Board of Directors
George Mitchell - Chair
Occupation/Professional Background
Hospital Director of Performance Improvement and Risk Management
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
My daughter has an Intellectual Disability. Also, I spent my college years working as a Direct Support Professional as well as with the Department of Mental Health upon graduation.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
Inclusion rather than exclusion.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
To advocate for those citizens of Jackson County to assure that they have the opportunity to live their best lives.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
To be responsible with the charge of overseeing this organization and the funds associated with it.
Tedi Rowland - Vice Chair
Occupation/Professional Background
I serve as the Deputy County Clerk for Jackson County, Missouri. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication and a minor in political science from the University of Central Missouri.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
My husband, Rory, and I are the parents of four children including our youngest son, JP, who was born in 1995 with Down syndrome.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and acceptance by society.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
Parents like us understand the stress and helplessness families with children with developmental disabilities may feel, especially when school programs and other supports end.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
I hope to be a strong voice supporting this community and their families. We as a Board of Directors have a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens and residents of Jackson County to make sure these programs thrive and continue for many years to come.
Jillian Raining Bird - Secretary
Occupation/Professional Background
I am currently a cash operations manager for a local casino, where I have been employed for over 13 years.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
I am the mother of a child with physical disabilities.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
Supportive services help a dynamic group of people reach their full potential and provide critical needs to support lives.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
As a board member, I believe that advocacy and support is a vital function to the individuals served. I hope that my unique perspective of raising a child with physical disabilities positively impacts as many people as possible.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
My number one responsibility is to the citizens of Jackson County is to ensure that citizens receive the highest level of service, in the most efficient manner, while maintaining integrity throughout my service.
Ben Kisner - Treasurer
Occupation/Professional Background
I work with a team to provide wealth management solutions to a select group of individuals, families, and institutions.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
My wife, Alli, and I have twins with developmental disabilities.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
I believe that providing resources to individuals and families that are impacted by having a loved one with disabilities is paramount to ensuring that everyone is awarded the same opportunities to reach their full potential.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
I hope to be a strong advocate for everyone with disabilities and their families. I will strive to maximize the level of support that eitas and partnering organizations provide while continuing to create awareness and find solutions to the many complexities our disability communities face.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
To ensure that the citizens of Jackson County receive the highest level of service and are provided with every opportunity by utilizing every tax-payer dollar in the most efficient manner.
Stuart May
Occupation/Professional Background
Broker/Agent for commercial and residential real estate. Formally, Vice President Sales for Whirlpool Financial Corporation.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
Father, caregiver, and advocate to an adult daughter with severe Developmental Disabilities.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
IDD services are a critical need for people with DD, their families, and their caregivers. People with DD deserve the opportunity to be the best they can be.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
I want to focus on engaging other board members and eitas management to maximize the services currently being provided by the agency. I also hope to explore new areas where eitas’ resources can be effectively employed to meet the unique needs of the citizens of Jackson County with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
Ensure the organization efficiently and effectively provides relevant services to meet the needs of our Jackson County citizens with developmental disabilities as defined of our charter, and ensuring that we are good stewards of the taxpayer funding entrusted to eitas.
Susan Borgmeyer
Occupation/Professional Background
Speech/language pathologist, special education teacher, administer and consultant
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
I have been involved with individuals with developmental disabilities from childhood through my 37-year career in Missouri public schools. I also have experience working for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education/Compliance and UMKC Regional Professional Developmental Center.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
My belief is that all people should have opportunities to express themselves, make choices, be productive, enjoy family and friends and be as independent as possible. Services (along with accommodations and modifications) to help achieve these should be provided in an inclusive manner for our citizens with developmental delays.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
Sharing my experiences to assist with the provision of services for citizens with developmental disabilities residing in Jackson County. I do have a particular interest in transition from school to work.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
My number one responsibility is to help ensure the funds made available to this Jackson County Board for the provision of services for our citizens with developmental disabilities are administered prudently and with foresight to future services.
Ed Van Haele
Occupation/Professional Background
Retired business executive
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
A proud father of a daughter with developmental disabilities.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
I/DD services are vitally important to individuals and their family members in our community.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
To provide the absolute best services possible to our families with I/DD members.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
My hope is to utilize every taxpayer dollar in the most efficient manner possible to provide best in class services to our community.
Libia Kozisek
Occupation/Professional Background
I have been a teacher for 38 years at the Elementary, Middle, High school level and college. I was a school administrator at my native country of Colombia. I was also the director of English Language Immersion Programs. I was part of the Citizen advisory Committee for the Lees Summit School District.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
I have an 18-year-old son with multiple disabilities. I have navigated the system to find the resources needed to help him. As a teacher, I have taught kids with special needs at the Elementary level and have been involved in community activities.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
I am very passionate about helping special needs kids and families. I have been the recipient of services through Eitas since my son was four years old. Thanks to this help, my family and I have been able to get the services needed.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
I hope to be an ambassador for the special need’s families. As a teacher, I witness first-hand how the educational system shapes a person. I want to be a bridge that unites schools, families, and Eitas, where I have the honor to be part of.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
Advocating for the families of children with special needs is my priority. For 18 years I navigated the system of finding services to provide the best for my son, Phillip. I believe anything is possible when you’re resilient, hard-working, and kind.
Tammy Kemp
Occupation/Professional Background
Currently a medical social worker at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Previous work in child and family services including child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice.
Personal Experience with Developmental Disabilities
Growing up, I was blessed to have experiences with extended family members with I/DD to shape my perspective. My career experiences have allowed me to work with members of the community in different capacities and advocate for families in different areas.
Personal Philosophy about I/DD services
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live life to the fullest potential.
What impact do you hope to make by serving on the eitas Board?
I believe my experience in other related areas allows a different perspective on the issues before the board and understanding how our work fits into the larger social support system.
What do you feel is your number one responsibility to the citizens of Jackson County?
To ensure that the citizens of Jackson County have the best possible opportunities for success while maintaining fiscal responsibility.