DAVID GROSSMAN — PRESIDENT
David Grossman is the CEO of Southfield based Pegasus Entertainment. For 29 years Pegasus has been a leader in full-service event production in the Midwest. He is also the CEO of Washington DC based Political Productions, the most experienced political production company in America working with every president in the last 20 years. His other affiliations include: Advisory board member of Child help, board member of Jewish Community Center Day Camps, past President and board member of Fanclub Arts Foundation — an organization that promotes Youth art education in Metropolitan Detroit, past Governor appointed State of Michigan DNR Waterways commissioner, and past Board member of Tamarack Camps. He resides in Franklin Michigan with his Wife Margo and three daughters.
MARK S. FORD, P.I. – VICE PRESIDENT
Mark Ford is a licensed Professional Investigator with over 25 years experience as a private security consultant. His company Risk Security & Investigations, a division of Antioch Management Group, Inc., is a veteran owned Michigan small business. He also spent over 15 years as a part time Marine/Reserve Deputy with the Oakland County, Sheriff’s Office. Mark Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Pacific Western University, and spent four years on active duty in the United States Coast Guard. Mark’s firm has been retained to investigate a variety of cases including corporate espionage, international missing persons, insurance and corporate fraud, and he is a member of power3forensics, a unique collaboration that includes professional investigators, forensic accountants and computer forensic specialists. Risk Security & Investigations’ guard division provides plain-clothed and uniformed security guard services throughout southeastern Michigan. Mark is a member of the Michigan Counsel of Professional Investigators MCPI, The American Society of Industrial Security ASIS, The National Association of Investigative Specialists NAIS, Michigan Contract Security Association MCSA and has completed the Threat and Risk Assessment Training through the Office for Domestic Preparedness ODP.
JAY RUSS — TREASURER
Jay Russ is a branch manager for the Huntington Bank, currently working in Shelby Twp. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Oakland University with a focus on Public Relations. His other affiliations include: Past President and board member for the Detroit Alumni Association of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, on the parade planning committee for the annual Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade and an Ambassador for the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Jay has been heavily involved in the community for the past 10 years and currently resides in Rochester Hills.
LISA ST. CLAIR — CO-FOUNDER AND SECRETARY
Lisa St. Clair is actively involved in the development and oversight of the nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children to overcome adversity, whether it be child abuse and neglect, childhood illness, or even the death of a loved one. Former Director of Casework for the Michigan chapter of an award-winning national organization, Justice for Children, Lisa St. Clair ran the case-intake and internship initiative program for over three years. Working in the nonprofit sector provided St. Clair invaluable hands-on experience from fundraising and networking with other nonprofits, to helping to pass critical legislation to better protect children in three states, in addition to developing therapeutic programs for children in need. St. Clair studied Botany and Psychology at Michigan State University, and also has been the owner of a successful small business for over twelve years.
PATRICK R. WILSON — GENERAL COUNSEL
Patrick Wilson, attorney and counselor of Wilson & Wilson, P.C. attended Western Michigan University, where he received his B.A. in 2004, and graduated from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in 2007. He prides himself on providing superior legal services to his clients and allowing them an opportunity to actually speak with their attorney.
RUTH FRUSHOUR
Ruth Frushour graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. Taught Health and Physical Education for 35 years in the Troy School District. Ruth Frushour is presently retired and enjoys volunteering for the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation, the Master Gardner’s Society of Oakland County, and the honorary teachers’ sorority, ADK.
RICHARD T. URBIS
Rick Urbis has practiced law in the State of Michigan and in various courts throughout the United States since 1983. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Wayne State University. Rick commenced his career as a law clerk in the Oakland County Circuit Court. After a brief association with a local firm, he joined and became a partner at Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone where he specialized in commercial litigation. Since 2000 Rick has maintained the Urbis & Associates, P.C. private general litigation practice in Rochester. His clients range from fortune 500 corporations to area businesses and individuals. He is active in several bar associations and is well recognized for his pro bono legal aid services to charitable organizations, the underprivileged and to victims of abuse and discrimination. Rick is the proud father of two children and resides in Rochester Hills.
