Stephen D. Heinrich, M.D.,
Executive Director and Founder
Steve founded Caps for Kids in response to an uplifting encounter
with a young man receiving chemotherapy for a femoral osteosarcoma.
Lee was given an Auburn University hat signed by both Bobby and Terry
Bowden when it became clear that he would lose his battle with cancer.
The importance of the simple gift was driven home when Lee stopped
wearing the hat to the hospital during treatments: "It's at home in a
safe place. I don't want anything to happen to it." Steve's mission
was clear: provide autographed headwear to children when they lose
their hair from chemotherapy during the treatment of a malignancy.
Steve graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1977. He
received a Master of Science in Genetics in 1979 and a Doctor of
Medicine degree from the University of Arizona in 1983. He completed
his orthopedic residency at the Medical College of Virginia in 1988.
Dr. Heinrich has post-residency training in both pediatric orthopedic
surgery and orthopedic oncology. He currently serves as a clinical
professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Louisiana
State University Health Science Center. Steve is the author of
countless manuscripts that have appeared in a variety of orthopedic
journals. He has also edited a textbook on pediatric fractures and a
second on pediatric orthopedic oncology. Steve speaks nationally on a
wide variety of pediatric orthopedic topics each year. He serves
several pediatric communities, but is a vital part of the Childrens
Hospital orthopedic department in New Orleans.
Steve has four children. Beth (22) is a senior at Centenary College
in Shreveport, Louisiana. Stephen (17), Ryan (12), and Emily (4)
occupy most of his free time and with their older sister are his pride
and joy. They reside in New Orleans with their father.
C. John Holmquist, President
John is married with two daughters and resides in Birmingham,
Michigan. He is an alumnus of Duke University, 1972 A.B.; and Emory
University, 1975, J.D. John is an attorney specializing in the
representation of employers in labor and employment law since 1975. He
is admitted to the Georgia and Michigan Bars. John is a member of
various professional associations and organizations.
John is a member of the Duke Alumni Association, Detroit chapter past
president. He is also a member of Birmingham Bloomfield Soccer
Assn.--president-3 years and president of travel teams-2 years. John
holds a USYSA "D" coaching license; having coached ten years. He
became affiliated with Caps for Kids in 1996 and has been instrumental
in the development of programs both in Detroit and at his alma
mater-Duke University. He brings vision and leadership to our board.
John DeWaal, Vice President
John is the Vice President of Brand Communication for New Era
Cap Co., Inc. John started with New Era in October 1994.
Throughout his 12 years, John's primary role has been to provide
leadership in the company's overall marketing efforts including the
creation of the current brand identity and platform as well as
developing advertising and promotional campaigns.
Under his direction, New Era executed its first ever TV advertising campaign. John has led the company's Major League Baseball club sponsorship initiative. John provides direction to New Era's licensing and international market entry efforts. He has played a key role in securing and managing our licensing relationships with Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball International and other major sports entities. We benefit from John's previous six years in the broadcast advertising industry selling advertising for local radio and television stations in western New York. In his spare time, John enjoys golf and running. John lives in Lancaster, New York with his wife Kim and three children Nicole(13), Luke(9) and Noah(6).
Brian T. Landry, Treasurer
Brian is a native New Orleanian. He received his Bachelor of
Science degree in Marketing from LSU. He is Vice President and
Director of Marketing at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans. In
addition to his marketing duties, his administrative responsibilities
include overseeing hospital development, public affairs, volunteer
services, and the Parenting Center.
Brian is a board member and past president of Ronald McDonald House
Charities and serves as treasurer of Caps for Kids. He also serves on
both the Greater New Orleans Immunization Network and the Louisiana
Safe Kids Coalition boards. Brian currently serves on the development
committee at Our Lady of Holy Cross College and is chairman of the
development committee of The St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary Advisory
Council. He is also a past president of the Sales and Marketing
Executives of Greater New Orleans and the Executives Club of
Louisiana. Brian has one daughter, Lauryn, who lives in Baton Rouge with her family. He commutes from the Slidell area, where
he lives with his wife Charlotte.
Jessica Wuerffel, Secretary
Jessica is married to Danny Wuerffel. Jessica graduated from Calvin
College in Grand Rapids, MI in 1997 with a Bachelor of Social Work
degree. She joined Americorps *VISTA out of college and was stationed
in Santa Rosa Beach, FL where she affiliated a Habitat for Humanity
branch. Jessica ended her term with VISTA in December of 1998 to work
for Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans. She also worked with
Carver High School students on ACT training. Jessica has continued to
volunteer with Desire through today. She and Danny married in June of
1999 and Jessica became a "full-time volunteer". Her volunteer work
includes Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Orleans, Lighthouse for
the Blind, STAIR reading program, Desire Street Ministries, and Caps
for Kids. Jessica is involved with team Bible Studies and Bible Study
Fellowship. Jessica is actively working with other NFL wives to
procure signatures from current and former professional football
players.
Lauren L. Clement, MLIS, Executive Director
Lauren is the Executive Director for Caps For Kids. She resides
in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband and three sons. Lauren
received a Master of Library and Information Science Degree from the
Louisiana State University in 1995. She has been affiliated with Caps
For Kids since Winter 2000.
As the Executive Director, Lauren is responsible for the daily
operating procedures required of a non-profit organization. She is
also responsible for developing and maintaining celebrity contacts to
fulfill special requests for the children as well as networking within
the community to forward the mission of Caps For Kids. Lauren
considers herself blessed for the opportunity to be involved with Caps
For Kids, but moreover the opportunity to be associated with such
incredible children. Laurens aspirations for Caps For Kids are
two-fold. Not only does she want to see the program flourish and
continue to grow, she would also like to see a time when celebrities
aggressively seek to participate in Caps For Kids and support the
children it serves.
