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Co-Founders Larissa Linton and Jenny Scott |
Heroes for Children welcomes new Board Members for the 2008 year--Shelley Beckman, Brett Featherston, Marcus McCue Katie Pascuzzi, and Susan White!
About the Board Members Jenny Scott, Executive Director, Co-Founder Jenny Scott grew up outside of San Francisco and moved to Texas as a teenager. She studied French and Secondary Education at Texas Tech University and became a middle school teacher in 2000. Her daughter Allie’s diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia changed her career path in May 2004. Jenny’s online journal, www.scotthousehold.com, brought together thousands of people inspired by Allie’s strength and courage. Joining with Larissa Linton to work with Heroes for Children, Jenny is proud to make a difference in the lives of Texas families. Larissa Linton, Director of Development/ Co-Founder Larissa Linton was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. She studied marketing at Stephen F. Austin University. She is the proud mother of three beautiful girls—Taylor, Tristyn, and Tessa—and one son—Luke. Life changed for Larissa when her oldest daughter, Taylor Brewton, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in December 2000. Since Taylor’s death in 2001, Larissa has volunteered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and created Taylor’s Angels, the former name of Heroes for Children. Allan Rayson, Chairman of the Board Allan is a Vice President with Bank of Texas in Richardson. Before becoming Chairman of the Board, he served as the Treasurer for Heroes for Children for two years. His personal connection to Heroes for Children motivated him to become the Treasurer for the organization in January 2005. During Allie Scott’s chemotherapy treatment, Allan and his wife raised funds to benefit their friends and neighbors, Jenny and Andrew Scott. , Vice Chairman of the BoardLucinda is a community volunteer, wife, and mother of two children. She became involved with Heroes for Children after following an article about Allie Scott in the Dallas Morning News. She was involved in planning and implementation of the inaugural Heroes and Handbags event in 2006, and served as the chair of Heroes and Handbags in 2007. Matthew is a Partner with the CPA firm of Whitley Penn LLP. His strong belief in the mission of Heroes for Children and the dedication of its volunteers led him to want to be a part of the organization and what it represents. He lives in Plano with his wife and two young sons. , SecretaryShelley is married with two children and a community volunteer. She also works as a part time Executive Assistant in the Executive Offices of Southwest Airlines. She became involved with Heroes for Children after meeting Jenny and Larissa at a luncheon in 2005. She was so moved after hearing Jenny and Larissa’s stories that she couldn’t wait to get involved in the organization. She served on the Heroes and Handbags committee for two years and in 2007 served as a co chair for the inaguaral Hold ‘Em for Heroes event. Brett Featherston, Board Member Brett is a Vice President with Catalina Marketing Corporation. He grew up in Fort Worth, attended Texas Tech University and received a BBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Brett and his wife, Suzy, served as Underwriting Chairs for the first Hold 'em for Heroes event. It was through Suzy's involvement with this and other Heroes for Children's events that Brett became attached to the cause. They have been blessed with three healthy young children. Shannon Halla has worked for Merrill Lynch as a Wealth Manager for the past 3 years. She is a former trial attorney who walked away from the law to begin a more fulfilling career in the financial services industry. Shannon is a double-graduate of Baylor University, receiving her B.B.A. in Economics in 1994 and her J.D. in 1996. She is married to Michael Halla and is the step-mom of 9-year old Logan Halla. Shannon became involved in Heroes For Children as a volunteer at the annual Golf Tournament and through her affiliation with certain Advisory Board members, came to know and believe in the mission of HFC. Shannon is proud to tell people that she is on the board of HFC and loves to spread the word about what we do! , Board MemberTodd Jackson works for CiRBA, Inc providing enterprise software solutions for companies. Prior to his 8 years in IT Sales, he owned and operated a RE/MAC residential real estate office for 10 years. He holds a BBA in Finance from the University of North Texas and has resided in the North Dallas area since 1974. He was introduced to Heroes for Children through Randal Locke, Board Member, and felt the desire to become part of such a wonderful organization that helps children and their families in their time of need.Marcus McCue, Board Member Marcus McCue is Vice President of Sales for Guardian Mortgage Company, a residential mortgage banking company with operations in Texas and Michigan. He holds a BBA in Marketing