State Board

Washington State BIA Executive Board

Gene van den Bosch Executive Director, BIAWA Before his appointment as Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Washington in October 2006, Mr. van den Bosch served as an association executive, college and judicial educator, and director of offices for public policy and government affairs, financial development, and public relations. He directed the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, Arizona Head Start Association, Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Chicago, Epilepsy Society of Arizona, and the Arizona Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Mr. van den Bosch directed the office of Public Policy and Government Affairs for the Arizona Association of Homes and Housing for the Aging. While in that position, he served on the Arizona Senate Ad Hoc Study Committee on Workforce Development and Caregiver Wages and chaired its sub-committees for Reimbursement and for Public Awareness. He also chaired a 30-association-member advocacy coalition to improve systems for older adults – the Arizona Senior Action Project (ASAP). As adjunct faculty, Mr. van den Bosch taught Communication and Leadership courses at universities and colleges - most recently at The Evergreen State College. He was Senior Educator for the Washington Courts where he developed curriculum guidelines for the training of Washington's certified professional guardians. He has trained several groups in areas such as inter-cultural communication, developing collaborations, and strategic planning. He also wrote feature articles for The Arizona Republic. Mr. van den Bosch achieved an M.A. in Speech Communication from Northern Illinois University and an M.P.A in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Richard H. Adler, Attorney at Law Chairman of the Executive Board Executive Board BIAWA Richard H. Adler has served as Chairman of the Executive Board of the Brain Injury Association of Washington since January 2004. He is credited with turning around BIAWA’s organization with initiatives to recruit top level Board Members, push for volunteer involvement, establish community partners, and better clarify and implement BIAWA’s mission of prevention, education, support, and advocacy. Richard H. Adler is an honors graduate of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1980. He was called to the Bar in Washington State that same year. As an attorney and managing partner for the law offices of Adler Giersch, PS, Mr. Adler’s legal practice is exclusively dedicated to representing victims of traumatic brain injury, traumatic spinal injury, and traumatic musculoskeletal injury. Mr. Adler’s has authored Whiplash, Spinal Trauma, and Personal Injury Case. He is currently writing Brain Injury 101: A Guide to Better Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury and Personal Injury 101: A Guide for the Injured. Both publications are due out in 2005. Mr. Adler co-produced several educational and instructional videos for doctors on testifying at deposition and trial. Also, he writes and edits the law firm’s monthly newsletter, "The Advocate," which focuses on various medical/legal/insurance aspects of personal injury claims. He frequently lectures on traumatic brain injury personal injury and insurance law to attorneys, chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and psychologists. Mr. Adler is licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of Washington and in federal court. Mr. Adler has been actively involved with the traumatic brain injury community and the Brain Injury Association of Washington for many years. Mr. Adler is a participating member of the Washington Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Washington State Chiropractic Association. He has also received the highest rating ("AV") from other attorneys through a confidential and anonymous peer survery conducted by the national attorney directory service, Martindale Hubbell.

Jason Barber Database Coordinator BIAWA Executive Board Jason Barber was elected to the Executive Board in December 2005, bringing with him his expertise in data-management and statistical analysis.  Since then he has revamped the Association's mailing database, developed software to help manage our annual fundraising Auction, and provides continuous database and other support as needed. Mr. Barber received his Masters in Biostatistics from the University of Washington, and currently works in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Harborview Medical Center. His position as research consultant has placed him on numerous research grants in the last ten years studying long-term outcome following traumatic brain injury.  He also consults for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at UWMC in the areas of TBI and spinal-cord injury, and also for the Veterans Administration.

Kathleen R. Bell, MD Educational Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Kathleen R. Bell, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and has been the Medical Director of TBI Rehabilitation at University of Washington Medical Center since l996. She attended Temple University Medical School and completed a residency at the University of Washington in Rehabilitation Medicine. She also completed an NIHR Switzer Fellowship, studying cortical control of motor activity. For 20 years, she has concentrated her clinical care, teaching, and research in the area of TBI in a variety of settings. She has been the Project Director for the UW TBI Model System for the past three years and previously the Co-Project Director. Her research interests have included efficacy of rehabilitation interventions, sleep and pain disorders in TBI, the treatment of depression after TBI, and medical education. She is the Principal Investigator for a CDC funded study on telephone interventions and follow-up in mild TBI. In addition, Dr. Bell is conducting a multi-center study on telephone intervention in moderate to severe TBI, funded by NIDRR. Dr. Bell is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. In addition, Dr. Bell has been an invited participant in the CDC Experts Panel on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Dr. Bell is delighted to be a part of the rejuvenation of the Brain Injury Association of Washington and urges everyone reading these bios to do the same!

