Former Associates

Penny Balicki began her affiliation with Marc Gold in 1977 as a participant in the California Project, the first year-long training presented by Marc Gold & Associates. She then became a Program Director in the Georgia Project in 1978-79; and in 1981 was an MG&A associate with the Mississippi Project. Although Penny moved back to California in 1982, she maintained her position as an associate with MG&A until her death in June of 2019. Penny’s powerful, long lasting contributions in Systematic Instruction will serve as her legacy with MG&A. Penny’s love of life, her love of people and delightful sense of humor are cherished memories.

Bill Phillips met Michael Callahan in the early 1970’s and has had a close professional relationship with Michael and MG&A ever since. In 1981, Bill worked on the Mississippi Project as the director of MIDD, the state trade association for work activity centers. He received his doctorate the University of Southern Mississippi in education administration with a focus on special education and he went on to teach at several universities across the US. In the mid-2000’s, Bill began working as the Dean of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. At EKU, Bill heavily incorporated MG&A training and consulting into the lab school he oversaw. Bill has since stepped down from the dean position but maintains his position as a professor of educational leadership at EKU. He attends MG&A retreats and has co-authored articles with Michael Callahan on disability employment.

Zeke Harris got to know MG&A in the late 80’s as a high-ranking manager within the Texas Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Zeke worked closely with Michael and Norciva from the late 80’s through the 90’s as Texas sought to convert its services for persons with IDD from facility-based to community-based. Zeke retired from the state in the late 2000s but continued his involvement with MG&A for many years. He attended the first retreat in 2009 and provided advisory, administrative, and tech provider services on several MG&A grants.

Tara Asai met Michael Callahan while working for UCP of Oregon in 1989. During her tenure at UCP, she collaborated with Michael and other MG&A Associates for training and consultation to support transitioning the sheltered workshop to individualized employment services. She continued her collaboration with MG&A upon leaving UCP in 1997 and served on the Board for Employment For All, a nonprofit founded through MG&A. Tara was a certified mentor in Discovery and Systematic Instruction and contributed in the development of the initial Systematic Instruction Mentor materials.

Friends of Marc Gold & Associates

The following job seekers were revolutionary in the development of multiple MG&A processes. Through their journeys, MG&A has grown to understand so much more about true, effective customized employment, and they serve as inspiration for our future.