Board of Directors

Robin Adams

Originally from Boston, Mass., Robin moved to Florida in 1998 with her husband Pete. After working in the Workforce Development field for a number of years, Robin joined her husband as a Realtor and Mortgage Broker with Benefactor Realty and Benefactor Mortgage Company. Robin is an active member of the St Pete Mad Dog Triathlon Club. She enjoys volunteering her time for charities like Habit for Humanity and CAF-Florida. When she is not training for triathlons, Robin enjoys traveling, the beach, horseback riding, skiing and golf. Robin and her husband Pete live in St Petersburg, FL.

Geoff Cotter

A resident of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Geoff currently works as an area manager for Nalco Chemical, a Chicago-based company. Geoff manages a sales and service team that sells and applies chemical water treatment and equipment to the industrial and commercial markets. He is a graduate of Florida State University with an Industrial Engineering degree. Geoff and his wife Gabi enjoy participating in triathlons and road races. They have two sons, Robert and Will, who are also involved with many other sports and activities. As a family, they were introduced to CAF through the Operation Rebound program. The Cotters have embraced the challenge of raising funds and awareness for our injured veterans as well as challenged athletes everywhere.

Marc Ford

Marc grew up in Buffalo New York and moved to Florida shortly after his time with the US Navy. In 1998, he began studying for his B.S. at the University of Florida and in 2002 he graduated as a Certified Athletic Trainer with a degree in Exercise Science. After earning a Master of Science degree at Middle Tennessee University, he and his wife Audrey touched down in Palm Harbor, Florida where they currently reside. Marc works as a Sales Consultant for Synthes-CMF. Synthes is the global leader in fracture repair and a leading medical device company combined. In their free time, Marc and Audrey enjoy traveling, fishing and viewing all University of Florida athletics. In 2009 he completed the Florida Ironman in Panama City beach and has participated in the CAF Triple Crown twice. The CAF Operation Rebound program is near and dear to his heart because of his prior military service and he is dedicated to those who serve to protect our country.

Lewis Friedland

From 1998 to 2004, Lew served as President of World Triathlon Corporation, overseeing all aspects of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. His work with WTC brought him into contact with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and he has attended and competed in CAF's top fundraiser, the San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC), on several occasions. Before, during and after his stint with WTC, Lew has been the business manager for Dr. James P. Gills, renowned cataract surgeon, land developer and purchaser of the Ironman brand in 1990. Lew has been involved with capital campaigns to finance construction of six YMCA facilities on the Florida Gulf Coast, and consistently participates in civic fund-raising projects. Originally from Miami, Lew is a University of Florida graduate and bleeds Gator blue and orange along with both his daughters and sons-in-law. He lives in Palm Harbor, Florida, with his wife Linda.

Bill Gair

A native Floridian and four-time Ironman finisher who enjoys most outdoor sports, Bill became interested in Challenged Athletes Foundation after Lew Friedland persuaded him to go watch the 2003 SDTC in San Diego while there on business. He is a triathlete enthusiast whether he participates or enjoys the moments watching his youngest daughter, Lauren, participate. After attending the University of Florida and working in the blood banking industry for the past 26 years, Bill recently started a new career with the Gator Nation at the University of Florida where he currently administrates federal grants. Prior to this time, Bill was the Chief Operating Officer of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. Bill lives in Gainesville with his wife, Susan, and daughters, Lauren and Lyndsey.

Robert Hearn

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Bob is currently a partner at the law firm of Phelps Dunbar in Tampa, Florida, where he focuses on civil litigation, much of which is centered around health care issues. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Tulane University School of Law. He first became interested in the Challenged Athletes Foundation after seeing the 2005 award-winning documentary film Emmanuel's Gift, the story of how one disabled young man almost single-handedly changed the laws in his home country of Ghana to improve the lives of the disabled community. Bob is an avid runner, triathlete and youth baseball coach, and a father of four.

Jill Heilman

Florida native, Jill Heilman, lives in Valrico, FL with her husband John and their three children. Jill is a graduate of the University of Florida and is now back up at UF working on her PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is currently involved in the Kids Step Study working with children with spinal cord injuries in locomotor training rehabilitation. Jill is also an avid runner who recently completed her first half marathon at Disney. Her oldest daughter, who has some "challenges" of her own, recently has taken up running as well. Jill's personal and professional interests have brought her to CAF.

Tim Hudson

In addition to his "real" job as a CFO/CPA in St. Petersburg, Tim is the President of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club and is an active volunteer at many triathlon events when not competing. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in Accounting and Finance, Tim worked and lived in Atlanta for several years before relocating to west-central Florida. An accomplished runner and triathlete, he has completed several Ironman races and the Boston Marathons twice plus countless shorter races and events. Although he likes to ski and play golf, he spends most of his time running and cycling in preparation for these events.

John (Kelly) Mione

Kelly spent nearly six years as the Managing Editor for Ironmanlive.com, in addition to his responsibilities as the Marketing Vice-President for the management company owned by Dr. James Gills and presided over by Lew Friedland. Kelly is a University of Maryland graduate with a background in journalism, marketing and public relations. He spent 20 years volunteering as a coach, referee and administrator for youth soccer organizations, and with wife Pam raised two children. Hobbies include golf, tennis, photography and writing.

