Our Leadership

Richard Chorney

CEO & President

Richard grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. His mother was a special education teacher and his father an artist. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Bard College majoring in Psychology, and his Master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Special Education. He also attended the Tavistock Institute for Group Relations in Annapolis, MD, and the University of Wisconsin Summer Institute for Public Executives where he received a certificate in Psychiatric Administration.

Richard rose through the ranks as a Childcare Worker, Teacher, Activities Director and Director of Group living at a Connecticut Residential Treatment Center where he worked for fourteen years. His other significant experience was in New York, where he was the Executive Director of a large Residential Treatment Center with a Group Home division for 180 emotionally troubled inner city youth for ten years. He came to Grove School in 1986 as Executive Director.

Richard’s interest in working with adolescents was sparked at age 19 when he elected to do a 3 month volunteer “field period” as one of his college requirements. Both his parents’ work, as well as their personal interests contributed to his decision to see what working with children was about.

Richard has been an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University and has served on numerous boards of directors in both New York and Connecticut. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Green Chimneys School in Brewster, New York.

Richard has many interests which he tries to pursue in his “spare time”.  They include art, architecture, sculpture, fitness, piano, reading, exotic cars and travel, especially in the Caribbean and Italy. He lives in Madison, near the school and remains close to his 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

In reference to his work, Richard states: “I am most proud of having made many wonderful relationships with terrific young people from all walks of life in my 50 years in this field. Today I count several former students among my close friends. I think it is the ultimate privilege to be able to do what you love and to love what you do”.

 

 

Peter Chorney

Executive Director

Peter was born into the field of helping adolescents as he grew up on the grounds of residential treatment programs and the Grove School campus. His present work at Grove is an extension of how he was raised and he feels privileged to make this his life’s work. Peter graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in Psychology and School Psychology and he earned his MS in Special Education with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University. Peter also studied at the University of Lancaster in England during his undergraduate coursework.

Peter began his work at Grove during high school as a tutor and maintenance assistant. Throughout his college years, he worked as a care staff and later became a live-in Teacher/Counselor, teaching Math and Psychology. In 1996, he became a Residential Administrator. He then was promoted to Associate Director and later, Executive Director. Now, as Executive Director, he manages and supervises all of the daily operations of the school. He also facilitates the hiring and recruitment of teachers, care staff and other school personnel. Peter is an integral part of campus life and has direct involvement with the student population serving as a Student Advisor, Baseball Coach and the co-Advisor to the Student Council.

Outside of the Grove School community, Peter worked as an Employment Specialist with developmentally delayed adults at SARAH in Guilford, CT. Additionally, he interned as a counselor at a middle school in Lewisburg, PA during his undergraduate years. He also conducted psychological research at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, NY on borderline personality disorder and suicide.

Peter is proud of the school’s growth and development over the past 15 years. Being a positive impact on children and their families is an incredible opportunity. Peter remains in touch with many Grove alumni and their families.

Peter lives in Madison with wife, Kim, who is a financial planner and active member of the community, and their two sons. His interests include baseball, tennis, painting, skiing, travelling and fitness. He is an avid Yankee and UConn Basketball fan. Peter has served on the Executive board of Friends of Madison Youth for over ten years and has led many fundraising efforts for the town. Peter has been selected to various committees with Madison Youth Services and he has been an active board member for Madison Little League serving as Fall Baseball Commissioner and as a coach for the past five years.  He serves on the Education Committee for Temple Beth Tikvah.