Meet The Team
Amy Devinney
Executive Branch Director - Western Pennsylvania
Amy has almost two decades of non-profit leadership experience in child welfare and behavioral health, all in service to children and families with unique needs throughout Western PA. She serves as a branch board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western PA. Amy has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan. She and her husband have four daughters, one granddaughter, and three rescued huskies. She enjoys traveling, walking, reading, live music, and attempting new recipes.
Lisa Bills
Assistant Branch Director - Western Pennsylvania
Lisa joined Bethany Christian Services in 2007. Lisa completed her dual bachelor’s degree in social work and Bible/Theology from Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College). In 2012, she received her master’s degree in social work from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Lisa and her husband serve as foster parents and are adoptive parents to their son who joined their family in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, going for walks, binging Netflix, and spending time with her family. She is passionate about caring for children and families who have been impacted by adoption or foster care.
Tracy Auell
Satelitte Director - Meadville
Tracy joined Bethany Christian Service in 2024. She has spent most of her career working with children and adults within various human service systems. Tracy adheres to trauma-informed principles in all areas of leadership and service and recognizes the significant impact authentic, trust-based connections can have on empowering individuals and families. She has a bachelor’s in psychology from Edinboro University (PennWest) and a master’s in organizational leadership from Geneva College. Tracy enjoys relaxing near water, hiking, and listening to live music. Her greatest joy comes from celebrating life with friends and family, especially her young granddaughter.
Angela C. Gerics
Post Permanency Specialist - Meadville
Angela joined Bethany Christian Services in 2019. Prior to this she worked as a Family Advocate and Social Worker with Head Start in Venango and Crawford counties. She began a single mother’s group to build self-esteem during this time and feels very passionate about this group of women. Angela received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology- Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She went on to take courses towards a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University. Angela adopted three children out of the foster system five years ago. She feels blessed that God has connected her personal story of adoption with her career.
Alice P. Wofford BA/WS
Women's Advocate Case Manager - Meadville
Alice joined Bethany in the winter of 2022. Alice started off in childcare until she received her Nursing license and worked in the nursing field for over 36 years. In 2011 Alice received her BA in Women's Studies and a concentration in both Hx and Human Development from the University of Edinboro. Alice loves spending time with her family and pouring love into God's people. Alice says she has always had the heart to uplift and empower women to be their best self.
Dorcas Carrillo-Vera
Women's Advocate Case Manager - Meadville
Dorcas joined Bethany in summer of 2023 as our Women's Advocate Case Manager. Before coming to Bethany, she worked for 8 years as a Residential Support Professional. Dorcas obtained her associate arts degree for Health Care Administration/Medical Records. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Theology and Master of Ministry from Advantage College She is an ordained minister, teacher, counselor, and speaker at conferences. In her free time, she enjoys baking, cooking, prayer, reading, spending time with her daughter and helping others in need.
Jared Piszczynski
Post Permanency Supervisor - Meadville
Jared joined Bethany in the fall of 2021. He completed a bachelor's degree in behavioral healthcare with a concentration of addictions from the University of South Florida. He worked as a child welfare case manager in the Florida dependency court system providing a continuity of care with the goal of permanent placement. He is currently working on obtaining his masters for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Jared's previous work experience has equipped him with the tools to provided services and guidance to children and families in need. During his free time, he enjoys cheering on all the Tampa Bay sports teams and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Java Dean
Administrative Assistant - Meadville
Java brings varied experience to Bethany. She was the business owner/operator of a tool and die shop for 21 years and is also owner of a powder coating company. As the owner of small businesses, she gained experience and skill in business management, administrative work, and buyer/seller communications. She enjoys spending time with her three children and six grandchildren, reading, crafting, and experiencing new things with her husband of 31 years.
Leonely Romero
Post-Permanency Specialist - Meadville
Leonely has spent nearly a decade working with children and families aiding in reunification, teaching parenting skills, assisting in youth behavior correction, and teaching essential life skills. After graduating from the University of Albany NY with a BA in psychology/English, Leonely gained experience working in a women’s domestic violence shelter and a teen homeless shelter and working alongside CPS with the foster care system. Leonely finds joy in advocating for families and helping them find peace and renewal in their changing seasons.
Mary Moody
Women's Advocate Case Manager: ReNew Women in Recovery - Meadville
Mary joined our Bethany team in Winter of 2023. She is a graduate of Liberty University with a bachelors in religion and Christian Counseling. She has been blessed to work alongside her husband in ministry since 2008 with the privilege of teaching and counseling young women. She is a mother of seven and grandma of six. Spending quality time with family is one of her greatest joys in life.
Missy Reeder
Donor Engagement Specialist - Western Pennsylvania
Missy is the Donor Engagement Specialist at Bethany Christian Services. Prior to joining Bethany in the Spring of 2019, Missy gained experience in various positions doing marketing, management, fundraising, and event planning. She has a passion for developing relationships, building awareness, and giving people the opportunity to partner together to serve the Lord. This passion inspired her to complete her bachelor’s degree in Non-Profit Management and Marketing from Geneva College in 2016. Missy realizes the power and importance of family, and her lifelong mission is to share the care and compassion of Jesus Christ and glorify Him through the work that she does. In her free time, Missy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, hiking, kayaking, and being outside in nature.
Nicole Jones
Post-Permanency Specialist - Meadville
Nicole has 20 years’ experience in social work with a variety of vulnerable communities, including those experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental health issues. She has a bachelor’s in social sciences with a minor in psychology from Ashford University. Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, four daughters, and Golden Retriever, yearly trips to Disney Resort, and indulging in true crime stories.
Tai L. Dean, CRS
Certified Recovery Peer Specialist/ ReNew: Women in Recovery - Meadville
Tai joined Bethany in January of 2023. Tai has worked in the Recovery field doing Admissions Intake at inpatient facilites and as a Certified Recovery Specialist with Family Service since 2019. She also has her certification as a Recovery Coach and as a Strengthening Families Facilitator. She has been in recovery herself since October 19th of 2015 and is passionate about helping others find a new way of life. In her free time, she likes to adventure new places with her daughter, fiancé and their two dogs as well as binge Netflix, read books, making art, and giving hope to others.
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Tina Jones
Post Permanency Specialist - Meadville
Tina joined our Bethany Family in the fall of 2021. Tina has a criminal Justices degree and is currently in a correctional program studying support services. She has been working with children for over 8 years and has experience counseling at a home for trouble boys, and an all-girls home. Tina enjoys going to church, watching football, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her daughters and family. She is excited to use her talents to show love and care to families and children in the community.