David Butters, DC Newsletter Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA David A. Butters D.C. is a 1973 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. He is the founder and owner of Rainier Valley Chiropractic, P.S., which he established in 1977. His 31 years of active chiropractic practice have involved all aspects of Chiropractic care, including auto accident, on the job injury as well as general acute, corrective and preventative maintenance care for adults and children. He served by governor appointment through the Washington State Department of Health, on the Chiropractic Disciplinary Board and the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission, serving terms as the chairperson of both the board and commission. He is a member of the Washington State Chiropractic Association, currently serving as board member representing the 7th Congressional District, and chairman of the governmental relations committee. He is also a member and Fellow of the International Chiropractor’s Association. He and his wife, Judy (a critical member of the office staff) have been married for 31 years and have four daughters: Keely, Natasha, Tiffany and Tess.

Kristin Cruse Event Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Kristin Cruse recently joined the Executive Board for the Brain Injury Association of Washington as its Event Coordinator in April 2005. As her "day job" Ms. Cruse works for the personal injury law firm of Adler Giersch, PS as the Public Relations Coordinator. One of her many roles at Adler Giersch, PS is planning and facilitating seminars, blood drives and other events for groups between 10 to 200 people. Ms. Cruse was instrumental in coordinating BIAWA’s "Open House and Launch Party" in June 2005 at its new Seattle location.

Simon Forgette, Attorney at Law Stakeholder Pledge Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Simon Forgette. Simon's practice concentrates on plaintiff personal injury law with emphasis on catastrophic brain and spinal cord injury cases. He has served on the Board of Directors of the national Brain Injury Association (formerly known as the National Head Injury Foundation) and the Brain Injury Association of Washington. Mr. Forgette served as Chairman of the Board of the National Head Injury Foundation from 1991-1992. He has been co-chair of the Brain Injury Association's Annual Seminar for Trial Attorneys since its inception eighteen years ago. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Bar Association. He retired as a Lt. Colonel from the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Nora Gibson Special Service Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Nora Gibson, MSW, Executive Director, Elderhealth Northwest. Nora has worked in the field of adult day services since 1978, as a clinician, program manager and assistant director. For the past 10 years she has been the Executive Director of ElderHealth Northwest, the largest provider of adult day health services in the Pacific Northwest. ElderHealth currently operates five adult day programs serving 800 frail chronically ill individuals and their families. In addition to day health, the agency also provides private care management services and runs an adopt-a-grandparent program called ElderFriends. Elderhealth Northwest is working to develop the INN project (Integrated Neighborhood Network of services) to meet the complex needs of community based frail elders.  In 2004, we opened 2 innovative residences providing 24 hour care and started providing home care services. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio and a graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. She serves on the faculty of the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Janet Thomen Green Social Security Disability Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Janet Thoman Green was elected to the Executive Board in November 2006 as the Social Security Disability Coordinator. Ms. Green received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 2006 and was licensed to practice in Washington and in federal district court the same year. Ms. Green has extensive legal experience prior from her 12 year career as a personal injury paralegal with the law firm of Adler Giersch ps. Ms. Green is an Eagle member of the Washington State Trial Lawyer’s Association, serving on the New Member Committee.

Fred P. Langer Medical Advisory Board Co-coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Frederick P. Langer, RN, Esq., is a partner of Nelson Tyler Langer PLLC, licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon, a Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Eagle member, Association of Trial Lawyers member, American Bar Association Member, a member of the Circle of Advocates, and the Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Mr. Langer also serves as President of the Board of Commissioners of Public Hospital District No. 2 in Snohomish County, Washington. Mr. Langer has published articles in Trial News, Journal of Society of Hematology, and Oncology Nursing Forum. He has been an invited speaker at WSTLA annual conventions and also lectured at the "Nurses Law School." A dean's list student, Fred earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Planning and Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1984. He continued his education at the University of Utah, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1988. Fred then went on to law school, where he graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 1995. Nelson Tyler Langer, PLLC practice emphasizes brain & spinal injury representation and the wrongful denial of disability benefits (both ERISA and Private Plans)

Dana Lough Survivor Speakers' Co-coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Dana Lough is a brain injury survivor and currently serves on BIAWA’s Exective Board in the position of Survivor’s Speakers Co-coordinator along with her husband, Mike Lough. Dana has been involved in BIAWA for many years. She was involved in an auto accident in 1976 which put her into a coma for two weeks. From this accident she also suffers from paralysis on this right side of her body. Dana began attending the support group meeting at the Tacoma Washington Brain Injury Support Group were she meet her now-husband, Mike Lough (also a TBI survivor). They later married and were recognized in both Washington State and nationally as the first survivor newlyweds by the Brain Injury Association in 1987. Dana has been a very active spokesperson for BIAWA working to raise awareness about brain injury. She received the "Most Inspirational Award" presented by the Brain Injury Association of Washington in 1989 for all her hard work. In 2004, Dana was a key note speaker at the Special Disability Conference for Veterans Administration Hospital employees, where she has also been employed since 1986.

