Snap, an organization serving people with developmental disabilities in the Sequim community since 1998, recently named Jenell DeMatteo as interim executive director.

DeMatteo succeeds Tresa Stuber, founding member and past executive director, who retired on June 30.

Stuber provided leadership, heart and dedication to Snap during its formative years, group leaders said.

Snap members plan to introduce DeMatteo at a reception on Aug. 26 (see box).

"This will be an opportunity to meet the new interim director and provide input concerning Snap," said Bill Humphrey, board president.

DeMatteo, a Chimacum resident, brings extensive and varied experience in social services and education to the organization, holding a master’s degree in management from Antioch University (Seattle) and a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Ohio State.

She worked for The Arc of Kitsap & Jefferson Counties since 1996 and was parent coalition coordinator for the Jefferson County Health Department from 2007-2009.

DeMatteo was executive director of Sound Experience, a nonprofit environmental education organization based in Port Townsend, from 1993-2002, and was director of outdoor programs for the Girl Scouts-Totem Council in Seattle from 1985-1993.

"She seems perfectly suited to take the lead at Snap," Humphrey said.

The Snap board recently eliminated the acronym S.N.A.P., which stood for Special Needs Advocacy Parents.

"The term ‘special needs’ became outdated as a description for people with developmental disabilities soon after the organization was founded," said Snap board member Tracy Wilson.

"This is a time of imagining the future for Snap," Humphrey said. "In the fall, we will have an organizational planning and visioning meeting. Snap participants and community members will be invited to

take part."