Jim Branch is the President of Hand Up Foundation, the Former President of Nova Development Group, and a Board member at North State Bank. In addition to being a community-wide celebrity and supporter for several other local nonprofits, Jim has been a dedicated supporter for AMF since day 1.
Fran Buckley has been involved with the organization since its inception in 2006. Fran is so supportive of AMF because she lost her father during her senior year of high school. It was because of a mutual bonding over the loss of a parent that Fran and her roommate, and still closest friend, Maren Dinsmore became friends their freshman year at Georgetown. Fran believes that finding a forum to discuss loss and coping mechanisms is so important to college students. Fran is a current Trustee at Ravenscroft and a third term member of the Board of Regents at Georgetown University.
Randolph Cloud is president of Randolph E. Cloud and Associates, a Raleigh-based consulting firm specializing in government affairs and administrative management. Randolph served on the AMF Board of Directors from 2010-2011, participating actively on the Governance Committee. Randolph also has been a major supporter of AMF’s Spring Soirees. He holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from East Carolina University. Randolph is a former member of the Raleigh Appearance Commission, the administrative board of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, and vice-president of the Raleigh Host Lions Club. He was appointed by the governor to the Commission on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse and by the speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives to the Mental Health Study Commission. He has served on the board of directors for The Tammy Lynn Center and The Triangle Educational Advancement Foundation. Randolph currently serves on the board of directors for SouthLight, an addiction treatment center.
Gena Fajgenbaum Combs is the Co-owner of Gena Chandler, a local fashion boutique. Gena has been involved with every major decision for AMF since its inception, chairing the 2010 Spring Soiree, serving on the AMF Board of Directors from 2008-2010, and promoting the organization through her store. On a personal note: Gena is Anne Marie’s daughter and David’s brother.
Van Eure is a strong and active participant in the charitable community and is known for her ties to The Foundation of Hope (for research and treatment of mental illness). Van has experienced all the same emotions grieving students carry since losing both of her parents at an early age. She is very aware of how grieving can cumulate into serious depression if not addressed and treated. Her respect and love over the years for the entire Fajgenbaum family and her knowledge and passion bring much experience to this Board.
David M. Fajgenbaum, M.D, is an Orthopedic Surgeon in the Bone & Joint Surgery Clinic, Raleigh, NC. David has been involved in the community serving on the Boards of Raleigh Community Hospital, North Ridge Country Club, Ravenscroft School, and North State Bank. David has been a strong supporter of AMF for years. On a personal note: David M. is David’s dad and husband to Anne Marie.
Marcie Gordon has extensive non-profit board experience, specializing in Public Relations with the Junior League of Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of History, Playspace Museum, and Historic Yates Mill. Marcie has also planned and executed PR efforts for Daniels Middle School’s 50th Anniversary, North Carolina State University’s Celebrate NC Wine Festival, and Special Olympics World Games. In addition to her support for so many other nonprofits, Marcie has led all Public Relations efforts for National Students of AMF for the last five years. Marcie attended Converse College, graduated from UNC and did her graduate studies in Arts Administration at American University and post-graduate Public Relations studies at Duke University and UNC-CH School of Journalism.
Angela Hampton is a Community Affairs Specialist at ABC11 WTVD and Host of “Heart of Carolina Perspectives”. She is an Emmy award winning journalist whose 20 year career as a News Anchor and Reporter took her to Albany, New York, Minneapolis, Minnesota and back to her hometown of Raleigh. Angela developed a great respect for National Students of AMF after profiling founder David Fajgenbaum and the organization in a news story for ABC11, which led to a sponsorship partnership for the Boot Camp Fundraiser. Angela also serves on the Board of Navigate Cancer Foundation and is very active volunteer at her daughter’s school and in her various extracurricular activities.
Charlotte Harris has owned and operated Charlotte’s, Inc., three well-known retail stores in the Carolinas that specialize in fashion, gifts and home accessories, since 1990. Charlotte received a degree in Education from Baylor University and an M.S. in Learning Disabilities in 1973 from Texas Christian University. Charlotte has helped with and been involved in every major event and initiative in the Triangle area for AMF. Charlotte helped to organize both Spring Soiree’s and served on the AMF Board of Directors from 2008-2011. On a personal note, Charlotte was Anne Marie’s best friend and David’s God Mother. In addition to her work with AMF, Charlotte is a member of the Raleigh Junior League and Capital Community Church.
Buddy Kelly, a former co-owner of Piedmont Air Conditioning and current business development advisor at “Piedmont Service Group,” graduated from West Georgia College and also served in the United States Navy Reserve. Buddy, while very active with several other important local charities, has been a supporter of AMF since its inception.
