GO&SO’s board members share a deep commitment to service in the community through working to improve opportunities for court involved youth.  Along with fulfilling the standard duties of board members, they spend time with GO&SO clients as coaches.  They have had successful careers in business, law or education and are able to impart valuable, directed advice and support. 

John Atchison has earned an international reputation as a leading hairstylist and educator.  With a business philosophy built on teamwork, he developed intensive training programs for young hairstylists that included mentoring for empowerment, striving for excellence and giving back to the community.  He brings these skills to his work with GO&SO clients. 

Matthew Bloom, Vice President and Treasurer, was a Senior Portfolio Manager at AllianceBernstein, with a long history as an investment professional.  He has a strong reputation as both a mentor and a trainer, known for his ability to communicate ideas and strategies to a wide variety of audiences.  He is working to strengthen GO&SO’s ties to the business community.  
Richard Block, Chairman of Executive Committee, was chairman of the Consumer Packaging Group of MeadWestvaco Corporation. Mr. Block has been consistently coaching GO&SO clients, primarily on Rikers Island, for over four years.

Katherine DePasquale is a communications executive at a nonprofit in Manhattan with more than 20 years of experience in the corporate world. Katherine runs biweekly interview skills and job retention seminars with GO&SO clients, helping prepare them to enter and succeed in the workforce by learning how to build rapport with the interviewer, answer questions about their background, and generally gain the confidence needed to achieve meaningful employment.

Frank Ettus is a marketing research professional with over forty years of market research and consulting experience.  He has developed statistical materials for GO&SO to aid in reporting to funders, tracking the success of our clients, and refining the GO&SO model to meet the changing needs of our clients.    

Peter Glusker is Chief Executive of Latina Media Ventures.  He was formerly Senior Vice President of Viacom Digital Media Group, where he worked closely with CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and SportsLine.  He is a guest lecturer on careers in media at Rikers Island and at the offices in East Harlem. 

Mark Goldsmith, President and CEO, and Founder of Getting Out and Staying Out, brings more than 35 years of experience in corporate management and entrepreneurship to GO&SO.  He has developed all aspects of the programming, including coaching, lecturing, and teaching of life skills strategies that focus on post-incarceration education and employment to engage GO&SO’s population.

Charles Kushner is the Chairman and Principal of Kushner Industries Real Estate. Mr. Kushner has been coaching GO&SO clients primarily on Rikers Island for over one year. 

Jeremy Miller is Corporate Public Relations and Managing Director at TBWA Advertising. He has extensive experience in developing marketing strategies, programs, events and creative campaigns for a wide range of clients, and has successfully developed worldwide media relations. Mr. Miller, Chairman of our Annual Benefit, works with us in fund raising and the development of a public relations program – areas of the GO&SO program that need strengthening.

Gloria Ortiz, Board, Secretary, is the former Principal of Horizon Academy, the public high school that she organized and opened for 18–21 year-old men at Rikers Island Correctional Facility ten years ago.  She has worked closely with Mr. Goldsmith since he began mentoring the men at Rikers in 2003, helping him to gain access to students at the Academy and encouraging students to participate in GO&SO.  She has built a career of educating bilingual children and incarcerated teens and young men.   

Fred Pfaff is president of Fred Pfaff Inc., a new York-based marketing and public relations firm specializing in business-to-business communications.  Mr. Pfaff also has written widely on marketing in a variety of industries.  He has expertise in the development of industry trends and career paths, and is able to coach GO&SO clients with practical insights on all issues concerning accessing employment and career advancement. 

Anthony Smith is an advocate, practitioner and master of breakthrough leadership coaching at VSA Consulting Group.  His coaching empowers corporate CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs to reach greater business success and professional fulfillment.  He has presented leadership workshops for GO&SO and Horizon Academy staff and regularly coaches GO&SO clients on strategies for success. 

Marvin Schechter, Esq., Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of GO&SO, met Mr. Goldsmith at Rikers Island, where he was informing the young men of their legal rights during and after incarceration.  Mr. Schechter has a long legal career specializing in criminal defense matters, including state and federal litigation and appeals.  He lectures on criminal defense at Hofstra University, Cardozo Law School, Fordham University School of Law, and CUNY Law School, and speaks on criminal law in a variety of community venues.  He also continues to offer counsel to GO&SO and Horizon Academy participants.

Ira Wachtel is the former Vice President of several construction companies. His coaching includes giving seminars on the many facets of the construction business. He has given these seminars on both Rikers Island and in our offices.

Phil Weinberg works for Workforce Investment Board, NYC.  His career has spanned both the private and public sectors, where he has focused on reform efforts in public education and workforce development. He is involved in marketing, fundraising and educational initiatives for GO&SO.