Rotella appointed to Meals on Wheels board of directors

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island has announced the appointment of Megan Herne, human resources manager, North America, AstroNova, and Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp. business manager Joe Rotella to its board of directors.

“As Meals on Wheels of RI continues its mission of helping our state’s homebound older adults to remain living independently in their own homes, it is crucial that we have a board of directors with diverse backgrounds, skill sets and interests to help guide us in being innovative in our efforts to expand our work,” Executive Director Meghan Grady said. “Joe and Megan each bring extremely valuable experiences and insights to our team and we are thrilled to welcome them to our board.”

Herne, a Newport resident, joined AstroNova Inc., a global leader in developing and applying data visualization technologies, in 2016. She is responsible for the development and administration of various human resource plans and procedures.

Dedicated to the service of others, Herne also serves on the board of trustees at Davies Career & Technical High School. In 2015, she was recognized by the R.I. Hospitality Association as an Emerging Leader Under 30 and by the Howley Bread Group as the Operations Support Person of the Year.

Herne earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and will complete her master’s degree in business administration with Southern New Hampshire University in spring 2020. She holds human resources certifications from the HR Certification Institute and the Society of Human Resources Management, and is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Rhode Island.

Rotella has worked with the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation since 1994, and managed the Corporation’s Eco-Depot program prior to becoming business manager of the Material Recycling Facility. Since 2001, the Eco-Depot has diverted over 10,700,000 pounds of household hazardous waste from the state landfill, keeping the state’s groundwater, rivers and bay safe. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Clean Water Action’s Earth Day Champion Award.

Rotella is vice chair of the Johnston School Committee, and he serves on several boards, commissions and social clubs. He resides in Johnston with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children.

The Meals on Wheels board of directors includes: chair Kevin Millonzi, owner, Millonzi Fine Catering and Millonzi’s Kitchen Bar; vice chair John Moran, retired, Meals on Wheels of RI; secretary Kristin Matsko, attorney, Orson and Brusini Ltd.; treasurer Lauren Amaral, partner, audit services group, Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd.; Harold “Skip” Burns, retired, Raytheon; Steven Criscione, managing director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Megan Herne, human resources manager-North America, AstroNova; James Joly, independent financial advisor; Stephanie McCaffrey, vice president, health administration and chief strategy officer, East Bay Community Action Program; Corey McCarty, vice president, consumer segment, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; Helen Macdonald, sales associate, Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty; Peter Marino, president and CEO, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island; Patricia Paola, senior vice president, Webster Bank; and Joe Rotella, business manager, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp.

Since 1969, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island has focused on meeting the nutritional and other special needs of the elderly in order to help them maintain their independent lifestyles. Meals on Wheels of RI directly addresses the issues of nutrition, health and safety in our senior population, impacting thousands across the state every year with our Home-Delivered Meal Program, the only nonprofit meal delivery program of its kind in Rhode Island; the Capital City Café Program and Senior Restaurant Program, which offer community-based dining for more mobile seniors; an Emergency Meal Program; the Senior Wish Program, providing necessities for seniors in need; and the Pet Food Program.