Christian Otto Beyer, Jr.
Food Service Manager
A lifelong resident of Ellicott City, Chris graduated from Mt. Hebron High School and attended University of Phoenix and UMES. He is certified by the Maryland State Department of Education to teach Culinary Arts and is a ServSafe Certified Instructor and Proctor. Previously Chris worked as the Food Service Director and Culinary Arts instructor at the Youth In Transition School, as general manager for That’s Amore Restaurants and the Coho Grill, and as food service director at University of Baltimore. Currently he assists the MSDE as a Chef Instructor with their Culinary Boot Camp program in addition to his role as Food Services Manager at Linwood Center.
Toni Hunter
Human Resources Manager
With 25+ years of diverse human resources and management experience that spans start-ups and established organizations. Toni has worked for non-profit and for profit organizations in the manufacturing, healthcare, and human service sectors. She has extensive experience in establishing HR departments for start-up companies, HR policy design and implementation, compensation, benefit administration, performance management, staffing and recruitment, employee relations, HRIS implementations, and job analysis. Toni has worked for various organizations, such as Arc of Baltimore, The Walters Art Museum, The Baltimore Sun, leading the human resources department. Most recently Toni worked in the state of South Carolina, as Director of Human Resources for the Sumter County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, where she was responsible for a comprehensive human resources program. Toni holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Morgan State College (University) in Baltimore, MD. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Julia Jensen
Assistant Residential Director
Julia earned her degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education from Syracuse University. She joins Linwood with 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents with autism to provide quality individualized education. Previously Julia worked with Baltimore County Public Schools, Kennedy Krieger Schools, Carroll County Public schools, and for a non-profit organization serving individuals with special needs. Throughout her career, Julia’s priority is to ensure that every child receives guidance, structure, and support needed to learn and thrive. She joins Linwood’s Children’s Residential Services team, building a strong cohesive program where every child reaches their fullest potential in all areas of life.
Rachel Maher, BCB
Adult Service Team Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Rachel Maher joined the Adult Services team of Linwood Center in October 2014. As the Behavior Analyst for the adult program, Rachel provides behavior support, social group integration, and skill development to 50 individuals. She received her Master’s degree from UMBC in Human Services Psychology in 2009. Rachel’s work experience at the Kennedy Krieger Institute contributed to her receiving Board Certification in Behavior Analysis in 2009. Most recently, Rachel had served as the Director of Autism Waiver Services for Trellis Services, Inc., where she supported individuals and their families to gain crucial life skills to prepare for the transition to adult services.
Terri Meekins, CFRE
Development Director
Terri joined Linwood Center in October 2014 as the Development Director responsible for philanthropy, development, fundraising, marketing, and public relations. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and became a Certified Fund Raising Executive 2011. Terri is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Maryland, Chesapeake Planned Giving Council, and Partnership of Philanthropic Planning. She has served on the Board of AFP-MD and chaired the Educational Program Committee. Previously Terri held the roles of Director of Philanthropy for Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy and Associate Director of Development at The Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute.
Joy Smith
Children’s Residential Director
Joy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UMBC. In the past 20 years, she worked for various organizations in programs which serve individuals with special needs including mental health, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and addiction. Joy’s role in each of these programs was to rebuild, reorganize, and restructure to improve services for all individuals. As the Children’s Residential Director at Linwood, Joy’s role is to provide the children served with a safe, loving, and nurturing home environment.
