About Us

BIO COMING SOON

On the DIVE-VRT project, Christine serves as Co-Principal Investigator and Co-Project Director. Christine is also the Director of LAUNCH USF, a successful transition and employment program offered through the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, Department of Child and Family Studies within the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida.

Christine is currently a Ph.D. student in USF’s Behavioral and Community Sciences interdisciplinary doctoral program and has a Master of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health from USF. She is trained and certified in Supported Employment, Discovery, Customized Employment, and is a Certified Business Technical Assistant Consultant (CBTAC). Her work focuses on positive employment and transition outcomes for individuals with autism and other disabilities.

She has extensive experience in program development, management, and delivering direct services to individuals with disabilities. Christine will oversee the day-to-day operations, planning, and progress of the program to ensure all components are delivered with fidelity and high quality. She will provide support to all DIVE-VRT staff members, serve as the point of contact to subcontractors, oversee replication planning, and assist with implementing the evaluation plan.

Morgann Frazee started as an Employment Specialist with LAUNCH in 2018. She continues to work as a job coach providing support to students and job seekers with successfully preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment. Morgann is a graduate of University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies concentrating in Education, Behavioral/Social Sciences, and Communications. She holds an Autism Spectrum Disorder Graduate Certificate.

Prior to working at LAUNCH, Morgann provided behavioral interventions to adolescents with ASD and has worked in business management. Morgann coordinates LAUNCH's Employment Service Programming, including Youth Transition. On the DIVE-VRT project, Morgann serves as Project Manager, overseeing all activities on the grant project promoting collaboration between key personnel and subcontractors. Morgann leads recruitment and marketing activities for DIVE-VRT. She also supports the lead business developer with job coaching.

Scott Fontechia is a Program Coordinator for LAUNCH. A University of South Florida alumnus, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. He has provided services to the autistic community across a range of ages and settings since 2010.

Scott primarily oversees and instructs the Automation and Tech2Work programs with LAUNCH. Additionally, he provides direct services to jobseekers, trains businesses and professionals on autism and other diversity topics, serves as an adviser to students in LAUNCH Academy, is a data junkie & published researcher, and is an invited speaker & presenter on autism-related topics.

On the DIVE-VRT project, Scott’s role is the Lead Business Developer and Job Coach. He will recruit and partner with local businesses for training, consultation, and helping to secure internships and apprenticeships for participants.

Shambria is DIVE-VRT's Project Coordinator. As a graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program, Shambria brings a strong foundation in leadership and civic engagement. Her passion for advocacy, particularly in amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities, drives her commitment to creating inclusive, impactful change. Currently pursuing a degree in social work, Shambria continues to deepen her knowledge and skills to better serve and support her community. Shambria’s role as Project Coordinator includes assisting the project team with all aspects of development and planning on the project.

BIO COMING SOON

Larry Tartaglino brings over three decades of expertise in operational and management roles within the healthcare revenue cycle industry. Throughout his career, Larry has demonstrated a knack for innovation, strategic leadership, and fostering growth in complex industries. In 2021, he expanded his professional pursuits into an entirely new arena as one of the three co-founders of Tampa’s first all-virtual reality venue, VR Galaxy Lounge.

Fueled by a lifelong passion for gaming and cutting-edge technology, Larry and his partners saw an opportunity to bring immersive entertainment to the community. VR Galaxy Lounge quickly became a hub for state-of-the-art virtual reality experiences, offering everything from multiplayer adventures to unique interactive games designed to captivate audiences of all ages.

Recognizing the transformative potential of virtual reality beyond entertainment, Larry and his team envisioned a greater purpose. This vision led to the creation of the VRG Learning Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging virtual reality for education and workforce development. Partnering with renowned organizations like C.A.R.D. and Launch, the team developed the D.I.V.E. (Delivering Innovative Vocational Education) program.

Larry’s innovative leadership continues to push boundaries, blending technology, education, and community impact to create opportunities for individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Anthony Denham is a highly skilled and motivated IT professional with over 15 years of global experience in Information Security, networking and infrastructure, process design, and technical support. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to undertake analysis and engineering of complex projects while implementing innovative new solutions.

A confident communicator, Anthony excels in leading productive and diverse teams in both English and German languages. Currently, he holds a pivotal role at Citi where he plays a crucial part in analyzing existing and future business systems, reviewing security architectures, and developing engineering solutions that integrate information security requirements to proactively protect information. His responsibilities include performing audit and security compliance checks, conducting network penetration testing, vulnerability scans, and other configuration analysis.

Anthony’s expertise extends to developing threat models and conducting security risk assessments, where he recommends mitigations and countermeasures to address risks, vulnerabilities, and threats. Additionally, he reviews and validates security documentation, ensuring adherence to system security requirements definition and System Security Plans.

Outside of his corporate endeavors, Anthony is also the owner and co-founder of VRGLI, a nonprofit business dedicated to leveraging VR technology to improve employment within Hillsborough County. Through VR vocational training and education programs, Anthony and his team aim to empower young adults, including those with disabilities, by providing them with valuable skills and opportunities for growth. Anthony’s commitment to both his professional career and philanthropic initiatives highlights his dedication to making a positive impact in his community and beyond.

Joe Fratto is a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the pool service and repair industry. Since 2011, Joe has operated his own pool service business, building a reputation for excellence and reliability in Pinellas County for 13 years. In 2022, Joe expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by diving further into the immersive world of virtual reality gaming. With the launch of VR Galaxy Lounge, Joe and his two partners introduced an innovative and unique entertainment concept to the greater Tampa Bay area, captivating enthusiasts and newcomers alike with cutting-edge VR experiences.

Driven by a passion for education and community impact, Joe is a co-founder of VRGLI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging virtual reality technology for educational assistance, elevation, and expansion. Through VRGLI, the team aims to bridge the gap between traditional learning and modern technology, providing students and career-driven individuals with immersive and engaging educational experiences. With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community empowerment, Joe continues to make strides in both business and nonprofit sectors, leaving a lasting impact on the greater Tampa Bay area and beyond.

Melanie Denham is a dedicated professional with a rich background in psychology and public service. Born in Germany, she devoted over 20 years of her career to working for the federal government as a Psychological Technical Assistant. In this role, she specialized in administering psychological assessments and testing for individuals aged 14 to 60, helping to support their personal and professional development through expert evaluation.

In 2017, Melanie relocated to Florida, where she continued her commitment to public service as a driving instructor for the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. Her patience, attention to detail, and passion for teaching allowed her to support hundreds of new drivers in gaining the skills and confidence needed for the road.

Melanie’s compassion to work with people has always driven her career choices. Her unique blend of experience in psychological services and instructional roles naturally led her to VRG Learning Institute, where she continues to empower others through education and support.

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON