Board of Directors
Dr. Richard Scher, D.C., Chairperson
“Alzheimer’s disease imposes often overwhelming impacts on clients and caregivers. I’m honored to lead ADRC’s Board and advance the caring legacy Mary Ann Ragona-Malack so selflessly created.”
Dr. Richard Scher, D.C., accepted the position of Chair of ADRC’s Board of Directors in 2018, after serving as a director of our organization since 2013. Dr. Scher is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician who has practiced for more than three decades.
Passionate about providing high quality home care to seniors, Rick owns and operates Care Connection Home Care in Wantagh, New York. Care Connection Home Care specializes in providing non-medical companionship and residential care to seniors.
Dr. Scher also owns and directs Cherrywood Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center, which focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries.
Dr. Scher is a member of the New York State Chiropractic Association and served the organization as both a Director and as President of District 6. In addition, he is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and member of Phi Chi Omega, the International Chiropractic Scholastic Honor Society.
His extensive experience enhancing patient well-being is also applied to several other not-for-profit organizations. Notably, Dr. Scher served as Co-Chair of the Sun Umbrella Network of Nassau County’s Advocacy committee. This group was mandated to formulate and oversee innovative projects benefiting local seniors. He is also an active member of the Gerontology Professionals of New York.
Dr. Scher’s Doctor of Chiropractic degree was awarded by the New York Chiropractic College (NYCC), Old Brookville, New York and he earned his Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician designation from the ACA Sports Council at NYCC.
Lori A. Catapano, CPA, Treasurer
“Leadership is about empathy. I believe in helping local families impacted by Alzheimer’s by providing free programming, resources and support to ease their burden.”
Lori Catapano, CPA, is a partner in the New York regional offices of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm. She has more than 20 years of experience auditing private and public companies across a wide range of industries. These sectors include manufacturing and wholesale distribution, technology, professional service organizations, broker-dealers, alternative investment funds and investment advisory firms.
The ADRC welcomed Lori to our Board of Directors in 2013, and she accepted the role of Treasurer in 2016. Lori’s financial acumen and dedication have delivered immense value to our organization, enabling more programs and services to be made available to Long Island families.
Lori belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also serves as a board member of the Middle Market Alliance of Long Island. In addition, she finds time to hit the links and serves as a member of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, Long Island Chapter.
Lori earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Virginia Belling, Director
Virginia Belling is Senior Vice President of New York Community Bank’s (NYCB) Retail Banking Region of Suffolk County. A seasoned banking executive with more than four decades of experience, Virginia manages the operations and performance of 20 NYCB branches. NYCB, known for its community focus, serves customers through 240 branches throughout Long Island, Metro New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio and Arizona.
Virginia began her banking career in Farmingdale, Long Island. She rapidly moved through positions of increasing responsibility in banks in Rhode Island, Virginia and New Jersey before resettling on Long Island in 1982. She worked with Columbia Federal Savings and Loan, prior to its acquisition by Queens County and the formation of NYCB.
Community outreach to increase financial literacy is an important part of Virginia’s role. NYCB regularly hosts seminars and presentations at schools and local organizations to help individuals protect their financial assets. Virginia is also involved with the local Amityville Rotary Club, serving as Rotary Foundation Chair, and participates in various Chamber of Commerce organizations.
Virginia and NYCB have cultivated a long-standing relationship with ADRC. Virginia has served ADRC as a board member since 2014. NYCB continues to be a major supporter of ADRC, stepping up as presenting sponsor at the ADRC Walk to End Alzheimer’s since 2010.
Frank L. Buquicchio, Esq., Director and Chairperson, Legal Advisory Committee
“I am honored to assist Long Island families dealing with this awful disease, helping them protect their assets and preserve their dignity.”
Frank L. Buquicchio, Esq. is a partner with Russo Law Group, P.C., of Garden City, Islandia, Lido Beach, Manhattan, and Bay Shore, New York. He earned his law degree at Hofstra University and was admitted to practice in 1994. Mr. Buquicchio is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. He is also a member of the invitation-only National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). He has extensive knowledge and more than two decades of experience practicing elder law. Medicaid planning, estate and trust planning, veterans’ benefits, trust and estate administration and real estate are other key facets of his practice.
Frank joined the ADRC’s Legal Advisory Committee in 2004 and became its Chairperson in 2017; following this appointment, he was invited to join ADRC’s Board of Directors the same year. His insight into the legal realities surrounding Alzheimer’s disease have enabled hundreds of Long Island families to proactively prepare and navigate this challenging journey.
