Team
Stephen H. Samuelson, MPA
(President & CEO)
Joining the Frisbie Senior Center team in 2011, Stephen Samuelson brought along a wide variety of experience at other not-for-profit organizations, including Maryville Academy (a child welfare agency), Individual Advocacy Group, Inc. (a human services organization), and Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation (a public health/medical organization).
During his time with these agencies, he gained an appreciation for the field on not-for-profit work while he secured a thorough understanding of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Human Services, and Department of Healthcare and Family Services as well as various accrediting bodies.
Steve completed his undergraduate studies at Marquette University and, in 2006, he successfully attained his Master of Public Administration degree with a not-for-profit management concentration from Roosevelt University.
Steve and his wife, Kathleen, lived in Des Plaines with their two daughters, Hannah and Abby, for over seventeen years before moving to Mount Prospect, where they currently reside.
Melissa Kalliantasis, LSW
(Program Manager)
After receiving her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University, Melissa worked at Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. This background provided a solid foundation of experience for when she joined the Frisbie Senior Center in 2007.
In 2011, Melissa received her Masters’ Degree in Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago. Melissa has spent her entire career in the field of geriatrics – visiting lonely and isolated seniors early on, and now managing the day-to-day programming and services offered at the FSC. She is also a SHIPs Counselor, which helps older adults to navigate the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid and everything in between.
Melissa lives in Chicago with her husband, Johnny, and three beautiful children, Joshua, Benjamin, and Amelia.
Under construction.
Sally Thomphsen
(Trips Coordinator)
Coming to the Frisbie Senior Center with a background in retail and non-profit work, Sally served as a volunteer for many years. Then, in March of 2003, she officially joined the organization as Program Manager. Since joining the Center’s staff, Sally was integral in opening the Cumberland Café and the Center’s Once & Again Resale Shop.
In May of 2016, she took on the Trips Coordinator position and has revitalized and expanded the Frisbie Senior Center’s portfolio for day, extended, and international trip opportunities.
Sally and her husband, Russ, have lived in Des Plaines for 20 years and are currently residents of the historic Methodist Campground.
Paulette Krzankowski
(Finance Manager)
Prior to joining the Frisbie Senior Center in December 2018, Paulette was the Vice President of Finance for over 30 years at Hecso, Inc., a national distribution center.
During that time, Paulette mastered many standard accounting procedures and processes, several software suites, and various internal and external auditing functions. As her role grew over time, she found herself accountable for meeting with vendors, hosting sales presentations, conducting inventory management, and fulfilling many Human Resources responsibilities.
Paulette came to the Frisbie Senior Center looking to step back from the pitfalls of Corporate America, relishing the smiling faces and friendly atmosphere that the Center offers every day.
She and her husband Gary have lived in Des Plaines for 32 years where they raised their sons, Phillip and Michael.
Luann Barca (Co-Manager, Once & Again Resale)
Under construction.
Maranda Devaney (Co-Manager, Once & Again Resale)
Under construction.
Steven Stanke (Custodian)
Under construction.
Board of Directors
Officers
John Daly, Daly Investment Management LLC (President)
Paul Cathy, Des Plaines Park District (Vice President)
(Secretary)
Patrick Duffy, TD Construction Services, LLC (Immediate Past President)
At-Large
Ronald Broeckling, Rivers Casino
Steven Demeas, Interwork Architects Incorporated
Ted Constan, Robert Bosch LLC
Ioulia Christopoulos, DPT, Weil Foot & Ankle Institute
Randy Johnson, Evolution Marketing Group, Inc.
Colette Gentile, Fifth Third Bank
William F. Knee, The Knee Law Firm LTD
Sharon Lynch, @properties
Donald A. Smith, Ptasinski & Smith, P.C.
Ann Fastert, FSC Senior Advisory Council
Ella Woodford-Parker, Ascension
Directors Emeritus
Larry G. Gille
Clifford Hagedorn*
Roger Hull*
Donna McAllister*
Rev. George M. Schelter
*deceased