New England Region MADD Times Newsletter December 2022

MADD New England is proud to welcome our new Rhode Island Staff!!!

Program Director Wesley Pennington

Victim Service Specialist Jennifer O'Neil

Please welcome Jennifer O’Neil, Victim Services Specialist with MADD Rhode Island. As a child, she experienced the devastating aftermath of an impaired driving crash outside of her home. From that day forward, Jenn has had a passion for impaired driving prevention. As an adolescent she participated in MADD RI’s youth programming. She later founded a UMADD chapter at Sacred Heart University. From 2015-2017 Jenn worked at MADD RI on an underage drinking prevention grant. During her time at MADD RI, she most enjoyed the opportunity to connect with and serve victims and their families through MADD RI’s victim adoption program. Jenn is overjoyed to return to MADD, and it truly honored to be part of the team again. In her free time, Jenn enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two daughters, and three dogs.

Wesley Pennington grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island in a family of five boys, in which he is the youngest and one girl. He graduated from Cranston High School East and went on to study sociology at Western Connecticut State University. Wesley Pennington then became a member of the United States Army. As a member of the Army, Wesley served a tour in Korea. Upon coming back from Korea, he was assigned to the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division. During his time with the 82nd, he was one of the first groups sent to Operation Desert Storm. On completion of his military commitment he returned to Rhode Island where he worked for the West Warwick Police Department. After 2 1/2 years, he left there and went to work with the Rhode Island State Police. He has been employed with the State Police for the last 28 years and has received 3 live saving awards & a national public service award. Wesley is also a head high school football coach for the town of West Warwick, RI. He was awarded 2019 Football Coach of the Year Award. He is also an ordained Pastor. His first book “Through the Smoker” is available on Amazon. Wesley is married to his wife Marissa and has two daughters, Ashley and Eliana.

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