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Pioneers Who Served PWSA | USA – Board Members and Officers

PWSA l USA would not be here today without dedicated volunteers, including members of the board of directors and officers.  In the early years, PWSA l USA relied solely on these volunteers to provide leadership, strengthen its financial status, develop programs, and write newsletters.  After the organization grew to the point that they could employ an executive director, board members and officers continued to be a “hands-on” board.  Because of these devoted individuals, PWSA l USA has grown to be an international leader in providing support, education and advocacy to persons with PWS.  The leadership, guidance and sharing of their time by these past and present pioneers, has truly been appreciated.

The following are lists of board members and officers. They are listed by the years they began their service, as well as all of the positions they served in.

The 1970s

In the early years, board members also served as officers. All board members were elected by the membership.  Officers were appointed and did not have voting privileges unless they were board members.

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Gene Deterling President ‘75-80 5
Treasurer ‘80-84 4
Board Member ‘77-89 12
Fausta Deterling Secretary ‘75-92 17
Board Member ‘77-89 12
Delfin “Sam” Beltran Board Member ‘77-91 14
President ’80-91 11
Vanja Holm Board Member ‘77-87 10
Shirley Neason Board Member ‘77-85 8
Vice President ’80-85 5
Andrea Netten-Sechrist Vice President ‘77-79 2
Board Member ‘77-79 2
Peggy Pipes Board Member ‘77-83 6
Stephen Sulzbacher Board Member ‘77-82 5
Bryan Hall Board Member ‘77-80 3
Judy Schultz Board Member ‘77-79 2
Richard Wett Board Member ‘78-90 2
Jean James Board Member ‘79-80 1
Cellia Ledoux Board Member ‘79-85 6
Marge Wett Vice President ‘79-80 1

The 1980s

As the years went on, more officers served without becoming board members.

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Andrea Walczak Board Member ‘80-83 3
Robert Scott Board Member ‘80-82 2
Lota Mitchell Board Member ‘80-89 9
President ’01-04 3
Dorothy Thompson Board Member ‘82-88 6
Stewart Maurer Vice President ‘87-89, ‘93 3
Board Member ‘82-95 13
Betty Shultze Board Member ‘82 1
Roy Smith Treasurer ‘84-87 3
D.J. Miller Board Member ‘83-95 12
Lee Forthman Board Member ‘83-86 4
Suzanne Cassidy Board Member ‘84-93 9
Ted Briggs Board Member ‘84, ‘85-88 4
Louise Greenswag Board Member ‘85-97 12
Janalee T-Heinemann Board Member ‘86-89 3
President ‘91-96 5
Harvey “Bud’ Bush Vice President ‘86-87 1
Treasurer ‘87-91 4
Rhett Eleazer Board Member ‘87-90 3
Penny Park Board Member ‘88-94 6
Barb Whitman Board Member ‘88-00 2
Mildred Lacy Board Member ‘89-95 6
June Smith Board Member ‘89-92 3

The 1990s

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Curtis Schacklett Board Member ‘90-93 3
Frank Moss Board Member ‘90-92 2
Paul Alterman Board Member ‘91-99 8
Jim Kane Treasurer ‘91-94, ‘95-96, ’99-00 5
Board Member ‘92-’99, ’16 – current 12
Pauline Parent Board Member ‘92-99 7
Paul Wissman Treasurer ‘94-95 1
Board Member ‘92-95 3
Anette Ruiz Board Member ‘92-95 3
Vicki Turner Secretary ‘93-95 2
Penny Townsend Board Member ‘94-97 3
Leo Schertz Board Member ‘95-98 3
Gail Overton-Thune Board Member ‘95-98 3
Ken Smith Board Member ’95 –11 16
Vice President ’04-05 1
Jim Gardner Treasurer ‘96-99 3
Board Member ’95 –04 9
Don Goranson Vice President ‘94-99 5
Board Member ’94 –00 6
Fran Moss Board Member ‘96-99 3
Jerry Park President ‘94-98 4
Bronnie Maurer Secretary ‘96-98 2
Daphne Mosely Board Member ‘97 –00 3
Jim Koerber Board Member ’97, ’09-18 10
Barb Dorn President ‘98 –01 3
Mary K Ziccardi Secretary ’98 –00 2
Board Member ’00-09, ’10-13, ’18-19 13
Mike Larson Board Member ’98 – 00 2
Dan Driscoll Board Member ’98 –07, ’08-17, ’18-current 21
Waunita Lehman Board Member ’97 –00 7
Mary Lynn Larson Vice President ’99 –00 9
Pam Tobler Board Member ’99 –05 6
Dorothy Cooper Board Member ’99 –02 3
Pauline Haller Board Member ’99 –02 3
Carolyn Loker Board Member ’99 –07 8
President ’04‘-07 3

