Daily Freeman 
August 27, 2023 The Anderson Center for Autism announced that Robert Wood, new to the organization, will serve as Principal of Anderson Education Center.
Additionally, two longtime Anderson employees, have been promoted. Tracy Schober has been named Director of New Program Development and Gina Williamson is the new Director of Children’s Services.
Wood, who lives in Fishkill, holds two master’s degrees in Educational Administration – one from the University of Vermont and another from Stony Brook University. The early part of his career was spent as Principal of The Green Chimneys School in Brewster, N.Y., where he worked for seven years before shifting to public school settings, where he held positions as Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Special Education, and Director of Pupil Personnel Services. As the new Principal of Anderson Education Center, Wood will oversee the interdisciplinary education program at Anderson, which serves 138 individuals ranging in age from 5-21 from 53 New York State districts (in addition to districts from all over the country).
Schober, a resident of Austerlitz, N.Y., will lead the research and development of innovative and creative programs, along with continuing to participate in local and national outreach efforts and developing relationships with families and professionals. Over the course of her twelve-year tenure at Anderson, Schober has served as Senior Admissions Administrator, Supervisor of Medicaid Service Coordination, Admissions Administrator, and serves as Lead ECHO Facilitator.
Schober obtained a master’s in Public Administration from Marist College, a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from SUNY College at Brockport, and an associate’s degree in Recreation Leadership from Erie Community College. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration degree at Capella University, along with advanced and executive leadership certificates through The National Society of Leadership and Success. Schober represents Anderson on the Accessible Residential Opportunities Committee of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities regional offices, serves as a Board member for Autism Society Greater Hudson Region, and is also a member (and now President) of the Association of Directors of Development, Admissions, and Marketing, along with being a member of the American Society for Public Administration, and the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society.
Williamson earned a Master’s degree in Leadership and Administration from Capella University after obtaining a BSN from Purdue University and A.A.S. in Nursing from Dutchess Community College. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Capella University. Williamson, a resident of Lagrange, worked as a dialysis nurse in the early part of her career and joined Anderson’s team over seven years ago. Having started in 2016 as Nursing Supervisor for Children’s Services at Anderson Center for Autism, she was promoted in 2018 to Coordinator of Children’s Services, and in 2020 became Director of Health and Related Services before her recent promotion to Director of Children’s Services. Over the years, Williamson has expanded Anderson’s Nutrition Services program, created and chaired the Senior Care Committee, developed and implemented an in-depth Health Assessment, and helped to launch a new electronic health record, among other achievements. She also played a role in protecting the health and well-being of staff, students, and residents throughout the global pandemic by studying and carrying out COVID-related preventive care measures, working with the Department of Health, and organizing vaccine distributions with Northern Dutchess Hospital/Nuvance Health.
