Leadership Team
Our senior management team is comprised of individuals with both private and public sector experience in human services, including positions involving policy making, fiscal management, contracting and direct service.The leadership of our management team is extended by our regional and corporate managers, who share a similar depth of experience.
Senior Management
Greg Torres
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Throughout much of The MENTOR Network’s first 25 years, Greg Torres has served the organization in several leadership roles. Currently Chairman of The Network’s Board of Directors, Greg continues to work closely with senior management while focusing on the further development of the Board and the advancement of long-term strategies for the continued success of the company. From 1996 to 2004 Greg was president and CEO of The Network, a period of time during which the company experienced tremendous growth – expanding into new states and evolving into a national network of local providers. Greg first joined the company full-time in 1992 as senior vice president for business development, strategic planning and public affairs, but he was also involved in the development of the company ten years prior as a member of its first board of directors. Before joining The Network, Greg held prominent positions within the public sector in Massachusetts, including chief of staff of the senate committee on ways and means and assistant secretary of human services. Greg began his career as a direct care worker in the juvenile justice field. He holds an M.P.A. from Harvard University.
Edward (Ned) Murphy
Chief Executive Officer
Ned joined the company in 2004 with more than 25 years of experience in human services in both the public and private sectors. Throughout the late 1970s and much of the 1980s, Ned served as Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) in Massachusetts and, at the request of then-Governor Michael Dukakis, became Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health (DMH), where he implemented significant reforms. In addition, Ned led the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, worked as an investment banker with Tucker Anthony and held the title of President and COO of Olympus Healthcare. Most recently, Ned founded Alliance Health and Human Services, where he served as CEO. Ned is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Health and Education Tax Exempt Trust and a graduate of Boston College. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Bruce Nardella
President and Chief Operating Officer
Denis Holler
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Denis leads the company’s corporate finance functions and helps direct the company’s overall strategy, policy and growth plans. He joined the organization in 2000 as Vice President of Financial Operations and was named Senior Vice President of Finance in 2002. Prior to joining The Network, Denis served initially as Controller and later as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Fortress Corporation. He has also worked with a variety of private and public companies as a C.P.A. with Deloitte and Touche, where he specialized in auditing and SEC reporting. Denis holds a B.A. from Fordham University, an M.S. in accounting and an MBA in finance from Northeastern University.
Juliette E. Fay
Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Julie Fay assumed her current role in November 2005, having previously managed the operation of acquisitions and national business development as a senior vice president for The Network. Prior to joining the company in 1998, Julie was the president and CEO of Charles River Health Management, a provider-based managed care company; the director of marketing and business development at the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority; chief of staff for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health; and the assistant commissioner for facility operations at the Department of Youth Services. She holds a B.A.from Boston College and an M.P.A. from Harvard University.
Tripp Jones
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
As chief administrative officer, Tripp coordinates the work of four distinct but inter-related departments – Legal (Risk Management and Compliance), Public Strategy (Communications, Government Affairs and Marketing), Information Technology Services, and Strategic Planning/Integration – in order to facilitate effective interaction with operations. Prior to joining The Network in February of 2003, he co-founded and led MassINC, a nonpartisan institute with the mission of developing a public policy agenda that promotes the growth and vitality of Massachusetts’ middle class. Previously, Tripp held positions in state government and Massachusetts and national political campaigns. He has a B.A. in government from Hamilton College.
Linda DeRenzo
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Linda joined The MENTOR Network in 2006 as senior vice president and general counsel. In addition to serving as lead legal counsel for The Network, Linda oversees risk management and regulatory compliance. An 18-year business-law veteran, Linda built her career representing high-growth companies and their financiers in the information technology, life sciences and health services fields. Specializing in public and private debt and equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance, Linda brings experience in corporate law, corporate finance, organization building, human-resource-related issues and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining The Network, Linda was an equity partner in the firm of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP. She holds a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Kathleen Federico
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
As Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Kathleen reports directly to The Network's President and COO. In her role as Senior Vice President, Kathleen oversees all aspects of the Human Resources department, including benefits, recruitment and hiring, training, compensation, HRIS and employee relations. During her time as a human resources leader, Kathleen has concentrated on aligning employee performance objectives with company strategies and goals. Before joining The Network in 2008, Kathleen served as Vice President for Human Resources at several large organizations; most recently, she served as Senior Vice President for Sales and Human Resources at World Travel Holdings. Kathleen holds a B.A. in Psychology from Merrimack College.
John Green
Senior Vice President, Finance Operations
Reporting directly to the CFO, John is a member of The Network's national financial leadership team. His responsibilities include oversight of field financial operations across The Network and the coordination of these operations with the corporate accounting group. Other areas of responsibility include management of the reimbursement group, payroll services, real estate and leasing management services, and financial reporting and analysis. Previously, John was controller of REM, where he spent seventeen years managing the accounting and information technology departments, along with reimbursement analysis, cost reporting, budgeting, rate negotiation, and legislative initiatives. His previous experience as a C.P.A. includes audit experience with Deloitte & Touche, and accounting management in a hospital setting. He holds a B.S. in accounting and finance from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Bob Longo
Operating Group President
Bob joined the company in 1993 as the children's services program manager in Illinois and became the state director for Illinois in 1994. He now serves as president of one of The Network’s two operating groups – known as The Cambridge Group – which encompasses Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and programs offered through the Indiana and Ohio Children’s Programs. Before coming to The MENTOR Network, Bob was the assistant program director at St. Joseph's Carondelet in Chicago where he oversaw operations and agency development, budgeting and planning. Bob received his M.S. in health services administration from the University of St. Francis and his B.S. in psychology and biology from Loyola University of Chicago. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of America.
Robert Melia
Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions
Bob Melia is responsible for the organization and execution of all Network mergers and acquisitions as well as prospecting for potential acquisition candidates. Prior to joining The MENTOR Network, Mr. Melia was the President of the Workforce Services Division at MAXIMUS, where he worked for nine years helping build an organization with 70 offices and 1,200 staff in three nations. Before that, Mr. Melia worked in Massachusetts state government for 12 years, where his work was recognized by his being named by Governing Magazine as one of the Ten Top Public Officials of 1994. He attended the University of Massachusetts and holds a Masters degree in human services management from Brandeis University .
Dave Petersen
Operating Group President
Dave joined the organization in 2003 when The MENTOR Network partnered with REM, a national provider of residential services for people with disabilities. Prior to the merger, Dave was Executive Director with REM and was responsible for managing residential and support services throughout the state of Minnesota. Currently, Dave oversees one of The Network's two operating groups – known as The Redwood Group – which is comprised of: Arizona, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, West Virginia and Wisconsin, and services offered through Indiana and Ohio's I/DD Programs. With more than 30 years in the human services field, Dave’s background also includes experience working with individuals with acquired brain injuries and with the senior community. Early in David's career, he designed and opened what is believed to be the first community-based residence in the United States for offenders with disabilities. Dave holds both a B.S. and an M.A. from St. Cloud State University.