Leadership
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 Fred Fields, Esq., Chief Operating Officer
Renee Coronado 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 written curriculum for the Web Content Creation for Older Adults Course, the Volunteer Technology Leadership Course, and the Having Your Say Online Course. 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, LMSW, 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 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 experience in dealing with the older adult population has garnered 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 Aaron Osgood, BTOP Project Assistant
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As COO, Fred has primary responsibility for collaborating with the leadership and staff of OATS to ensure thoughtful planning, efficient operations, professional development, high quality outcomes, and organizational sustainability. In addition, he provides support for the executive director regarding strategic development and organizational advancement. Fred also serves as project director for the Connected Communities project, a partnership with the City of New York in which OATS is expanding and upgrading public computer centers and providing digital literacy and multimedia training at senior centers throughout the city, with a special focus on high-poverty neighborhoods. The Connected Communities project is supported by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an initiative of the National Telecommunications Information Administration. 
Aaron joined OATS in February 2011 as Project Assistant for the Connected Communities project, a partnership with the City of New York in which OATS is expanding and upgrading public computer centers for use by seniors at locations throughout the city, providing digital literacy and multimedia training, and enhancing Senior Planet, a digital community for older adults. Aaron supports the initiative through planning, project administration, reporting, and compliance. Prior to joining OATS, Aaron worked with various community development, education, and youth serving nonprofits, gaining experience in program development, evaluation, and data management. Most recently, he administered a large youth employment collaborative funded by the City of San Francisco, where he was responsible for training, program monitoring, and evaluation. Aaron holds a master’s degree in community development and planning from Clark University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota. Lauren Sisk, Office Assistant/Project Coordinator
Lauren Sisk joined OATS in the Summer of 2011 as an Office Assistant/Project Coordinator. In her duties as Office Assistant she communicates daily with prospective students to provide them with information on OATS course offerings and assists in the day-to-day operations of the OATS office. As a Project Coordinator for the NYC Connected Communities project, Lauren liaises with community sites in preparation for public computer center installations and supports the reporting and compliance efforts within the project. Prior to joining OATS, she served as a project manager, coordinating accounts receivable projects for hospitals and physicians. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. lsisk@oats.org