Our Team
Executive Director, Gary Palker
Gary Palker has been an integral member of our team serving as Executive Director for over three decades. He has been the force behind the organization's involvement in fighting food insecurity, promoting adult education and senior housing management over the past 25 years. He has extensive experience as executive asset manager for a large property management company, has served as a housing management office with the NJ Housing and Finance Agency.
Outside of Greater than Ourselves, Gary enjoys cycling, outdoors and spending time with his family. As a proud Vet, Gary serves as a board member of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 510. He is treasurer of his condominium association and was a long time advisory board member of the Newark chapter of the American Rescue Homeless Mission.
The GTO Board
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Crystal Jones, DMH, MPA
PRESIDENT
Crystal Jones received a master's degree from Rutgers University in Public Administration, concentrating in health and healthcare disparities. She studied Medical Humanities in Drew University's doctoral program. Crystal has many years background in healthcare education administration, methods and principles of medical ethics, major topics in health care policy, socioeconomic impact on health, end of life issues, and the physician/patient relationship. She has worked several years as a care coordinator for patients, as well as advocating for them when they are unable to advocate for themselves. Her strong desire to serve is the motivation behind her involvement with the organization.
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Virginia Patterson
TREASURER
Virginia Patterson is currently a realtor–associate with Cass, Inc. Realtors’ Agency in West Orange, N.J. She has been a licensed agent and insurance broker for over forty years. She also holds active memberships in other community organizations. She was a charter member of the Grove Street Senior Citizens’ Housing Corporation, Inc., which developed Bailey Holt Tower in 1983, a 128-unit senior citizen residence in East Orange, New Jersey. Virginia has also served as Commissioner on the board of the East Orange Housing Authority for over twenty years. She has a master’s degree in Education and Business Administration from Seton Hall University. A retired educator in the public school system, she is a graduate of Upsala College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration.
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Dorothy L. Riggans-Alston, RN BS
BOARD MEMBER
Dorothy T. Riggans is a graduate of Harlem Hospital School of Nursing and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Upsala College. She has worked as Head Nurse and Director of Quality Management at the United Hospitals Medical Center. She was also the Director of Catastrophic Case Management for Medicaid and Medicare for the City of New York, where she managed all transplants and high-risk cases. For community involvement, she is a member of the Black Concerned Nurses of Newark, Inc., President of the Board of Managers, and President of the Foundation at the Church at Crossroads of East Orange, New Jersey.
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Linda N. Bailey
BOARD MEMBER
Linda N. Bailey worked for several large and small Commercial Lines Insurance Companies. She worked as a Technical Assistant in the Commercial Lines Underwriting Department for over 35 + years.
She is presently enjoying retirement!