ABA Therapy Who is Pennington?

John Sullivan, M.A. Ed, BCBA LBA co-owner 

John completed his undergraduate studies at Old Dominion in 1985, graduate studies at The George Washington University in 1990 and was a public-school employee for 30+ years. In that time he was a special education teacher, instructional specialist supporting teachers teaching students with autism and a principal, supervising classes for students with autism. Among other responsibilities John was part of a statewide training team that taught teachers to program for students with autism in an educational setting. Before retiring John completed Behavior Analysis coursework through Florida Institute of Technology and became a certified/licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2013. Throughout the 30+years in education as well as time spent in the field as a BCBA, one focus has remained constant, support and guidance for families and clients in order to reach their potentials/goals. 

Suzanna Myers, M.Ed.,BCBA LBA, co-owner 

Suzanna was introduced to autism on a personal level shortly after her husband's Army career brought the family to the Tidewater area in 2003.  During this time, her third child, Edward Pennington, aka "Penn" was diagnosed with autism.   To better understand Penn's needs, Suzanna entered the field of special education.  She began working in a teacher development program with a regional autism spectrum program, rapidly progressed to become a mentor teacher, earning recognition as the city's autism spectrum program Teacher of the Year in 2011. During her seven-year tenure in the classroom, Suzanna completed her Master's Degree in Special Education through Cambridge College, her BCaBA coursework via the University of Mary Washington, and her BCBA coursework via The Florida Institute of Technology.  Suzanna is also a certificant of the 2014 Institute of Special Education Advocacy at the William and Mary Law School.

John and Suzanna first worked together in special education in the Hampton Roads Area. Suzanna left the public school system to form Pennington Group in 2013. In 2016, Suzanna and John partnered, realizing they shared a common vision of a group of aba practitioners, who like Pennington himself, would make connections and change lives.