Meet the Staff

Kristi Witkowski Lombardo founded CMCA in July 2019. Kristi has a vast depth of knowledge in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Special Education and an unmatched compassion and commitment to children with special needs. She started her career in ABA at the New England Center for Children; served as a special educator in the Framingham public school systems; and headed district-wide ABA programs in the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District.

Kristi was a consultant to school districts across Massachusetts with Melmark, NE.  Kristi has worked and continues to work for several start-up companies providing in-home ABA therapy and has vast knowledge of insurance guidelines.  In addition, Kristi has conducted numerous workshops, presentations and trainings to parents, teachers, staff and other professionals across a wide array of fields, including Massachusetts First Responders.  Her research has been presented at numerous National Conferences. 

Kristi excels with family and staff relations and thoroughly enjoys providing quality services in the home, community and center to clients of all ages. Kristi holds an M.S. Ed. in Intensive Special Needs from Simmons College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Suffolk University.  She also has a post-graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and is a Massachusetts certified intensive needs teacher (Pre-K- 12), specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. Kristi is also a licensed behavior analyst (LABA) within the state of Massachusetts and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). 

Bill Beers (Billy) moved to Shrewsbury Massachusetts in 1999. Originally a New Yorker with a true love for the sport of Lacrosse, Bill settled down in Shrewsbury with his 2 daughters, 4 step sons, 7 dogs, 4 snakes, 9 spiders, a Ghecko Farm and too many fish to count.

Bill's past career as owner of a telecommunications firm, WRB Consultants, for 20+ years just did not satisfy his need to help others whenever possible but allowed him the ability to grow and develop as a respectable member of society.

Bill has been deeply involved with the recovery community of Massachusetts and beyond. He has 19 + years of continued sobriety from Alcohol. Bill has sponsored hundreds of men over the years and practices the steps of recovery in his daily life. He still goes to meetings weekly and his hand is always out to help the next person in need.

As Bill struggled with the use and abuse of alcohol up until the age of 29, he realized the problem started when he was just a kid. Through trials and tribulations and a lot of support, Bill has managed to find a second chance at life. It is with this chance he has chosen to start something that has never been offered before for the adolescent population. A program designed around the only proven and documented success strategies to date. Bill has incorporated a variety of educational materials, structured behavior plans and a 14 week class that will, in tandem with the CMCA CBHI teams, help not just the addict, but the family as a whole. 

The Choices program can and will make a difference in the lives of others and hopefully stop some of the losses and tragedies before they even start. In order to make a correction in behavior, we need to meet the client where they are, baseline accordingly and then design a program and plan that fits the needs of the family for long term success.

Lisa Perna moved to Massachusetts in 2000 after completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Sociology. She began her career at the New England Center for Children where she completed her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology.   Lisa has worked in a variety of settings including in home therapy, residential treatment, community settings, and within the school system.  Her focus includes autism spectrum disorder mood disorders, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, building social skills as well as behavioral interventions,   Lisa found her true passion with adolescent therapy and supporting and guiding children, adolescents, and families with social emotional disturbances through difficulties so they are able to live more complete fulfilling and stable lives.