Meet Our Staff

Working to Make a Difference

The job titles may vary, but employees at EHCA all strive for the same goal: to help people with disabilities live rich and fulfilling lives.

Administrative Staff

Charles Walczak, MBA, FACHE

CEO

Shannon Weber

Chief Financial & Informational Officer

Beverly Keep

Chief Strategy Officer

Jonathan Rilling

Chief Operating Officer

Penny Bebko, PHR

Vice President of Human Resources & Career Development

Kara Carone

Vice President of Residential Services

Valerie Benjamin

Vice President of Community Services

Joseph Golden

Sr. Director of Strategic Planning and Risk Management

Lorine Boboshko

Executive Assistant

Charles Walczak, MBA, FACHE

CEO

In June of 2014, Charles R. Walczak was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Erie Homes for Children and Adults or EHCA. Prior to EHCA, he was the Administrator of Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Erie, and Springfield MA. Chuck is an Erie native with extensive health care administration background and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Administrators (FACHE). Chuck has worked in a variety of roles at: • University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA • Women’s Health Care Group of PA, Oaks, PA • Academic Urology, Wayne, PA • Main Line Health, a large health system outside of Philadelphia, PA • Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA. Chuck is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Management and an M.B.A. completed in 1983 and 1990, respectively. Chuck also completed the Leadership Erie program in 1994. Chuck is married to Anne-France Walczak, a physician at UPMC Hamot, and they have a daughter, Gabrielle. They reside in Millcreek and have three cats, Peppa, Frankie and Biscuit. Chuck enjoys travel, exercise and home improvement projects.

Shannon Weber

Chief Financial & Informational Officer

Shannon Weber joined EHCA in February 2007 as the Assistant Controller. She was promoted to Controller in 2010 and then promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2015. She is also the Information Technology Liaison for the agency’s contracted computer support. Prior to joining EHCA, Shannon was a senior staff accountant at Rent-Way, Inc. for 10 years. Shannon graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She has lived in Erie for her entire life and currently resides in Millcreek with her husband and two daughters.

Beverly Keep

Chief Strategy Officer

Bev joined the team at EHCA in July of 2013 as the Quality Assurance Specialist. She was then promoted to the agency’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) in January of 2015. Bev started her career at the Barber National Institute and, prior to her career at EHCA, worked at Abraxas Youth and Family Services holding various leadership positions while there. Bev graduated from Slippery Rock University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation and obtained her Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has extensive experience working in the fields of Intellectual Disability (ID), Drug and Alcohol (D&A), and Mental Health (MH). In addition to her work at EHCA, Bev enjoys counseling at her Private Practice – Mindful Living, LLC. Bev is originally from Pittsburgh but considers Erie her hometown as she’s lived here since 1986. She originally moved to Erie for the snow and enjoys winter activities, hiking, and camping.

Jonathan Rilling

Chief Operating Officer

Jonathan develops and implements EHCA’s major gifts program by informing prospective contributors to the agency’s needs and how their individual gifts are vital to the organization. Additionally, he oversees EHCA’s Annual Appeal, grant processes, and special event fundraising activities. He maintains contact with businesses, individuals, and community organizations to elicit support for the agency and its various programs and initiatives. Often connecting with local, state, and national entities as well as appropriate media contacts on an ongoing basis. During his career at EHCA, Jonathan led various teams to accomplish: • Selected charity of choice – Roar on the Shore 2015 • First logo redesign and execution since the early 1990s • Modified agency fundraising practices from “shotgun” to “rifle-shot” style • Led agency’s first capital campaign since the early 1990’s doubling campaign goal • Secured largest one time gift in the agency’s history. Before arriving at EHCA, Jonathan worked for the Highmark Caring Place as well as Verizon Wireless in Erie. He is proud to be a born and raised Erie (“ite”). Currently, he resides in Erie with his wife Kristine, and their two children Harper and Haidyn. — MBTI = ENFP “Champion” DISC = INFJ “Advocate”

Penny Bebko, PHR

Vice President of Human Resources & Career Development

Penny began her tenure within the Human Resources Department in June 2007. She graciously accepted the Vice President of Human Resources role in October 2019. In her current capacity, Penny provides oversight to the Human Resources team and helps guide supervisors to ensure compliance with employment related policies and practices. Her specialty within the department is employment discrimination, safety, and benefits. Penny began her career with Zurn Energy Division serving in various roles. Prior to joining EHCA, Penny worked for Kinetic Biomedical Services specializing in Human Resources and Administration. Penny earned her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Gannon University and has prior experience working with acquisitions, marketing and customer service. She hails from the Erie area where she resides with her children. Penny enjoys reading and travel; her favorite “hot spot” is Las Vegas.

Lorine Boboshko

Executive Assistant

Lorine has been with EHCA since 2003. In her current role, she provides clerical and administrative support for the Chief Executive Officer, Board members, and members of the Management and Leadership teams. She also performs functions such as research and interacts closely with Board members, vendors and others in the community on a regular basis. Before arriving at EHCA, Lorine worked for Lake Area Health Education Center (LAHEC) which served as the educational department for the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She was born and raised in Erie.