School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. Names Joani Madarash Executive Director

June 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Kings Park, New York — School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) has announced that Joani Madarash has been named Executive Director of the organization. Ms. Madarash has been an active member of SBPLI’s Development Council and Board of Directors since 1993 and has acted as Interim Co-President since January 2012.

Ms. Madarash is President and Founder of accessLinx, Inc., a boutique multimedia production company based in Smithtown, New York. Before that, her life’s work focused on vocational rehabilitation and employment of individuals with disabilities.

During her time with SBPLI, Ms. Madarash has served as Secretary of the Board, Vice President of Event Coordination, Gala Chair for SBPLI’s 60 Over 60 Gala in 2008 and 2009 and is Event Manager of the VIP receptions for the Long Island Regional FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, the Robots and Roses Receptions at Farmingdale State College and a frequent emcee for various receptions hosted by the organization.

In addition, Ms. Madarash is Co-President of the Suffolk County Rehabilitation Council and the Long Island Regional Representative and Board Member for New York State APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment 1st) since its inception in the early 1990s.

Ms. Madarash received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY) and her Master’s Degree with advanced graduate studies in Counseling at C.W. Post – Long Island University. She resides in Smithtown, New York.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be named Executive Director and look forward to taking on this challenge,” Ms. Madarash said. “With the passionate and dedicated members of SBPLI’s Board of Directors and Development Councils, along with the sponsors, students, families and faculty involved, I plan to ensure that the Long Island community is keenly aware of the value and impact of SBPLI’s amazing programs, such as the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST LEGO League and Jr. FIRST LEGO League. It’s particularly important to me, personally, to carry on the dream of SBPLI’s founder, the late Fred Breithut.”

For more information, please visit www.sbpli.org.


* Photo of Ms. Madarash is available upon request.


School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) was founded in 1984 by Fred Breithut with the goal of developing partnerships between local high schools and businesses that would provide students with practical experience and curriculum development, while helping the business community develop its future workforce. Over 100 partnerships have been formed. In 1999, SBPLI brought the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program to Long Island, where 14 high school teams participated. Since then, the FIRST robotics program has grown to 50 teams, with over 2,000 students participating in FIRST Robotics and LEGO League programs on Long Island each year.