In addition to membership in the New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations, Frank serves on the Board of the New York Chapter of NAELA.
Frank regularly presents seminars on Elder Law and Estate Planning throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. He also publishes articles and is a frequent guest for media programming on Elder Law issues.
Marijane Camilleri, Director
“Caring for a loved one has made me passionate about responding to the vulnerable with profound humanity. I see that fire of compassion reflected in the mission and in the staff of the ADRC.”
Marijane Camilleri joined ADRC’s Board of Directors in January 2019, bringing a unique perspective and nuanced understanding about caregiving for those with Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome. Mary served as the primary caregiver for her mother, who was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease, and is legal guardian to a special needs sister.
Ms. Camilleri worked as Law Clerk in the United States Federal Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, becoming a member of that Court. More recently, she pursued her legal and social interests in family and life issues by directing the Rome, Italy office of a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Marijane earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.
Marijane is committed to working to assist the ADRC in improving the quality and availability of caregiving services available to the Alzheimer’s community. She also is working to extend outreach to those with Down syndrome, as a particularly impacted, yet underserved segment of the Alzheimer’s circle.
becoming a member of that Court.
Anne Dello-Iacono, Esq., Director and Member, Legal Advisory Committee
“As an Elder Law Attorney I assist families affected by Alzheimer’s disease on a daily basis. I am extremely proud to be involved in a local organization that uses its resources to help Long Island families.”
Anne Dello-Iacono works as an attorney with the Dello-Iacono Law Group, PC, a firm she and her husband founded in 2016, in East Northport, New York. Previously, Anne served as a senior associate in Makofsky & Associates, PC. She has been practicing law since 2005 and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.
Ms. Dello-Iacono’s practice concentrates on elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, guardianships, veterans’ benefits, probate and estate administration. Her peers have recognized Anne as a SuperLawyers Rising Star and Long Island Business News has honored her as one of the Top Women Attorneys on Long Island.
Ms. Dello-Iacono is an active volunteer in the elder law community. She joined ADRC’s Board of Directors in 2016. Anne advances our mission by sharing her extensive knowledge of elder law to enhance ADRC’s programming, outreach and resource options.
She also currently serves as Co-Chair of Senior Umbrella Network of Nassau. In addition, she is active in the New York State Bar, serving as Vice Chair of the Technology Committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section.
Anne lives in Huntington with her husband and four children.
Adam Demetri, Esq., Director and Member, Legal Advisory Committee
“The ADRC is an amazing organization with dedicated staff and leadership helping our local communities in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”
Mr. Demetri is the principal attorney of The Demetri Law Firm, PLLC, which he founded in 1992 in Garden City, New York. An experienced estate planning and elder law attorney, Adam’s practice focuses on empowering individuals and families, protecting their assets and providing peace of mind.
Previously, Adam served as an associate attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York City.
Mr. Demetri obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Binghamton University. He then earned his Juris Doctor “With Distinction” from Hofstra University School of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Hofstra Law Review.
Adam is a dedicated advocate for seniors and those with Alzheimer’s and works to improve the laws protecting the vulnerable. He is a member of the Trusts and Estates and Elder Law and Special Needs sections of the New York State Bar Association and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
The ADRC welcomed Adam to our Board of Directors in 2017. He also serves our organization on ADRC’s Legal Advisory Committee.
Vincent Ragona, Jr., Director
“I joined ADRC’s board because I want to help provide Long Island families dealing with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia with the highest quality care and support.”
Vincent (Vinny) L. Ragona, Jr. joined ADRC’s Board of Directors in 2019. His mother, Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, ADRC’s former Executive Director and CEO, inspired his involvement in the mission and organization to which she devoted so much.
As an instrumental music teacher and band director, Vincent is passionate about fostering a lifelong appreciation of music in his students. Since 2002, he has directed elementary, middle and high school student bands and ensembles in the Rocky Point School District. Mr. Ragona also operates a private trumpet studio and performs as a freelance musician throughout Long Island. His students and ensembles have consistently achieved the highest ratings and awards at multiple music festivals. Some of his students have even become music teachers themselves.
Vincent is an honors graduate of the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford and has studied with many distinguished educators and musicians. Originally from Medford, NY, Vincent resides in Wading River, with his wife Tara and son Vincent III.