Erin's House is honored to have seven new individuals come on board to help build hope and heal hearts! Let's get to know a little bit about these incredible members:
TRAVIS S. FRIEND, ESQ.
Partner/Owner at Haller & Colvin, P.C.
Three words to describe yourself:
“Put me in coach” – sorry, 4 words!
Favorite movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
Having been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years, I have seen first-hand what unresolved grief does to a person and how it can play a role in bad decision making. A single person positively impacting a youth’s life can make a real difference and change history. My wife, Krista, has also served as a volunteer at Erin’s House for several years.
CHRIS GOMEZ
Director of Retail Operations at Midwest Service – 2430 Surplus Stores
Three words to describe yourself:
Caring, passionate, community
Favorite food: Hands down - pizza!
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
As a Fort Wayne native, I’m very familiar with the organization. As a father, I think about how impressionable and vulnerable children and young adults are. I have had the opportunity to see how our community supports Erin’s House but, more importantly, how Erin’s House supports the community with a big heart. It’s comforting knowing that organizations like Erin’s House exist in our community.
What do you hope to bring to Erin’s House through your service as a board member?
My hopes are to share my experiences and knowledge as a board member knowing that I am somehow helping those that are grieving to find peace and happiness once again.
KEVEN LINKER
VP of Actuarial & Risk Management at Physicians Health Plan
Three words to describe yourself:
Analytical, extrovert (is that an oxymoron?), caring
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving - all the great food and time spent with family & friends but none of the pressure of gifts.
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and a friend of mine suggested Erin’s House. My wife and I volunteered to serve as house parents. On our first week, we ran into three different families we knew. One of those families were very dear friends who had recently lost their son to cancer. I quickly realized how vital this ministry was to our community. I want to serve any way I can to further the mission.
KATE MILLER
SVP, Senior Trust Officer at STAR Financial Bank
Three words to describe yourself:
Loyal, competitive, honest
Favorite book: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
When I moved back to Fort Wayne in 2014, I was looking for a way to get involved with a local organization. I attended a Common Bond Breakfast and filled out a card to learn more. I quickly decided to become a facilitator after speaking with the staff at Erin’s House. I ended my role as a facilitator after my oldest child was born but have continued to love Erin’s House and all they do for our community.
What is your vision for the future of Erin’s House?
I hope to be a small part of the continued growth and success of Erin’s House so that the organization can meet children and their families wherever they may be on their grief journey and provide support in creative, impactful ways.
MIKE NUTTER
President at Fort Wayne TinCaps
Three words to describe yourself:
Loyal, driven, leader
Favorite song: Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music – 2020 has been extremely difficult on many of us and I praise the Lord for his guidance through the pandemic.
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
I was a previous board member for 9 years. I loved my time with Erin’s House. Our family lost our nephew to neuroblastoma cancer a few years ago and through that experience I had many folks recommend Erin’s House to our family.
What do you hope to bring to Erin’s House through your service as a board member?
I want to help Erin’s House to continue growing – the need is unending. And to also spread the word about this unbelievable organization and the amazing people that work for Erin’s House. I have seen this entire staff operate for yours and their love for the families is amazing.
SARAH RICHMOND, CPA
Senior Manager at Baden, Gage & Schroeder, LLC
Three words to describe yourself:
Caring, loyal, easy-going
Favorite pastime: Doing crafts or LEGOs with my kids or watching a TV series.
What do you hope to bring to Erin’s House through your service as a board member?
I hope to advance the mission of such an important organization that brings incredible support to children and families in the area. It is an honor to be part of an organization that is a blessing to so many, especially children, in times of grief.
What is your vision for the future of Erin’s House?
I would love to see Erin’s House continue to expand its reach in supporting children and families through the death of a loved one. Continuing to offer these services at no cost to the families is a very important mission.
JOSEY SEABOLT, CPA
Tax Manager at Katz, Sapper & Miller
Three words to describe yourself:
Driven, thoughtful, dependable
Favorite season: Fall — Love the sweatshirt weather, outdoor activities, and all the fall food and treats!
What led you to serving on the Erin’s House board?
Almost two years ago, I unexpectedly lost my mother. It was a very tragic and difficult time for me to navigate as a young adult and having never gone through grief before. Even to this day, I am riding the rollercoaster of grief that losing someone puts you on.
A couple months after her death, I had the opportunity through my Leadership Fort Wayne class to intern on the Erin’s House board. It was a no-brainer as I want to help kids going through their own journey with grief in any way I can. It is also in remembrance of my mom who loved helping kids and giving back. Now I am thrilled to be able to join as an official Erin’s House board member!
Returning board members for 2021 include:
Karrie Kitch, Board President | Lake City Bank Linda Jackson, VP President-Elect | Fort Wayne’s NBC Andrew Schroeder, VP Finance/Treasurer | DuCharme McMillan & Associates
Jane Wilks, VP Governance | Community Volunteer Molly Rommel, Secretary | Barrett McNagny LLC
Peter Adams | PNC Bank Terri Bellio | Coldwell Banker – The Real Estate Group
Dr. Ray Dusman | Parkview Health System
Marcus Heminger | Barrett McNagny LLC
Doug Hills | Sweetwater
Patrick Kelly | YMCA, Leadership Fort Wayne Board Intern Dave McComb | D.O. McComb Sons & Inman Shipping Worldwide
Tim Miller | Do it Best Corp.
Edmond O’Neal | Northeast Indiana Works
Dr. Matt Runyan | Parkview Health – PPG Psychiatry
Luke Squires | 1st Source Bank
Dr. Lesa Vartanian | Purdue University Fort Wayne
Lori Vaughn | DeKalb County Central United School District
Mary Ann Ziembo | Community Volunteer
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