2 Long Island Leaders Join Guide Dog Foundation, America’s VetDogs Board

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs have added two Long Island leaders to their board of directors, the Smithtown-based nonprofit organizations said Wednesday.

Frank Palma, general manager of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages on Long Island, was elected to the board, while retired assistant district attorney Celeste Lopes was re-elected following a one-year hiatus, according to the organizations.

Palma, a Long Island native, has more than 27 years of experience in sales and operations. Through his work with Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, he has supported organizations including Nassau and Suffolk Police Athletic Leagues, the New York National Guard, Special Olympics, Girls Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club of Suffolk County.

Organization officials said Palma's experience in strategic planning, operations and organizational growth will contribute to the board's long-term planning.

Lopes returns to the board after a career in law and years of nonprofit leadership. She previously served for 18 years on the national board of Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, including four years as vice chair. She also served for nine years on the board of Abilities.

Legally blind since age 3, Lopes is an eight-time graduate of the Guide Dog Foundation and has years of experience as a guide dog handler.

“We are honored and thrilled to welcome Frank Palma and welcome back Celeste Lopes to our board of directors,” John Miller, president and CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs, said in a statement. “As America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation continue to lead the assistance dog industry, strategically strengthening our board of directors with accomplished, dedicated, and visionary leaders is essential to advancing our mission and guiding the organizations through their next chapter of growth.”

The organizations' board includes volunteer leaders from the medical, business, academic, military and veteran communities, as well as graduates of their programs. Board members help set organizational strategy and policy and support efforts to raise awareness and maintain long-term financial sustainability.

The Guide Dog Foundation, founded in 1946, and America’s VetDogs, founded in 2003, train and provide guide, service and facility dogs to people who are blind or have low vision, as well as veterans, active-duty military members and first responders with disabilities.

The organizations said it costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place one assistance dog, but recipients receive the dogs and related services at no charge.

Together, the sister nonprofit organizations have placed more than 3,500 guide, service and facility dogs and support active teams across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada and other locations, according to the organizations.