Board Chair
Peter Lauer is an experienced commercial leader in the B2B world with a passion for technology and engineering-based businesses. He has led sales teams and managed corporate development both domestically and globally. A natural-born leader, Peter combines strategic thinking with operational discipline. He has been on the BDI board since 2016.
What does BDI mean to me?
An amazing way to engage people with physical and mental challenges into productive careers that enable much happier lives.
Vice Chair
John Ralls is a VP, Southeast Region at Fidelity Family Office Services. He has spent 20+ years focused on the Family Office and RIA marketplace in areas including investment management, custody, and technology, and has developed a deep understanding of the complexities these offices face.
Secretary
Lori Chase has over 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations in the financial services industry. Lori is a Senior Vice President, Public Relations Director at First Horizon Bank. She is responsible for media, sponsorships, business development and branding. Serving key markets for the Company including Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, New York as well as the Energy and Music, Sports & Entertainment specialty lines of business.
What does BDI mean to me?
I love being on the board of BDI. I’ve seen first-hand how BDI has helped people of differing abilities access job training, gain confidence, learn a trade and become employed. It’s rewarding to “see” the difference in our BDI clients and how happy it makes them to have a job. The transformation is amazing! I’m also impressed by BDI’s support programs for their families – in terms of setting up financial trusts for future needs, making families aware of the different social programs for their family member, etc. I feel very proud to be a part BDI and the impact it has on the Atlanta community.
Treasurer
Fred Hill is Principal Managing Director at NFP. As a consultant, Fred helps large employers improve the quality and reduce the cost of their disability, life, long-term care and retirement plans for highly compensated employees. Fred himself is the parent of a son who lives with an intellectual disability and is familiar with the problems the community faces.
What does BDI mean to me?
To me, BDI means helping individuals maximize their abilities, and offering resources and hope to both those individuals and their families.
Immediate Past Chair
Andrew J. Tuck is a partner at Alston & Bird where he has practiced law for more than 15 years. His practice focuses on litigation in the insurance industry and in the antitrust space. Andy started his career as an electrical engineer prior to law school, and he spend two years clerking for federal judges before joining Alston & Bird. In addition to his work with BDI, Andy serves on the board of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
What does BDI mean to me?
It means a person struggling with fulfilling their potential has a trainer. It means a family navigating the thicket of regulations surrounding benefits to which they are entitled has a guide. It means someone unsure how to match with an employer for a position that fits their unique abilities has a recruiter. It means I can have comfort knowing there are dedicated people in our community out helping those in need of assistance. It has been an honor to be involved with this great organization for more than a decade, and I look forward to continued involvement for years to come.
Bala Sundaramoorthy is a veteran business and technology leader with expertise in media and entertainment, financial services, and software as a service industries. His passion is in driving innovation at the intersection of business and technology. Bala is an alum of Goizueta Business School at Emory University where he pursued his MBA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and enjoys traveling.
What does BDI mean to me?
As a father of two kids with Stargardt’s disease, I have come to understand how life altering disabilities can be, especially in young people. We have been fortunate and privileged to be there for our kids and help them through but recognize that not everyone is able to do so. BDI does this at scale in providing training and employment programs to young adults with disabilities, assistance and resources to families. Being on the board of BDI is a special opportunity for me to give back to this community and in a small way do what I can to help further the mission of the organization.
James H. Terry II retired as the Vice President of National Sales at Coca-Cola North America in June 2011. He had joined Coca-Cola in 1973 in Charlotte, NC, as a quality assurance technical representative. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Board for The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, with a focus on scholarships, leadership, and integrity in college football. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Board of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Jim earned a BS degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1972.
John is President and Chief Executive Officer for McKenney’s, Inc., a third-generation, employee-owned business headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. John is recognized as Distinguished Engineering Alumni by Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering. He is a Trustee for the Atlanta Plumbers and Steamfitters Health and Welfare Fund. John is also a Treasurer for the Mechanical Industries Council Education and Training Fund (MICETF) and a Trustee for the Mechanical Industries Council (MIC). He is a Board member of Bobby Dodd Institute. John is a past President of the Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Georgia (MCAG). He has served as Advisory Board member of The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISyE) and is a past Board member of Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America. John is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, YPO, and is a 2014 Graduate of Leadership Atlanta. He is a member of Peachtree Church and is an Eagle Scout. John received his Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering degree at Georgia Tech. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, John and his wife Janine reside in Sandy Springs, and have two young adult children.
What does BDI mean to me?
As the older brother of a Down Syndrome brother, I have had a front row seat to a difficult reality for many special needs young people: What do they and their families do when they turn 21 and there are no longer school programs for them? Everyone needs a purpose and BDI offers training and employment programs for people with disabilities of all types. Watching these people engage, build self-confidence and have a purpose in their lives is beyond inspirational and it is so important.
Judith Moen Stanley is a former broadcast journalist who worked in television in Chicago, Atlanta and on the Travel Channel. After 25 years in the industry, Judith switched gears and began working as a community advocate with a passion to support people with disabilities. Judith is a graduate of an advocacy training program called Partners in Policymaking. It is designed to create community support for people with disabilities, promoting better integration and eliminating isolation. Since then, she has lobbied at the State Capitol and was board chair for All About Developmental Disabilities before it merged with the Bobby Dodd Institute or BDI, where she currently serves on the board. Judith is also a Trustee of Kennesaw State University (KSU) and serves in a leadership position with Ribbons of Hope, which donates $100,000 each year to a non-profit that supports at-risk women and their children.
