Our Story
In 1965…
We witnessed a growing need for personal financial management education and counseling. In response, we formed Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo, now Parachute Credit Counseling, as a nonprofit agency.
Since then, Parachute Credit Counseling has continued to expand service offerings to provide solutions to the complex financial situations that individuals are faced with navigating. Parachute is proud to act as an advocate for consumers in a nonjudgmental environment. Counseling sessions focus on proper budgeting techniques, debt repayment options, student loan assistance, small business advice, credit report education and credit score explanations. Parachute also provides free Financial Education seminars throughout the year.
Parachute is registered to do business in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, & Wyoming.
Community Impact Report
We got started to help our community. Read about how we’re doing it.

Our Mission
We provide our community with the best strategies to master their credit.
Our Vision
We are the most recognized financial counseling Agency in our community that minimizes the stigma associated with debt.

Why partner with Parachute?
Bring financial education and credit counseling services to the workplace. Support your employees with an invaluable financial wellness benefit.
Reinvest in your customers and members. Help them achieve their financial goals.
Collaborate with a like-minded partner. Address community financial education needs through innovation and commitment.
Introduce financial education to your students at an early age. Empower and equip young people with the financial knowledge and skills to better position them for the future.
Parachute Credentials
- Proud member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling
- Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children (COA), Inc.
- Certified HUD Counseling Agency and subject to stringent industry quality standards
- A+ member of the Better Business Bureau
- Licensed budget planner through the NYS Department of Financial Services
- Approved by the Executive Office of the U.S Trustees to provide certified bankruptcy counseling sessions
Company Values
Integrity
We are honest and confidential while providing consistently high quality service.
Professionalism
We provide a unique service within a comfortable atmosphere that respects the needs of our community.
Empowerment
We educate the community we serve and provide resources to achieve success.
Innovation
We maintain superior services through creative teamwork and modern technology.
Leadership

Noelle Carter
President & Chief Executive Officer

Scott Laughlin
Executive Vice President

Robert Dunn
Vice President – Counseling

Mark Twarog
Vice President – Information Technology
Meet the Team

Lisa Robertson
Manager of Counseling Services

Sonya Singletary
Financial Counselor

Jared Buckner
Financial Counselor

Michael Florczak
Financial Counselor

Jim Ingham
Financial Counselor

Therese Melchiorre
Financial Counselor

Stacey Waugh
Financial Counselor

Lyn Marie Balla
Accounting Manager

Jaime Bergeron
Counseling Intake Specialist

Nicole Haim
Client Support Specialist

Libby Morsheimer
Community Outreach Specialist

Janet Webb
Client Support Specialist

Christie Maiola
Client Support Specialist

Patty Ann Baker
Client Support Manager

Marco Notaro
Director of Strategic Partnership Development

Carey Lynn
Reception Coordinator

Lynn Hoffman
Volunteer

Barbara Twarog
Volunteer
Board of Directors
Noelle Carter
President and Chief Executive Officer
Kathryn Q. Lewis
Secretary
Vice President, Director of Bank Compliance – Tompkins Community Bank
Joshua Zalen
Board Member
VP, IT Service Operations – Independent Health
Steven C. Dolan
Board Member
Customer Communications Manager, Senior VP – M&T Bank
DeAnna Eason
Board Member
Executive Director – Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME)
Matthew Schermerhorn
Treasurer Vice President – Senior Cash Management Advisor, Evans Bank, N.A.
Joseph Sallee
Board Member
VP, Loss Mitigation – KeyBank
Nancy L. LaTulip
Board Member
Vice President – Retail Banking Officer, Lake Shore Savings Bank (Retired)
Ramon Morales
Vice Chair
Relationship Manager – Broadview FCU
Joseph M. Morrison
Board Chair
Executive VP, Head of Customer Asset Management – M&T Bank
Robert Torella
Board Member
Partner – Lumsden and McCormick, LLP
Funding Sources
Parachute Credit Counseling, Inc.
Designated as a 501(c)3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service. This designation means that we have a voluntary Board of Directors and that there are no shareholders. Therefore, all earnings are used to provide and maintain the delivery of our program services to you, after operational expenses.
990 Form
We believe in being open with the community we serve. Access our 990 form here for information on Parachute’s finances.

Donations
If you would like to make a contribution to our agency, we welcome any and all participation.
All contributions to us are 100% tax deductible and a receipt will be provided. Your gift can also be designated for a certain program that we offer, such as education.