Hal O'Leary

President

Mr. Hal O'Leary
Winter Park, CO

holeary@nscd.org

Hal is the founder of NSCD (National Sports Center for the Disabled) in Winter Park, Colorado. For the last 30 years, Hal has traveled extensively setting up Adaptive Ski Programs all around the world. He was inducted into the Ski Hall of Fame in 1992 and has received numerous humanitarian awards throughout his career. He is sought after as a Key Note Speaker throughout the year. Hal's extensive background in all disabilities including cancer, blindness, deaf, MS, cerebral palsy, brain trauma, etc. enables him to work successfully with any individual who is physically or mentally challenged. A noted author, Hal has written two instructive books on Adaptive Skiing highlighting his unique teaching skills. Hal has spent the last 38 years working with the disabled in recreational programs. "It is tremendously satisfying to see the psychological and physical progress these children make at the foundation events. The freedom of movement learned on the snow at the Aspen Winter Games provides a new outlook on life and hopefully the future."

Kathy Gingery

Executive Director

Ms. Kathy Gingery
Aspen, CO
kathy@shiningstarsfoundation.org

Kathy has worked in various children's programs and summer camps for over 30 years. Initially teaching outdooor recreation skills and horsemanship to young campers, her interest turned to children with cancer in 1978 after volunteering in Hal O'Leary's Adaptive Ski program in Winter Park. Kathy has been a self-employed business owner for the last 30 years, specializing in Real Estate. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and mother of two children. She was active for over 12 years as a 4-H Leader and Judge for various events, started the first cub scouts group in the Fraser Valley, and has served on several Chamber of Commerce committees. Kathy was a past treasurer of the Grand County Board of Realtors. She enjoys working with youth and once received the "Celebration of Human Spirit" Award.

"I am honored to work with our extensive volunteer network, they are the heart and soul of our success. I am proud that 95% of every dollar spent goes directly to the children's program. This puts Shining Stars in the top 1% nationally in non-profit spending. Thanks to our loyal supporters who have made it possible to expand our programs each year."

Dr. Larry McCleary

Medical Director

Dr. Larry McCleary
Incline Village, NV
elm481@gmail.com

Dr. Larry graduated from Dartmouth College in 1971 where he was on the Dartmouth College Ski Team. In 1971 he was honored as a Rufus Choate Scholar, accomplishing post-graduate work in theoretical physics as well as attending medical school. Larry completed an internship in surgery at the University of Minnesota followed by a neurosurgical residency at Bellevue-New York University Medical Center. Thereafter, he joined the staff at Presbyterian-St.Lukes Medical Center and the Children's Hospital in Denver as a pediatric neurosurgeon. Dr. Larry's compassionate bedside manner and interest in children's well being earned him the respect of hundreds of patients and families throughout the nation.  He is co-founder of AMRG, an high-end nutritional supplement and is the author of The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms and Boost Mental Energy.  Dr. Larry volunteered as an adaptive ski instructor at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park for many years before moving to Lake Tahoe. "Children with cancer must fight for their lives each day. The Shining Stars Foundation offers them a new-found sense of pride, accomplishment, and vision for the future. I have witnessed how this incredible organization transforms their lives."

Wendy Foster

Board Member

Ms. Wendy Foster

Golden, CO

wendy@tdadesigns.com

Bio coming soon.

William Kritzik

Board Member

Mr. Bill Kritzik
Denver, CO
bill@kritzik.com

Bill is the owner and CEO of Spectrum Home Services of the Rockies, a property services company providing property preservation, landscaping, yard care, handyman, cleaning and non medical senior care services.  Bill has sat on several non-profit boards and volunteered for various community service organizations over the past several years. In 2004, Bill was appointed as chairman of the Denver Advisory Committee of the Shining Stars Foundation after serving on the board in 2003. While serving as chairman of the Youth Services Committee at the Denver Rotary Club, Bill was introduced to the foundation and knew right away that its mission and vision was something he strongly believed in. Growing up skiing and traveling to Aspen and Snowmass, Bill has built strong connections in both locations and knew his resources would be helpful to the organization. By offering his contacts, time and compassion to the kids and organization, Bill has already brought a great deal of awareness and helped the organization raise money for future events and activities. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Bill moved to Colorado in 1993 to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. An active skier, golfer, rock climber, hiker and cyclist, Bill resides in Denver with his wife, Jennifer and their children Levi and Samantha.

