TROY>> Unity House has announced its new officers and four new board members for 2015-2016.  The new officers are James Slavin, M.D.; chair; Kathryn Allen, vice chair; Jenny O’Neill, CPA, treasurer; and Kate Koval, secretary.

New board members include Erika G. Martin, Ph.D.; Yalitza Negron; James E. Spencer, Jr.; and Gerald L. Washington.

Martin is an associate professor of public administration and policy at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and a senior fellow and director of health policy studies at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. She received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, a master’s in public health in epidemiology from the University of Michigan, and her doctoral degree in health policy and administration from Yale University.

Negron is a graduate of Siena College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and The College of Saint Rose where she earned a master’s degree in education in counseling student services administration. She previously completed two years of national service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow and VISTA Leader with the Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program. She currently serves as the director of youth development for the Capital District YMCA.

Spencer currently serves as the executive director of Rensselaer Technology Park, Real Estate and New Venture Development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Brown University and serves as the chair of Rensselaer’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council.

Washington is the director of admissions at LaSalle Institute in Troy, where he also coaches football and indoor and outdoor track. In addition to his work in the field of private school administration and advancement, he has extensive professional experience in construction and contracting, finance, and law enforcement. Washington serves on Congressman Chris Gibson's Service Academy Selection Committee. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hampton Institute and has done coursework towards a masters in special education at The College of Saint Rose.