Board Members
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Emily Kocjan, President
Emily is currently a pediatric occupational therapist at Therapy Connections, LLC in Beavercreek and works with individuals of all abilities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and her master’s degree in occupational therapy. Emily is originally from Cleveland and has relocated to the Dayton area. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, exercising, trying new recipes, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She is passionate about supporting peoples engagement in meaningful activities and creating a more inclusive society.
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Maurice McDonald, Vice President
Maurice “Mo” McDonald is a Vice President at PESystems, Inc. In his capacity, Mo is responsible for leading the company’s largest contract that includes over 420 positions valued at over $418 million supporting the US Air Force. He manages personnel providing program management, engineering, cyber security, logistics, test and evaluation and administrative support across several locations nationwide.
Prior to joining PESystems, Mo was the Executive Vice President of Aerospace and Defense at the Dayton Development Coalition. He managed partnerships and initiatives across the Dayton region with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), the Springfield Air National Guard Base and the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center. Mo was responsible for preserving and protecting the federal assets in the Dayton region. In addition, he helped shape the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems strategy and supported the attraction, retention and expansion of Aerospace and Defense related businesses across Ohio.
In addition, Mo was a Senior Program Manager at URS Corporation in Beavercreek, Ohio. He led over $90 million in government contracts, performing business development activities, program management, and recruitment and employee retention in support of the Federal Government.
Mo also served for over two decades in the U.S. Air Force and has a Bachelor’s degree from the US Air Force Academy and a Master’s degree from Georgia College and State University. Mo currently serves as a Trustee on the Clark State Community College Board in Springfield, OH, a member of the Air Force Institute of Technology Foundation Board and a member of the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association Board. He resides in Xenia, OH with his wife Sylvia and his two sons Michael and William. Mo hails from Cleveland, OH and is an avid Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians fan.
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Melissa Galbreath, Recording Secretary
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Mark Sarver, Treasurer
Mark Sarver became a board member at large in 2020 and Treasurer in 2021. Mark works for Fifth Third Bank as a Business Banking Relationship Manager. He served on several boards and earned a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. Mark lives in Centerville with his wife and two children.
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Eugene Hurst, Board Member
Eugene became involved with the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association in 2011 while his wife Stephenie was pregnant with their son Logan. He has been on the board serving as a member at large since 2017. Eugene earned an Associate’s Degree in Avionics from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in 1995 and is currently employed by Honeywell Aerospace as a Lead Technician. Eugene currently lives in Urbana, Ohio with his Wife Stephenie and their two sons Logan and Aadon.
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Lauren Becker, Board Member
Lauren M. Becker, MOT, OTR/L. Lauren Becker is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and a native Daytonian. She attended Sinclair Community College and Xavier University where she earned an Associate's of Applied Science Degree, a Bachelor's of Liberal Arts with Concentration in Human Occupation Studies and a Masters in Occupational Therapy.
She is currently employed by Greene County Educational Service Center where she works in the school system with students ranging from 3-22 years of age. She previously worked in early intervention for the P.A.C.E. Program of Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Her passion is to help individuals find independence and purpose in life, as well as help bring better understanding and inclusiveness throughout society for diverse abilities.
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Ben Oburn, Board Member
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Rob Millhouse, Board Member
After growing up in Russia, OH, Rob attended the University of Dayton from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Rob is a now software engineer for Altamira Corporation after spending 32 years doing the same with LexisNexis. While living in Centerville, OH, Rob has enjoyed his time coaching players of South Dayton TOP Soccer, Polar Bears Basketball, KABC Explorer Baseball, Owens Place Sports Baseball/Kickball, and Miamisburg Basketball's Auxiliary League. [“those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.”
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Mason Hutton, Board Member
Staff Members
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Mark Cox, PhD - Executive Director
Dr. Mark has led within nonprofit and religious sectors for the last 25 years. His leadership education culminated in earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from Carolina University. He has earned four additional degrees including: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Religious Education, and Master of Divinity. Dr. Mark currently serves as Senior Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church. He also serves as Offensive Coordinator for the Wright State University Club football program. Dr. Mark believes that every individual is an individual of significance and value and lives his life as a servant to all. His life of service is joined with Krystal, his wife of 28 years (2022).
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Natasha Taylor, Event and Program Coordinator
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Jackie Ward, Community Engagement Coordinator (North)
Awaiting full bio.
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Mary Topp, Community Engagement Coordinator (North)