About Boone Center
Board of Directors

Michael Ahlheim is a Principal Strategy Development Analyst for Phantom Works at The Boeing Company. Michael began his involvement with BCI in 2021 as co-founder and co-chair of BCI’s Young Professionals group and later as a member of the board’s Employment Services Committee.

TJ Bross is the Chief Operating Officer for etrailer and a 2001 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a degree in Finance and Real Estate. TJ is committed to community impact and supporting organizations aligned with his values. As a parent of a son who lives with special needs, he understands the critical importance of advocating for inclusivity, accessibility, and support for individuals with disabilities.

Denise Childress has represented clients in over forty-four Missouri Counties and is a nationally sought-after educator of lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officers in the field of DWI law and science. She is a past president of the St. Charles County Bar Association and volunteers for the St. Charles County Foster Adoption Support Team. Ms. Childress has proudly served on the Board of Directors for BCI since 2022.

Kelly Cope is a 30-year veteran in the emergency medical services field and currently works as Chief Executive Officer of the St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD). Kelly is a founding member of SCCAD’s community outreach group that provides educational opportunities for residents such as Lifesaver CPR. He also is an active supporter of Brace for IMPACT 46, a nonprofit whose mission is to make positive, sustainable change in the lives of children in need in Haiti and St. Louis.

Katrina McDonald-Fuller is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Services at Compass Health Network and has been with the agency for 20 years in a variety of roles. Katrina has been active on several behavioral health boards and is a former vice president of the Brentwood School District school board. Her commitment to employment opportunities began as a child as she watched her older brother Rodney, a BCI employee for 30 years, look forward to his job every day.

Amanda Geraghty is the Area Sales Director for the Central U.S. for the State and Local Government and Education Division at World Wide Technology (WWT). Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Maryville University and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University. She also serves as a Mentor for the WWT Leadership Program and is a member of the ABLE Employee Resource Group.

Rick Goe is the Vice President of Supply Chain for Distribution Management (DM) in St. Charles, Mo. Rich’s interest in BCI stemmed from the memory of his late aunt who lived with a disability but did not have an opportunity to develop self-sustaining skills. In 2021, Rick was instrumental in DM’s partnership with the BCI Skills Center to create competitive work and training opportunities for people with disabilities in the warehousing industry.

Ghanshyam Mehta has worked in information technology and business operations for more than 25 years, with leadership roles in the consumer products, chemical, retail, and healthcare industries. Ghanshyam also serves on the board of trustees at Whitfield School in St. Louis.

Tim Meyer is a Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at Peoples Bank & Trust Co. and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Maryville University. With a personal connection to developmental disabilities through his sister, Tim is dedicated to supporting BCI’s mission to provide employment and personal growth opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Cesar Paredes is a marketing and communication executive with extensive experience in healthcare and life sciences. In addition to his professional achievements, Cesar also serves on the board of Casa de Salud, a medical and mental health services organization dedicated to assisting new immigrants and refugees who face barriers to accessing healthcare. Through his work with Casa de Salud and BCI, he helps ensure vulnerable populations receive the support they need to thrive.

Julie Rodgers is the Executive Director of Economic Development for Lincoln County and serves on the board of directors for OATS Transit and the Northeast Missouri Workforce Development Board’s employer engagement committee. She is the Vice President of the Professional Business Women of Lincoln County and a past board member of the Moscow Mills Chamber of Commerce and the Silex R3 School District. Julie is committed to creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities and their families in Lincoln County.

Doug Tracy is President/CEO of Cuivre River Electric Cooperative and serves on the board of directors for Touchstone Energy, the Central Electric Power Cooperative, and the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. An avid civic volunteer, Doug also works to advance the agencies that support his daughter’s disability including Delta Gamma Center, Light House for the Blind, and the Society for the Blind.

Lora Wattelet, Special Education Site Coordinator at Troy Buchanan High School, has 25 years of experience in post-secondary transition. She holds a Bachelor’s in Special Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a Master’s in Education from Lindenwood University. Wattelet has served in various educational roles and was a Missouri Transition Liaison. Lora enjoys seeing her former students thrive at BCI and is committed to further bridging the gap in the transition to adulthood for young adults with disabilities.