Dana Pounds

Chris Roman

Chris grew up in Allentown, PA and attended the University of Pennsylvania for Undergraduate studies and Georgetown University for his Masters and Medical Degree. He completed a Diagnostic Radiology Residency and Nuclear Medicine Fellowship at Vanderbilt University. Currently he resides in Jacksonville, FL and is employed by McClow, Clark and Berk, PA practicing Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. His passion outside of work is family and Ultrarunning. Since 2008 he has completed numerous 100mile and 100mile+ adventures. He was introduced to CAF through the Ultrarunning community and has formed Team4WardMotion in Jacksonville. He and his wife Erin, a certified Yoga instructor, have embraced the efforts of CAF and enjoy the chance to pay it forward. Their daughters Carson and Maddox are very active in running, swimming and triathlons.

Lauren Rosen

Lauren Rosen grew up in Nashville, TN and has lived in Tampa for 11 years. She is a Physical Therapist and an Assistive Technology Provider at St. Joseph's Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She is the Program Coordinator for the Motion Analysis Center, a three-dimensional motion analysis lab. Additionally, she runs a pediatric and adult seating and positioning clinic. She is the Vice-Chair of the Wheeled Mobility and Seating Special Interest Group of the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology of North America, and she is on a committee with the American Physical Therapy Association to establish guidelines for the provision of Wheeled Mobility and Seating for physical therapists. She has worked with athletes who use wheelchair for the last 14 years.

Brooke Himot Rosenberg

Brooke moved from Colorado to St. Petersburg where she and her husband have resided for the past five years. Brooke is currently head of the marketing for Sempermed USA, a vertically integrated manufacturer providing sales, marketing and logistical support to those in need of hand protection. She works with her team on a national level to create and drive marketing for the company. Brooke received her degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Leeds School of Business. She is a passionate advocate for health and fitness, and is a volunteer for Junior League of St. Petersburg, The Ronald McDonald House, as well as a board member for the Gulf Restoration Network. She enjoys running, kayaking, triathlons, traveling, and gardening in her free time.

Lisa Saari

Lisa Saari grew up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin as a cheese-head and bleeds green and gold. She is an avid outdoors person and sports enthusiast. After graduating from college in Wisconsin, Lisa worked as a laboratory technologist in rural hospitals. Lisa relocated to Florida in 1995 and is currently employed as a Technical Specialist at LabCorp in Tampa, FL. She became involved with the Challenged Athlete Foundation when they partnered with LabCorp to co-sponsor the Gasparilla wheelchair race in 2008 and was impressed with the determination and sacrifices the athletes made to overcome their challenges. Lisa supports CAF because of the personal rewards she receives from helping others realize their dreams. Lisa lives in Oldsmar with her husband Steve and enjoys reading, golfing, fishing and spending time outdoors.

Kristine Schroeder

Kristine Schroeder moved to Florida with her son and husband 6 years ago. She holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Columbus State University in Georgia as well as a degree in Education and Communication Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego. Kristine traveled the country with her active duty military husband for years working as a news anchor/producer in various cities. Since moving to Valrico, FL in 2005 she has worked as a substitute teacher for the Hillsborough County School District. Kristine is a challenged athlete who has participated in 5 half-marathons on her hand crank bike. She enjoys staying active and spends time with her family swimming, boating and fishing. Kristine recently became involved with CAF so that she can help young people with physical disabilities gain access to adaptive sporting equipment and become actively involved with sports and enjoy the benefits of physical exercise.

Stacey Underwood

Originally from Boston, Stacey moved to Florida in 1996, where she took up the sport of triathlon. Her husband, Scott, is a retired Air Force Master sergeant, and it was Stacey's personal interest in the military that brought her to CAF in 2007 to compete at the Ironman Florida 70.3 in support of Operation Rebound. She continues to compete in support of CAF, and is now also a 2-time Ironman finisher. Stacey is a teacher in Hillsborough County, currently on a professional leave from the classroom to serve as a mentor for beginning teachers in the county. Stacey is a USA Triathlon coach and volunteers at her local YMCA to coach children in youth triathlon events. Her husband, Scott, and daughter, Mia also participate in triathlon. Her youngest child, Ryan, is eagerly awaiting his first race.

Robert Angus Williams

Born in Lakeland, Florida, Robert is a true outdoor enthusiast and enjoys fishing, hunting, camping and coaching his son's sports teams. He is an avid triathlete and a finisher of the 2006 Ironman Florida. He lives in Palm Harbor with his wife, Amber, also a triathlete and Ironman finisher, and their two sons, Cole and Keen. Both Robert and Amber are die-hard Gator fans and spend a great deal of time with their families. Robert is currently with the firm of Pepple Johnson Cantu & Schmidt, PLLC in Clearwater, Florida. He was previously employed with the Pinellas County State Attorneys office from 1995-1999. He is a graduate of The University of Florida in Gainesville and Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.