April Ennis-Pierson, Executive Director
April Ennis-Pierson is excited to rejoin her favorite team at Handi-Crafters, Opportunity Center!
April developed a lifelong adoration and great love for HC's mission and purpose after seeing her Aunt Suzie thrive in life coming to "work" at HC. "I have loved HC since I was a child, I have always believed in the mission and have seen first-hand how important HC is to clients and their families." Prior to becoming Executive Director, April was our Director of Development from 2013-2020. April brings three decades of experience in non-profit management, fundraising, board development, volunteer recruitment, strategic planning and business. She is positive, energetic and innovative leader who loves people and the relationships she builds. April returned to HC after working at Penn Medicine-Chester County Hospital. As Director of Volunteers at the Hospital, she led a team of 26 staff and managed over 400 active volunteers. April is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a graduate of Temple University.
April is a Philadelphia Sports Fan! In her free time, she enjoys nothing better than spending time with her family including her two dogs Smedley and Teddy. The Pierson family enjoys boating and hanging out with friends on the back bays of Avalon, NJ. April says her happy place is walking, riding her bike and reading a great book!
Peggy Eichelberger, Chief Financial Officer and Director of HR
Peggy oversees all areas of finance and human resources at HCOC. Her role working with federal, state, and county governments is complicated and exciting. Peggy graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She earned a Master of Financial Management from Keller’s Graduate School of Management and a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Cornell University. She has worked as an accounting/finance professional in service and manufacturing industries, as well as CPA firms. Peggy enjoys her role at HCOC and finds it challenging and rewarding.
Peggy grew up in North Wales, PA, in a family of 10. She and her husband, Bob, have two children and five grandchildren she loves to spoil. Peggy strives for honesty, fairness, dedication, faithfulness, and treating others the way you would like to be treated. When she is not working, she enjoys biking and walking with friends. The thing she enjoys most is spending time with her grandchildren.
Mariana Tarau, Senior Director of Operations
Mariana runs production operations for HCOC, providing individuals with employment barriers training and a job opportunity. With a background in engineering and postgraduate education in operations management, her core experience is in operations management, having worked in Europe, Canada and the United States. What she likes most about working at HCOC are the friendships she has made and the mission that describes our purpose and guides us.
Born and raised in Romania, Mariana dreamed of traveling. Today she has friends and alumni on three continents providing invaluable relationships. The things that drive Mariana are humanity, family, freedom, intelligence, interconnection, open-mindedness, friendship and courage. When she is not working, Mariana enjoys spending time with family, connecting with nearby and remote friends, traveling, reading, studying a foreign language and gardening.
Marcia Basehore, LPN, Director of Health Services
Marcia administers medication and first aid to HCOC participants. She has been a licensed practical nurse (LPN) since 1986. Before coming to HCOC, she worked in hospice. What she likes best about her role at HCOC is being able to spend time with and care for participants.
Marcia grew up in Downingtown, PA. Her parents were her rock, whom she relied on. She strives to be compassionate in her work and help others. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her church family, and working out at the gym.
Christine Broome, Director of Employment and Community Services
Chris manages Supported Employment, Community Participation Supports and the Oxford Photo License Center. Her role is to emphasize the importance of moving our participants from the rehabilitation setting to competitive integrated employment. Chris spent 15 years in human resources/benefits administration before earning her M.S. in Counseling from West Chester University. She started at HCOC in 1996 as a Coordinator of the Dislocated Worker Program, then the Welfare to Work and Disadvantaged Youth Programs. She has many years of experience in the placement of individuals with disabilities and welfare recipients. Chris enjoys the sense of community at HCOC and strong connections with people who share the value of service to others.
A native of York County, Chris still resides there. Responsibility and compassion are values that drive her. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching informative YouTube videos and hiking with the York Hiking Club.
Linda Zimmerman, Director of Adult Daily Living Center
Linda oversees issues related to safety, licensing of various HCOC programs and training. She interacts with participants daily, ensuring that HCOC is a safe place to work while following the many licensing requirements. Linda went to Lock Haven University. She has been with HCOC since 1984, working directly with participants and supervising staff as a director of various programs. HCOC is subject to many regulations and Linda has years of experience navigating this complex environment. She likes getting to know the participants and helping them have the best day possible, understanding there are many issues and challenges they face daily.
A native of Lancaster County, Linda currently lives in New Holland. She is driven to help people and give back. Outside of work, she enjoys working in the yard and taking long walks with her dog.
Dan Koval, Director of Development
Dan is responsible for the strategic design and implementation of HCOC’s fundraising and marketing efforts. Dan works with donors, sponsors, and grant making agencies within and beyond Chester County to ensure not only is HCOC well supported, but the generosity and compassion of that support is properly recognized. With over a decade of service to nonprofits in and around the area, Dan left the for-profit corporate world to come have a tangible connection to giving back in the local community. Dan has served, volunteered, and led the fundraising efforts of numerous organizations around the world and now is focused on a mission that is not only close to his heart but his extended family as well.
Dan and his wife Melissa, both originally from Philadelphia, got married and moved to Chester County in the early 2000s. Since then they have lived in Downingtown, now with their two boys whom they homeschool. You can easily find Dan on LinkedIn or serving his community through his church. The Koval family motto is “Happy to Help” and they are certainly here to help.
Lindsey Gauger MSW, LSW, Director of Rehabilitation
Lindsey brings a wealth of experience in residential program management, specializing in regulatory compliance and collaboration with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Immaculata University with aspirations of entering the criminal justice field. Her career path shifted after four years of diverse job experiences, leading her to a managerial role in a Community Living home. Although initially unfamiliar with the field, Lindsey quickly developed a deep passion for supporting individuals in this setting, realizing her true vocation. A dedicated advocate for both clients and staff, Lindsey emphasizes inclusion and teamwork in all her endeavors. In 2022, she achieved her Master of Social Work from Alvernia University and became a Licensed Social Worker. Lindsey currently works part-time as a Clinical Therapist, providing care to children aged 6-18 and facilitating evening Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) group therapy sessions.
In her personal time, Lindsey enjoys the company of her three dogs—Bailey, Koda, and Drax. She is passionate about traveling, camping, kayaking, reading, kickboxing, and spending quality time with her family.