Meet Our Team!
Melissa Utz, MS, BCBA - Clinical Director/Clinician
With over a decade of experience in child development and applied behavior analysis,
Melissa Utz brings a steadfast commitment to ethical, data-driven practices. As Clinical
Director and Ethics Compliance Officer, Melissa, leads our team with compassion,
integrity, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.
Her leadership ensures the highest standards of care, empowering staff to deliver
exceptional services while maintaining strict adherence to ethical guidelines. Melissa’s
expertise and guidance navigate the complexities of clinical care and ethical
compliance, driving our organization toward consistent, client-centered success.
Dr. Christine Barthold, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, NBC-HWC - Clinician
(BCBA-D™). With a passion for helping people be their best selves, Chris has been
working with individuals with developmental disabilities for almost 30 years and received
her BCBA in 2001. Dr. Barthold is the only person to hold both a BCBA-D and National
Board Certification as a Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). In addition to her
BCBA-D and NBC-HWC. Chris holds certifications as a fitness trainer, a Compassion
Fatigue Professional, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is also trained in
and practices Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTr), a behavioral approach to
addressing thoughts and behaviors that get in the way of value-based living.
Chris has worked with individuals across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. These
settings include home-based intervention, public and private schools, houses of
worship, hospitals, and places of employment. This combination gives Chris a unique,
holistic approach to intervention based upon both her experiences and the best
available evidence.
John Foss - Office Manager, Insurance Liaison, and Billing Specialist
A decorated United States Air Force retiree, John Foss brings exceptional dedication
and a wealth of expertise to his role. As our Insurance Liaison, he facilitates seamless
communication with insurance providers, ensuring smooth and efficient processes for
clients.
As office Manager, John oversees daily operations, coordinates schedules, and ensures
that all aspects of the office run smoothly. His expertise in billing guarantees accurate
and transparent financial processes, providing peace of mind to clients and their
families.
John’s commitment to excellence, organizational skills, and technical expertise make him an invaluable asset to our team and the individuals we serve.
Alfred “Al” Frugoli - Strategic Implementation Advisor
Al Frugoli has spent more than 20 years helping families and individuals with autism and developmental disabilities access the supports they need to thrive. As Strategic Implementation Advisor for Innovation ABA in Massachusetts, Al uses his deep knowledge of service systems, funding, and program design to help bring high-quality, compassionate ABA services to local communities.
Before joining Innovation ABA, Al led and grew human services organizations across New England, including founding and guiding a nonprofit that built innovative, family-focused programs and specialized therapeutic spaces. He has extensive experience working with payers, schools, and community partners to create services that are both effective and easy for families to navigate.
Al lives in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with his wife. They have three young adult children and lost their medically complex son with developmental disabilities in 2024 at age 26 — an experience that deepened Al’s commitment to building systems of care that truly support families. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, creating pieces for friends and family, and spending time together at home.
Al’s goal is to ensure Innovation ABA’s Massachusetts programs are accessible, family-centered, and built to last — giving parents peace of mind and helping individuals succeed at home, in school, and in the community.
Maureen Foss, MS, BCBA, LBA, LABA - Clinician, Managing Director
With over 35 years of experience specializing in human behavior, Maureen Foss has
dedicated her career to providing evidence-based support to individuals across all ages
and a wide range of diagnoses. Her extensive expertise includes working with children,
adults, and older populations, addressing the diverse needs of individuals and their
families.
Maureen has provided advocacy and direct support in a variety of settings, including
homes, group homes, nursing homes, schools, and institutions. She contributed to the
deinstitutionalization efforts in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Delaware, and Georgia, working
with teams to prepare individuals for the transition from long-term institutionalization to
more independent and community-integrated lives.
During her tenure with Delaware Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Maureen
helped develop supports enabling teachers and school personnel to access mental
health resources for students, parents, and colleagues. She also worked to connect
victims of child exploitation with counseling resources and facilitated training for
teachers and parents to identify and respond to signs of exploitation.
Maureen holds a BASW from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Criminal Justice
from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. After earning her BCBA, she founded
Innovation Behavior Services in 2015 to ensure individuals of all ages and abilities
have access to practical, evidence-based, and supportive services tailored to their
unique needs.
In addition to her professional work, Maureen serves as a member of the AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware Provider Advisory Council, sits on the board of her local AKC, and is a member of the Maine Beekeepers Association. She is also a past board member of the Association for Maine Behavior Analysis (AMeBA). During her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her spouse and their pets while honing her beekeeping skills.