Larry Kelly is a professional engineer, former co-owner of Piedmont Air Conditioning, and current business development advisor to “Piedmont Service Group.” Larry attended Georgia Tech. Larry, while active with several other important local charities, has been a supporter of AMF since its inception.
John Lawton specializes in non-profit homeowners associations professionally and also serves in many volunteer capacities with the Community Associations Institute, the National Association of Housing Cooperatives and the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers. He has also served on the board of the International Affairs Council of the Triangle, and is currently the Chairman.
Kit McConnell is an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Volunteer in the Triangle community. She ran, and then sold in 2007, a successful travel agency business. Since then, she has embraced every opportunity to get involved in the community to help those in need through volunteering and philanthropy
Ginny McKay is a long-time friend of the Fajgenbaum family who has witnessed first-hand the importance of creating a loving and supportive environment for family members affected by the loss of a loved one. Ginny is an active member of the Raleigh, NC community and is a passionate supporter of the AMF cause and the important role it plays in providing an outlet for families dealing with grief. Ginny believes that the AMF embodies Anne-Marie’s spirit of support and represents a legacy that we should all embrace, responding with love.
J. Fielding Miller is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of CAPTRUST. Fielding is also actively involved with philanthropic endeavors and has held leadership roles in several community organizations, including the Ravenscroft School Board of Trustees, the East Carolina University Board of Trustees, the Oak Ranch Board of Trustees, and the House of Hope Board of Trustees. Fielding is a proud graduate of East Carolina University and earned his Certified Investment Management Accreditation (CIMA) through the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Linda Nunnallee is Director of Development at StepUp Ministry, a local nonprofit that empowers individuals to change their lives through job training and placement and life skills. Prior to that, she was Director of Development for SAFEchild. Linda graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Advertising and Speech Communications and Marketing. She has an extensive history of volunteer and community service activity including: Deacon at White Memorial Presbyterian Church; President of the Triangle Advertising Federation; President of the Triangle Ad Council; President of the Junior League of Raleigh; President of the Ravenscroft Parents Association; Ravenscroft Board of Trustee Member; and Band Together board of Directors. Awards include: Raleigh News and Observer Volunteer of the week; Wake County Commissioners’ Volunteer Award and the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Award. Linda’s passion is to help people move forward in their lives while overcoming obstacles. She believes that National Students of AMF serves this purpose for students grieving the loss of a loved one yet separated from their community of support.
Michael Painter is a founding partner and Principal of Plexus Capital. In addition to a successful career in finance, Michael served as the Field Coordinator for the Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senate campaign where he had primary responsibility for coordinating campaign activities in 48 counties in North Carolina. Michael is currently is a member of the UNC Board of Visitors, is Chairman of The Healing Place of Wake County, and is a board member of the Southern Regional Association of Small Business Investment Companies (SORASBIC). Michael holds a BSBA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Lee Sender is an international lawyer based in Washington and Chicago whose non-traditional career has included work in the Middle East, especially Iraq; positions involving project finance, post-conflict reconstruction, and the legal dimension of persons with disabilities at the World Bank; an on-going affiliation with Jesuit works in the USA and abroad; and the training of young international lawyers from 600 law schools in over 90 countries. A personal brush with cancer and several other life-threatening diseases at an early age, as well as the deaths of family members and friends who were suddenly diagnosed with various late stage cancers too late for treatment, led to Lee’s initial commitment to serve AMF back in 2007. Lee is currently working in Chicago on a project to expand the service capacity of a large public interest legal aid provider, including obtaining entitlements and rights for cancer patients and their families whose claims have been ignored, denied or delayed by the Social Security Administration as well as other federal, state and local entities.
Dan Thorpe is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership. Dan is married to Erin, a stay-at-home mom to their two daughters, Carly and Lila. Dan and Erin grew up in Virginia Beach, VA and relocated to the Raleigh area in 2008. Dan is the Vice President for the American Heart Association for the Eastern North Carolina area.
Further biographical information to be provided for:
Player Barefoot, Co-owner, SouthTech Orthopedics
Sylvia Fajgenbaum, Design Consultant; Host, AMF Banquet/Spring Soiree 2006-2011; Committee Chair, Boot Camp 2 Beat Cancer 2005-2010; Committee member, “Applause for AMF”
Willa Kane, Design Consultant, Kane Realty Corporation; Board Member, The Healing Place of Wake County; Vestry, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Founding Member; Board of Advisors, Habitat for Humanity Wake County
Chandler Norman, Co-owner, Gena Chandler
David Tyre, President and Owner, A. David Tyre & Associates