Mike Lough Survivor Speakers' Co-coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Mike Lough currently serves on BIAWA’s Executive Board as Co-Coordinator of the the Survivor’s Speakers along with his wife, Dana Lough. Mike is a survivor of TBI when he was in an auto accident that killed his two friends and left him in a coma for a month just before his high school graduation. Mike got involved with BIAWA after attending its 2nd Annual Conference in 1984. Mike found himself answering questions by other survivors and became interested in helping others who have experienced TBI. From March 1985 to April 1990, Mike served as Seattle’s Brain Injury Support Group Facilitator which led him to become the survivor spokesman for BIAWA. As Support Group Facilitator, Mike meet his future wife, Dana, at a Tacoma support group. They married in 1987 becoming the first State and National recognized brain injury newlyweds. Mike started making frequent visits to Olympia as an activist for brain injury and helmet laws. He has also made many trips to Washington, DC. One in particular was to see Speaker of the House, Thomas Foley regarding disability needs. Together, Mike and his wife, Dana, have talked with countless Senators and Representatives on brain injury and disability.

Janet Mott, Ph.D Resources Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Janet Hart Mott, Ph.D. is a practicing rehabilitation counselor, case manager, and life care planner. Since the first public meeting of the Brain Injury Association of Washington in the early 1980’s she has maintained an active interest in the needs of individuals of all ages who have experienced brain injuries, their caregivers, and their families. As a child she experienced a mild brain injury. As a rehabilitation professional, she has served individuals with brain injuries since 1960. Currently she has family members who have sustained head injuries.

Lou Nash Resources Co-coodinator Executive Board BIAWA

Shawn Meneely Treasurer Executive Board BIAWA Mr. Meneely grew up in Kennewick, WA were he played football, basketball and golf. He suffered a fractured neck in a back yard swimming pool in July 1991 between his freshman and sophomore years in high school. Despite the constraints of paraplegia he went on with his education and ultimately graduated from Eastern Washington University with a double major in finance and economics. Following graduation he re-located to Seattle in 2000 and joined UBS Financial Services Inc, formerly PaineWebber, and the Special Needs Trust group. Shawn's work involves him with clients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury and need assistance with financial planning issues. He enjoys living in downtown Seattle and being close to all the major sporting events and the great dining and activities around the city.

Janice Navarre Legislative Advocacy Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Janice Navarre is the Affordable Homeownership Manager for the Washington State Housing Trust Fund in Olympia. Her professional career in state government includes management services and resource coordination with several departments including the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the Department of Social and Health Services. Janice has been active with the Traumatic Brain Injury constituency since 1985 advocating for services and providing expertise on numerous boards. Janice is currently the President of the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board.

Andrea Okomski Prevention Committee Lead Executive Board BIAWA Andrea Okomski founded Pedestrian InRoads, a regional advocacy non-profit, focusing on crash prevention and pedestrian safety, in 2006. Her teenage son was nearly killed crossing the street to catch the city bus to high school in 2004. He emerged from a 3 months long coma to a prolonged recovery and adjustment to life with brain injury. As an attorney and mother of a brain injury survivor, she has a deep understanding of the causes and results of TBI, and how to shape policy and resources to address the issues. Andrea leads the BIA-WA Prevention Committee, focusing on the largest category of preventable traumatic brain injury, vehicle collisions. She has a special interest on the toll on young people of preventable acquired brain injury.

Patrice Roney Executive Board Administrator Executive Board BIAWA Patrice Roney is Legal Administrator with the law firm of Adler Giersch ps and serves on the Brain Injury Association= s Executive Board as Facilities Coordinator. As Legal Administrator, she is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm= s operations in its four office locations at Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and Kent. She has overseen office moves, remodels, network upgrades, installation of new computers and new phone systems. This experience makes Ms. Roney well suited to serve as Facilities Coordinator for the Brain Injury Association. Since joining the Executive Board in early 2004, Ms. Roney has been instrumental in the move of the BIA-WA office from Redmond to Seattle, assisted in the selection of upgraded office equipment, and handled the installation of new telephones, digital printer and computers. She also serves as a resource for the BIA-WA= s staff in the day to day operation of the BIA-WA office.

