Board Members

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Tony Morman- Board President

Medical Professional, Board Member since July, 2015
Dr. Tony Morman is a native of Ottawa, OH where he owns and operates Morman Family Chiropractic. He currently resides in Findlay, OH. He has a passion for helping kids and has centered his business in the field of pediatric and family wellness. He also has a drive for contributing to his community and has always been inspired by his grandmother to dedicate time to volunteering. Awakening Minds is a natural fit for him, as it is also committed to serving families and kids in his community.
Dr. Tony enjoys his role as the Clinic Director of Morman Family Chiropractic (MFC) and is very proud that his practice has grown to one of the largest of its kind in the state of Ohio. MFC is a unique clinic in that it has a focus of guiding individuals to a life less stressful by calming neurological stress. Children suffering from nervous system stress can struggle with a multitude of symptoms that can affect quality of life for not only the kiddo, but the entire family. Dr. Tony has found this to be his “life’s work” and is committed to making real change in his community.
Dr. Tony has proudly served on the Awakening Minds board for several years now and has been a supporter for even longer.

Sarah Crisp-Ricker, Board Vice President

Board Member since July, 2020
Raised in both Lima & Spencerville Ohio (ever heard of it? Probably not, it’s a farm town with a stoplight and a pop machine). Sarah moved to the BIG city of Findlay in 2004 to attend the University of Findlay, majoring in Psychology. Sarah founded Awakening Minds Art in 2009 to merge her interests of psychology and art. Sarah specializes in behavior processing and modifications, while adding an artistic flare. Sarah wanted to find a way to merge her love for all things brain with art, which is how the birth of Awakening Minds Art happened.
Sarah believes that everyone should feel accepted and understood, which is what every single person experiences from the second they walk in the doors of Awakening Minds Art.
During the Covid-19 pandemic Sarah had her first child, Zoe! She also became a volunteer executive director for Awakening Minds Art and joined the board (rather than an employee), Sarah is also a past Vice President of Hancock Leadership Alumni Association, a Findlay Elks Lodge- Six Bits Trustee and board member of Sunshine Institute. Sarah is a 2017 graduate of the Hancock Leadership program and one of the 20 recipients of the 2019 Toledo Area 20 Under 40 Awards.

Chris Scherley, Board Treasurer

Board Member since November, 2021
Chris Scherley is a native of Monroeville, Ohio and currently resides in Bellevue, Ohio. He has degrees in Digital Imaging/Web Design and Accounting from the University of Toledo. Chris has worked in public accounting in northwest Ohio for over 10 years including roles in audit, tax, and accounting services. His current role at the Findlay office of Clifton Larson Allen, Ltd. Is as a QuickBooks specialist for small businesses. Chris has a background in financial statement compilation and bookkeeping and hopes to leverage that to help AMA achieve its goals. QuickBooks assistance is also what originally brought Chris to discover and build an interest in AMA. His wife Saralyn, a speech pathologist, is a Director of Rehab Services and has been an inspiration for Chris in his journey to volunteer in the special needs community.
Chris is the treasurer of the Monroeville Football Alumni Association in his hometown and is an active volunteer with the football team. He is also helping to found an Academic Boosters program to support STEM programs in the Monroeville community.
Outside of work and volunteering, Chris and Saralyn are remodeling a former elementary school building, where they live with their three children: Victor, Evelyn, and Calvin.

Tamera Rooney, Board Secretary

Marketing & Communications Professional, Member since Dec. 2017
In addition to serving as the Strategic Planning Chair and Capital Campaign Coach on Awakening Minds’ Board, Tamera Rooney was most recently the Communications Director at United Way of Hancock County. She was responsible for all marketing and communications for the organization since 2004. In 2017, the organization raised $3.3 million dollars. Tamera is a long-term artist with a studio in the historical Jones Building in downtown Findlay. She is currently assisting several nonprofit organizations with marketing needs.
Tamera has been involved with Awakening Minds from its inception, serving as the Founding Board President and has returned for another term. She formerly owned an art gallery that served as a previous home base for Awakening Minds.
Tamera received the Outstanding Artist of the Year from the Arts Partnership; the first ever Go Local award from the Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards and was awarded the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award.

