Staff Directory

Co-Founder and Interim CEO

Ron Harrison

Ron Harrison is the Co-Founder and Interim CEO of Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS), bringing over 30 years of combined experience in corporate leadership, creative direction, nonprofit development, and business management.

Ron and his wife, Diana Diaz-Harrison, co-founded AZACS with a shared vision to create a high-quality, specialized education environment for children with autism. As one of the founding leaders, Ron has been involved since the beginning—helping build the school from the ground up and shaping its mission, operations, and long-term strategy.

Today, he plays a central role in driving strategic planning, operational oversight, and organizational sustainability. Before joining AZACS full-time, Ron had a distinguished career at Salt River Project (SRP), where he led award-winning video and digital communications initiatives supporting major programs and public engagement. His leadership extended beyond creative direction—managing teams, budgets, and cross-functional projects aligned with SRP’s corporate goals.

In addition to his work at AZACS, Ron also runs an independent production company with his business partner, serving a wide range of corporate and nonprofit clients. His expertise spans brand strategy, media production, marketing consulting, and project management—providing a strong foundation in organizational leadership and strategic execution.

Ron holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State University and an MBA in Business Management from Western International University. He is a six-time Emmy Award winner and has earned recognition from multiple international film festivals for his documentary work.

Inspired by his stepson’s journey with autism, Ron remains deeply committed to the AZACS mission. His leadership continues to guide the school’s growth with a focus on innovation, operational excellence, and meaningful community impact.

Chief Financial Officer

Paul Pucino

Paul Pucino is the Chief Financial Officer of Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS).  Prior to joining AZACS in October 2024, Paul was a member of the school’s Board of Directors for five years where he also served as Treasurer. 

Paul brings over 30 years of experience in accounting and financial operations to AZACS. Prior to AZACS, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of a number of publicly-traded and privately-held companies including Evite, Digital Insight, and Tekelec. In these roles, he was responsible for all aspects of the companies’ financial operations including accounting, financial reporting, financial planning, investor relations, and information systems. Paul also has extensive experience in the areas of strategic planning, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and capital market transactions.

During his tenure at AZACS, Paul has been responsible for financial operations, strategic and financial planning, compliance with external agencies and bond investors, and the financing of the school’s expansion opportunities.

Paul is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he is a former member of the school’s CFO Advisory Board.

Executive Liaison & Director of Compliance

Annie Loftis

I’m Annie Loftis, and I’m honored to serve as the Director of Compliance and Strategic Initiatives at AZACS. With over 10 years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles, including teacher, Dean, and Vice Principal. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the many important functions that each role plays within an educational institution, and I am excited to contribute this knowledge to AZACS.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies, all from San Diego State University. My educational background fuels my passion for learning, exploring new ideas, and helping others reach their full potential.

I thrive in collaborative, dynamic environments and am always eager to take on new challenges. I am proud to be part of a team that works together to ensure the success of our students and staff at AZACS. I look forward to continuing to support our mission and contributing to the growth and success of the school.

Chief of Schools

Myla Goyne

My name is Myla Goyne and I am honored to serve as the Head of Schools. I started working with a variety of students in 2001 as an intern, and then special education paraprofessional while I attended Arizona State University and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. During that time, I discovered my love for working with students with exceptionalities and decided to further my education and obtain my Master of Education in Special Education. Since then, I have served as a Special Education Teacher, Special Education Instructional Coach, Exceptional Student Services Coordinator, and Campus Special Education Director. To prepare for my role as an administrator, I obtained my Supervisor and Principal Certification and earned my Master of Arts in Education Administration and Supervision.

This will be my fifth year at AZACS, and I look forward to supporting the academic direction of our charter and ensuring the highest standards of educational excellence.

Collaborating with leadership teams, staff, and stakeholders will be an instrumental part of my role in advancing our academic programs and initiatives. Working together we will continue to enhance the overall student experience and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

During my free time, my partner Tom and I enjoy vacationing to explore new places, but we seem to be drawn to more beach-themed adventures. Nothing beats a good book and sand between the toes. We also enjoy catching a concert or spending time with our families which include his triplet sons and daughter and our three dogs.

Thank you for your continued support of AZACS, and our dedicated team is here to assist you in any way possible. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Assistant Chief of Schools

Patrick Masson

Hello, I am Patrick Masson. I am excited to work alongside my colleagues as the Assistant Chief of Schools.

Driven by a passion for early childhood education, I am dedicated to making a positive impact on our youngest learners. I strive to provide them with strong foundational tools and a unique educational experience that sets the stage for lifelong success.

I hold a Master of Education in Special Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, which equip me with the skills to support diverse learners and lead effectively in the educational field.

