy Andrews is herself legally blind, and shows customers the latest in low vision equipment and shares strategies and tips for living a full and independent life with a vision impairment.

She is a Low Vision Specialist with more than 9 years of experience with both Vision Dynamics and New England Low Vision and Blindness. Tracy shows customers the latest in low vision equipment and shares strategies and tips for living a full and independent life with a vision impairment. Tracy is herself legally blind and can identify with the challenges and struggles our customers face. Tracy loves sharing her message of hope and inspiration to her customers and to groups around New England. Tracy loves to run and completed the New York Marathon. Her passions are spending time with her husband and two children, running with her friends, music and playing with her dogs.

 

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint.” ~Kevin Karner

Our Team

Michelle Perkins

Senior Assistive Technology Specialist

Michelle is known as the best in the business of working with schools and in classrooms with children who are blind or visually impaired.

She has been working with adaptive computer technology since 1995. Yes, that was the tail-end of the DOS years for adaptive technology. Michelle typically works alongside the TVI, and she provides Assistive Technology Evaluations for students IEP.

Michelle is skilled in providing trainings, evaluations and support in adaptive technology for the visually impaired, although her heart belongs to the blindness products. In Michelle’s adaptive technology travels, she has worked in schools, businesses; small and large, private homes, and organizations. She has also worked with people in many states in the USA and even as far away as India. Michelle loves to listen to books; it’s one of her favorite things to do, and she listens where ever and when ever she can.

Quote: “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”
― Isaac Asimov

Our Team

Stephanie Abruzzo, M.S.Ed., CATIS

Senior Assistive Technology Specialist

Stephanie is a Senior Assistive Technology Specialist who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2021.

She holds an M.S.Ed. in Assistive Special Education Technology from Simmons College and a B.S. in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from Springfield College. Stephanie also holds a Massachusetts Teaching Licensure in Instructional Technology. 

Stephanie has been working as an Assistive Technology Specialist since 2013 and in the disability field since 2008. Stephanie is committed to supporting children and adults in meeting their goals through the use of assistive technology devices and strategies.

Stephanie resides in Feeding Hills, MA, with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending her free time gardening and riding her horse. 

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. - Amelia Earhart

Our Team

Jerry Berrier

Assistive Technology Specialist

Jerry is an Assistive Technology Specialist who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2021.

Jerry has worked in the field of assistive technology for over 20 years.

He spent six years as assistant manager at the Verizon center for customers with disabilities, followed by seven years as an assistive technology consultant specializing in work with Deafblind consumers.

Most recently, he ended a nine-year stint at the Perkins School for the Blind in the field of assistive technology.

He retired from full-time employment in June of 2021.

Jerry is past president and current secretary of the Bay State Council of the Blind, and past president of VIBUG, a long-standing Boston-based group of technology users.

His interests include audio production, accessible web design, and “birding by ear”.  He has consulted on numerous accessibility projects with Mass Audubon and continues a long-standing working relationship with that organization.

"Assistive technology has opened a world of possibilities for me, and I want to share my knowledge with others who can benefit from it." Jerry Berrier

Our Team

Gloria Stuart

Assistive Technology Specialist

Gloria has been providing assistive technology services to children and adults in RI and New England region for over 20 years.  Gloria has worked closely with individuals who are blind or have low vision to identify, obtain, and use appropriate technologies that support their independence and success at home, in the classroom, throughout the community and the workplace.  Additionally, Gloria has been involved with voice recognition technology development and training since 1995; she has used this knowledge to provide assessments and training to individuals with both learning and mobility concerns that prevent them from using technology in the traditional manner.

Gloria is a user of assistive technology who has been involved in both local and national discussions regarding the Assistive Technology Act, Telecommunications Act, the implementation of NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard) in Rhode Island, and the development and implementation of the comprehensive Rhode Island State Plan to address the needs of Rhode Islanders with visual impairments through the Rhode Island Vision Education and Services Program (RIVESP) Advisory Board.  In her spare time Gloria enjoys wilderness camping, woodworking, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Quote: “Let the world know why you are here and do it with passion” - Wayne Dyer

Our Team

Lisa Chiango

Assistive Technology Specialist

Lisa joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2021 as an Assistive Technology Specialist. Lisa, who is also deafblind, has been working with deafblind individuals for the past 20 years and helped establish the Deafblind Community Access Network. Previously, she was a specialist for Apple, providing product demos and accessibility training on a range of devices. Lisa received a B.S. in Computer Science from Gallaudet University and a Master of Visual Media Arts from Emerson College and is fluent in both American and Tactile Sign Language.

