Senior Leadership Team

	President Irwin has more than 25 years of experience in managing and owning companies, including 10 years in the mail order and direct marketing/distribution business. He and a group of investors purchased ILA in May, 2008, and he was immediately appointed president of the company. Since his arrival at ILA, the company has dramatically expanded its field sales force, improved marketing programs, and increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the company's warehouse and distribution facility. Irwin has found the most interesting part of the business is his frequent visits to customers, both domestically and internationally. "There is nothing more rewarding than an emotional thank you from someone you’ve helped to lead an active, independent life." Irwin received a B.B.A. from Baruch College.
Irwin Schneidmill

	Director of Sales Fran Hennelly has more than nine years experience in the field of low vision. As director of sales, Fran is responsible for domestic and international sales and handles all major contracts with government agencies. Prior to joining ILA, Fran served as a product marketing/sales administrator for Robotic Vision Systems and a business instructor for the disabled at Skills Unlimited. She has an A.A.S in business and currently resides in Valley Stream, New York, where she enjoys dreaming of her next visit to her six grandchildren in Georgia.
Fran Hennelly

	Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications Russ has more than 19 years of experience in executive, marketing, and corporate communications and is responsible for all marketing and communications initiatives at ILA. Prior to his current responsibilities, Russ was principal of PenningtonSBC, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where he developed marketing and communications projects for numerous Fortune 500 companies and CEOs. He received an MBA from the University of Kansas graduate school of business and a BSJ from the university’s renowned William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Russ and his wife, Josie, live in Basking Ridge, where he enjoys walking a nice cigar while occasionally thinking big thoughts.
Russell F.M. Pennington

	Director of Operations Michael has been with ILA for 17 years. He started in the warehouse and worked his way up to his current position of Director of Operations. Michael has a degree in networking from Briarcliff College. He loves living in New York! "The beaches, the east end, vineyards, I could go on and on," he says. Michael was born in the Bronx and grew up in Brooklyn before moving to Long Island, where he and his family have lived for over 30 years.
Michael Gutierrez

	Office Manager Barbara Chernosky has over five years experience working in the low-vision and hard-of-hearing industries. As ILA’s office manager, she is responsible for maintaining all aspects of the office as well as supervising ten very qualified and dedicated customer service representatives. Prior to her current responsibilities she spent ten years as an office manager for a motorcoach tour operator and 20 years as a residential real estate broker. Barbara received her BA degree from Long Island University and she and her husband live in New York. She has two grown children and two new granddaughters.
Barbara Chernosky

	Marketing Manager Pamela Strauss has been with ILA for six years and is currently marketing manager. She is responsible for managing the production of all ILA catalogs, print advertising, and print marketing pieces. Prior to joining ILA, Pam was at home raising two children, now ages 18 and 14. Before her domestic career, she was a computer programmer for Astoria Federal Savings and NaBanco, a credit card transactions processing company. Pam received her AAS degree in Data Processing from Queensborough Community College in New York and currently resides on Long Island where she keeps busy with exercising, shopping, a great book, and social fun.
Pamela Strauss

	E-Commerce Manager Greg DiFalco has been managing Internet marketing campaigns for over 12 years, and has been associated with ILA for nearly five years. He is responsible for E-Commerce management and paid advertising for all of ILA’s web properties, IndependentLiving.com, SoundBytes.com, LinearLiving.com, and AnnMorris.com. He received a B.A. in Print Journalism from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Greg DiFalco


	Warehouse Manager Lisa began her career with ILA almost five years ago in the shipping department. In a very short period of time she worked her way up to warehouse manager where she is now responsible for running all warehouse operations.
Lisa Luke

	Accounting For the past six years Jodi has been responsible for ILA’s bookkeeping, accounts receivable, and accounts payable functions. Jodi earned her B.S. in marketing and finance from C.W. Post of Long Island University. She is a health enthusiast who also enjoys collecting and listening to music.
Jodi Podbielak

	Art Director Jen Kesselman is ILA's Art Director. With more than 15 years experience in graphic design, Jen creates and manages all collateral materials at ILA including websites, brochures, fliers, and ILA's print catalogs. Designing for a low-vision audience is challenging, but Jen meets that challenge head on. She lives in Nassau County with her two daughters.
Jen Kesselman

	Assistive Technology Specialist Stephen Guerra has over five years of experience in the assistive technology industry. He is responsible for seeking new assistive technology products for ILA and maintaining current products. Prior to his current responsibilities, Stephen was a help desk analyst with Adecco Staffing, where he was responsible for diagnosing and resolving technical issues with all computer and phone-related equipment. Stephen lives with his wife Andrea and three girls Maddie, Talor, and Kaylee in Rochester, Minnesota, where he enjoys being a dad, reading, playing Beep Baseball, and being secretary of the National Beep Baseball Association.
Stephen Guerra

	Account Manager, Midwest Janice has more than 13 years of experience within the low-vision field. She is responsible for all sales in ILA’s Midwest territory. Prior to her current responsibilities, Janice was branch sales manger of CTP COIL, Inc., where she was responsible for U.S. operations. She received a BBA in business management from the University of Chicago. Janice resides in Chicago where she enjoys gardening, jewelry making, and volunteer work.
Janice Pope

Senior Leadership Team

Company Information

Product Categories

Help & Support

Featured Products