about us

Our Board

The purpose of our Board of Directors is to ensure implementation of the DSAGC’s mission and strategic plan. In addition, they approve policies related to all aspects of organizational life. Our Board is currently comprised of 17 community representatives, family members and self-advocates who have been nominated for this position based on their personal experience, passion and expertise.

2011 Board of Directors and Terms

New Directors have an asterisk

*Holly Holmes is a 34 year old self-advocate who has been active in the DSAGC for many years as a popular member of our Speaker’s Bureau. She attends numerous advocacy conferences on our behalf, and is a member of our Advocates at the Table Advisory Board. She is also involved in the arc, Women of Worth, and an active member of her church. Her hobbies include writing poetry and acting. Holly feels she can contribute to the Board as she has a voice for others and is good at advocacy. Holly graduated from Milford High School in 1995 and lives in a condo in Blue Ash.

Lucinda Hurst - Lucinda is an active community volunteer and is instrumental in the Governance Committee and board orientation. She is also the parent of an elementary school age son.

*Connie Hutzel – Connie has served as the past president of the DSAGC for 4 years and has been on the Board for a total of 14 years. She says, “It feels like I have been on the Board my life. I can’t imagine not having it in my life.” Connie lives in Mason with her two sons and husband Kevin and works for the L-3 Communications Corporation, an aerospace and defense platforms company.

*Rick Kammerer - Rick has just relocated from Texas to become the President of the Christ Hospital Foundation. He has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, including 10 years in professional fundraising development. Rick's role will be to help expand major gift giving for the organization as well as co-chairing the development committee. He has a niece with Down syndrome.

Scott MacEachen - Vice-President of Schiff, Kreidler-Shell, Inc., Scott is currently serving as the DSAGC's Vice-President. Scott is also an active volunteer for the DSAGC Golf Tournament.

Bill McCloy - Bill is the President/CEO of CE Power Solutions. He has been active with DSAGC Golf outing since its inception. He and his wife Jenny have four children, Anne, Sam, Olivia and Mac.

Patrick McNickle - Sales and Marketing Manager for Marsh Building Products, Patrick is an avid public speaker and advocate. As one of the original Buddy Walk committee members, he has been active within the organization since the birth of his son. He resides in Edgewood, Kentucky with his wife Angela and their children Adam and Hope. Patrick is the Board President and serves on the Governance and Executive Committees.

Melissa Kline Skavlem - Melissa is Chief Operating Officer for Gardner Publications Inc. She is also on the Board of Advisors for the Goering Center for Family Business and a member of the DSAGC CAP Committee. She and her husband Steve have 3 children, Vivianne Lilianne and Violette who has Down syndrome.

Tayfun Tuzun - Tayfun is a Structured Finance Manager at Fifth Third Bank. He is currently the DSAGC Treasurer. He is the parent of two daughters and lives in Anderson Township.

Christina Yeager Pelatti - Christina is a speech pathologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and currently a doctoral student. She acts as our liaison with Cincinnati's Young Professionals and also has a sister with a disability.

Derek Fletcher - Derek grew up locally, graduating from Monroe High School as Valedictorian in 1986, then attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated with distinction in 1991. He graduated from CCHMC General Pediatrics Residency Program in 2005 and now specializes in medically complex and fragile children in the Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs. Derek has done volunteer work for Big Brothers/Big Sisters while at the Air Force Academy, and has served as head swim team coach for the Middletown YMCA. While on active duty at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he was a single foster parent to a total of 3 children, ages 1-4 years, prior to starting medical school. This was his inspiration to go into the specialty of Pediatrics. Derek has one younger brother, who is married with two children and living in Middletown. His parents both live in Monroe and provide much needed support to him as a single parent. Derek will serve on the Governmental Affairs Committee.

Fran Palermo - Fran has been a licensed Realtor in Greater Cincinnati for 26 years and is associated with the Hyde Park office of Comey and Shepherd. She and her husband, Joe, are parents of three and grandparents of eight including six year old Nathan who has Down Syndrome.

Matt Swendiman - Matt is the Chief Administrative Officer of Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc., as well as an adjunct business law professor at Xavier University. He attended Ohio State University for undergraduate and law school, and has a Master's degree from the University of Connecticut. He is also Secretary and Chief Legal Officer to the Fifth Third Funds mutual fund complex. Matt and his wife Jen are the parents of two boys, Jack 14 and Charlie 1 and reside in Park Hills, Kentucky. He was drawn to DSAGC because two of his family members, an uncle and cousin have Down syndrome. Matt serves on the Golf and Finance Committees.

Miguel Garcia – Associate Director Product Supply Finance FemCare Americas for Procter & Gamble. Miguel has been actively involved with the DSAGC since moving to Cincinnati in 1997. Miguel is very interested in increasing outreach to the Hispanic community. He and his wife Marina and their two daughters live in Sycamore Township. Miguel serves on the Finance and Outreach Committees.

Lisa Arnold – Lisa has been an active volunteer for the Down Syndrome Association since the birth of her daughter, Sophia who has Down syndrome. She has participated in the DSAGC mentoring program, helped to coordinate the Eastside Playgroup, and has been an active fundraiser for the Buddy Walk and Golf outing. In addition, Lisa is a volunteer at her church and children’s school, Immaculate Heart of Mary where she coordinated the Terracycle Brigade for Capri Sun bags. She and her husband, Chris reside in Clermont County with their three children. Lisa will serve on the Buddy Walk Committee.

Jenny Motley – Jenny is a Pediatrician with CCHMC and has taken an active role in helping to educate the pediatric residents on not only the medical aspects of Down syndrome but the emotional and social issues as well. She is a member of the DSAGC Speaker’s Bureau and is also a volunteer for her church and PTO. Jenny and her husband live in Sycamore Township with their three children including their youngest daughter, Martha who has Down syndrome. Jenny is interested in expanding the outreach efforts of the DSAGC.

Kecia Pringle – Kecia is a Human Resources Manager for Harland Financial Services. She feels passionate about sharing the positives of living and loving a person with Down syndrome. She has been actively involved in the Buddy Walk and is organizing a 5K Race for World Down Syndrome Day. In addition she is involved with the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Works and the YMCA. Kecia and her husband are the parents of two sons, Myles and Anthony who was born with Down syndrome and they reside in Colerain Township. Kecia will serve on the Governance Committee.

Michael J. Chapman – Michael is an attorney at Rendigs, Fry, Kiely and Dennis in downtown Cincinnati. Mike has been involved in the DSAGC Buddy Walk as a supporter and believes in the mission of the DSAGC. He desired to make a difference in his community after he completed the United Way's Board Bank training. Mike contributes his skills in organization development, project management and training and development and has been instrumental in spearheading the insurance white paper and Board training. Mike lives in Amelia with his wife.