Our Staff
CEO & CHIEF SCIENTIST
Ellen Forte, Ph.D., is our CEO & Chief Scientist at edCount, LLC. Dr. Forte’s work focuses on validity evaluation and on policies for how students, including those with disabilities and English learners, engage in instructional and assessment contexts. She particularly specializes in designing, developing, and evaluating assessments for alignment quality.
PRINCIPAL AND MANAGING ASSOCIATES
Elizabeth Summers, Ph.D.
is our Executive Vice President at edCount, LLC. Dr. Summers has extensive experience in assessment validity and alignment evaluation.
Melissa Fincher, Ph.D.
is a Managing Associate at edCount, LLC. Dr. Fincher guides edCount’s work in the assessment and accountability arena, including the alignment team.
Lisa Rose, M.S., PMP
is a Managing Associate and our Director of Business Administration at edCount, LLC. Ms. Rose contributes to edCount’s organizational objectives through intellectual engagement, technical expertise, and staff and company resources management.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Erin Buchanan, M.A.
is a Senior Associate at edCount, LLC. Ms. Buchanan brings with her over a decade of experience in instruction assessment and curriculum development.
Jean Clayton, M.A. Sp. Education
is a Senior Associate at edCount, LLC. Ms. Clayton has over 30 years of experience as an educator and alternate assessment expert.
Jesse E. Dvorchak, Ph.D.
is a Senior Associate at edCount, LLC. Dr. Dvorchak assists project directors in designing Louisiana’s statewide alternate assessment in ELA, math, and science, and helps the Louisiana project team through her knowledge of Common Core math standards, extensive expertise in creating inclusive classrooms, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative research data.
Bill Herrera, M.S.
is a Senior Associate and Assessment Specialist with edCount, LLC. Mr. Herrera has over 20 years of experience in education as a state assessment director, researcher, and teacher.
Charlene Turner, B.S.
is a Senior Associate and Assessment Specialist with edCount, LLC. Ms. Turner brings with her over 30 years of experience in education as a state alternate assessment director, special education teacher, and researcher.
ASSOCIATES
Tracy Fazio, M.Ed.
is an Associate and Mathematics Specialist at edCount, LLC. Ms. Fazio has extensive knowledge of the Common Core State Standards for mathematics and application in instructional settings.
Kristina Harding, M.A.
Kristina Harding, M.A., is a Research Associate at edCount, LLC. Ms. Harding has assisted with materials development, data analysis, professional development, and report production for Gallaudet University’s Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center since 2016.
George Ligon IV, Ed.D.
is an Associate and Mathematics Specialist at edCount, LLC. Dr. Ligon works on the New York State Department of Education large-scale alignment evaluation in grades 3–8.
Antoinette Melvin, M.A.
is an Associate and English language arts (ELA) Specialist at edCount, LLC. Ms. Melvin has extensive knowledge of the Common Core State Standards for ELA and a specialty in technical writing.
Heather Peltier, Ph.D.
is a Research Associate at edCount, LLC. Dr. Peltier brings with her 19 years of experience in education, serving in various roles, including as an educator, administrator, and instructional and assessment specialist.
Jamie Phlegar, M.A.
is an Associate at edCount, LLC. Ms. Phelgar contributes to business development initiatives, helps plan and write proposals, and supports senior staff with various writing projects, including reports, articles, and technical documentation.
Patricia Richard, M.A.
is an Associate and Deputy Director of Business Development at edCount, LLC. Ms. Richard contributes to several projects to evaluate the validity of alternate assessments by authoring and reviewing reports, instruments, and protocols.
Alex Snipes, M.A.
is an Associate at edCount, LLC. Ms. Snipes provides support to other associates and senior staff in the execution of project tasks, research activities, report production, and proposal development.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Kevin Konort, M.Ed.
is a Research Assistant at edCount, LLC. Mr. Konort provides support to associates and senior staff in the execution of project tasks, research activities, report production, and proposal development.
Kathryn Smith, B.S.
is a Research Assistant at edCount, LLC. Ms. Smith provides support to associates and senior staff in the execution of project tasks, research activities, report production, and proposal development.
Grace Karani-Luguya, LL.B.
is a Research Assistant at edCount, LLC. Ms. Karani-Luguya provides support to associates and senior staff in the execution of project tasks, research activities, report production, and proposal development.
ADMINISTRATION
Beth Smucker, B.S.W.
is our Director of Administration at edCount, LLC. Ms. Smucker is responsible for providing operational leadership and day-to-day support for the business.
Aisha Cooper, B.A.
is our Administrative Assistant at edCount, LLC. Ms. Cooper manages company finances and accounts and is responsible for the implementation of company-wide travel, as well as meeting and event planning for both internal and external company events.