Our Team
Leadership
Bentley Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Bentley Smith is the Chief Executive Officer for Support, Inc. and joined the organization in 2013. Bentley has an Undergraduate Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Bentley’s early career was concentrated in finance and accounting oriented functions, which ultimately evolved into more operational and management roles over time. With over 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field, he is passionate about providing solutions for people to achieve their greatest potential, and brings that passion to Support, Inc.
When you don’t see Bentley at Support, Inc., you will find him spending time with his wife and two dogs, hiking in the mountains, or doing just about anything else that Colorado has to offer.
Brian Farestad
Vice President of Operations
Brian Farestad is the Director of Operations for Support, Inc. and joined the organization in 2017. Brian has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Brian began his career as a Direct Support Professional, working with adolescents who experienced severe emotional and behavioral challenges. Brian quickly found his niche in this environment as he not only found meaning and enjoyment working with the clients themselves, but also in being part of a treatment team of professionals. This drew Brian towards the operations side of management, and as his career progressed, he found himself overseeing larger groups of people and serving more diverse populations. Twenty years later Brian still gets a kick out of watching people get the help they need, the pride in the eyes of people and teams who provide that help, and ultimately watching people work together to grow and succeed.
Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his friends and family, at home or outdoors, in his preferred tri-state area of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. Brian is also a rabid Philadelphia sports fan and enjoys catching his favorite teams when they come to town or traveling to see them play in other cities throughout the country with his Pennsylvania high school buddies.
Nicholas Manning
Director of People Operations
Nicholas earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Ashford University. Nicholas also earned his Doctorate of Business Administration from Northcentral University.
Nicholas came to Support Inc. in May of 2015 as an Associate Director of Residential Services. His passion for the Support Inc. community and professional/scholastic direction has lead Nicholas to a role in leading the company’s Human Resources department. Nicholas’ career in human services began in 2004, as he took a position as a direct service provider working with adolescents. With over 12 years of experience leading teams within the human service industry, he developed a passion to lead teams to positive outcomes.
When Nicholas is not at the office, he is spending time with his wife and 4 children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys coaching his children in their own sporting activities.
Carole Gaynor
Director of Finance
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Carole graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a BBA in Accounting and Finance. Lived in NC for 5 years, 4 of those working for a regional CPA firm. Afterwards, Carole moved to Florida where, the last 5 years Carole lived there, she worked for a not for profit called Quest, Inc. Quest, at the time, served approximately 1000+ individuals with developmental disabilities and its services included Residential, Adult Day Care, Training and Employment Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, ABA school for children with autism, and independent/supported living.
In 2010, Carole and her family relocated to Colorado, where she completed an MBA in Financial Accounting Management, and worked mostly in the hospitality industry, and in governmental with a national CPA firm. Currently, Carole, her husband, and two sons enjoy the cooler weather (compared to FL) and the outdoor adventure opportunities that Colorado has to offer.
Cindy Cridlebaugh
Director of Intake
Cindy is a Colorado native who grew up with her twin sister in Arvada. Her education included Metro State with a focus on business management – however, she soon found that her passion for individuals with IDD (like her sweet son, Chad), was her lifelong career. She has worked as a case manager, SLS marketing consultant, sales for Colgate-Palmolive, property manager, and now as Intake Director. With 20 plus years with Support, Inc. she has built the Intake team and has met so many great families and their loved ones – some who she has stayed connected for 20 years!
In Cindy’s free time she is a real estate agent for HomeSmart and enjoys get-togethers with family and friends.
Erik Nielsen
Director of Residential Services
Erik Nielsen is the Director of Residential Services for Support, Inc. and joined the organization in 2015. Erik has an Undergraduate Degree from California Lutheran University.
Prior to Support, Inc. Erik was the Director of Operations for an Arkansas-based youth soccer program and worked as an automotive claims adjuster in Southern California.
At Support, Inc., Erik has served in several roles in both the day and residential services. As the Director of Residential Services Erik is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all residential services. He works closely with Residential Associate Directors to ensure that service delivery is timely, person-centered, and above reproach.
Outside of Support, Inc., Erik serves in the United States Army Reserve, training regularly with his Aurora-based psychological operations unit. Erik enjoys spending downtime with his wife and daughter. They enjoy traveling together, attending community events, and staying active.
Laura Viers
Associate Director of Quality Assurance
Laura Viers is the Associate Director of Quality Assurance and joined the organization in 2016. Laura earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Colorado State University.
Laura began her career in the filed as a program coordinator for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities eventually moving into management roles. She found that her true calling was in quality and compliance. Laura is passionate about improving the quality of life for individuals with IDD through proactive and data driven approaches to evaluate the quality-of-care waiver participants receive and using continuous quality improvement to evaluate services, systems, and processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
Outside of work you can find Laura hiking or camping with her dogs and boyfriend. Laura also loves to cook, bake and tend to her vegetable garden in the summer.
Management
Danyelle Grajeda
Danyelle oversees residential services in the Denver Metro Area and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Elizabeth Hildebrand
Elizabeth oversees residential services in the Northern Denver Metro Area and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Debra Neely
Debby oversees technology and other related projects and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Becca Peloquin
Becca oversees residential services in the Denver metro area and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Brian Slusarz
Brian oversees marketing services and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Brandon Thibodeau
Brandon oversees day services in the Denver Metro Area. Send Email
Samantha Cordova
Samantha oversees residential services in the Denver Metro Area and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Vincent Johnson
Vincent oversees residential services in the Northern and Eastern Areas and is based in the Loveland office. Send Email
Christopher Sharkey (MA, LPC)
Chris oversees clinical services in all regions and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Morgan Struck (RN)
Morgan oversees the nursing department in all regions and is based in the Aurora office. Send Email
Kayla Ribron
Kayla oversees residential services in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs Area. She is based in the Colorado Springs office. Send Email
Kaylee Alcon
Kaylee oversees services for Pueblo Community Resources, which is a member of the Support Inc. Network. She is based in Pueblo. Send Email
