SOMERVILLE – The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) is proud to announce the additions of Marc Brummer and Tim Kowalski, PhD, to the organization’s leadership as members of the Board of Directors.
Brummer, of Livingston, and Kowalski, of Plainsboro, join Eliot Goldstein, Esq. (Warren); Tim Omaggio (Morristown); James Levitt (Randolph); Conrad Roncati (Closter); Rebecca Spar, Esq. (Suffern, N.Y.); and Dr. Martin S. Topiel (Cherry Hill) as board members. Further additions to the Board of Directors are expected soon.
Brummer, NJCTS’ 2012 Advocate of the Year, has two adult sons with Tourette Syndrome and, along with his wife, Suzanne Klar, has worked closely with NJCTS for more than 10 years. Brummer, the proprietor of Hobby’s Delicatessen and Restaurant in Newark, has participated in outreach to legislators – most recently with Senator Frank Lautenberg to discuss the importance of supporting legislation for Tourette Syndrome and to advocate on behalf of NJCTS’ myriad outreach programs and family support services.
“NJCTS is a remarkable organization that has made a real difference to our family in terms of helping our boys learn to self-advocate, comparing stories and ideas with other parents, showing our boys that they are not alone in the challenges they face and having access to professionals who were able to help guide us through the maze that is Tourette Syndrome,” Brummer said. “Along with having the opportunity to talk to doctors, residents and a U.S. Senator about our experiences of raising two boys with TS, all of these experiences helped and empowered Suzanne and I to raise two confident, accomplished, caring and outgoing young men who happen to have Tourette Syndrome, but are not defined by it.”
Like Brummer, Kowalski – along with his wife, Leslie, and two daughters – is a longtime member and supporter of NJCTS. Kowalski, who holds a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry and is a researcher in the pharmaceutical industry, also has spent much time mentoring his daughters in their roles as a peer advocates for NJCTS.
“The services and activities provided by the NJCTS have had a tremendous impact on the life of our family,” Kowalski said. “They have helped us with the challenges of TS and have provided opportunities for our affected daughters to develop into self-confident, outspoken advocates. I am honored to be asked to serve on the Board and look forward to giving my time and effort to this wonderful organization that has given us, and others, so much.”
NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice believes Brummer and Kowalski will bring much to the table and will continue to help the organization foster awareness and advocacy on behalf of the 1 in 100 children and adults living with Tourette Syndrome.
“Having known both Marc and Tim for a long time, I am excited to welcome them as official members of the NJCTS leadership team,” Rice said. “They have been and will continue to be major assets to our organization, their families and the rest of the Tourette Syndrome community.”