Our Leadership Team

Meet our team

Take a minute to meet the friendly and experienced leadership team at our retirement community in Hackettstown, NJ.

Susan Lanza, executive director of The House of the Good Shepherd

Susan E. Lanza, MHA, LNHA

Executive Director of The House of the Good Shepherd
slanza@fellowshiplifeinc.org

Sue has been in the healthcare field for over 40 years, with 35 of those years spent as an administrator of skilled and assisted living facilities. Before becoming an administrator, Sue began working at the skilled nursing facility right out of college as an activities assistant and quickly was promoted to director when the former boss moved on. Enjoying the aspects of management pushed her to get her administrator’s license.

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Having experience in managing different sizes of facilities (smallest was 76 beds and largest was 252 beds), along with exposure to both the for-profit and nonprofit healthcare industry, has allowed a good transition to her role as chief executive officer/president at The House of the Good Shepherd. During her 12 years at Saint Barnabas, Sue and her team developed “The Front Porch,” a dementia special care unit that was the model for additional residences within Saint Barnabas and featured in various magazines. Her interest in healthcare and love of writing led her to write and publish three books, including a textbook for activities professionals. Sue enjoys time with her adult daughter and loves to travel, garden, and be in nature.

Christopher Voorman, director of dining services

Christopher Voorman

Director of Culinary Services
cvoorman@fellowshiplifeinc.org

Chris graduated from Johnson and Wales University with his bachelor’s degree in culinary nutrition and has continued his education at Montclair State University to complete his registered dietitian internship. He worked as a dietitian and executive chef at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ, for over five years before coming to The House of the Good Shepherd. Chris, his wife and two daughters enjoy being outside with their dog. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and playing video games.

Barbara Warne, director of wellness

Barbara Warne

Director of Wellness
bwarne@fellowshiplifeinc.org

Barbara began working at The House of the Good Shepherd in 2016. She graduated from County College of Morris with an associate’s degree in applied science in 1989. After starting her nursing career as a candy striper at Warren Hospital, Barbara worked as a nurse’s aide, a floor nurse, nursing supervisor, and as the assistant director of nursing at Warren Haven. She received her CALA (Certified Assisted Living Administrator) credential in March 2020.

Gudelia Gonzalez, director of housekeeping and laundry services

Gudelia (Tita) Gonzalez

Director of Housekeeping & Laundry Services
tgonzalez@fellowshiplifeinc.org

Tita has been working at The House of the Good Shepherd in housekeeping for 24 years. She started as a housekeeper, moved her way up to housekeeping supervisor, and now she is the director. She has five children and eight grandchildren.

Reverend Rodrigo Perez-Vega, chaplain

The Rev. Rodrigo (Rod) Perez-Vega

Chaplain
rperez-vega@fellowshiplifeinc.org

The Rev. Rod Perez-Vega graduated from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City. Upon ordination, he served as a curate at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Hackettstown NJ; he currently serves as the 30th rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover, NJ. He is an experienced hospital chaplain with extensive training in providing emotional, spiritual, and religious support to those facing the hardships of living with debilitating chronic illnesses. Rev. Rod has accumulated more than 25,000 hours of clinical experience that includes supporting people affected by physical and emotional trauma; supporting patients through cancer diagnosis, treatment and decision-making; and supporting family members through significant grief from death of a loved one or other losses. He has received multiple certifications in the areas of oncology, palliative medicine, psychological and spiritual first aid, advance healthcare planning and decision-making, resilience, medical ethics, and many others. He has been married for 20+ years, and enjoys cooking, golf and playing dominoes with friends.

Meet our Fellowship Village Board of Advisors

Our volunteer Board of Advisors complements our leadership team with their skills and experience, following the faith-based principles that have defined us from the beginning.

Stanley Morin

Stanley J. Morin, CPA

Chairman of the Board and Finance Chair

Mr. Morin currently serves as FellowshipLIFE’s chairman of the board. He is a certified public accountant with certifications in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and he is a shareholder of Stanley J. Morin, CPA PC.