from SMU and resides in Dallas with his wife, Cari, and their four young children. Marcus was introduced to Heroes for Children through Allan Rayson, Shannon Halla and Cheri Korstvedt and was immediately drawn to the organization and its mission. He is honored to serve on this board and hopes that his contribution makes a difference in the future of the organization and the lives of the children and families that benefit from the assistance. , Board MemberRandi McParlin is a financial analyst, community volunteer, and wife. After becoming aware of the Heroes for Children cause, she served on the inaugural Heroes and Handbags committee and became a founding member of the HFC Friends Auxiliary. She is honored to serve on a Board that is making such a positive difference in thousands of lives. Bryan is the Regional Market Manager for Moet Hennessy USA. He and his wife Kim have two sons, Austin and Dawson. Bryan became involved with Heroes for Children after his son Austin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in March 2006. Before becoming a Board Member, Bryan and his wife Kim organized a fundraiser in their hometown of McKinney, TX, in support of HFC. Austin is currently in remission from his cancer though he will receive treatment daily until March 2009. Katie Pascuzzi, Board Member Katie was born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She attended college at the University of Oklahoma, Boomer Sooner, where she met her husband, Casey. The two moved to Dallas and now have their first child, daughter Carmen born December 2007, and two spoiled dogs named Kiah and Maverick. Katie became involved with Heroes for Children while working at Willow Bend Mortgage. As the company's charity liason she sat on the planning committee for the 2006 Heroes for Children Golf Classic and enjoyed the experience so much that she agreed to serve as the Chairman for the 2007 Golf Classic.
Cameron Smith,
Board Member
Cameron Smith is
currently a homemaker and community volunteer. She was formerly in
fundraising/public relations. She and her husband have three
daughters. Cameron became involved with Heroes for Children after
following Allie’s story during her battle with leukemia. She got
involved in order to help make a difference in the lives of families
of children with cancer in memory of Allie and Taylor. As a Board
Member, Cameron has spear headed our inaugural event, Heroes and
Handbags, for March 2006, as well as introduced many local community
volunteers to the organization.
Susan White, Board Member
Susan is
currently a Vice President with City Bank Texas in its Plano
office. She first became familiar with Heroes for Children through
her participation in the 2006 golf tournament. After being inspired
by the organization's mission, Susan served as a golf tournament
committee member for the 2007 tournament. She feels privileged to
work with an organization that is dedicated to improving the
financial and emotional wellbeing of children who are battling
cancer. Susan and her husband live in Dallas.
About the Advisory
Board Members Dana Eisenberg, Community
Volunteer Dana served
as a member of the Board of Directors for three years before moving
to the Advisory Board role in January 2008. In 2004, one of
Dana's twin sons, Sam, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Sam underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant
from his twin brother Ethan. During that time, Dana forged a
strong bond and friendship with Co-Founder, Jenny Scott. Dana
is an active member in her community and her sons' schools.
She lives in Dallas with her sons and husband, Dennis, also a member
of the Advisory Board.
Dr.
Dennis Eisenberg,
OBGYN at Women’s Specialists of Plano
Dennis knows the
personal challenges of a parent with a child with cancer. His son,
Sam, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in April 2004.
Dennis cared for his family and also became friends with the Scott
family while living in the hospital. On September 13, 2005, at
11:05pm, Dennis told Jenny Scott that her daughter had passed away
after spending the better part of forty minutes monitoring the
baby’s pulse. Since that day, Dennis has committed himself to
supporting Heroes for Children.
Karen Foster,
President of Athletic Baby
Karen is an
independent business woman whose company creates learning videos and
DVD’s for children to promote healthy and active living. A mother of three, Karen strongly supports the
mission of Heroes for Children. Her involvement came about through
her friendship with Dana Eisenberg and supporting the family
firsthand through Dana's son's treatment with leukemia. Gina Ginsburg, Community
Volunteer Gina
Ginsburg is a passionate community volunteer. On several Boards
around Dallas, Gina contributes enthusiasm and leadership to each
organization. No other organization has touched her the way Heroes
for Children has, its memory or its mission. She is a proud
founding member of the Heroes for Handbags event and continues to
actively raise money and awareness for Heroes.
