Chairman - Alan O'Martin

Alan  graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering.  After graduating from College, Alan worked for several different computer companies among them, Digital Equipment.  His career path led him to Australia and New Zealand where he was teaching classes to a group from Selby Wilton, a scientific instrument company.  During the course of his travels he met his wife, Yvonne and they have been happily married for 33 years.  Alan has worked for Siemens for the past 18 years and is currently employed as a Project Manager at the Arlington location. He is a certified Project Management Professional.

Alan's hobbies include singing with the Coppell Community Chorus which he was a member for many years.  But his great passion is flying and is in the process of becoming a  Certified Flight Instructor.  His love of flying led him to volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol, which is an axilliary organization of the United States Air Force. He is an active member of the Addison Eagles Squadron and he regularly participates in activities organized by the Texas Wing. 

Alan helps with Foundation activities and as our Chairman of the Board regularly hosts our Annual Board Meeting.  He prepares our annual report and submits the information for inclusion in our Book of Records.

Executive Director - Yvonne O'Martin 

Yvonne graduated from Auckland Teachers College and with her Certified Teachers Dipolma in hand and embarked on her teaching career.  She taught at numerous schools in New Zealand, and enjoyed her role as a teacher.  Since moving to the US with husband Alan, Yvonne has worked for several companies; some of which included McDonnell Douglas Computer Sustems, Vercom Software, Control Data, and lastly Citigroup where she was a Business Operations Analyst assisting with audit responsibilities.  

Yvonne hobbies include knitting, cooking, reading and would love to become a frequent traveler to faraway places. 

She now volunteers her time for the Foundation and finds sharing the message about skin cancer very rewarding.  Educating people about following Sun-safety guidelines are just some of the ways she is able to help families learn about this disease and show them practical ways to avoid the risk of developing skin cancer. Her role as a volunteer speaker for the American Cancer Soceity's Volunteer Speakers Bureau is to increase awareness about Skin Cancer through various speaking engagements coordinated by the ACS.  She is actively engaged in the day-to-day operation of the Foundation and supporting families and indivduals deal with and understand Melanoma. 

Yvonne is a member and co-host of a local chapter of The Compassionate Friends; a self-help grief support group for parents.   Out of this group, evolved a Mothers' group that provides an opportunity for women to meet with one another and share their story and help support each other through this difficult time of sadness and despair.     Understanding the grief process and providing a way for women to share their pain and heartache allows the healing to begin. This is a very real part of the program of the Foundation. 

Board Director/Medical Advisor - Dr. Kevin B. Kim

Dr. Kim is on our Board of Directors and provides insight on Melanoma research and drug treatment protocols currently being used to treat metastatic Melanoma.  He is currently employed by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center as an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology.  Dr. Kim was Brad's Doctor and provided such compassionate and wonderful care for Brad during his time at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.  His dedication to patients and research is the reason why we choose M. D. Anderson Cancer Center as the recipient of our fund-raising efforts.

We are truly appreciate Dr. Kim for volunteering to become involved with our Foundation and providing us with first-hand knowledge about the latest advances in Melanoma research.  As a Doctor, his daily schedule involves; completing hospital rounds, treating patients in the Melanoma Clinic and working on research which makes for a very busy schedule.   Dr. Kim is so humble and sincere and genuinely enjoys working with families and patients.  His willingness to help with Foundation activities has been a wonderful asset to the Foundation. 

We are making progress and would like you to take time to visit the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Melanoma web site at  http://www.mdanderson.org/diseases/melanoma/

Undergraduate School: B.A. Biochemistry, University of California at Berkeley, 1990
Medical School: M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 1995
Residency: G2-3 Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 1996-98
G1 Internal Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital, Chicago, IL, 1995-96
Board Certification: Medical Oncology, 2001
Years at MDACC: Since 1998

 Treasurer - Myron Goins

Myron is our Treasurer and has a vast experience as a CPA.   Myron is also a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol providing leadership for the cadet program.   His career has included various financial management, strategic and business development positions with technology and communications companies including Sprint, Qwest; formerly Corporate Telemangement Group, and VeriSign; formerly National Telemanagement Corp. 
  Myron is currently the Managing Director of Tek Harbor  a global company which develops and manages technologies related to advanced materials, energy, communications and security.

Myron reviews all our financial records and prepares them for the IRS and we are very grateful for his assistance.  Myron travels frequently and we appreciate his selflessness in donating his services for this very important task for the Foundation. 

Secretary - Shari Stark

Shari has her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) credentials and currently works with High School students, who just need a little help adjusting to the stress of everyday life as a teen.  Shari also has a part-time private practice in Rockwall. 

Shari is a very compassionate and caring individual and has a great love of animals.  She is a volunteer with Protective Animal League, a rescue group that fosters dogs and cats and tries to find permanent homes for them.  She cleans the cat condos, of cats and kittens, waiting to be adopted from Petco, one of the adoption sites. She has been a foster mom for dog and cats. 

Shari has two dogs and four cats, all of whom have been adopted.

Shari has kindly volunteered to act as Secretary and help with communicating minutes and record keeping for the Foundation. She also acts as foundation photographer and helps create memories at our various events.  Her role is invaluable to the  Foundation and her help is greatly appreciated.

Board Committee Member -  Elizabeth Hays

 Liz moved to Dallas about 11 years ago and is totally enjoying her move, but still misses her Kingswood, TX. friends of past.

 She is married to Van M. Hays, and has 2 married children (Steven Hays, married to Dr. Sharla McCone) and Jennifer Hays Cobbs, married to photographer, Josh Cobbs).

Liz  adores her grandchildren and spends as much time as she can with them.  She also helps with volunteering at her church.

Liz helps with volunteer coordination and has been an inspiration to us all for the caring way she helps at Foundation events.  Liz is a real team player and is willing to take on any challenge that is asked of her.   She willingly volunteers her time and is very talented and creative when it comes to gift baskets!  We truly appreciate your caring spirit and unconditional help.