Mark is a CPA in Buffalo, New York with 27 years of experience. He specializes in enabling businesses to excel through maximizing efficiency and building strong relationships with customers and vendors.
Mark has three children, Laura, Joseph and Mathew, with wife, Barbara. Laura is a college graduate and is married to Jason Punyon. Joseph and Mathew are both college students. Mark worked to found Column of Hope with the rest of the board of directors because Barbara was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and Laura has Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. While Barbara suffers from symptoms of Chiari, she is not a surgical candidate. Laura, however, had a brain decompression, subarachnoid shunt placement in her spinal cord and a subarachnoid shunt revision, all at the age of 9. In 2001, it was discovered that Laura’s spinal cord was tethered. In June of that year, Laura had a fourth surgery to have her cord untethered. Her fifth surgery was in March of 2007 and was a great success. Since Mark’s family has been so deeply affected by the disorders, he has become dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those affected by Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury and related conditions. He works hard to apply the knowledge he obtained in his professional life to help build Column of Hope.
Mark was born in Painted Post, New York when it was a factory village. He grew up the youngest of one sister and three brothers. While Mark is always loyal to his roots, he has become a strong supporter of his adopted hometown, Buffalo, New York. From a business perspective, Mark does what he can to support Erie County’s economy. He is a member of several boards in Buffalo, and is a member of SUNY Geneseo’s Alumni Association board of directors. He is a devoted Buffalo Bills fan and enjoys going to games with his youngest son, Mathew. Mark often can be found barbecuing, playing Frisbee, bocce ball, and Kan Jam with his family in the backyard.
Kevin_Stringer@ColumnofHope.org
Kevin
has
been
an
information
technology
and
management
consultant
for
nearly
20
years.
He
holds
a
bachelor’s
degree
from
Purdue
University
in
Computer
Technology
–
a
hybrid
program
focusing
on
both
systems
analysis
and
business
management
disciplines.
His
background
in
analysis
and
problem
solving
have
helped
him
bring
a
unique
perspective
to
the
organizations
&
patients
that
will
benefit
from
Column
of
Hope’s
efforts.
Kevin
worked
to
found
Column
Of
Hope
with
the
rest
of
the
board
of
directors
because
his
wife
Lisa
suffers
from
both
Chiari
malformation
and
syringomyelia.
While
she
is
not
a
surgical
candidate
at
this
point,
they
have
dealt
with
the
various
issues
surrounding
these
conditions
from
both
the
medical
perspective
(selecting
physicians,
developing
treatment
programs,
researching
alternatives)
and
the
non-medical
perspective
(coping,
insurance,
disability
(private
and
social
security),
support
organizations)
and
helping
others
to
not
have
to
tread
all
the
same
ground
with
each
new
diagnosis.
Kevin
enjoys
college
football
and
has
been
a
die-hard
Purdue
fan
for
25
years
–
and
counting!
Kevin
and
Lisa
are
involved
in
Greyhound
rescue
and
always
have
at
least
3
of
them
lounging
around
their
Chicago
home
along
with
a
couple
of
(also
rescued)
cats.
Jeff_Miller@ColumnofHope.org
Jeff’s
interest
in
syringomyelia
and
Chiari
malformation
began
with
his
mother’s
diagnosis
in
1990.
After
witnessing
the
devastation
they
could
cause
he
and
the
other
members
of
the
board
of
directors
founded
Column
of
Hope
Jeff has over 30 years experience in industrial management working for a variety of Connecticut manufacturers. He is Certified in Production and Inventory Management by the American Production and Inventory Control Society and has served as Director of Research for its New Haven chapter.
Barbara_Kane@ColumnofHope.org
Barbara is a high school special education teacher with 28 years of experience in her field. She is considered to be a highly qualified teacher in the areas of special education, science, math, English language arts and social studies. Her years of experience have proven to be extremely useful in aiding parents who have children with syringomyelia, Chiari malformation, neuropathic pain and/or spinal cord injury, among other disabling conditions. She has advised parents on how to obtain a free and appropriate public education for their disabled children.
Barbara has three children, Laura, Joseph and Mathew, with husband, Mark. Laura is a college graduate and is married to Jason Punyon. Joseph and Mathew are both college students. Barbara worked to found Column of Hope with the rest of the board of directors because her daughter was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and syringomyelia in 1994. She was also diagnosed with mild Chiari malformation. While Barbara suffers from symptoms of Chiari, she is not a surgical candidate. Laura however, had a brain decompression, subarachnoid shunt placement in her spinal cord and a subarachnoid shunt revision, all at the age of 9. In 2001, it was discovered that Laura’s spinal cord was tethered. In June of that year, Laura had a fourth surgery to have her cord untethered. Her fifth surgery was in March of 2007 and was a great success. Barbara works hard to put her expertise to use in leading Column of Hope to success because Laura and she are so deeply affected by Chiari and syringomyelia.
Barbara enjoys spending time with her family. She also volunteers with Mark at their alma mater, State University of New York at Geneseo. Mark and Barbara met there during their freshmen year of college and have been together ever since. Laura graduate from Geneseo in 2006, Joseph will graduate from Geneseo in 2009, and Mathew is on track to graduate from the same college in 2011. Mark and Barbara volunteer at various activities at Geneseo, such as participating on the Family Panel at Freshman Orientation for the last five summers. To relax Barbara enjoys spending time with her family, reading, knitting, and playing the piano.
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