In April, we were joined by Charles Saia and Lorrie Ripley from the NH Governor's Commission on Disability, and Monica Mezzapelle, State Treasurer for the State of New Hampshire. They discussed the STABLE NH financial savings tool and its history and spoke about disabilities awareness and rights in the U.S. and N.H.
Watch the Recording
About the Speakers
Charles Saia, Executive Director of the NH Governor's Commission on Disability
Charles J. “Chuck” Saia is Executive Director of New Hampshire’s Governor’s Commission on Disability (GCD) and also serves as co-administrator of STABLE NH, New Hampshire’s ABLE program. Chuck works closely with other State agencies, Committees, and consumer organizations, to improve accessibility in all facets throughout the State. Some of Chuck’s obligations include serving on various statutory Commissions, testifying before legislative bodies, overseeing of several internal Committees and GCD programs, and the supervision of the functions of all day-to-day operations of the GCD. Chuck is licensed to practice law, and in years’ past, he has represented the most vulnerable of our population. Chuck received his B.A. from Boston College and J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. He was raised in East Boston and for the past 25 years he and his wife have called New Hampshire home with their 3 children, their families and grand-children.
Monica Mezzapelle, New Hampshire State Treasurer
Monica Mezzapelle is the New Hampshire State Treasurer responsible for overseeing a variety of financial activities of the State. Treasurer Mezzapelle is the co-administrator of STABLE NH, trustee of the NH 529 College Savings Program, and by statute, she also serves on numerous boards and commissions. Treasurer Mezzapelle began her career in public accounting, she then joined the State in 2000 serving as a Financial Auditor for 14 years, Deputy State Treasurer for six years, was appointed Commissioner of Treasury in April 2020, and elected State Treasurer in December of 2020. Treasurer Mezzapelle graduated with a degree in Finance and Accounting from the La Salle University, is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds the AICPA designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Lorrie J. Ripley, MS, LCMHC, Client Assistance Program administrator with the NH Governor's Commission on Disability
Lorrie is the Title 1 Employment Specialist and administers the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at the Governor's Commission on Disability. As the CAP Ombudsman, Lorrie provides technical assistance regarding employment (Title I) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lorrie works directly with individuals with disabilities to access programs designed to assist them in obtaining employment and independent living services. She also collaborates with other agencies to promote accessibility in all areas. Lorrie has worked closely with STABLE NH Co-Administrators, traveling around New Hampshire to promote the STABLE NH program. She currently facilitates the STABLE NH Council meetings, which focus on ways to educate all sectors of the Granite State about NH's ABLE Savings Program.
Lorrie has experience working as an investigator for adult protective cases with the state's most vulnerable individuals. She has also worked in behavioral health as a program planner, quality improvement specialist, and emergency services clinician. Lorrie received her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and M.S. from Southern New Hampshire University.
