Rocky Morelli, Executive Director
Rocky Morelli has served as Executive Director since August 1987. Originally Rocky was hired to transform a failing, facility based Day Rehabilitation program based out of Nashua to a dynamic community-based option for individuals who were labeled as severely disabled. The launching of Nashua Employment and Training – Works (NetWorks) and a series of successful milestones began. A model built on the values of community inclusion, individual customized services and the creation of supported employment served as a catalyst for continued growth and success of the program. A merger of NetWorks and Souhegan Valley Resources of Amherst in 2006 led to the birth of Opportunity Networks.
Rocky is a native of New Hampshire: Born and raised in Nashua; Received a BA from the University of New Hampshire with a major in Psychology; and has been a resident of Milford since 1989. Over his career, Rocky has participated on many Statewide Leadership Committees, especially in the areas of Employment and Day Programming Services, has regularly presented and been a guest speaker at conferences and conventions, and is an active member of the Private Provider Network (PPN) and the New Hampshire and National Rehabilitation Association.
Rocky’s passion for helping others was driven to a higher level when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988. By living himself with major disability-related challenges, it has enhanced his ability to understand the issues being experienced by those he supports. Rocky continues to be committed to a values-based approach that affords everyone autonomy, independence, and a quality life.
Phone: (603) 883-4402 ext. 13
George Barrett, Associate Director
As Associate Director, He provides direction to the agency’s management and serves as a liaison between families, guardians and vendor agencies. With more than 28 years of experience working within the Area Agency and the non-profit human service sector, he affords the agency an expansive understanding of the service delivery system. He also ensures that the vision, mission, and values of the agency are likewise infused at all levels of the agencies. George plays a key role in grant writing development to raise funding to support the development of new and innovative program options. He also believes in the importance of providing individualized, quality and flexible support while promoting personal well-being and self-empowerment to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Phone: (603) 883-4402 ext. 17
Kimberly Rhault, Director of Operations
Kimberly Rhault participates in program and goal planning for individuals, enforcement of regulations and compliance management, and handling of contracts, budgets and pricing analysis. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, she came to work for Opportunity Networks in 2002. With over 20 years of experience working with this organization and its participants, Kim has established positive relationships with families, individuals and service coordinators and facilitates a cooperative team approach to developing functional annual goals based on person-centered needs and areas of interest. Currently enrolled in American Sign Language, Kim seeks to improve her ability to communicate with the Deaf community and better support the deaf staff and participants of Opportunity Networks. Having earned her 2nd Degree Black Belt and the title of Assistant Instructor in Kenpo Karate, Kim is familiar with the principles of using physical and social activities to increase self-confidence, to promote teamwork and to teach conflict resolution. She is also a writer and an award-winning bird carver.
Phone: (603) 883-4402 ext. 21
Max Morelli, Director of Program Services
Max Morelli is the Director of Program Services. He is responsible for daily scheduling, supervision of staff, and overall management of each individual’s program.
Max started as a job coach during summers while attending University of New Hampshire. His experience continued through working with the Nashua school system. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he joined Opportunity Networks full-time as the manager of the Health and Wellness Program.
Max is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer and an Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Milford High School. He spent time during previous seasons at Nashua High School North and also worked as a volunteer coach with Milford Mustangs Youth Program. All of this experience has given Max a strong skillset as a teacher, a coach and a mentor. He has worked with students with a wide range of abilities, and is able to transfer his knowledge and adaptability to working with both staff and individuals at Opportunity Networks.
Max’s strong values, and advanced understanding of community integrated programming allowed him to transition into the role of Director of Program Services of Opportunity Networks. He has shown dedication to the individuals we serve and has proven to be an effective leader.
Ed Watts, Quality Assurance Manager
Ed Watts is our Quality Assurance manager. He has worked collaboratively with staff, providers, families and other agencies to provide quality programming for the individuals we serve. He especially enjoys interacting with our clients each and every day. His education includes earning two degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Masters of Education (MEd) in Special Education. Prior to employment at Opportunity Networks, his work experience included twenty-five years as a Special Education Teacher/ Case Manager in Nashua and Merrimack, NH. His interests include following current events and learning new things, especially in the areas of history and science. He is a life-long fan of all of Boston’s professional sports teams and enjoys attending a few games each year. Tennis, walking, hiking and an occasional whitewater rafting adventure are among his favorite activities. With his son, he has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, having visited most of the US National Parks as well as many major cities.
