Aurora’s leadership team is comprised of a diverse and experienced group of professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including business management, entrepreneurship, psychology, health care, education, and finance.
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Aurora has created a corporate atmosphere of creativity, passion, and commitment, and each member of the Aurora leadership team plays a key role in maintaining this culture and the service excellence that we provide to our customers.
Our People
Leadership
Dave Barnard
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
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Dave is an accomplished business developer and entrepreneur whose passion for community-based, long-term care led him to co-found Aurora Community Services in 1986. Dave has led Aurora’s development from a single residential home to a multimillion-dollar corporation with more than a thousand employees and a management group of more than a hundred.
Jim Neuman
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
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Jim co-founded Aurora Community Services in 1986. Jim has an extensive background in social work and in advocating for the needs of the disabled. He has a particular passion for serving persons with brain injuries, has served on the Brain Injury Association Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Wisconsin Brain Injury Advisory Council.
Don Andresen
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
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Don uses his extensive experience in corporate finance, behavioral science, and psychology to keep Aurora financially sound and to maximize the value we offer our customers.
Avis Wolske Baker
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
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Avis is a skilled and experienced corporate project manager whose leadership has contributed to the development of numerous innovations in residential care. Her solid professional reputation in the areas of long-term care and rehabilitation have helped shape Aurora’s culture of respect and customer service excellence.
Cindy Smith
Director of Finance
Cindy has a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding all things financial, including employee benefits, strategic planning, and risk management.
Marni Waznik
Employee Services Director
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Marni brings her passion to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to our human resources group, ensuring that we provide the best possible staff support and that our customers’ needs always come first.
Dustin Doornink
Director of Information Technology
Dustin ensures that Aurora’s technology is cutting-edge and that we’re constantly using the best tools to create new efficiencies for our customers.
Linda Aton
Director of Administrative Services
Linda and her team keep Aurora’s offices and facilities running smoothly and ensure that Aurora’s customers are always greeted with a helpful and smiling face.
Terri Bollinger
Director of Aurora Community Counseling and Vocational Services
Terri provides oversight for our counseling and AODA department as well as employment, skill development, and day services programs. Terri has committed her professional career to quality, responsiveness, and excellence in services which has been critical to the growth and success of services. These departments contract with multiple agencies to include contracting with DVR, CSP, CCS and private insurance.
Candace Kapperman-Wolf
Director of Aurora Community Health
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Candace is an experienced home health care administrator. Her passion is to provide the services that allow individuals to get the care they need and remain in their own homes.
Deena Black
Director of Aurora Residential Alternatives
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Deena has spent her entire career committed to supporting people with disabilities to live in the communities of their choosing. Under her leadership, ARA has a diverse continuum of community-based programs available ranging from Community-Based Residential Facilities to phone- and video-based supports. If you are looking for a creative and customized support for your loved one, contact Deena.