 Kate Kennedy - President Kate Kennedy brings her unique combination of love for the arts, vast business knowledge, and a passion to help special needs kids. She has worked for both profit and non-profit agencies including Easter Seals New Jersey, Phillips - Van Heusen, Cardinal Health, and Johnson & Johnson. She attended Elon University and was a theatre arts major and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Thomas Edison State College, the first college that specialized in distance learning. After graduating with her BA she continued on to earn her Master of Science in Management with a concentration in leadership in 2005. While earning her MSM she fell in love with human resources and decided to pursue her career. As she was pursuing a career in HR, Kate also earned her Professional Human Resources certificate in 2006 which inspired her to return to school. In 2009 she earned a Master of Science in Human Resources Management, also through Thomas Edison. Currently, she is also a volunteer for the Garden State Council - Society of HR Management annual conference. This is her fourth year working with the conference and her second working on the conference planning committee. Her passion to help special needs children stems from personal experience. In 1975, she was born with Cerebral Palsy. There were considerably less services and programs for disabled children then there are today. The CP did not hold her back, instead it inspired her and made her even more determined to get over hurdles and reach for higher goals. Her biggest inspiration is her nephew who is in the autistic realm. Watching him grow up with challenges is more of a motivation that makes her want to help special needs children and their parents. Kate hopes to use her education and experience, both personal and professional, to make this program a success.  Anthony Gemignani - Vice President Anthony Gemignani started playing guitar at age twelve. In 1994 he graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has toured the East Coast with cover/original band 12 Strung Gypsy and Lisa Palleschi(Warner Bros.), has played with original and cover band Groove Box 6. He is currently playing with The Freak of The Day. He has also appeared on stage with Gerado Velez-percussionist for Spyro Gyra and Jimi Hendrix, Julio Fernadez from Spyro Gyra, Richie Cannata-saxophonist for Billy Joel, Rasheeda Azar-vocalist for Janet Jackson, Taku Hirano-percussionist for Fleetwood Mac and Whitney Houston, members of Chic, James Brown, Beach Boys, Ola Onabule and many more. A private music instructor in countless schools, music stores and studios all over the Northeast, Anthony G. counts Triumph's Rik Emmett, Bobby Rodgers(The Code Talkers), Todd Anisman(Solo Artist), Steve Miceli(Laura Leigh & Tripp Fabulous), Santana, Dan Huff, and Journey's Neal Schon among his guitar influences. Among the bands that have inspired him are: Rascal Flatts, Journey, Whitesnake, Disturbed, and Pat Methany. Anthony has been the owner of 3 other very successful music schools and has been changing the vibe of Hunterdon County with his talents, originality, and relationships built with students and parents. This has earned him the title of the most popular music instructor around. Besides Ultimate Allstars, he owns Allstar Music Academy, which is "the most modern, fun spirited place to take music lesson the right way and buy retail in a stress free environment. No short cuts taken but you will have a great time."  Erika Bachert - Secretary Erika Bachert has had a long and fulfilling career working in the health care fields and pharmaceutical industry. Earlier she had worked as a Research Scientist involved in supporting clinical trials for many treatment pharmaceuticals currently on the market. Over the past 20 years she has had the opportunity to work in a few different hospitals. For the past 6 years she has worked for Hunterdon Medical Center as an ASCP certified Medical Technologist in their laboratory department. She is currently attending college where she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and is in her final year to achieve her dream to become an RN. Erika was born in central New Jersey. She earned an AAS in Medical Technology from Mercer County Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology majoring in Cell Bio/Premed from Rider University in Lawrenceville New Jersey. Erika lives in Hunterdon County with her three children where she enjoys supporting their many activities as a travel soccer and home room mom. Over the years music has become a large part of her children’s lives with violin, saxophone, guitar, drums and piano. With Erika’s ties to the community thru her work and her activities as a mother, she believes she has a great understating to the needs of children in general and wants to be part of something that helps bring joy to the special needs community as well. Erika believes that this is Ultimate Allstars.  Eric Fisher - Treasurer Eric has had a long and distinguished corporate career working for numerous Johnson and Johnson Companies. For over 30 years, he held numerous managerial positions in the pharmaceutical sales and technology leadership fields. His ability to lead, motivate and implement has provided him a successful and rewarding career. He speaks to Pharmaceutical Sales as one of his more enjoyable career paths, as it brought challenges and unique opportunities to work with others. Eric was born and raised in Northern Michigan. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his early employment, he worked in a nursing home from high school through college. That experience provided for him the enriching backdrop of learning to value the diversity and gifts of all individuals with whom he interacted. Outside of his professional career, Eric has served various positions with local community organizations such as the Lake City, MI Chapter of Kiwanis International, the Lake City Housing and Urban Development Committee, and the Lake City Municipal Council. Eric believes his community service and leadership experience will prove most valuable to the Ultimate All Stars Music Academy. He looks forward to his new role as a Board Member. Eric has had a lifetime love of music and the fine arts. He has always encouraged his children to express themselves more fully through music. Guitar, piano, violin and clarinet are all instruments that have filled his home with melodies through the years. Having had the experience of helping teach a child to play music is something Eric feels is quite special. He feels it is extremely satisfying to watch a child learn to communicate their feelings and passions with music. Eric is the father of four children and resides in New Jersey with his family. Contact us: ultimateallstars2011@gmail.com |