Call: (603) 883-4402 ext. 24
Nick Hammond, Health & Wellness Manager
Nick serves as the Health and Wellness Manager at Opportunity Networks. He is responsible for implementing and overseeing all aspects of the Health and Wellness Program. Nick works closely with many community partners to provide physical fitness programming that is both fun and meaningful for the program participants of Opportunity Networks. Nick is an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer. He also serves an assistant football coach at Goffstown High School, with prior coaching experience at St. Anselm College and Nashua North High School, as well as three years as the head track coach at Pennichuck Middle School.
Call: (603) 889-0796
Robin Patten, Employment Resource Specialist
Robin’s career in job development began in a nonconventional way. For 23 years, he was employed as a commercially trained driver for the City of Nashua where he became a strong advocate for employee rights. Wishing to feel more connected to the community, he soon transitioned from traditional City Bus driving to ParaTransit which caters specifically to the elderly, and to individuals living with disabilities. “It was more than providing a public service to me; it was about helping people maintain their dignity and independence.”
During his time with ParaTransit, Robin was introduced to a variety of agencies and day programs for adults living with disabilities. He developed a reputation as a favorite driver among clients, and program staff noticed and appreciated the extra effort he put forth in his job and his dedication to the individuals he served.
In 2009, Robin took his vast knowledge of employee rights and his passion for advocating on their behalf to take the next step in his career. He accepted a position with Opportunity Networks and has been advocating for his clients’ rights ever since. “It was an easy transition to make to Opportunity Networks, because we shared the same values.”
Robin has worked to strengthen, and develop relationships with Hunt Community and Vocational Rehab, providing extended support to his participants through work based learning programs and pre-employment services. In 2012 Robin was promoted to Employment Resource Specialist focusing primarily on serving Vocational Rehabs Nashua Office, during which time he supported the needs of Pinkerton Academy and area 10.
Robin also worked closely with the deaf community and facilitated the acquisition of Video Phones to support Opportunity Networks Deaf program.
In 2016 Robin was recognized for his efforts receiving Vocational Rehabs, Consumer Rehab Provider Award. Robin expanded his services to include Vocational rehabs Keene, Manchester and Concord Offices. Although the majority of his case load consist of Vocational Rehab participants, he continues to support the efforts of Opportunity Networks Day Program participants with his most recent site development JMD Industries, secured in 2020.
ACRE certified, Institute for Community Inclusion, and College of Direct Support, 2016 Consumer Rehab Provider Award Vocational Rehab
Call: (603) 402-1444
Heidi Bowman, Employment Services Manager
Heidi Bowman, the Employment Services Manager, is a certified employment specialist through ACRE as well as APSE certification programs. Over a decade of background and experience in Human Resources and Vocational Rehabilitation give her a leading edge on developing and maintaining employment sites for the individuals we serve. Currently, she is working closely with our partners in the community to develop new and exciting learning opportunities. As a coach for girls’ cheerleading, she helped bring the Merrimack Cardinals Cheer Team to National Championships several years running. Her experience as a coach has given her exceptional supervisory skills and allows her to successfully promote teamwork with her staff.
Call: (603) 518-8076
Amanda Barton, Program Manager Amherst Office
Amanda is the Program Manager of our Amherst Office. She is responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running a quality day program. She is responsible for daily scheduling, supervision of staff, and management of each individual’s program. Amanda has shown dedication to the individuals we serve and has proven to be an effective leader.
Amanda joined us in May 2019 as she was finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development at Rivier University. Minoring in both psychology and sociology, she graduated magna cum laude in 2020.
Amanda played Lacrosse for four years while attending Rivier. She is currently an assistant coach as well as the Junior Varsity coach for the Girls Lacrosse Program at Pelham High School.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her nieces and nephew. She’s a huge Boston Bruins fan and attends games whenever she can. She also really enjoys attending concerts to see her favorite artists perform live.
abarton@opportunitynetworks.org
Administrative Team
Stephanie Ouellette,
Community Development Specialist
Phone: (603) 459-8138
Amanda Morse,
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (603) 883-4402 ext. 16
Meet our Direct Support Professionals