Jeremy B. Sardin Police Liaison Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Jeremy B. Sandin is the "Police Liaison" for the BIAWA’s Executive Board. He has been a police officer for the City of Redmond since 2004. He graduated from Washington State University in 2002 with a degree in civil engineering. Jeremy became aware of the BIAWA after taking a training class at his department that focused on the proper police response to a traffic accident when traumatic brain injury may be involved. The class was taught by BIAWA Executive Board members Mr. Richard Adler and Dr. Kathleen Bell. As police liaison, Jeremy’s role is to pass along this same information and to increase general knowledge about traumatic brain injuries to fellow law enforcement officers.

Julie Seserko Office Manager BIAWA staff member Julie Seserko is our office manager and we couldn't have been graced with a more competent, knowledgeable professional. A brain injury survivor and BIAWA Member, Julie brings expertise and compassion to her work and everyone who's met her knows how lucky we are. Thank you, Julie, for all you do for us and the residents of Washington State.

David Stevens, Attorney at Law Community Partnership Co-coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Dave Stevens personally knows and understands many sides of traumatic brain injuries. Not only has he worked the past 34 years as an attorney, frequently assisting individuals to recover from physical injuries, but he also is a survivor of a severe traumatic brain injury that occurred in 1959 on his 18th birthday. On that birthday, Dave sustained very critical head, neck and internal injuries in a car wreck that resulted in a five-week coma and a Near Death Experience. Strange as it may sound to some, following the car wreck on his birthday Dave denied to all, even himself, that he had sustained a brain injury. Instead he lived for many years with the strong belief that he was living in a dream. He successfully completed Pharmacy School in 1964 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and became a Registered Pharmacist during this “dream”. While working as a Registered Pharmacist, Dave returned to competitive sports car racing, his first love. After running out of sufficient money to race at his desired level, Dave knew he needed more education to secure a job with a higher income potential. He took both the Medical School and the Law School admission tests to prepare him for a job that would better support his car-racing endeavors. Law School was his final choice. Dave worked his way through Law School as a Pharmacist and in 1971 he earned admission to the Iowa Bar Association. He rode motorcycles and competed in car racing events at every opportunity during Law School. After Law School he worked for others for three years then opened his own firm. His firm prospered and grew to six attorneys, a paralegal and two secretaries. Dave worked one-hundred-hour-weeks for 10 years, then burned-out and retired. During this time he represented racers, promoters, sponsors and others working in the racing industry, as well as those injured through the fault of others. In 1981, after passing another three-day Bar Examination, Dave was admitted to the Washington Bar. Since 1983 he has practiced Personal Injury Law in Seattle. Additionally in 1990, upon examination he was admitted to the Alaska Bar. He is an Eagle Member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. He practices as “of counsel” to the Donchez Law Firm. In 1992, he started regular volunteer work at Children’s Hospital in Seattle that continues to date. He funded an Endowment for Research and Treatment of Children with Traumatic Brain Injuries at Children’s in 2001. Dave worked as a member of the Safety Safari for the National Hot Rod Association for 14 years through 2001. For the past 5 years Dave has served as a Technical Inspector of fine vintage racing cars for SOVREN, the Society of Vintage Race Enthusiasts. He was elected to be Chairman of the Appellate Panels for a national racing organization, DIRT Motorsports, and joined the Executive Board of the Brain Injury Association of Washington in 2005

Jay Uomoto, Phd, Neuropsychologist Medical Advisory Board Co-coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Jay Uomoto, Ph.D., or as his patients and staff refer to him as “Dr. J”, is currently a Professor of Graduate Psychology and Director of Clinical Training for the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology Program at Seattle Pacific University. He has held academic and clinical positions at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Shepherd Center Acquired Brain Injury Program and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He maintains a private neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology practice, and has a passion for playing guitar and keyboards in his newly formed band, Manshed, an acoustic-rock band composed of fellow psychologists.

Valerie Wootten Support Group Co-Coordinator Executive Board BIAWA Valerie Wootton has been a member of the Brain Injury Association since 1998 and was recently appointed Support Group Coordinator. She has been on the TBI Advisory Board of Washington since 2000, serving as Secretary for two terms. She also served on the Washington Protection and Advocacy TBI Ad Hoc Committee for two years. Valerie began advocating for her son, Paul, a brain injury survivor, in 1997. Paul passed away in 2002 and Valerie’s commitment to helping TBI survivors and their families remains strong. She views the support groups as a great place to receive emotional support, participate in social activities, have access to current information and resources and share experiences with others.

pastor craig sicilia productions 2007