Quote: “Don't listen to negative influences. Believe in yourself, and show others what you can do. Only "you" can find your potential.”

- Marla Runyan

Our Team

Toni DiChiara

Sales & Operations Assistant

Toni is a Sales and Operations Assistant who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2021. Toni serves as the person for all things pertaining to processing an order. 

Toni serves as an assistant in supporting the NELVB team and to serve our clients with care.

When Toni is not working, she enjoys all things involving her family, knitting, concerts and the outdoors.

Quote: “We can't heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness." - Mary Davis

Our Team

William Hawley

Assistive Technology Specialist

William is an Assistive Technology Specialist who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2022.

He has been working in the field of assistive technology for over 16 years, and has worked in various other IT industries for over 30 years, including systems administration, medical software consulting, product design, and software and mobile application development, to name a few.

His experience and skillset have grown exponentially since his first business venture selling and servicing PCs as a side-business out of his house, and he has been fortunate and ambitious enough to work under various IT-related titles since then such as Assistant Systems Administrator for a large auto group, Lead Medical Software Support Specialist for a medical software VAR, and Lead Developer on several web and media projects.

In 2006 William joined an assistive technology company, who served disabled veterans through a VA contract, as their overall technology guru, but with an official title of Marketing & Product Development, with a secondary title as Lead Software Engineer.

It was there where he began to expand his IT knowledge and experience to now include the disabled community specifically, and he became fond of helping the community through the use of assistive technology.  He spent almost 16 years with that company before joining New England Low Vision and Blindness.

William is thrilled that at New England Low Vision and Blindness he can utilize his diverse and comprehensive IT skillset to continue to help the low vision and blind community.

William’s interests and hobbies include web development, music and video production, 360-degree and drone aerial photography, as well as 3D modeling and prototyping.  He is a fan of retro sci-fi and is a huge Star Wars and Star Trek geek.

Quote: "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. ... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. ... They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billhawleyonline/

Our Team

Stephanie Franklin

Sales and Operations Assistant

Stephanie joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2023 as a Sales and Operations Assistant.

When she is not in the office, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family especially when they can be oceanside in York Beach, Maine.

She is a wife to her husband Rob and a very proud mom to her daughter Jessica. They have 2 cats Norman & Jack who bring peace and joy to their home everyday. 

Quote: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. The best is yet to come.” -Zig Ziglar

Our Team

Jason Allen

Assistive Training & Technology Specialist

Jason joined the New England Low Vision and Blindness team with a desire to help people with low vision and blindness achieve their dreams and goals.  Jason himself is legally blind.  Jason has embraced technology to navigate the world of low vision and believes that the same is possible for others.

Since his diagnosis, he has successfully navigated college and been ratified in the state of Massachusetts as a Certified Peer Specialist.  Jason feels that his experience and training make him uniquely qualified to understand the challenges faced by those in the blind and low vision communities.

Jason enjoys hiking with his wife, playing with his dog, good food, and great company.

Quote: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -Helen Keller

Our Team

Angelina Davis

Operations Assistant

Angelina joined the New England Low Vision and Blindness team in 2021.

She is currently a student at Assumption University studying psychology and neuroscience.

Angelina primarily serves as the Assistant to the Director of Operations. When she isn’t working or studying, Angelina enjoys spending time with her family and cats, going out to eat, coaching soccer, and reading. 

Quote: “Always follow your heart unless your heart is bad with directions” -Spongebob Squarepants 

 

Our Team

Ben Golash

Assistive Technology Advisor

Ben is a compassionate Assistive Technology Advisor, offering his expertise with assistive technology to empower individuals who are visually impaired. With a deep passion for accessibility, he specializes in implementing innovative assistive technologies that enhance lives and bring hope.

Ben is a recently graduate of Fitchburg State University with a degree in Bachelor Science.

In his time out of work, he is an avid hiker, rock climber, and golfer. 

Quote: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-golash-2159a8177/