Moving Up at Liberty ARC

At Liberty ARC, we strive to create a positive environment and support opportunities for professional growth as our employees look to advance in their careers within the agency. Please help us in congratulating Liberty ARC employees Samantha Morris, Amy Stearns, and Stephanie Wilson on their recent promotions within the agency as Assistant Directors of Operations!

In her new role, Samantha oversees and is responsible for residential services in a portion of the upper region of Montgomery County. Samantha began her career at Liberty ARC in 2007 as a Direct Support Professional and has moved up within the agency in various roles, including Assistant Manager, Residential Manager, and most recently as a Residential Manager Mentor, where she worked with new managers to prepare and train them for success in their roles.

“Since day one, this job has been centered around the people we support and making a positive impact in their lives,” Samantha said. “When I first came to the agency, I was basically a kid just looking for a job. Over the years, I have grown both personally and professionally, and quickly came to realize that this is more than just a job. I am excited to embrace my new role as an Assistant Director and look forward to the future, as well as the opportunity to support a new group of people and to work with my awesome, new team. I look forward to developing new skills and taking on additional responsibilities.”

“We are so excited to welcome Samantha to the Assistant Director and up-county teams and look forward to the knowledge and expertise she will bring to her new role,” said Ashley Walton, Liberty ARC’s Director of Operations in the up-county area of Montgomery County.

Both Amy and Stephanie will oversee residential operations in Schenectady County.

“We are very pleased to welcome Amy and Stephanie into their new capacities within the Operations Department,” said Liberty ARC Director of Operations Kelly Frazier, who oversees Schenectady County. “Both bring a wealth of knowledge to their roles with their many years with Liberty ARC.”

Like Samantha, Amy’s most recent role with Liberty ARC was as a Residential Manager Mentor, but Amy’s time with the agency expands over an impressive 15 years, overseeing various homes for people with disabilities and supporting those within the residences. Amy began her journey as a Direct Support Professional in 2009.

“This new position means that I will be able to create a team that is dedicated to supporting the people who reside in our homes to live their best lives, whatever that means to them,” Amy said. “I have always admired our leadership team and the fire within them. They push me to strive to keep pushing myself forward to be the best version of myself.”

Stephanie has also been employed by Liberty ARC for many years, beginning her career in 2006. She has worked in a variety of positions across several of the agency’s departments, including as a Direct Support Professional, an Assistant Hab Specialist, a Residential Manager, and an Incident Management Coordinator before being appointed to the Assistant Director role.

“I am excited for this next chapter in my career,” Stephanie said. “While a majority of my time with Liberty has been spent in Montgomery County, it’s been very rewarding and exciting to get to know my new team and the people supported in Schenectady County the past few months since being appointed into the position. Since I began my career with Liberty ARC in 2006, those I have had the privilege to support in various capacities have always been at the forefront of my mind and that commitment still holds true.”