Mary Jo Thorn

Mary Jo Thorn has served since 2005 as Chief Executive Offi cer at ACHIEVE, a not-for-profi t agency serving hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in Broome and Tioga Counties.

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Ms. Thorn attended Bloomsburg State College and Marywood University where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work.

Through her over 30 years in human services, including extensive work in mental health, developmental disabilities, crisis intervention, and children and family services, Ms. Thorn has devoted her life to helping those who may be less fortunate.

Early in her tenure, at the request of individuals served by ACHIEVE, she led a task force to change its name from  “Broome-Tioga Association for Retarded Citizens” to ACHIEVE to focus on a more positive, strengthsbased philosophy of values.

Along with providing outstanding operating leadership, she consistently demonstrates her passion to meet the future needs of those served by ACHIEVE by leading its successful campaign for a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation project.

In 2012, she was recognized as the Central New York Business Journal’s Non-Profi t Executive of the Year. She is Past Board President for the Southern Tier AIDS Program, Vice Chair of the Central New York Region Executive Director’s Association, and Board Member of the New York Industries for the Disabled, Inc.

Ms. Thorn has worked tirelessly for animal rights through her involvement with Doberman Rescue and her support of the Broome County Humane Society.

She is also active in her faith community as an Extraordinary Minister and Lector.

Ms. Thorn and her husband, Dr. John Crowell, reside in Binghamton with their three dogs: Trea, Blaise and Cletus.