The 2000s

In 2007, the board of directors voted to eliminate the positions of president and vice president.  It was felt the chairman of the board was sufficient in providing the leadership for the organization.  There was also expansion of staff positions which was providing more assistance in day-to-day operations.

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Barb McManus Secretary ‘00-03 3
Board Member ’03 -06 3
Karen Goldberger Treasurer ‘00 –06 6
Bob Hartnett Board Member ‘00-02 2
Steve Lundh Board Member ‘00 –03 3
Steve Diaz Board Member ‘00 –01 1
Rob Lutz Board Member ’01-07, ’13-current 14
Liza Graziano Board Member ’02-06 4
Carol Hearn Board Member ’02-11 9
Janice Agarwal Board Member ’02-11 9
Henry Lee Secretary ’03-04 1
Mark Ryan Board Member ’03-09 6
Don Armento Board Member ’04-05 1
Steve Leightman Board Member ’04-13, ’17-18 10
John Heybach Board Member ’04-13 9
Julie Doherty Secretary ’04-current 17
William Capraro Board Member ’05-08 3
Kerry Headley Vice-President ’06-07 1
Board Member ’08-11 3
Linda Gourash Board Member ’06-09 3
Jackie Stoner-Mallow Board Member ’06-15 9
Jamie Bassel Board Member ’07-10 3
Bert Martinez Treasurer ’08-16 8
Michael Alterman Board Member ’08-16 8
Greg Cherpes Board Member ’09-15 6
Michelle Torbert Board Member ’09-18, ’19 – current 11
Lisa Thornton Board Member ’09-15 6

The 2010s

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Michelle Holbrook Board Member ‘11-14 3
Rob Seely Board Member ’13-18 5
Michael Troop Board Member ’13-15 2
Sybil Cohen Board Member ’13-16 3
Tammie Penta Board Member ’14-current 7
Denise Westenfield Board Member ’14-16 2
Treasurer ’16 –19 3
Tom Noonan Board Member ’15 –17 2
Tom Conway Board Member ’15 –18 3
Leon Caldwell Board Member ’15 –18 3
Marguerite Rupnow Board Member ’15 -current 6
Dan Beaver Board Member ’16 –17 1
Pete Girard Board Member ’16 -current 5
Mitch Cohen Board Member ’17 -current 4
Crystal Boser Board Member ’18 -current 3
Kristi Rickenbach Board Member ’18 –19 1
Christine Geraci Board Member ’18 – ’20 2
Paige Rivard Board Member ’18 –‘20 2
Pam Zambrotta Treasurer ’19 –current 2
Denise Servais Board Member ’19 -current 2
Tim Hearn Board Member ’19 -current 2
Matt McCleery Board Member ’19 -current 2

The 2020s

Name Position Years Served Total Yrs. Donated
Jeffrey Covington Board Member ’20 –current 1

The top 8 individuals who have served PWSA l USA for the longest period of time include:

Driscoll, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Doherty, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Smith, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Ziccardi, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA
Dan Driscoll
(21 years)
Julie Doherty
(17 years)
Ken Smith
(16 years)
Mary K. Ziccardi
(15 years)
Kane, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Lutz, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA
Jim Kane
(14 years)
 Rob Lutz
(14 years)

Not Pictured: Fausta Deterling (14 year) and Stewart Maurer (13 years).

In addition to the board members and officers of PWSA l USA, we want to acknowledge and thank all of the board members and officers of all of our chapters.  Their time and commitment to serving their local chapter in meeting the needs of persons with PWS is greatly appreciated.  Thanks to you for all that you do.

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