CASP ELECTED Officers

Chris Brown, President (7/1/25 - 6/30/2027): Mr. Brown is currently a school psychologist and licensed professional counselor in private practice with Connecticut Behavioral Health in Cheshire, CT where he also serves as the Director of School District Partnerships. He retired from a 30 year career in public schools in June 2023. His public school career included working as a school psychologist in several districts with students from preschool through high school. He also worked as a school district administrator in a number of roles including Principal of an alternative high school, and Director of Special Education & Pupil Personnel Services. As an administrator he designed specialized programs for students with autism, emotional needs, and specialized transition needs. He was an adjunct faculty member for the School Psychology graduate programs at Fairfield University and Southern CT State University for more than twenty years. He continues to provide psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in his private practice with CT Behavioral Health.  He has presented on professional practice topics at the National Association of School Psychologists annual convention, the Annual CASP Sarah Gelish Presidential In-service,  the Yale Childhood Anxiety Disorders Clinic, and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence RULER Program. His interests are now focused on personality development of children and adolescents including comprehensive personality assessment for planning interventions to address the emotional needs of students with particular attention on moderating the impacts of adverse childhood events.  Chris was the 2023 recipient of the CASP Distinguished Service Award.  

Eric Elias, Past President (7/1/2025 - 6/30/2027): CASP President Elect, Eric Elias, MS Ed, ABSNP is a school psychologist in Meriden, CT. He is Connecticut’s 2018 School Psychologist of the Year. Eric has over 30 years of experience as a school psychologist. He is a co-host of the successful podcast School Psyched. As an author, Eric has had a number of articles published in school psychology journals, contributed numerous articles for his state association newsletter and as well as the NASP Communique. He has also contributed to publications through the American Federation of Teachers. Eric continues to support research through projects specific to the practice of school psychology in collaboration with professors from several universities. He supports the practice of school psychology on a national level through his involvement on the NASP Communications Committee and presentations at the National Association of School Psychologists annual conferences. Eric is an active board member for the Connecticut Association of School Psychologists (CASP) and is the Newsletter editor for CASP as well. Eric teaches assessment as an adjunct and is also on the advisory board for the School Psychology program at Southern Connecticut State University. Eric is passionate about social and emotional learning, social justice as well as evidence-based assessment, practice and interventions. 

Casey McPheron, Secretary (7/1/2023-6/30/2027 - 2nd Term): Casey is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). She also works with the Office of Psychological Assessment at SCSU helping to identify students who may require accommodations at the university level. Casey has published several articles related to the training of school psychologists and published book chapters related to taking action for implementing social justice in the field of school psychology. Casey’s research interests focus on best practices in training school psychologists, supervision of school psychology trainees, and development of early language and literacy skills for young children. Casey has previously served as the APA Division 16 Convention Chair and Co-Chair and been a reviewer for the Journal of Psychological and Educational Consultation. Casey is also a recipient of the 2023 CASP Presidential Citation.   

Rhiannya Byrne, Treasurer (7/1/2025-6/30/2027): 

Tom Brant , NASP Delegate (7/1/2021-6/30/2024): 

Tom is Director of Pupil Services, Amity Regional School District, No. 5, in Woodbridge, CT. Tom has been actively involved in CASP since 2008 including stints as President, Immediate Past President, and Chair of Membership, Legislative, and Professional Learning committees. Tom also serves as the related services liaison for the ConnCase and on the board for the Connecticut Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparedness. Additionally, Tom is a member of the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response committee. Outside of professional commitments, Tom enjoys spending time with his two daughters and attending sporting events. 

In Memory: Sarah Gelish, President (7/1/2021 - 2/13/2023)