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Mr. Morin has over 40 years of experience in public accounting and taxation, and is still active in the professional practice with offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has been a frequent speaker on various accounting, auditing, tax and estate-related topics. His concentrations are primarily in not-for-profit, corporate, and taxation matters. Mr. Morin is a graduate of Husson University in Bangor, Maine, with graduate work completed at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is chairman of the board and finance committee of FellowshipLIFE. He has served on the board and committees of various local and national not-for-profit and charitable organizations. He is a trustee/treasurer of the Jack Weisberg Charitable Foundation. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is an active member of the New Jersey State Society of CPAs, having served as a trustee, and was past chairman of the society’s professional conduct and ethics committees. Mr. Morin resides with his wife in Bluffton, SC, and has three children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Jeffrey Zenna

Jeffrey J. Zenna, Esq., LLM

Vice Chairman of the Board

Mr. Zenna is an experienced plaintiff personal injury lawyer and a partner at Blume, Forte, Fried, Zerres, and Molinari, located in Chatham, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the City University New York School of Law.

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After law school, he completed a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Mahlon Fast, J.S.C. Since joining the firm, he has received a Master of Laws degree from New York University School of Law.

Mr. Zenna is a member of the Essex, Hudson and Morris county bar associations. He was also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals (3rd Circuit). As a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, he has lectured on their behalf with regard to trial advocacy, and in 2010 lectured for the New Jersey Association for Justice regarding the use of rebuttal testimony. Mr. Zenna has also been a member of the William J. Brennan, Jr. Inn of Court since 1997. He is a long-standing member of the New Jersey chapter of The Miami Project, dedicated to the cure of paralysis, and he was approved in 2013 to sit on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s 10B Ethics Committee for Morris County for a four-year term.

brian lawrence

Brian G. Lawrence, LNHA, CPA, MBA

Mr. Lawrence has over 20 years of healthcare and Life Plan Community/CCRC experience. He began serving FellowshipLIFE, Inc., as chief financial officer in 1999 and added the role of executive vice president in 2006. With a well-rounded understanding of the Life Plan Community and healthcare business, and 10 years of progressive leadership in the organization, Mr. Lawrence assumed the duties of president and CEO in 2009.

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Mr. Lawrence is a licensed nursing home administrator and a certified public accountant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seton Hall University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He also holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration in finance from the Stern Graduate School of Business at New York University.

As president and CEO, Mr. Lawrence is currently leading FellowshipLIFE’s senior leadership team with responsibility for overall Healthcare and Medical Services, Independent Living, and Home Community Based Services operations and performance. Mr. Lawrence actively participates with the FellowshipLIFE board of directors, ensuring the execution of strategic planning and development initiatives. His vision and number one priority is providing a high level of care and services to seniors and maintaining the sound financial health of the organization.

Mr. Lawrence received the “President’s Award” from LeadingAge NJ in 2019 for his outstanding accomplishments in the senior living industry. He is a member of the American Society on Aging, LeadingAge, Healthcare Financial Management Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. He resides in Millburn, New Jersey, with his wife, son and daughter.

Dave Jones

Reverend David Jones

Father Dave Jones has spent almost his entire life in New Jersey, serving churches in Pond Eddy, Basking Ridge, and Jersey City. Prior to his ordination into the priesthood, Dave was the Vice President for Student Engagement at Centenary University for about twenty years. While serving at Centenary, he was integral to the construction of two 120 student residences and a combined Dining Facility/Performing Arts Center. Programmatically, he is most proud of a self-funded program he founded and co-directed in which a total of 1,600 students over 7 years traveled to New Orleans to work with St Bernard Project in reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina.

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Rulene DiFrancesco

Mrs. DiFrancesco joined the FellowshipLIFE board in 2021. She has a master’s degree in early childhood education and certification in supervision and elementary principal. She taught first grade and kindergarten in the Scotch Plains/Fanwood school district for 25 years and as an adjunct at William Paterson University for 11 years.

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Mrs. DiFrancesco was the first recipient of Joan Vagelos Currie Award for Excellence in Teaching, the volunteer of the year award in Somerset County and the Educator of the year award in Somerset County. She is a longtime active member of Somerset Hills Baptist Church.

Ralph Acquaviva

Mr. Acquaviva’s passion for quality homemade food and hand-crafted wine led him into culinary school and a career in hospitality. Mr. Acquaviva received an associate degree in culinary arts from Hudson County College and a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality business management from New Jersey City University.

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Mr. Acquaviva’s initial skills were developed in the fast-paced kitchen at the Short Hills Hilton in Short Hills. In 2002, he opened Delicious Heights, a small delicatessen in Berkeley Heights. Five years later, he opened up his first full-service restaurant bar and grill — also in Berkeley Heights and also named Delicious Heights. Today, he is the part-owner of three successful restaurants and two sophisticated banquet venues.

Mr. Acquaviva credits his parents for his cooking talents and ambitious work ethic. If he had a personal motto, it would be, “Dream it, think it, do it. Repeat.” He lives with his wife and their two daughters.

