Challenged Child and Friends, a nonprofit program serving the educational, physical and occupational needs of children with disabilities, recently announced Amy Gates as its new executive director. Gates will be responsible for management of the program, which includes working with its board of directors and developing and implementing strategies to improve operations and services for children and their families, according to Cindy Wilson, director of development and marketing for the program. “Her extensive background in her field made her a great hire for the position,” Wilson said of Gates. “... I’m extremely excited she’s here and looking forward to her leadership.”