Judith also finds great satisfaction in gardening and is Vice President of the Rose Garden Club. Since leaving television, Judith has been a freelance writer and is struggling to get her first novel published. But her biggest thrill is playing with her three grandsons. She is the mother of Greta, 38, an accomplished architect and Phillip, 33, a rabid KSU owl who works at Kennesaw State’s website “Disabled Youth Today” Phillip was born with cerebral palsy and now lives in his own apartment in Kennesaw. She is the wife Bahnson Stanley who never sees obstacles, “just opportunities.”
Katie Hearn currently serves as Manager of Gameday Staffing and Administration and is the Club ADA Coordinator for the Atlanta Braves. The 2018 recipient of the organization’s Walter Banks Hospitality Award and 2019 Recipient of LaGrange College’s Distinguished Young Alumni Award, she is a tireless advocate for disability employment across Georgia. After suffering sudden vision loss, Katie quickly showed those around her that her lack of sight would not define her. Katie lives in Smyrna with her guide dog Jack where she is active in her community.
Kedrick Eily serves as Corporate Counsel-Tech and IP at Aflac. Kedrick was a scholarship athlete at Duke University and is a member of the 1989 ACC Champion Duke Football Team. He received his law degree from Duke University after a career in business. Kedrick has almost 20 years of legal practice, providing counsel to businesses, business owners, and individuals in corporate law, finance, technology, intellectual property, and litigation. In addition to his service with BDI, Kedrick is a Board Member of the Richard and Lela McKnight Foundation, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
What does BDI meant to me?
BDI means providing those with disabilities an opportunity to reach their full potential and providing their families with resources to enrich their lives. BDI also means making sure the financial needs of the disabled are met, even after their parents or guardians have passed away.
Kristen Lewis serves on the BDI Board of Directors. Her Special Needs Planning law practice for the past 36 years has focused on serving families challenged by disabilities, at all socioeconomic levels, with both taxable and non-taxable estates. Her current volunteer commitments with the Center for the Visually Impaired and Canine Assistants also reflect this focus. Kristen’s Board positions with Wesley Woods Senior Living and Eagle Ranch also reflect her personal and professional mission to improve the lives of elders and children whose primary challenges are not disabilities.
What does BDI mean to me?
The folks at BDI are essential members of the “team of allied professionals” that we assemble to serve each of my Special Needs Planning clients, helping them to maximize their sources of support and to live their best lives.
Laura Putz serves as General Counsel for Gray Matters Capital where she focuses on non-profit compliance and impact investing in the developing world. She has spent the last 10 years practicing law in the impact investment space assisting investors and entrepreneurs achieve their desired impact and missions.
What does BDI mean to me?
BDI is a partner to individuals and their families who helps them navigate the different pathways available in achieving their dreams and positive impact they want to have on their community.
Maryann is an eternal optimist and visionary who believes leading a team to find their “purpose” can lead to significant business success. Transparency combined with collaboration has lead her to be labelled a ”change agent” that will inspire a team to follow. Leaning on her values, she is laser focused on growing individuals. Being intentional on diversity and inclusion, she is a strong recruiter and her teams are reflective of the communities she serves. As a senior level media executive with a unique background she flourishes in developing and executing strategic plans for sustainable long term growth.
What does BDI mean to me?
BDI speaks to me due to it’s purpose. Making the world a better place by empowering individuals for generations to come resonates with my personal values.
Peg Nicholls is Cisco Learning and Certifications Worldwide Sales Leader. For more than 10 years, she has served on non-profit Boards and led Communities of Interest at Cisco all focused on helping to level the playing field providing career opportunities for the disability community. Most recently, she has been serving on the BDI Bridge Academy steering committee and has a deep understanding of the BDI mission and vision.
What does BDI mean to me?
Bobby Dodd Institute is an opportunity to level the career playing field for people with disabilities. Providing economic empowerment leads to independence and self esteem. BDI makes that accessible to all!
Rodney Hall is the Executive Vice President, Atlanta Market President at First Horizon Bank. Prior to joining First Horizon, Rodney served as the Atlanta Market President for IBERIABANK since 2015. He previously served as the President of Georgia Commerce Bank for 12 years.
He joined First Union Bank in Atlanta in 1988 and served as a Corporate Banking Sales Manager for Georgia covering the large company segment. Rodney started his banking career in Dallas, Texas in 1982.
Thomas Smith is a dynamic and innovative professional with 15+ years in the chemical industry, specializing in business development. With a passion for driving growth and a knack for creative problem-solving, Thomas brings an energetic approach to expanding market opportunities and forging strategic partnerships. Committed to continuous learning and professional development, Thomas is always on the lookout for new insights and trends to stay ahead in the ever-evolving chemical sector.
What does BDI mean to me?
Opportunity! BDI has developed a sustainable framework to empower individuals with disabilities, a demographic frequently marginalized. BDI’s empowerment has opened avenues for many to harness their present and future capabilities, fostering invaluable self-worth and a sense of purpose.