I am entering my 17th year working with children with autism in the school setting and am proud to be starting my 12th year at AZACS. I have been part of the AZACS family since the school first opened its doors in 2014, and I remain deeply committed to its mission and community.

Chief Operating Officer

Dan McCarty

Dan McCarty is currently the Director of Operations and IT for Arizona Autism Charter Schools. Dan brings over 12 years of experience in Operations and IT management and over 40 years of business leadership.

Dan started his career in the hospitality industry where he spent 35 years in several leadership roles with companies like Hilton Hotels, Wyndham Hotels, Intrawest Golf as well as owning and running his own restaurant.  Dan managed facilities across the United States as well as Canada and facilitated new construction building projects as well as takeovers.

During his leadership roles, Dan was responsible for multi-million dollar budgets, and hundreds of staff, millions of dollars of inventory, and ensuring brand integrity. He was responsible for designing and opening facilities as well as flipping properties to the corporate brand.

Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Masters of Arts degree in Elementary Education which he received from the University of Phoenix.  He also has certification in Windows Server Administration, Network Management, (Network security, Local Area Network, and OSI model, Wire and Wireless Protocol), CompTIA A+ Fundamentals, and Cloud, and Google Educator Level 1 and Level 2.

Talent Management Director

Susan Contino

My name is Susan Contino and I’m excited to be the Director of Talent Management, where I have the privilege of working alongside a diverse and talented group of professionals. Together, we share the common goal of developing and supporting our team to ensure both staff and students have a successful year. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to an environment where growth, collaboration, and success are at the forefront of everything we do.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies, specializing in Human Resources and Employment Law, from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (ASU). My career has provided me with a variety of experiences in education and operations management. I served as the School Operations Manager at EAGLE College Prep, overseeing day-to-day operations to ensure a smooth and effective environment for students and staff alike. I also worked at Scottsdale Unified School District as a Registrar and Manager of Facility Rentals, where I honed my organizational and leadership skills.

At ASU, I supervised the international evaluation process for incoming undergraduate students and served as a Designated School Official for student visa issuance, gaining a deep understanding of the regulatory and compliance needs of international students.

In addition to my professional experience, I hold several certifications, including the Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Arizona Notary Public, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida. These certifications reflect my commitment to continuous learning and ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

I’m passionate about working in a place where every day brings new opportunities to support and empower both our staff and students. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of AZACS!

Senior Director of ABA & Data

Claire Piper

I’m Claire Piper, and I’m proud to serve as the Senior Director of ABA & Data at AZACS. This is my 8th year with the school, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles, including as a classroom teacher, manager, and campus director. Each experience has allowed me to deepen my understanding of how to best support our students and team.

I hold a Master’s in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), and a Certified Special Education Teacher. These qualifications, along with my hands-on experience, help guide my work in creating a supportive, data-driven approach to learning and behavior.

Before moving to Arizona, I worked as a camp director and special education teacher, which provided me with invaluable experience in managing diverse teams and meeting the needs of students in a variety of settings.

Director of Wraparound Services and Special Projects

Megan Vincent

Megan Vincent is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has been in the field of education for over 15 years. Prior to her current roles, Megan has held leadership roles and served as a leadership consultant in district, charter, and non-public school settings in Arizona, New York, California, and Washington. Her focus in these roles has been establishing and growing systems to support equitable, evidence-based, and data-driven programming for learners with autism and other neurodiverse populations in school settings.

Director of Steam and CTE

Supreet Kaur

Sr. Registrar

Maria Colunga

Tucson Campus Director

Kelly Hardegree-Ullman

Facilities Manager

Nancy Johnson

Lead School Nurse and Manager of Health Initiatives

Jessica Mangieri, RN, BSN

School Nutrition Manager

Holly Vaughan

Campus Director

Denise Ballard

Online Campus Director

John Paquin

Campus Director of ABA Practices

Carla Smith

Campus Director of ABA Practices

Christopher Morris

Tucson ABA Campus Director

Brittany Holdren

West Valley Campus Director

Katie Ferback

Director of Special Education and English Language Learners

Kristina Chrisman

Campus Director

Jacquelyn Oates

Campus Director of ABA Practices

Chad Hines

Registrar

Alondra Jimenez-Herrera

My name is Alondra Jimenez-Herrera, and I am the receptionist at AZACS. My position allows me to aid students, parents, and public with general information they may be seeking about AZACS.

I have worked with parents and students in a office setting for 2 years. During that time, I have dedicated myself to assisting parents with registration and attendance procedures. This will be my first year working at AZACS as a receptionist. I am beyond excited to be part of the team!

Outside of AZACS, I am a bookworm! I love reading and exploring bookstores in the city. I also enjoy searching for new food businesses around the Phoenix area.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email: aherrera@autismcharter.org