Board of Directors

Amity Arscott, President

Amity is an attorney in private practice, representing injured workers. She was born and raised in Groton. Amity was drawn to serve on the board of Noank Community Support Services after having represented children whose families were involved with DCF.

Mari Kodama

Mari Kodama works as part of JTK Management Restaurant group, and is the General Manager of their BREAKWATER location, which is located in Stonington Borough.

Born, and raised, in North Stonington, Mari graduated from Norwich Free Academy and went on to pursue a degree in Business Economics and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She returned to the area in 2010 and since then, has been actively engaged in the local community.

Mari joined the board of Noank Community Support Services in 2011 and is currently the Vice President and an active member of the development committee. She is also the Treasurer of the Regional Multicultural Magnet School Foundation – her elementary school alma mater; and on the board of directors for the Mystic Museum of Art.

Seth Panucci, Vice President

Seth is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Mystic, CT, where he manages the investments and financial affairs for families across the country. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 2009, he moved back to Mystic, CT where he lives with his wife, Amy. Seth became a member of the Noank Community Support Services Board of Directors in 2016. He enjoys being a part of the local community, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mystic Lions Club.

James L. Pratt

Pratt’s involvement with Noank Baptist Group Homes, now Noank Community Support Services, began when Robert P. (“Chip”) Anderson, Jr. purchased the former “Legion House” in Noank and gave it to the Noank Baptist Church to be a place of refuge for homeless, often senior, adults. Pratt, was, at that time, the Minister of the Noank Church and became immediately involved in the future of the house. When the state would not allow the desired use of the house, it was eventually decided to make it a group home for adolescent girls who had been removed from their families.

To make this possible, a corporation called “Noank Baptist Group Homes” was founded and the “Legion House” became “Main Street House.” Pratt served on the board of Noank Baptist Group Homes for the next 30 years until his retirement and move to London in 2001. In 2017, after returning to reside in Noank, Pratt became a board member of NCSS with particular concern for the future of “Main Street House.” Pratt fully supported the effort to retain the house (when its use as a group home for adolescent girls was no longer possible), and strongly advocated its use as a shelter for homeless young adults. That dream has now been fulfilled at the house.

Portia Bordelon

Portia Bordelon is a Groton Town Councilor and a Medical Assistant. She is a Groton native and has great proximity to our work as she lived our group home for girls operated by Noank Community Support Services in Mystic. Portia lived in our group home during high school and graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School and later Becker College.

Portia joined the board in 2020 and offers a unique perspective because of her lived experience in the childcare system. Portia resides in Groton and is a proud mother of two boys, one of whom is currently serving our country in the US Navy.

Stacia Miner

Stacia is the Finance Manager at United Cerebral Palsy of Eastern CT, a non-profit organization that strives to advance the independence of individuals with disabilities.  She is a graduate of Eastern CT State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1993.

Stacia resides in Montville, CT and enjoys being part of the local community. Prior to joining the board of Noank Community Support Services in 2022, Stacia served as the Treasurer of the Raymond Library, Montville, CT for over twenty years.

Kate Conway

Kate Conway is a retired senior financial and general management executive who worked at Traveler’s Insurance Group, Lincoln Financial Group, and Cigna.

Kate has extensive nonprofit experience having served several roles in Hartford as the president of My Sister’s Place, the treasurer of the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford, an advisory board member of Untapped Potential. Kate recently retired to Groton and is now a member of the Mumford Cove Finance Committee.

Kate is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a BA in economics and accounting from College of the Holy Cross.

Ed Langellier

Ed Langellier has extensive work experience in the banking and credit industry. Edward currently serves as Vice President and Sr. Business Banking Loan Officer at Berkshire Bank. Prior to this, he worked at Savings Institute Bank & Trust Company , The Robert Allen Group, and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Ed attended Bryant University and holds a BA in business management and finance. He resides in Greenville, Rhode Island.