Executive Team

Robert F. Cashel, LCSW
President & CEO

For the past 14 years, Rob Cashel has been President and CEO of FCA, where he is responsible for the multi-service human service organization with more than 200 staff serving more than 13,000 clients annually. Rob has developed key partnerships in the community while also establishing formal relationships with numerous private and corporate foundations. Prior to this position, Rob worked for 23 years at Family Centers in the Stamford-Greenwich area. He began as a Clinical Social Worker and later rose to the role of Executive Vice President. In this latter role Rob initiated and managed a variety of programs and services including employee assistance programs for a variety of businesses. Rob is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) and is also on the Board and Executive Committee of Norwalk ACTS. Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Rob is also a licensed clinical social worker, a certified marriage and family therapist, and a certified alcoholism counselor.

Mary Ellen Hass, LCSW
Executive Vice President & COO

Mary Ellen Hass joined FCA in 2008 and is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience working with vulnerable children and their families. Mary Ellen received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from New Hampshire College and was awarded a Master's Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. She is a founding member of both the National Assembly on School Based Health Care in Washington D.C. and The CT Association of School Based Health Centers and served on their respective boards of directors for many years. She was appointed by the CT State General Assembly to the Adolescent Health Council and in 2006 was appointed to the State Health Commissioner’s Ad Hoc Committee on Adolescent Health Care. She is currently serving on the Statewide Advisory Council for the CT Department of Children & Families (DCF) and is the Co-Chair of the DCF Regional Advisory Council for Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford.

Omar Garro
Chief Financial Officer

Omar Garro joined FCA in December 2020 with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit finance, business administration, and process improvement in both the United States and South America. Prior to FCA, Omar was the Chief Financial Officer at Liberation Programs. Omar has a degree in Science in Industrial Engineering from the Pontific Catholic University of Peru and an MBA in Management from Sacred Heart University. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Center for Nonprofits at Sacred Heart University and was formerly Co-Chair and Treasurer of the Hispanic Council Advisory of Greater Stamford.

Andrea Vakos
Vice President & CDO

Andrea Vakos joined FCA in December 2017 and is responsible for leading the development and communications efforts of the agency. She brings to her role more than 30 years of fundraising experience in nonprofits throughout Fairfield County. Prior to FCA Andrea held leadership positions with the UConn Foundation, AmeriCares, Kids in Crisis, Girl Scout Council of SWCT, and Trinity Catholic and Central Catholic High Schools. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College with a major in Marketing.   

Averi Dudek, PHR, SHRM-CP
Director, Human Resources

Averi Dudek joined FCA as Director of Human Resources in 2011. Previously she worked in New York City managing the human resources department of an IT consulting company. Other prior experience includes SAP, Wachovia, and Prudential Securities. Averi holds PHR and SHRM-CP Human Resource certifications. She is an active member for the Society of HR Management (SHRM) nationally and is a member of the local Southern Connecticut chapter. Averi was awarded the Top In-House Recruiter award at the Fairchester Recruiting Summit in 2016. She holds a degree from Siena College in Albany, New York. Averi’s experience includes developing and executing recruiting & employee relations strategies that represent the organization’s culture and values with a focus on employee retention.