DON BADACZEWSKI
Don Badaczewski brings a unique insight to the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation, with a background in both law and psychology. He is a graduate from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Political Science, as well as from Wayne State Law School, where he also earned his teaching certificate and was a part of the School and Community Psych Graduate Program. His illustrious career includes teaching in Berkley schools, in addition to being a psychologist in Detroit schools for 1 year and in Hazel Park for 15 years. Prior to retiring from Hazel Park Schools in 2009 to begin D.B. Consulting Services, Don worked for 5 years as the Special Education Supervisor, and for 10 years as the Education Director. An attorney for 30 years with a focus on developmental disability issues, Don also served as the Interim Special Ed Director for the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, the Ferndale School District, as well as for Madison Schools, where he currently services. He was born in Detroit, and is married with 2 sons, ages 27 and 29.
MARGO GROSSMAN
Margo Grossman is a former nanny, camp counselor and elementary school teacher. Her love of children has been her driving force in life; whether through parenting her own three daughters or giving back through organizations such as the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation that are dedicated to helping children in various ways. She is on the advisory board of Childhelp, and mentors a nine-year-old through their mentoring program, and is also active with Haven and Women’s American ORT. She resides in Franklin with her husband David and their three daughters.
DESIREE FORD
Desiree Ford, a longtime resident of Rochester and proud mother of five, is a pillar to the community for her passion, dedication, and exemplary commitment to charity work, as well as for her tireless support of local organizations and businesses. When she’s not cheering on her daughters on the east coast, both having received full athletic scholarships at major universities in New England, you’ll find her gracing the pages of prestigious publications such as HOUR and In Town, highlighting her energetic spirit and infectious smile as she defines the social scene of the city’s greatest events. As the wife of a successful business owner, Desiree has a deep understanding of business operation and growth, and her flair for style and design provides an invaluable resource for organizations wishing to draw upon her expertise in the planning of major events. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, and caring for horses.
AMBASSADORS CIRCLE
Hon. James Alexander
Hon. Lisa Asadoorian
Mayor Bryan Barnett
Mark Bedsole
Cristina Bishop
Michelle Bommarito
Tony DiMambro
Karen Drew
Oneil Franso
Hon. Lisa Gorcyca
Sheri Heiney
Lora Higdon
Jay Higdon
Madeline Scarletta
Sam Scarletta
Hon. Edward Sosnick
Sara Whedon
ADVISORY BOARD
Marc Klaas
In the aftermath of the Oct 1, 1993 kidnap and murder of his twelve-year-old daughter Polly, Marc Klaas gave up his lucrative rental car franchise to pursue an aggressive child safety agenda. In announcing the formation of the non-profit KlaasKids Foundation in September, 1994 Mr. Klaas said, “We can give meaning to Polly’s death and create a legacy in her name that will be protective of children for generations to come by pursuing the singular mission of stopping crimes against children.” On June 8, 2001 Mr. Klaas co-founded BeyondMissing, Inc., a federally funded California public benefit non-profit corporation. BeyondMissing provides America’s law enforcement community with a free and secure Website to easily and swiftly create and distribute missing child flyers via broadcast fax, email, and SMS technology. Working with Texas Governor Perry’s staff, BeyondMissing, Inc. has created a state of the art high tech Amber Alert application that is unsurpassed in efficiency, speed and dependability. Through federal and state legislative efforts Mr. Klaas promotes prevention programs for at-risk youth, stronger sentencing for violent criminals and governmental accountability and responsibility. Often times this advocacy takes the form of legislative testimony. Mr. Klaas regularly appear on local and national television broadcasts advocating child safety issues. Newspapers throughout the USA have published Mr. Klaas’ editorial opinions on children’s issues. Mr. Klaas travels extensively through the United States promoting innovative solutions and proven programs that positively impact crime, abuse and neglect that plague children in so many of our communities. He also counsels and advises numerous victim families and families of kidnapped children.
