JIM LEWIS is the Founder, President and Treasurer of the Organization.  He is currently the owner and President of his own remodeling business.  He has volunteered with The Muscular Dystrophy Association of MD for the past 2 years as a captain of the annual Stride and Ride Fundraiser.  During that time, his team has raised over $60,000 which was designated to be given to the MDA for the research efforts of the scientists and doctors searching for treatments, and hopefully, a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  His grandson, Julian, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Type 3 in January, 2007.  Jim has also done volunteer work with The Maryland Special Olympics.

DEREK LEWIS, Ph. D, the Vice President of the Organization has been an elementary school teacher in the Prince George’s Co. and Howard Co. public school systems in Maryland.  He has an undergraduate degree from the University of MD, Baltimore County (UMBC) in English Literature and Creative Writing, a master’s degree from UMBC in Instructional Systems Development and a Ph.D at UMBC in Language, Literacy and Culture.  He is also the father of 2 children, Julian and Siena.  Julian was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Type 3 in January of 2007.

DARIA RUSSELL, the Secretary and a Director of the Organization, is a practicing attorney in Howard County.  She has experience with the formation and operations of non-profit organizations.  Daria was formerly a Director for ASK, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness of child abuse and to assist the survivors of such abuse.  She has also volunteered at a women’s abuse center in Bethesda and assisted adult victims of abuse at their protective order hearings.

TINA LEWIS, a Director of the Organization, is currently a private tutor, working with children to help improve their reading and math skills.  She has an undergraduate degree from the University of MD in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree from John’s Hopkins University in Reading Sciences.  She was employed in the Prince George’s Co. and Howard Co. school systems for 9 years.  She is the wife of Derek Lewis and also the mother of Siena and Julian.

BOB VACCARO, a Director of the Organization, is a 27 year employee of the Federal Government.  He is currently the Director of the Enterprise Data Center Group with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  He is a graduate of the University of MD and holds a master’s degree in Management Administration.  For the past 10 years, he has been a volunteer at the Nightmares from Elmridge-Halloween Haunted House project that donates its proceeds to local programs such as Special Olympics, volunteer fire departments and other charitable organizations.  He has also assisted Jim Lewis with his fundraising for MDA.

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