Dr. Stanton
Goldman, Pediatric Oncologist/Hematologist
Dr. Goldman
works with childhood cancer on a daily basis as one of three doctors
at Medical City Children’s of Dallas. He has been working with
children in the Dallas community for eight years. During both Allie
Scott and Taylor Brewton’s illnesses, Dr. Goldman was one of their
three oncologists. His commitment to treating children and
searching for new research and discoveries in childhood cancer
treatment is like no other. Dr. Goldman lives with his son, Adam,
and wife, Dr. Ellen Shearer.
Jennifer Houser, Community
Volunteer
Jennifer and her
husband Doug understand what it's like to have a child with cancer.
As a teenager, Jennifer's son Ryan was diagnosed with Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Undergoing more than three and a half
years of treatment, Ryan fought his cancer while finishing high
school. Now healthy and several years past treatment, Ryan is
living in California to pursue a career in movies. Jennifer is
a former RN and an active member of the community. She and Doug
serve as the Honorary Chairs of the 2008 Heroes and Handbags event
in April.
Cheri Korstvedt, Marketing Representative,
Capital Title of Texas
A marathon training
coach for almost twenty years, Cheri met Larissa Linton as a coach
for a marathon. Cheri became attached to young Taylor and worked
closely with the development of the organization. She led the
Frisco Heroes for Children 5K for three years, and was nominated
Vice-Chairman of the Board in February, 2005. She served as
Vice Chairman of the Board for two years and now serves on the
Advisory Board.
Dave King, Senior Vice President, UBS Dave King is a Senior Vice
President with the Institutional Equities Group at UBS in Houston.
He became involved with Heroes for Children when his wife Elizabeth
was named Chair of the inaugural Houston event, Heroes and Handbags
2007. His passion for Heroes for Children comes from not only
being the parent of two young children, but also from his works as a
PatientPal volunteer and trainer at Texas Children's Hospital, where
he developed a deep appreciation for the often desperate financial
situations in which many patients and their families find
themselves.
Jim Lancaster,
Attorney at Law
Jim is a Dallas
native who practices law at Worsham, Lancaster, Helling & Rose LLP.
Through a friend, Jim was introduced to Heroes for Children in
January 2005. He offered his support to the organization by
providing legal services, and became interested in being more
involved. Jim joined the Advisory Board in April 2005. Randal works as a Solution Strategist for North America for Computer Associates in Plano. His involvement with Heroes for Children began while Taylor Brewton was struggling with her treatment post stem cell transplant. Randal was training for a marathon for Team in Training through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of Taylor when she passed away on November 26, 2001. Randal joined the board in February 2004, and was nominated Chairman of the Board in January of 2005. Randal served as the Chairman of the Board for two years and as a general member of the Board for one additional year. Randal spends his free time with his wife, Patty, son Steven, and his two grandchildren. Lynn McBee, Community Volunteer Lynn became passionate about Heroes for Children after serving as a committee member for the Inaugural Heroes and Handbags event in Dallas. She has served on numerous committees for charitable events, and is the current President of the Junior League of Dallas. Lynn's experience with cancer is very personal--having lost her sister to cancer. Her sister, diagnosed at 25 years of age, bravely fought her disease for four years before losing her life at 29 years of age. Lynn feels compelled to make a difference in the lives of cancer families in loving memory of her sister.
Alisha Sinacola,
Community Volunteer
Alisha Sinacola is
a prominent community volunteer, as well as mother of three small
children. Her husband, Joseph Sinacola, is one of the presidents of
Sinacola Companies in Frisco, TX. Since her involvement
with Heroes for Children, Alisha has assisted with introductions of
the organization to the community as well as assistance with the
Heroes and Handbags event. Alisha also serves on the Founding
Committee for the new women's auxiliary group, "HFC Friends,"
opening her home to members for the annual coffee.
Janet St. James,
WFAA Health Reporter
In May 2005, Janet
St. James featured Allie Scott’s life as a focus for a piece on the
need for blood donations. Her story about Allie brought in such a
response from the viewers, that she featured the baby two more
times, including two days before her death in September 2004 which
was a tribute to her short life. Janet went on to cover a story on
Larissa Linton and Jenny Scott when the organization announced his
official name change from Taylor’s Angels to Heroes for Children.
Janet was so touched by the life of the baby and her impact on the
public that she agreed to be apart of the Advisory Board for Heroes
for Children.
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