ALISON ARNGRIM
Alison Arngrim, New York Times Best Selling author of Confessions of A Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated, is best known to viewers world-wide for her portrayal of the incredibly nasty “Nellie Oleson” on the much loved, long running hit television series “Little House On The Prairie,” and continues to amuse audiences through her many film, television and stage appearances. She currently serves as California Chair, National Spokesperson and Founding Board Member on the National Advisory Board of The National Association to Protect Children (www.PROTECT.org), fighting to give children a legal and political voice in the war against child abuse. As an activist for the improvement of child protection laws, she has spoken before the California Senate and worked on legislative and political campaigns in several states, including Virginia and New York, in addition to PROTECT’s work on federal legislation in Washington, D.C. She has appeared on numerous television news programs discussing the legal and political issues surrounding child abuse and molestation. She came forward to tell the world about the sexual abuse she suffered in her own life, during her 2004 interview on Larry King Live. She continues to be interviewed on this and other topics on Nancy Grace, CNN’s Showbiz Tonight, The Insider, Court TV and Bill O’Reilly’s The Factor.
MICHELLE BOMMARITO
Michelle Bommarito is a graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education of Manhattan, NY. She is accredited in the Culinary Arts and received her Undergraduate Degree from The University of Michigan in 1990 where she earned a BSA in Marketing Management, with a Minor in Psychology. She was a Freelance Artist for Martha Stewart Omni Media inWestport,CT., and her designs have been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles including, Detroit Free Press, Martha Stewart Living, Oakland Style Magazine, Bride’s Magazine. She has competed in 8 Food Network cake challenges, bringing home one gold medal and two silver medals. Today Bommarito travels extensively offering “Eating Well” Speaking Engagements, Super Power Food Culinary Demonstrations, Inspirational Wedding Cake Design Workshops and to judge Cake Competitions. Michelle Bommarito’s name is synonymous with Wedding Cake Challenges on Food Network, however the energetic entrepreneur has boldly stepped out of the pastry world and is now focusing on her true passion…sharing culinary techniques and how to prepare Energizing Super Power Foods. Bommarito believes that if you eat well…you will have an abundance of energy. Her culinary accomplishments include working for Martha Stewart, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel inManhattanand as a Personal Chef for Athlete Michael Jordan. For the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation she spearheads the Nutrition Therapy Program, sharing her expertise on how to prepare quick, affordable, healthy meals, nurture a positive mindset, and gain an overall sense of well-being for mind, body, and spirit. www.MichelleBommarito.com
LAURIE PERRY
Laurie Perry knits and writes in Los Angeles, California, where she chronicles her daily life on her online diary, Crazy Aunt Purl (www.crazyauntpurl.com). She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, MSN.com, Vogue Knitting, the Boston Herald, and The Palm Beach Post. Perry has written for the Los Angeles Daily News and the Winter Haven News Chief in Winter Haven, Florida. She is the author of Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair.
MICHELE ROSENTHAL
Michele Rosenthal helps survivors conquer the past and create the future. With a strong focus on post-trauma identity development, she coaches clients to make choices and take actions to create the personas and lives they wish to inhabit. As a keynote speaker, empowerment coach, award-winning blogger, author and radio host, Michele inspires and motivates survivors to make the shift from powerless to powerful. By sharing her own story, Michele leads survivors forward through connection, communication, collaboration, education and dedication to building your best life after trauma. Michele has been interviewed on many radio programs and has been featured in Ladies’ Home Journal, St. Petersburg Times and the Orlando Sentinel. She is a top health blogger for the Stress Management Community of Wellsphere.com, and the host of Your Life After Trauma on Seaview Radio. She is the founder of www.healmyptsd.com. Michele’s trauma recovery memoir, Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future, will be released in April 2012. With a passion for helping survivors of every type of trauma, Michele sits on the advisory board of Hope4PTSDvets.org and is Joint Partner with The SWAT Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Vermont College. Her deepest wish is to see all trauma survivors transcend trauma to create lives of freedom, meaning, purpose and joy.
