MEET OUR STAFF
Serving Patients Since 2019
Progressive ABA Therapy Group prides itself on having some of the most qualified supervisory staff in Northeast Ohio who oversee the programming and progress for clients. Our team consists of a licensed clinical psychologist, certified behavior analysts (BCBAs and BCaBAs), multiple graduate interns, and a dedicated group of behavior technicians. Our team of licensed professionals have decades of experience working with children autism spectrum disorder using applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment. Our team members have presented at state and national conferences, published peer-reviewed research, taught university courses at the graduate level, and acted as reviewers for publications in the field of ABA.
Dr. Kris Brown, Psy.D., BCBA-D, COBA, LP & Mary Brown, MS, BCBA, COBA
Co-Owners, Progressive ABA Therapy Group
Dr. Kristopher Brown and Mary Brown are the co-owners and clinical leaders of Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Both earned their Master of Science degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Youngstown State University. They share an in evidence-based care, academic research, and clinical excellence.
After obtaining certification as a BCBA in 2014, Dr. Kris Brown earned his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology in 2021 from California Southern University. Later, he obtained a doctoral designation as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D). Dr. Brown is an active contributor to the field and has published research in Behavior Analysis in Practice, The Psychological Record, and the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. He takes deep pride in mentoring students who go on to become licensed BCBAs, pursue doctorates, and publish their own work. His interests include public policy issues in ABA, mental health parity, and AI in clinical practice.
Mary Brown serves as Co-Owner and Chief Clinical Officer. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA), Mary previously taught graduate-level ABA coursework at Youngstown State University. She has published in The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. Mary frequently presents at state and national conferences, works with local community agencies, and helps run a summer camp for children with autism. Mary specializes in early intervention, focusing her clinical work on toddlers and young children to help them build foundational communication, social, and play skills.
Outside the clinic, Kris and Mary are the proud parents of four boys. They enjoy spending time together as a family, going to the beach, and video games.
Katie DiCola, MS, BCBA, COBA (Lead BCBA, Clinical Supervisor)
Katie DiCola is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She received her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at Youngstown State University and has been a BCBA for 8 years. Katie has worked in homes, clinics, and schools providing ABA therapy. Katie published her master's thesis in The International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy on teaching say-do correspondence to children with autism. At Progressive, Katie is Lead BCBA and helps provide clinical insight and consultation to other supervisors as well as monitoring organizational standards. Katie also works with clients of all ages teaching skills to promote success in different environments. In her spare time, she enjoys playing in community band, horseback riding, and reading.
Christina Cole, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinic Manager)
Christina Cole is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and assistant to the clinical coordinator who has been at Progressive ABA Therapy Group since it opened in 2019. She received her Master of Science in ABA from Youngstown State in 2021. In her current position, she provides oversight on clinic operations with the clinical coordinator at Progressive. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a minor in psychology from Youngstown State. She has worked with children with special needs for the past 15 years. In her spare time she enjoys photography, spending time with her family, and watching her son race motocross.
Michalina Jones, MEd, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Michalina Jones is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) who is a clinical supervisor at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She has been a BCBA for 12 years and has been working with children with special needs for over 20 years. Mickey has presented workshops on assessments in ABA, basic principles of ABA, sign language/communication, and safety when working with children with special needs. Michalina enjoys arts and crafts, baking, and spending time with her family.
Tricia Breegle, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Tricia Vallinger is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) who is a clinical supervisor at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She has been a BCBA for about 1 year and has worked in the field for over 3 years. She obtained her Master of Science Degree in ABA from Youngstown State University and also holds a master’s degree in exercise science from YSU. Tricia has taught graduate-level practical courses at Youngstown State in the ABA Program. In her spare time, Tricia enjoys working out, crafting, and spending time with her family.
