Meet our Staff
Each of our staff members have the following credentials:
First Aid/CPR/BBP
Participants Rights Training
Document Training
Professional Staff Trainings
Continued Education Requirements Training
Employment First Training
CESP (Certified Employment Support Professionals)
Tammy McElhaney
Owner
Tammy McElhaney has over 25 years experience providing services to people with disabilities. She began working with the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilites in 1990 as an Advocate for Children ages 3 yrs to 22 yrs. who were enrolled in public school special education programs in Northeast Ohio. She has worked specifically in the area of employment services for people with disabilities ages 16-60 for the past 8 years. She is the parent of an adult child now who has severe to profound deafness. She established Blue Sky Employment Consulting in early 2015 out of a passion for assisting the disabled population to become successful in competetive employment . This company was granted CARF Accreditation September 2016.
Amanda McElhaney
Vocational Specialist/Pre ETS Instructor
Admin. Assistant/Work Incentives Practitioner
Amanda McElhaney began her career working with people with disabilities as a job coach in 2009. She has been involved with successful employment preparation for clients of all ages. She moved into the area of Vocational Specialist in 2015 and has assisted clients with Job Seeking Skills Training which includes resume development and job search techniques as well as job interview preparation and job development. In 2024 Amanda received her Work Incentive Practitioner Certification, as well as a specialized certification in Benefits Planning for Transition Aged Youth. Her passion for working with people with disabilities is evident by the trust her clients have in her knowledge of the services she provides.
Kara Noel
Vocational Specialist
Pre ETS Instructor
Kara Noel earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Youngstown State University in Human Resource Management. Upon graduating, she obtained employment with a Third Party Administrator. During her ten years with the company, Kara worked as a worker’s compensation and short term disability claims examiner. Kara has also volunteered at the Way Station Thrift Store in Columbiana, where she loved working and meeting people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Her passion and experience for helping others has led her to become a vocational specialist for Blue Sky Employment Consulting. Kara looks forward to continuing her work to helping others see their own individual abilities to achieve success.
Tami Hackworth
Job Coach/Pre ETS Instructor
Tami has worked with individuals with disabilities for 31 years. She has life experience with Down Syndrome individuals because she has a son that was born with Mosaic Down Syndrome. Tami has been involved with many activities, schools and programs because of her son. Tami has also had the pleasure of working with Autistic individuals and some that are deaf. She has begun to take beginner ASL classes to communicate with deaf individuals or those who have a difficult time speaking but know sign language.
Tami started with Blue Sky in the summer of 2022 as a Job Coach. She has expanded her knowledge to help the OOD community by becoming a Pre-Employment Transitions Service Instructor (Pre-ETS Instructor). Working as a Pre-ETS instructor has allowed Tami to use her skills and knowledge gained to help individuals self-advocate, and learn skills to be more independent and confident. Tami enjoys meeting and knowing each individual along the way. It is rewarding to see them succeed and grow in confidence and knowledge.
Kim Riggs
Vocational Specialist
Pre ETS Instructor/Coordinator
Kim Riggs began her career working with people with disabilities 24 years ago as a sign language interpreter for Youngstown Hearing and Speech. Kim started interpreting in the public schools in the Youngstown and surrounding areas. In 2006 Kim began a staff position with Youngstown Hearing and Speech and worked with adults as a support service provider and transition services for her clients. Kim has also been involved in successful employment preparation and transition services for her clients. Kim has joined Blue Sky Employment Consulting as of Feb. 2016 and is excited to bring her experience to the clients of Blue Sky.
Holli Kosek
Vocational Specialist/Job Coach
Pre ETS Instructor
Haley Bianchi
Pre ETS Instructor/ Vocational Specialist/
Job Coach
Haley earned a bachelor’s degree from Robert Morris University in Business Management in 2012. Upon graduating, she lived in Cleveland, Ohio where she worked for a
data analysis company then moved to Fayetteville, NC where she found her passion for teaching and earned her Certificate in Early Childhood Education to become a pre-school teacher then an Assistant Manager at Little Blessing Daycare. During this time, she enjoyed educating, creating, and helping children and their families of all ages and backgrounds grow emotionally, mentally, and physically. Haley recently moved back to her hometown of East Palestine, Ohio and joined Blue Sky Employment Consulting LLC in the fall of 2023.Her passion and desire to help and teach others is what helps her succeed in her career and she looks forward to continuing to grow and help others.
Job Coaches
Terri Birnesser
Nicole Guy
