About CAN

LeRoy Terrio Jr.

Vice Chair

LeRoy Terrio Jr was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated as valedictorian from the Louisiana School for the Deaf. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology, followed by an MBA in Finance from Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. Mr. Terrio began his professional career at GTE Corporation, where he served in various accounting positions. When GTE merged into Verizon Communications, he continued his tenure there, later transitioning to Idearc Media, a spinoff from Verizon. Over his 31-year career, he held several supervisory roles, with assignments in Stamford, Connecticut, and Dallas, Texas. Notably, during his time at Verizon Communications, he played a key role in streamlining financial reporting systems, which improved the efficiency and accuracy of the company's financial operations. Mr. Terrio has participated in various community activities alongside his corporate responsibilities. He served on the Jean Massieu Foundation board in Arlington from 2005 to 2017 and later joined several Connecticut-based organizations for the Deaf, including the Connecticut Association of the Deaf (CAD), Connecticut Council of Organizations Serving the Deaf (CCOSD), and Connecticut Retirement Community (CRC), where he held roles such as treasurer. Since 2021, he has been a board member of the Communication Advocacy Network and became vice president in 2024. LeRoy Terrio Jr currently resides in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with his wife, Suzanne. They are the proud parents of two adult children, both Children of Deaf Adults (CODA), who have achieved national certification as interpreters.

Cheri Hembree

Assistant Director

Cheri Hembree is an assistant director at the Communication Advocacy Network (CAN), where she has worked for nearly 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. As a social worker and manager, she is recognized for supporting numerous specialized programs and providing care to members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community—including older adults, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Blind individuals, and people with additional disabilities—in Seattle, WA, and Hartford, CT, for over 30 years. Beyond her work in social services, she enjoyed her office roles in the police department and the stock marketing industry in Seattle. Cheri has frequently dedicated her time to supporting emergency services in unexpected situations involving elderly and DeafBlind clients. Whenever she has the opportunity for a long weekend, she enjoys traveling with her husband—mostly throughout New England and upstate New York—to places near or on rivers, seas, and oceans, and waterfalls! She loves viewing the stunning fall foliage, exploring as many lighthouses as possible, and attending air shows, especially those featuring planes with Pratt & Whitney engines. Cheri also enjoys hiking trails and watching wildlife, taking in the beauty and tranquility of nature.

Wade Terry

Board Member

Retired Counselor , Connecticut Commission on the Deaf & Hearing Impaired Past Board Chair, Northwestern CT Community College Advisory Board Board Member, Communication Advocacy Network Board of Directors ( Finance Committee, Audit Review Committee, Nomination Committee Chair, Search Committee Chair)

Roselle Weiner

Secretary

As Grants Manager for CAN, Roselle brings over a decade of dedicated grant-writing experience. Since beginning to volunteer in 2011, she has successfully secured funding from various sources, including Aging in America Agencies, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and Donor Advised Funds. Previously a teacher, librarian, and learning resource center manager at the American School for the Deaf from 1976-2011. Graduate of City College of NY, Syracuse University, and Teachers College Columbia University.

Debbie Boswell

Treasurer

Retired Residential Counselor from the American School for the Deaf with extensive experience supporting students in residential settings.

Sue Pedersen

Board Member

Retired Director of Communication Access Network, INC. (CAN). Certified Deaf Interpreter and retired Communication Officer of CT Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.

Maura McGuire

Board Member

Maura has been a professional in the field of Deaf Education for 38 years as a teacher, consultant, administrator, board member and past Chair of the Collegiate Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing at Northwest Connecticut Community College. Past chair and current member of the Walk4Hearing Committee for the CT Walk4Hearing, past member of the National Association of the Deaf, A.G. Bell and CT Relay. Maura has been integral in creating and implementing self-advocacy programs for students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind, creating community partnerships to provide students work related internships. When not working to further access and opportunities for students, she can be found with a camera in her hand capturing memories with her family while enjoying Mother Nature.

Lisa Flaherty-Vaughn

Board Member

Dedicated board member contributing expertise and passion to CAN's mission of supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.