About Us
By The Hand Foundation was established in 1990 by Robert Bensman and Cathleen Soprano. We are a private, non-operating foundation, which means that we receive most of our income from investments and endowments. This is income used to make grants to other charitable organizations.
Our goals at By The Hand are:
By The Hand Foundation does not accept outside donations for our own benefit. We accept donations that are passed on 100% to the donor's charity of choice.
By using By The Hand Foundation as a conduit for donations, it can allow the donor to remain anonymous, thereby alleviating future unwanted solicitations from those charities.
100% of all donations made through www.bythehandfoundation.org will be forwarded to the charity selected by the donor!
Our goals at By The Hand are:
- To provide secure and private access through our site, for donors to donate anywhere, anonymously.
- To help educate the public about why giving to charities is important and how it benefits both the donor and the charity.
- To provide links that show how to choose worthy charities.
- To encourage individuals to actively donate.
By The Hand Foundation does not accept outside donations for our own benefit. We accept donations that are passed on 100% to the donor's charity of choice.
By using By The Hand Foundation as a conduit for donations, it can allow the donor to remain anonymous, thereby alleviating future unwanted solicitations from those charities.
100% of all donations made through www.bythehandfoundation.org will be forwarded to the charity selected by the donor!
Board of Directors
Cathleen Soprano
Cathy was the COO of Ver-A-Fast Corporation, which she started with Bob Bensman, from its inception in 1976 until 2015, at which time the company was sold. She was the COO of Microtell Management Services Inc until it was closed in 2025 to allow her to devote all her time to the foundation. As a By The Hand Foundation Trustee, she orchestrates “whatever it takes” to achieve its mission and to keep Bob’s legacy going. Cathy is active in her parish, St Clarence in North Olmsted, is a member of the Business Advisory Committee of Oakleaf Services at UCP of Greater Cleveland, and loves her family, pets, gardening and baseball.
Linda Srneck
Linda was married to the late Robert Bensman, the visionary founder of By The Hand Foundation. Linda made the decision to take an early retirement from NASA to become the sole full-time caregiver for her mother for 13 years. Not long after, she once again answered life’s call with grace and strength, found herself caring for the love of her life through his final days in 2025. Today, Linda continues to honor Bob’s legacy as a member of its Board of Directors.
Chris Cook
Chris and his wife Shelly live in Fort Thomas, KY with their two lively Australian Shepherds, Westen and Weller. Chris has known Bob Bensman and his wife Linda for over 30 years and currently serves on the board of their charitable foundation, the By The Hand Foundation, whose mission is to promote education, address food insecurity, and meet other basic needs for vulnerable populations. Chris and Shelly share a deep love for the ocean. They are certified Bareboat Sailing Captains and regularly sail with friends in the British Virgin Islands. In addition to scuba diving adventures, the couple supports the local Newport Aquarium through the Wave Foundation and also supports The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a congregation with a long history of providing education and support to people living in poverty, especially women and children.
Paul Soprano
Paul has worked at UCP of Greater Cleveland since 2002, holding various leadership roles, currently as Director of OakLeaf (Adult) Services. Previously, he held direct service and management roles at another non-profit agency, Vocational Guidance Services (VGS). With 35 years in the intellectual/developmental disability and vocational rehabilitation fields, he is active in state and federal advocacy efforts. He co-chairs the Ohio Provider Resource Association's (OPRA) Day Array Committee, is a member of its Core Policy Committee, and serves as Secretary of the Cuyahoga County Developmental Disability Provider Consortium’s board. He is a world traveler, loves sparkling wine, and is a proud "aviation geek" and amateur aviation historian.
Max Trubiano
Max is an attorney at Cavitch, Familo & Durkin where he specializes in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and business planning. A lifelong Clevelander, Max currently resides in Cleveland Heights and takes great pride in the city he calls home. Outside of his legal practice, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Samantha, and exploring Cleveland’s vibrant food, entertainment, and sports scenes. Max is honored to serve as a board member of the Foundation and is deeply committed to giving back to the community in a meaningful and impactful way. He brings a strong sense of purpose and enthusiasm to the Foundation’s mission, and is proud to help carry forward and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Bensman.
Cathy was the COO of Ver-A-Fast Corporation, which she started with Bob Bensman, from its inception in 1976 until 2015, at which time the company was sold. She was the COO of Microtell Management Services Inc until it was closed in 2025 to allow her to devote all her time to the foundation. As a By The Hand Foundation Trustee, she orchestrates “whatever it takes” to achieve its mission and to keep Bob’s legacy going. Cathy is active in her parish, St Clarence in North Olmsted, is a member of the Business Advisory Committee of Oakleaf Services at UCP of Greater Cleveland, and loves her family, pets, gardening and baseball.
Linda Srneck
Linda was married to the late Robert Bensman, the visionary founder of By The Hand Foundation. Linda made the decision to take an early retirement from NASA to become the sole full-time caregiver for her mother for 13 years. Not long after, she once again answered life’s call with grace and strength, found herself caring for the love of her life through his final days in 2025. Today, Linda continues to honor Bob’s legacy as a member of its Board of Directors.
Chris Cook
Chris and his wife Shelly live in Fort Thomas, KY with their two lively Australian Shepherds, Westen and Weller. Chris has known Bob Bensman and his wife Linda for over 30 years and currently serves on the board of their charitable foundation, the By The Hand Foundation, whose mission is to promote education, address food insecurity, and meet other basic needs for vulnerable populations. Chris and Shelly share a deep love for the ocean. They are certified Bareboat Sailing Captains and regularly sail with friends in the British Virgin Islands. In addition to scuba diving adventures, the couple supports the local Newport Aquarium through the Wave Foundation and also supports The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a congregation with a long history of providing education and support to people living in poverty, especially women and children.
Paul Soprano
Paul has worked at UCP of Greater Cleveland since 2002, holding various leadership roles, currently as Director of OakLeaf (Adult) Services. Previously, he held direct service and management roles at another non-profit agency, Vocational Guidance Services (VGS). With 35 years in the intellectual/developmental disability and vocational rehabilitation fields, he is active in state and federal advocacy efforts. He co-chairs the Ohio Provider Resource Association's (OPRA) Day Array Committee, is a member of its Core Policy Committee, and serves as Secretary of the Cuyahoga County Developmental Disability Provider Consortium’s board. He is a world traveler, loves sparkling wine, and is a proud "aviation geek" and amateur aviation historian.
Max Trubiano
Max is an attorney at Cavitch, Familo & Durkin where he specializes in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and business planning. A lifelong Clevelander, Max currently resides in Cleveland Heights and takes great pride in the city he calls home. Outside of his legal practice, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Samantha, and exploring Cleveland’s vibrant food, entertainment, and sports scenes. Max is honored to serve as a board member of the Foundation and is deeply committed to giving back to the community in a meaningful and impactful way. He brings a strong sense of purpose and enthusiasm to the Foundation’s mission, and is proud to help carry forward and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Bensman.
“I wondered why someone didn't do something. Then I realized - I am somebody.”