Lisa Levy Bornstein
Lisa Levy Bornstein was born in Lexington, Kentucky, earned a
Bachelors degree in Psychology from Indiana University in 1982 and a
Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Geriatrics from
Washington University in 1988. She resides in St. Louis with her
husband and three children. She has worked for nonprofit organizations
both as a paid professional and as a volunteer board member. She is
presently a stay at home mother.
Lisa became interested in Caps for Kids after seeing an article in
People Magazine in February 1999. Her mother had recently been
diagnosed with Breast Cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. She and
her son were looking for a charity to become involved in for his Bar
Mitzvah. Caps for Kids seemed like the perfect fit. Her son purchased
hats for St. Louis teams and donated them to the Caps for Kids
program. Lisa found the people and the cause of Caps for Kids so easy
to embrace and found herself becoming more involved. She helped start
programs in St. Louis, Boston and Lexington and through a personal
contact, helped Caps For Kids become involved with Lids, a national
hat retailer.
Cristy Ecton
Cristy is the Caps For Kids chapter liaison and the Outreach Coordinator at
Children's Medical Center - Dallas, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. She is the editor of the CCBD department publications including the annual report, employee newsletter, physician newsletter, program brochures, patient family newsletter and department web site. Cristy also acts as the department liaison to the hospital and medical school public relations departments as well as supports external fund-raising organizations and advocacy/support groups.
Rodney Fowler
Rodney is the father of Stacy Fowler, a patient of Caps for Kids
Founder, Stephen D. Heinrich, M.D. He is a carpenter at Christus
Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Rodney and his wife
Jeanette have two other children in addition to Stacy. Rodney stumbled
onto Caps for Kids in 1995 while in the waiting area at Children's
Hospital when his daughter started her first round of treatments
there. Once he learned about the program, he began a chapter of Caps
for Kids at Schumpert that now houses a satellite distribution center.
Rodney previously served two terms as Vice President of Caps for Kids.
Rodneys daughter asked for a Snoopy cap and still cherishes it to
this day. He believes it was God's will that he become involved with
Caps for Kids: When I was down I prayed for His healing mercy for my
child. God spared my daughter's life and a short time later I became
involved with Caps for Kids. I have a bond with Caps for Kids through
God that will be lifelong.
Harold D. McKay
Captain Harold D. McKay is a Logistics Officer in the Canadian Air
Force, presently working at National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa.
He graduated from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont in 1982.
Harold is married to Pamela Burnley and together they are the proud
parents of three beautiful sons: Matthew (92), Daniel (94) and
Christopher (96). Matthew was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August
1994 at British Columbias Childrens Hospital in Vancouver. He
underwent surgery in Vancouver and began his chemotherapy treatments
there. Harold and his family relocated to Ottawa in January 1995 and
Matthews treatments continued at Childrens Hospital of Eastern
Ontario (CHEO).
Harold first became involved with Caps for Kids in the fall of 1996
after reading of the program in a Sports Illustrated for Kids article.
It was at that time that he introduced Caps for Kids to CHEO in
Ottawa. This coincidentally was about the same time that Matthew lost
his hair as a result of his cancer treatments. The CHEO program became
the first Caps chapter outside of the United States. It now houses the
only distribution center outside the continental US. Harolds
experience with Matthew and his battle with cancer allow him to bring
not only a parents perspective, but also a patients parents
perspective to Caps for Kids. I find my involvement with Caps for
Kids to be extremely rewarding. I have the opportunity to work with
some great people...I like the simplicity of the Caps for Kids
concept AND, most of all, I like the smiles on the faces of the
children when they select or receive a signed hat of their choice!
Dan Milham
Chief Meteorologist Dan Milham forecasts New Orleans-area weather during the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts on WDSU News Channel 6. He is an AMS meteorologist and a member of the National Weather Association.
Originally from Detroit, Dan made New Orleans his home in 1973. His first job in the Crescent City was as a manager and on-air personality for WGSO radio. Those call letters have recently resurfaced on the local radio scene under new ownership. Four years later, in 1977, he joined WDSU as a weekend weathercaster. In 1980, he moved to weeknights and has been there ever since.
Aside from spending time with his wife and two daughters, he enjoys reading, traveling and playing golf.
Zack George Minasian
Zack is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He attended the
University of Missouri, has been married since 1974 to Barbara, and
together they have 4 boys: Rudy, Perry, Calvin, and Zack, Jr. Zack
began his career in professional baseball in 1966 as a clubhouse
attendant in the Los Angeles Dodger minor league system under the
great Tommy Lasorda. Mr. Lasorda's knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine
love of the game was embedded in Zack many years ago. Zack is
currently the Equipment/Clubhouse manager for the Texas Rangers major
league baseball club in his 14th season. The Major League Baseball
Equipment Managers Association, of which Zack is a part, has pledged
their support to the CFK organization. Since learning of the CFK
program Zack's baseball efforts have become two fold, to win the World
Series, and to keep these special kids in the hats of their favorite
stars. He looks forward to assisting CFK in any way possible and is
honored to be included in the Caps for Kids organization. GOD BLESS
THE KIDS and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Susan Walker
Susan is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Susan
is employed by Park Place Entertainment as Director of Community for
the Mid-South Region. Susan has oversight for five properties,
including Grand Casinos, Bally's, Sheraton and Caesars located in
Tunica, Mississippi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Susan's primary
focus is to maintain and strengthen the company's commitment to the
communities within PPEs Mid-South Region.
She brings with her not only a great deal of experience, but also a
strong commitment to the community. Susan is currently the President
of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on a number of
boards including the Mississippi Special Olympics, Biloxi Chamber of
Commerce, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Caps for Kids, the Favre
Forward Foundation and the Coast Symphony.