BOARD MEMBERS

Melody Rinker, Finance Team

Board Member since January, 2019
Melody Rinker is a native of Eubank, Kentucky, and an unapologetic Wildcat fan. At the University of Kentucky, she earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management and a Master’s in Business Administration. Melody has worked in a variety of accounting roles, including audit, cost accounting, payables, receivables, and most recently corporate and general accounting. Her career, combined with her husband’s, has taken her through Lexington Kentucky and Canton, Ohio, as well as two times each to Robinson, Illinois and Findlay, Ohio. A spreadsheet enthusiast and an advocate for informed decision making and financial planning, Melody has a passion for helping AMA achieve its goals through sound financials and a forward-looking mindset. When she’s not crunching numbers, you might find Melody attending local Cedar Creek Church, or caring for her family. Melody and her husband, Justin, are parents to 4 children. Karson is a very active 8-year-old boy whose passions are endless. Landon is a 5-year-old with a severe neurological disorder, Lissencephaly. His twin, Nolan, passed away at the age of 3 from complications related to the disorder. Their youngest, 2-year-old Isabella, is overcoming an unexpected auto immune diagnosis that has impacted her development. To say Melody cares about the special needs community would be an understatement. “I am unreservedly proud to be part of an organization that can mean so many things to so many people”.

Bre Berger - Leipsic Representative

RN
Leipsic AMA Representative- Board member since December 2018

Breann Lammers is a native of Leipsic where she has lived most of her life. She has been a nurse for 14 years with the last 10 being with Interim Home Healthcare. She currently is Regional Branch Manager over Findlay, Defiance/Bryan areas. She enjoys volunteering when she can because she feels it is important to show her 3 young boys the importance of giving back to your community and those in need. Currently helps with Cancer Assistance Program of Putnam County and former fundraiser chair. She volunteers at 50 North in their mobile meals program and has offered her time to other program’s needs. In her spare time you will find her taxi-ing around her 3 boys to their many sports and social events. She is excited to be on the AMA Board as the Leipsic Representative to help bring awareness and continue programming to Leipsic and surrounding communities.

Kyle Frias

-Assistant Director, Hancock County Veterans Service Office
-Board Member since March, 2021
Kyle Frias is a County Veterans Service Officer and the Assistant Director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office. Since he joined the county team in 2013, he has been instrumental in helping the office more than triple the number of veterans served locally, and the amount of VA expenditures for county veterans has increased by 8 million dollars.
During his four years in the U.S. Air Force, Kyle maintained cyber security systems for 13 bases globally and was responsible for a five billion dollar computer network. In 2010 after his discharge from the military, he returned to Northwest Ohio where he remains an active member of the community. In 2015, Kyle joined the Flag City Honor Flight board and in 2017 he graduated from the Hancock County Leadership program. He has served on multiple veterans organization boards and has previously served as a Findlay~Hancock County Chamber Ambassador.
Kyle resides in Findlay with his wife, Lindsay and his two sons Noah and Mason and their daughter Makayla . He earned his associates degree in applied science for architectural design and drafting.

Amber Kear

Photo by Jessica Smith

she/her/they
Creator of Hysteria Co.
Artist & designer
-Board Member since April, 2022
Graduate from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design 2009

Currently, Amber is in the Psychology program with Owens Community College, lives close to family and friends, has continuous support through a strong network in Findlay, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pa, and has an infinite connection and love for nature.
Amber was a dedicated volunteer during Katrina with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, LA 2009 & 2010.

"I believe, through my artwork and collaboration with others alike, that we are able to communicate and educate for environments and communities to foster safety, connection, and a true sense of belonging. (I'm) continually grateful for the ability and opportunity to work with, collaborate with, and to be friends with artists and designers, who all are striving to leave the world in a better place.
A co-artist and friend says that 'team work makes the dreams work'"

Katie Unverferth

Owner of Moose Landing Country Club
-Board Member since October, 2022
Graduate from University of Dayton, Bachelors of Science in Business
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Dayton (2018)

Katie Unverferth is the owner of Moose Landing Country Club north of Kalida OH where she and her husband Shawn reside with their mini golden doodle Reggie. Katie graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in Business and went back to earn her MBA from UD as well in 2018. Katie is an avid UD Flyers basketball fan in the winter months, Buffalo Bills and Ohio State football fan, and Cincinnati Reds fan in the summers. Katie currently volunteers as the President of the Kalida Area Chamber of Commerce to grow local businesses and gain them exposure. Also, she serves on the board of the newest USA Cares chapter located here in Northwest Ohio. "I am excited to continue to grow the already great AMA program and help raise awareness to this wonderful and ever-serving cause that means so much to so many!"

interested in joining our board?