David Chilkotowsky, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
David Chilkotowsky is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) who is a clinical supervisor at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Dave received his Master’s in psychology from Walden University and has been a BCBA for about a year. He has worked with children with developmental delays and behavioral needs for the past 15 years. In his spare time, he likes to collect toys, paint, create custom action figures, and read up on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Bailey Figinsky, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Bailey Fields is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She received her master's in ABA from Youngstown State University in 2022 and her bachelor's in psychology from the University of Mount Union. Prior to obtaining her BCBA, Bailey was an intern with Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She has experiencing working in clinics, homes, and schools. As a supervisor at Progressive ABA Therapy Group, Bailey provides oversight to staff working with clients across different ages and skill levels. Bailey is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology with the future goal of becoming a licensed psychologist.
Greg Hogate, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Greg Hogate is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. He received his master's in ABA from Youngstown State University in 2021. Prior to receiving his master's degree, Greg received his bachelors in neuroscience from Furman University in South Carolina. Greg has previous experience as an instructional aid and behavior technician at ABA facilities and special education schools. At Progressive ABA Therapy Group, Greg supervises clients ages 5 to 16 years of age.
Sierra Schneggenburger, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Sierra is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Sierra received her bachelors degree in psychology and Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Youngstown State University. Sierra has worked in homes and clinic settings with toddlers and adolescents across the autism spectrum. She was co-author on the article A Review of Applied Research on Pairing Procedures to Facilitate Emergent Language published in Behavior Analysis in Practice with Dr. Kris Brown. Her masters' thesis was also on stimulus equivalence.
Jake Seamons, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Jake is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Jake received his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Youngstown State University. Jake has been working in the mental health field for several years and has been a technician with Progressive ABA Therapy Group for 3 years. Jake has provided services to children with behavior disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and social needs of varying ages.
Anne Sayre, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor, Coordinator of RBT Development)
Anne Sayre is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Anne received her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Anne has provided therapeutic services in a number of settings across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Anne brings previous experience as a technician, supervisor, and clinical director to Progressive ABA Therapy Group. At Progressive ABA, Anne works with children across the spectrum with different needs, ages, and abilities. In her position as Coordinator of RBT Development, Anne works with technicians, BCBAs, and other administrators to make sure technicians have the support they need to be successful.
Tyler Engleman, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Tyler Engleman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Tyler received her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Youngstown State University. Prior to becoming a BCBA, Tyler was a graduate intern at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Tyler has provided therapy to children with different levels of abilities on the autism spectrum.
Gillian Stilson, MS, BCBA, COBA (Clinical Supervisor)
Gillian Stilson is a clinical supervisor at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) since July 2022. She recently earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential in November 2025 and Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) credential in December 2025. Gillian holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Kent State University. Gillian has previously worked as a preschool teacher and has 6 years experience working with children. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Rene Edgell, MEd, BCaBA (Assistant Clinical Supervisor)
Rene Edgell is a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. She holds degrees from the University of Connecticut and obtained ABA certification from Penn State University. She has extensive experience working in clinics, homes, and schools providing oversight for ABA programming. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and reading.
Chase Carpenter, MS, BCBA, COBA
Chase is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst with Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Chase received his bachelors and masters degrees from Youngstown State University. Chase has worked with clients in clinics, home settings, and residential settings in Michigan and Ohio.
Vincent Trolio, BA, BCaBA (Assistant Clinical Supervisor)
Vincent Trolio is a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Vince obtained his bachelor's from Youngstown State University in psychology. Vince continues as an intern at Progressive ABA while completing a master's for his BCBA certification. Prior to working in ABA, Vince worked in the mental health field with both children and adults. Vince has experience working in-homes, clinics, residential programs, and in schools. Vince enjoys cooking and video games as hobbies.
Administrative Staff
Andrew Durig (Safety/Operations Coordinator)
Andrew Durig is the Safety and Operations Coordinator at Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Prior to working in operations, Andrew was a RBT with Progressive ABA Therapy Group and worked with children of varying ages. Andrew has additional experience in educational administration/compliance and is currently a certified trainer for Safety Care for Progressive ABA Therapy Group.
Melanie Vallinger (Office Administrator)
Melanie handles a variety of office duties and assists with general operations of Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Prior to coming to Progressive ABA Therapy Group, Melanie worked in nursing facilities.
Gloria Vallinger (Billing Manager)
Gloria is the billing manager for Progressive ABA Therapy Group. Gloria has more than 20 years experience as a medical biller for a variety of service providers.