Our Team

Geraldine (“Jeri”) Dejana is the president and chief executive officer of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. Dejana took on an integral role in supporting and assisting Peter Dejana’s business operations since the 1970s. They jointly began the Dejana Family Foundation in 2010 to support organizations and initiatives rooted in their community. After Peter’s passing in 2024, Dejana took the helm in operating the foundation and expanding its vision for local, regional, and national initiatives. 

April Schweber is the executive vice president of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, where she oversees daily operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. Having worked alongside the late Peter Dejana for more than 30 years, Schweber was long regarded as his trusted right hand, playing a key role in building efficient systems and fostering a collaborative, people-centered workplace culture that continues to reflect his vision and legacy. 

Known for her strong leadership and team development skills, she brings dedication, compassion, and commitment to everything she does. Outside of her professional role, Schweber is also a passionate animal lover and advocate, and proud owner of two pitbulls. She supports causes focused on community involvement and animal welfare. 

Whether leading business initiatives or spending time with her dogs, Schweber brings energy, dedication, and heart to everything she does – carrying forward a legacy of purpose, care, and community impact.

Barry Knepper, CPA, is the chief financial officer and a member of the board of directors of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. He has a 40-year career as a senior financial executive, including experience at the international public accounting firm Ernst & Young. While serving as CFO of a large service company, he managed its initial public offering and raised more than $100 million in equity and debt financing to support expansion.

Knepper also serves as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Coffee Holding Company, a publicly traded integrated wholesale coffee roaster and distributor.

Jerry Volpe serves as the director of properties and facilities for the Peter and Jeri Foundation. Previously, he worked at TD Bank as a Financial Services Representative, managing business accounts and annuities. Volpe also brings extensive experience in the textile industry, where he worked with major manufacturers and converters around the world, servicing the U.S. retail market. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Dayton and a Masters of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business

John Jankowski grew up in Port Washington and began working for Peter Dejana in 2004 with Aero Snow Removal. In 2010, he became a board member of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, helping oversee grant initiatives and philanthropic efforts. In 2024, he was appointed Coordination Director for the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. He attended Farmingdale State College and Nassau Community College.

Valerie Mallon is the program director at the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, where she oversees grantmaking, analytics, and personnel operations. Mallon’s passion for social justice and creative storytelling has led her to a variety of pursuits, from the National Coalition for the Homeless, the American Bar Association, to creator advertising at Raptive, a top ten media company. Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Environmental Studies, and Justice & Peace Studies from Georgetown University, where she was also a George F. Baker Scholar. 

Hugo Amador serves as the Public Relations and Communications Manager for the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, joining the organization in 2025. His early academic and professional work focused on the intersection of science and public policy before expanding into the fields of law and journalism. Amador holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Literatures in English from Cornell University, where he was both a Cornell Commitment Fellow and Biology Scholars Program Fellow. Amador later went on to receive a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, with a concentration in politics, culture, and society.

Before joining the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation in 2024 as a grants associate, Maria Trejo worked in recruitment and nonprofit staffing, partnering with mission-driven organizations and connecting professionals with meaningful opportunities. At the foundation, she supports the grantmaking process and collaborates closely with organizations dedicated to strengthening local communities through philanthropy and nonprofit partnerships. Trejo studied Industrial Engineering at the Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica Antonio José de Sucre and later earned an associate degree in Business Administration from the Santiago Mariño Technical Institute in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. 

Virginia Sullivan serves as the accounts principal for the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, where she oversees both accounts receivable and accounts payable operations. She joined the foundation in 2024. Sullivan began her career as a bank teller at Long Island Savings Bank, where she would eventually serve as the head teller. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from St. John’s University.

Meaghan Sullivan is the Real Estate Associate overseeing the assets of the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation. Prior to joining the team, she worked in title insurance as part of the recording and escrow department. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marine Science, with a minor in Environmental Studies, from Stony Brook University.

Lisandro (Ricky) Mancilla is the Maintenance Manager at the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, where he oversees the upkeep of assets owned by the Foundation. Mancilla worked alongside Peter Dejana and his business operations for over four decades. 

Jesse Defeo is the Maintenance Associate at the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, where he helps manage and upkeep assets owned by the foundation alongside the rest of the maintenance and properties team. Prior to his role with the foundation, Jesse was an art transportation entrepreneur and has traveled to all fifty states. His family has a long history in Port Washington and is proud to continue to serve his community.