On September 23, 2009 at a meeting of its Board of Directors Hawthorne Foundation Inc. confirmed Dr. Tina Marie Covington as its Executive Director.

Dr. Covington has been Acting Interim Executive Director for the Agency since July 1, 2009. Dr. Covington has been an employee of Hawthorne Foundation in various capacities since 2001. She began her employment with Hawthorne Foundation/ Hawthorne Country Day School as a Program Coordinator and advanced to School–Age Program Director in 2006. On July 1. 2007 she was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer in charge of agency operations for all of Hawthorne Foundation and Hawthorne Country Day School Programs.

Dr. Covington has a Ph.D. in Special Education/ Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education/ Behavior Disorders also from Columbia University. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr. Covington is certified in New York State as a School Administrator/Supervisor, and Special Education Teacher grades K-12. She is a National Board Certified Behavior Analyst and an ACE Coordinator for the BCBA National Certification Board.

Dr. Covington has more than 15 years of experience working with agencies in various capacities. She is an expert in developing programs of Applied Behavior Analysis for children with developmental disabilities, autism and behavior disorders. The families’ staff, students and adults she serves, recognize her dedication to the students and adults served. Her experience spans programs pre-school, school age programs and adults in day and residential care. Her special expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis and interest in community development is greatly appreciated by the families, students and consumers she serves. Hawthorne Foundation congratulates Dr. Covington on her appointment and looks forward to a long, fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship.