Regina McKenny-Snead takes the helm at Arc GHV

MONTICELLO –– Many have dreamt of climbing the ladder at an organization, business or agency. But for Regina McKenny-Snead, it’s her story.

A 1989 Fallsburg Central School graduate and the youngest of six children, she worked as a direct support professional (DSP) on her breaks from college at what was then the Community Resource Center.

Now over three decades later, she is succeeding Ric Schwartz, who is retiring after 25 years, as executive director of the Arc Greater Hudson Valley, a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing supports to over 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Sullivan, Orange and Dutchess Counties.

“I always say that I’m the poster child for promotional opportunities at the agency,” McKenny-Snead jokes.

She worked her way up the ranks, little by little, serving as an assistant program coordinator, program coordinator, assistant director and director of the agency’s former Bennett residence (a 40-bed immediate care facility) before they transitioned those they support to residences, where they could have a more home-like experience, in the late 90s.

Knowing that having two people leading the residential programs wasn’t going to last, McKenny-Snead went to then Executive Director David Kiely, asking if he’d give her the heads up if another opportunity within the agency became available. About six months later, Kiely offered her the opportunity to oversee the agency’s human resources department.

“That position opened up a whole new world for me,” she said. “I got the best of both worlds. I was able to advocate for the staff, but also for the organization, ensuring that people coming through the door were there for the right reasons for the people that we support, and I loved that job.”

McKenny-Snead would go back to school because of it, obtaining her Master’s in Counseling and Human Resources Development.

Soon after Ric Schwartz came on board as executive director, she was promoted to associate executive director.

Now as an executive director, McKenny-Snead said those previous roles keep her grounded.

“I bring that perspective where I can relate and understand where our direct support staff are coming from at times,” she said, “and I don’t ever want to forget that. I think as long as you can remember where you came from, it keeps you humble and gives you a level of empathy.”

Goals

In recent years, Sullivan, Orange and Dutchess Arc merged into what is now known as the Arc Greater Hudson Valley.

McKenny-Snead says the transition is the perfect opportunity to revisit strategic planning, looking at the agency’s mission, vision and values to see if they still fit or if adjustments are needed.

“We were three independent organizations with our own unique identities now unified as one,” she said. “We have an outgoing exec with the new exec coming in. So, it certainly makes sense at this time, to plan for our future.”

She also hopes to advance some of the agency’s Council on Quality and Leadership work, which serves to strengthen their systems that provide person-centered supports and services.

McKenny-Snead also wants the agency to connect more with the community, adding that people often associate them with other agencies that offer similar services.

“I don’t want that,” she said. “I want us to be well-grounded in our community so that people instantly recognize us, know what we do, and consider us a friend.”

In the new role there will be challenges to navigate. For one, the staffing crisis, which has affected every industry, has also impacted their agency. McKenny-Snead said they’ve been working with their parent organization, The Arc New York, to come up with various strategies and plans for recruiting people to the organization.

The unpredictability of state funding is also a challenge, one that was heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency had to implement several changes, many of which came with uncovered and increased costs.

McKenny-Snead said they will continue advocacy efforts for more funding moving forward, so they can better serve those they support.

Sharing her story

McKenny-Snead praised Schwartz for the “family atmosphere” he created at the agency.

“Everything that has happened to me in my adult life, happened to me at this organization,” she said, “whether it was getting married, finishing my second degree, having children, going through some medical challenges, losing a parent ... they know my story. This is my home away from home. But I believe many people would say it is also their home away from home.”

Schwartz noted that McKenny-Snead is “an amazing person” and that he’s proud she’s taking leadership of the agency. At a recent orientation, Schwartz said a prospective employee asked him why they’d want to work at the Arc Greater Hudson Valley, aside from the money.

“I told them Regina’s story,” said Schwartz. “That really sums it up for me. The staff can see that if you have a good heart and you work really hard, you can be Executive Director.”