Kevin Moore

Board Member

Mr. Kevin Moore

Dacono, CO

kmoore@summitquality.com

Kevin is the owner of Van’s Equipment Company in Dacono, Colorado. Van’s Equipment specializes in the sales, rental and service of equipment to the Colorado construction industry. In addition, he is involved in other small businesses in Colorado and Michigan. Over the years, Kevin has held various Board positions and looks forward to positively impacting the Shining Stars children and Executive Board in the years to come. Kevin resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife, Patricia, daughter Lauren and son Dillon.  The family has been actively involved in volunteering over the years including student foreign exchange programs, Ronald MacDonald House support, church mission trips and recently housing foreign children in need of medical attention from the University of Michigan. As a graduate of Colorado State University, Kevin is a very active skier and mountain biker.

Marty Roberts

Board Member

Mrs. Marty Roberts

Winter Park, CO

marty@shiningstarsfoundation.org

Marty is a North Carolina native but spent most of her youth growing up in sunny Florida. Although her feet were firmly planted in the sandy beaches she took to the air earning a pilot license and eventually had a career as a flight attendant with United Airlines. Initially based in New York City, she transferred to Denver where she quickly learned that most of the action was in the mountains. There she discovered her new passion - skiing. A volunteer ski instructor with the NSCD since 1979, she was introduced to the Shining Stars where a deep bond and long term commitment was formed.

Rebekah Whitfield

Board Member

Ms. Rebekah Whitfield

Denver, CO

whitfieldr@aol.com

Rebekah is a Colorado native who enjoys skiing, golf, sailing and hiking the Rocky Mountains. She was a staff nurse at Presbyterian-St. Lukes Medical Center for 18 years working Obstetrics, Addictions and Clinical Research along with her own counseling service for 12 years. For the past 15 years, she has been the owner and president of Mountain Ridge Consultants, LLC that contracts services for auditing and monitoring of clinical trials to Pharmaceutical and Device Companies throughout the world. She has extensive experience working with parents facing a lifetime of challenges with premature infants, people preparing to face a new life of sobriety and patients hoping to help medicine find cures for diseases.  Rebekah acknowledges the difficulties each group has faced and is proud she has been able to give guidance, joy, laughter and hope to each. Rebekah has donated time to the Channel Nine Health Fair, Mom and Baby Homeward Bound, Adopt-A-Highway, Alzheimer Memory Walk, Boulder School of Massage Internship Program. “I have great empathy and compassion for both the well and the ill human being as both has their own life highs and lows. I have experienced what the outdoors and physical activity can do for the human spirit and encourage everyone to incorporate the two in their daily life.”

David McDougal

Board Member Emeritus

Mr. Dougal McDougal
Denver, CO
dougal@dougalscatering.com

Dougal is the owner of Dougal's Catering Service in Denver, CO. He attended Texas Tech University and has been the owner of many prestigous restaurants and lodges throughout Colorado for the last 35 years. Having just stepped down as President of the International Caterer's Association, Dougal spent many weeks of every year traveling nationally and internationally to promote his profession. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Restaurant Association and is a well-recognized businessman and lecturer at numerous Restaurant Shows and Conferences. An avid community member and supporter of the non-profit sector, Dougal is well known for his generosity and the time he donates to worthwhile causes. A dedicated Denver Rotarian, Dougal sits on various club committees lending his expertise and enthusiasm to local projects. He was a 1996 recipient of the Minoru Yasui Volunteer Award as well as the 2000 National “Good Neighbor” Samaritan award from the National Restaurant Association.

Jean McBride

Board Member Emeritus

Mrs. Jean McBride
Evergreen, CO
olga01@msn.com

"During the 14 years that I have worked with adolescents who are dealing with life threatening diseases, I have been aware of how much a change of environment helps them. When they are out of the hospital, their nurse becomes their buddy instead of a person who gives them medicine that makes them sick and scared. They don't have to pretend not to be sick and scared. They return from the Winter Games with smiles, new energy and the strength to continue fighting their illness. A change of scenery and a new friend works miracles!" Jean moved to Colorado after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1956. She retired from her teaching position in Arvada to raise three sons. During that time she did volunteer work at every school level as well as working with senior citizens. She was a volunteer with the NSCD Program in Winter Park for 16 years. Jean and her husband Bud make their home in Evergreen, CO.