SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Pat Bergmaier, Chartered Special Needs Consultant, 1847 Financial
Pat is a Certified Financial Planner and has a passion for working with families. His knowledge and expertise allows him to develop comprehensive and holistic financial plans for his clients that provide the frame-work for making financial decisions that will help achieve their lifetime and legacy planning goals. Pat is also a Chartered Special Needs Consultant, which gives Pat the knowledge to address the unique circumstances and requirements of planning for individuals with special needs, a core focus of his practice.
Pat received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Albright College in Reading, PA and holds his FINRA Series 7, 66, 63 & 6 Securities Licenses. He is involved with supporting many special needs organizations such as Ascend, Autism Cares Foundation, Down Syndrome Interest Groups, and PLAN of PA. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the American College Center for Special Needs. He resides in Downingtown with his wife and daughters.
Pat is a Certified Financial Planner and has a passion for working with families. His knowledge and expertise allows him to develop comprehensive and holistic financial plans for his clients that provide the frame-work for making financial decisions that will help achieve their lifetime and legacy planning goals. Pat is also a Chartered Special Needs Consultant, which gives Pat the knowledge to address the unique circumstances and requirements of planning for individuals with special needs, a core focus of his practice.
Pat received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Albright College in Reading, PA and holds his FINRA Series 7, 66, 63 & 6 Securities Licenses. He is involved with supporting many special needs organizations such as Ascend, Autism Cares Foundation, Down Syndrome Interest Groups, and PLAN of PA. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the American College Center for Special Needs. He resides in Downingtown with his wife and daughters.
Michael Connolly
Mr. Connolly is a shareholder at McAndrews Law Offices and the Supervising Partner of Special Education since 2018. With twenty years of experience, he represents parents of children with special needs in a variety of education matters at administrative hearings and state and federal court. He has assisted parents in disputes involving their public school related to issues such as eligibility and identification, programming and placement, tuition reimbursement, discipline, bullying, and discrimination.
Throughout his legal career, Mr. Connolly has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee, where he served as Vice Chair from 2002 through 2003 and as Chair from 2003 through 2006. In his roles as Vice Chair and Chair, he played an active part in helping to shape the Bar Association’s position on legal issues impacting students with disabilities.
Mr. Connolly began his career in education law upon graduation from law school as an associate with a District of Columbia law firm representing parents in special education matters. He later became a partner in a law firm located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he spent nearly a decade representing school districts throughout state. Most recently, prior to joining McAndrews Law Offices, Mr. Connolly was a founding partner at another education law firm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he spent seven year representing parents and students in educational matters.
Mr. Connolly is a shareholder at McAndrews Law Offices and the Supervising Partner of Special Education since 2018. With twenty years of experience, he represents parents of children with special needs in a variety of education matters at administrative hearings and state and federal court. He has assisted parents in disputes involving their public school related to issues such as eligibility and identification, programming and placement, tuition reimbursement, discipline, bullying, and discrimination.
Throughout his legal career, Mr. Connolly has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee, where he served as Vice Chair from 2002 through 2003 and as Chair from 2003 through 2006. In his roles as Vice Chair and Chair, he played an active part in helping to shape the Bar Association’s position on legal issues impacting students with disabilities.
Mr. Connolly began his career in education law upon graduation from law school as an associate with a District of Columbia law firm representing parents in special education matters. He later became a partner in a law firm located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he spent nearly a decade representing school districts throughout state. Most recently, prior to joining McAndrews Law Offices, Mr. Connolly was a founding partner at another education law firm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he spent seven year representing parents and students in educational matters.
Steve Potts, Herr, Potts and Potts
A key focus of Steve’s legal practice is helping families navigate the tricky legal territory of special needs-related issues. His knowledge in this area comes from years spent in his practice working on special needs trusts as well as guardianships and powers of attorney; a background directly informed by experience with his own special needs family members. Steve grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College in 1999. He received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2002.
Steve’s active involvement in the local special needs community includes creating the Kokua Network app for special needs families, as well as his current position of President of the Board of Directors for the Arc of Chester County. Previously, he has served on the Kencrest Services Board in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, as well as the Board of Bournelyf Special Camp in West Chester. Steve lives in West Chester with his wife Julie and their three children, as well as his brother Tom, an adult with Down Syndrome.
A key focus of Steve’s legal practice is helping families navigate the tricky legal territory of special needs-related issues. His knowledge in this area comes from years spent in his practice working on special needs trusts as well as guardianships and powers of attorney; a background directly informed by experience with his own special needs family members. Steve grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College in 1999. He received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2002.
Steve’s active involvement in the local special needs community includes creating the Kokua Network app for special needs families, as well as his current position of President of the Board of Directors for the Arc of Chester County. Previously, he has served on the Kencrest Services Board in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, as well as the Board of Bournelyf Special Camp in West Chester. Steve lives in West Chester with his wife Julie and their three children, as well as his brother Tom, an adult with Down Syndrome.
Maria Vetter
Maria Vetter has dedicated her career to children and their educational needs. She possesses a wealth of experience working with children who are challenged by special needs, with a primary focus on children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and language-based learning differences. Maria also has considerable expertise in addressing a wide range of other needs and disabilities, including gifted support, traumatic brain injury, Fragile X Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Down Syndrome, Seizure Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Physical Disabilities and various behavioral issues.
She is accomplished in developing programs to accommodate the needs of children in private, public and parochial schools, camps, colleges and home settings, including training staff and family members. Maria has developed countless IEP and ESY programs and created innovative social outlets for children with special needs. As a provider of autistic support services for Lower Merion School District in Pennsylvania, she helped design and implement the first full Asperger’s classroom program for the district’s elementary schools.
As an advocate, Maria works with families of students with special needs, from diagnosis and early intervention, to school age and transitioning out of school into independent living. She helps families understand the educational process and aids them in securing the specialized services their children require. She also supports parents and students by attending IEP meetings, conferences, mediations and team meetings to advocate for the students’ rights.
Maria Vetter has dedicated her career to children and their educational needs. She possesses a wealth of experience working with children who are challenged by special needs, with a primary focus on children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and language-based learning differences. Maria also has considerable expertise in addressing a wide range of other needs and disabilities, including gifted support, traumatic brain injury, Fragile X Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Down Syndrome, Seizure Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Physical Disabilities and various behavioral issues.
She is accomplished in developing programs to accommodate the needs of children in private, public and parochial schools, camps, colleges and home settings, including training staff and family members. Maria has developed countless IEP and ESY programs and created innovative social outlets for children with special needs. As a provider of autistic support services for Lower Merion School District in Pennsylvania, she helped design and implement the first full Asperger’s classroom program for the district’s elementary schools.
As an advocate, Maria works with families of students with special needs, from diagnosis and early intervention, to school age and transitioning out of school into independent living. She helps families understand the educational process and aids them in securing the specialized services their children require. She also supports parents and students by attending IEP meetings, conferences, mediations and team meetings to advocate for the students’ rights.