David M. Sullivan

David Sullivan is a highly accomplished individual with a distinguished career in public relations, journalism, and community service. With over three decades of experience, he retired as a valued AT&T public relations executive, making a lasting impact on Illinois Bell, Bell Laboratories, and AT&T corporate headquarters. Before his successful tenure in public relations, David honed his skills as a reporter for United Press International in Chicago, gaining a deep understanding of effective communication and storytelling.

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Beyond his professional achievements, David actively engages in community organizations, reflecting his unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. He is an active member of The Church of the Messiah in Chester, finding solace and spirituality there. As a former president of Refugee Assistance Morris Partners (RAMP) in Morristown, David dedicated his time and expertise to supporting refugees and assisting them in their integration into new communities. David’s passion for community service led him to serve as the past chair of the board of trustees at The House of the Good Shepherd. Additionally, he currently holds a position on the board of the foundation of The Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham, contributing to the betterment of the community.

David’s dedication to his family is evident through his loving relationship with his wife, Janice. They have chosen to make their home in Allamuchy, minutes away from their daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters, who live nearby in Hackettstown. Their son resides in Tampa, Florida.

Michael Toscano

Michael Toscano is a finance executive with over 25 years of experience in public company corporate finance, primarily in the travel industry. Michael most recently served as the CFO for the travel and membership division of Travel + Leisure Co. for 8 years. Travel + Leisure Co is the world’s largest timeshare developer and timeshare exchange company, headquartered in Orlando Florida. In this role, Michael was a key member of the executive leadership team for the business along with the division CEO and COO. He was responsible for a worldwide team of 200+ finance professionals in more than 10 countries. Prior to the segment CFO role, Michael was SVP of Financial Planning & Analysis for the division for over 10 years.

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Before Travel + Leisure, Michael worked for Wyndham Worldwide and Cendant Corporation, both of which were predecessors to T+L Co, serving in a variety of roles in corporate finance including leading the finance organization for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

Michael started his career at Arthur Andersen’s Roseland NJ office in the audit practice. He has broad experience in finance, including: audit, controllership, financial planning & analysis, and M&A. Michael is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in NJ.

Michael has a BS in Accounting from Villanova University and an MBA from the Columbia Business School. He is an active supporter of his undergrad alma mater, serving as a member of their Accounting Advisory Board. He resides in Basking Ridge with his wife and 3 children. Michael is an active supporter of St James Parish and School along with his wife Suzanne.

David G. Kostinas

David Kostinas is the owner of David G. Kostinas & Associates, a consulting company that has served New Jersey’s health care industry since 1985. Mr. Kostinas has represented New Jersey’s major health care providers in system development strategies, business brokering, new venture development, facility sales, acquisitions, mergers, and regulatory issues.

Mr. Kostinas has counseled clients for transplantation services, cardiac surgery, new psychiatric hospitals, major capital projects, free-standing ambulatory surgery centers, ESRD centers, linear accelerators, nursing homes, assisted living, medical day care centers, Life Plan Communities, cardiac care programs, and rehabilitation.

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In addition to his professional positions, Mr. Kostinas has also been very involved in community activities. Mr. Kostinas served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton for 23 years, including Chairman of Governance Committee and Chairman of Hamilton Continuing Care Center. Mr. Kostinas is Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Springpoint, Past Chairman and member of the Board of Trustees of Children’s Specialized Hospital and past member and officer of the Board of Directors of Integrity House.

Robert Fodera

Mr. Robert Fodera currently serves as a board member of FellowshipLIFE and is a member of the Board’s Audit Committee. He is a certified public accountant with certifications in New Jersey and New York and is a retired partner of Baker Tilly where he was partner in charge of the firm’s Metropark, NJ office.

Mr. Fodera has over 40 years of experience in public accounting and taxation and is still active in the profession with a small practice in New Jersey. He is active with the NJCPA and currently serves as treasurer of that organization’s scholarship fund. He has been a frequent speaker on the New Jersey Law and Ethics program and has been appointed to the State Board of Accountancy by Governor Phillip Murphy.  Mr. Fodera’s practice concentrations include real estate, construction, legal and professional service firms, manufacturing and distribution industries, healthcare practices, and nonprofit and governmental organizations.

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Mr. Fodera is a graduate of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He has served on the board and committees of various local and national not-for-profit and charitable organizations. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Public Accountants.  Mr. Fodera resides with his wife in Hillsborough, NJ and has two daughters and two grandchildren.