STAFF

Thomas Kamber, Ph.D., Executive Director

Thomas Kamber is the founding executive director of Older Adults Technology
Services (OATS), where he has led the creation of the largest municipal
technology program for senior citizens in the country—training more than 5000
senior citizens at over 50 locations since 2004 and leveraging over more than
two million dollars in public and private financing.  His work at OATS has been covered in local and national print, television, and online media, and has been the subject of
several academic studies of the intersection of aging and technology. 

Prior to launching OATS, Dr. Kamber held senior management positions at
nonprofit housing and technology organizations, as well as political campaigns
at the local, state, and national level.  He serves on the boards of the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance, the Park Slope Geriatric Center, and Brooklyn Community Board Six.  In the private sector, he served as a senior brand strategist for D’Arcy advertising, where he helped design and implement communications strategy for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, a leading global technology services corporation.  Dr. Kamber teaches courses on social entrepreneurship, urban research, and the social impact of technology at Columbia University, is a visiting fellow at the Advanced Communications Law and Policy institute at New York Law School, and has published widely on public policy topics.  He has a B.A. from Columbia College and a Ph.D. from the City University of New York. tkamber@oats.org

Renee Martinez, Director, Digital Communities

Renee first came to OATS as an intern in March 2006. Proving her capabilities early, she quickly became full-time growing her position into Director of Digital Communities. As Editor of SeniorPlanet.org, New York's only digital community for older adults, Renee develops the infrastructure for the site’s three main sections, manages editors and trainers, and oversees marketing and publicity of the site. Renee has also written curriculum for the OATS Web Content Creation for Older Adults Course and teaches at the Prospect Park YMCA. Before coming to OATS, Renee worked with Los Angeles County, doing operations and community event planning for The Department of Parks and Recreation. Prior to that, she organized and led over 200 retreats serving nearly 8,000 youth around the nation for NET Ministries, a group dedicated to youth ministry and community development. rcmartinez@oats.org

Robert Finkenthal, Director, Education Development

Robert Finkenthal has served adult learners through curriculum development, program design, and classroom training for over fifteen years. As Director of Education Development for OATS, Robert develops curriculum for use in teaching seniors basic and advanced computer skills, designs new programs to engage seniors, and conducts technology training sessions. Prior to joining OATS, he managed a master's program in East Asian regional studies at Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute, developed several program series for master's and doctoral students, and administered a range of scholarships for research and academic year study. Robert also administered grants for education and nonprofit programs between the United States and Japan for the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, taught English as a Second Language to adult students in Japan, and provided a range of services for ESL students at Fordham University. Robert holds a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in English from Binghamton University. rfinkenthal@oats.org

Barbara J. Kelly, Director, Program Development 

Barbara J. Kelly joined OATS after working as an administrator in the nonprofit world of social services for older adults for more than a decade. As a senior center director and program manager, Barbara combined her passion with her skills to educate, motivate, and enhance the lives of hundreds of seniors throughout Queens through creative programming, counseling and advocacy. A Licensed Master Social Worker, Barbara holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from the Adelphi University School of Social Work where she also served as co-chair of the social work alumni association creating networking, leadership and continuing education opportunities for fellow alum. When not spending time with her family, Barbara volunteers at the Rockaway Theatre Company where she has performed for the past six years. bjkelly@oats.org

Howard Accurso, Senior Training Specialist

Howard Accurso has taught and coached a number of OATS classes, including the basic computing for older adults course at the JASA site on East 5th Street and the multilingual version of the course at the USCC / Chinatown YMCA. He is currently working with the Harlem Chapter of AARP to bring a course online at that site. Recently retired after working 25 years as a technologist on Wall Street, he applies a senior citizen's perspective to the course and to the needs of the students. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1966, received a BA from CCNY in 1970 and a MPhil Musicology from CUNY Graduate Center in 1979. A board member of the Riverdale Choral Society, he now has the time to combine his two great loves: computers and music. haccurso@oats.org

John Figueroa, Senior Training Specialist

John Figueroa is a technology program developer with 10 years of experience in serving the older adult community. He has a certification in Human Services form BMCC and earned an Associates Degree in Humanities and Science. He has utilized his experience and education towards providing a fun, creative and informative educational environment. He also serves as a technical consultant for organizations who are in need of corporate network design advice and implementation. Additionally; he is an artist by trade focusing on the digital graphic arts, design and video multimedia. John's lengthy technological experience in dealing with the older adult population has lead him strong recognition from many related citywide agencies including, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) and (AARP). jfigueroa@oats.org

BOARD

Genevieve Cervera
Phoenix Life (Retired)

David Dring
Interactive Aging Network

Neil Harrison
Sony Corporation of America

Anurag Heda
Kasina Consulting

Thomas Kamber
OATS Executive Director

Peter Morales
Echoing Green

Julie Pfeffer
Artisan Funds

Ralph Porter
Comprehensive Community Revitalization Project (Retired)

Rob Salkowitz
Author, Generation Blend: Managing Across the Digital Age Gap

Abigail Stokes
Author, Is This Thing On? and It’s Never Too Late to Love Your Computer

Jennifer Weiss (Chair)
Author, Citizen-in-Chief