Meet our Board of Directors

Lisa Darling- President 2021-2022

Lisa Darling, MS, CRT, RPSGT, CSE, RCP

Lisa became a respiratory therapist immediately after high school and has managed departments and worked in sleep medicine. She loves patient care, and is now working in DME. Lisa will focus on offering continuing education in the current environment, as well as organizational processes. As evidenced by the photo, she’s a newlywed, and the proud mother of two sons. She is an avid nature photographer and rail trail walker.
Contact Lisa via AARC Connect 

Jessie Exilus- Secretary

Jessie Exilus, BSRT, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS

Jessie is the society’s most recent President and is now serving as Secretary. In addition to a full-time job at a busy 400-bed hospital, she also teaches at River Valley Community College. During her tenure as President, she focused on organizational matters, including by-law updates as well updating the society’s internet presence via a web page and Facebook. Jessie enjoys trying out new foods and recipes with her husband in her free time. 

Contact Jessie via AARC Connect  

Tracy McGuiness- Board Member at Large

Tracy McGuinness, M.Ed., RRT, CPFT

Tracy has been an RT for 39 years. Currently, she is the Program Director at Vermont Technical

College’s Respiratory Therapy program. Prior to that, she was with UVMMC in various roles. Tracy’s goals this year include promoting Respiratory Care as a career. Tracy is married

with three adult children, loves to cross country ski, bicycle, and visit friends & family.

Contact Tracy via AARC Connect

Kathy Hilliard- Board Member at Large

Kathy Hilliard, BS, RRT, RCPCoI have been a Respiratory Therapist for over 35 years. My personal mission is to provide superior customer service through safe, quality, cost-effective, respiratory services under the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Respiratory Care and the National Board of Respiratory Care.

I love my chosen profession and now as the Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at River Valley Community College; I am able to share my mission and my passion as I develop future Respiratory therapists.

Over the years I have worked in many patient care areas from neonatal transport, neonatal to adult open-heart patients, critical care services, and pulmonary rehabilitation. I have had many roles as a respiratory therapist from staff therapist, transport therapist, critical care therapist, system Respiratory Therapy Department Director of a two-hospital system, and as a Respiratory Therapy Educator.

Fortunately, and unfortunately, with the current Coronavirus pandemic, the dynamic role of a respiratory therapist in patient care and our profession is now recognized for the part we contribute to the care of critically ill patients. I have never been more proud of my profession.

On a personal note, I relocated to New Hampshire in September 2020, to accept the position at River Valley Community College and to be closer to my one daughter who lives in New Hampshire. My other daughter and her husband live in Chicago. I currently share my home with two golden retrievers and two cats, my fur children.

Contact Kathy via AARC connect

Steve Zackowski- House of Delegates Respresentative


Katie Lamare- Sherwin Education Committee Chair

Lisa Depalo- Treasurer