J. Glen House, M.D., Chairman
As an undergraduate in the Biomedical Science program at Texas A&M University, Dr. House suffered from a ski accident which resulted in a broken neck and complete spinal cord injury. At twenty years of age, he lost the use of his legs and hand dexterity.
Instead of letting the incident end his dreams of a medical career, Dr. House (now a C7 quadriplegic) became the first student in a wheelchair to graduate from the University of Washington, School of Medicine. In addition to training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. House also specialized in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. He is Board Certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Medicine.
Now the Medical Director of the Center for Neuro & Trauma Rehabilitation at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO, Dr. House understands what his patients are going through. His own experience with spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, and life in a wheelchair allows him to form special bonds with others who have suffered traumatic injuries. Dr. House’s patients have confidence in his passion to provide them with quality care.
Other than being a full time physician and integral part of Disaboom.com, Dr. House is the President of Colorado Rehabilitation Physicians, P.C.; President of the medical device company Flexlife; and Board Member for the Colorado Catheter Company, a business for which he invented and patented new technology to help people with disabilities.
Dr. House was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in November 2006, and served on the Board through November 4, 2008. Due to personal reasons, Dr. House requested not to stand for election at our annual meeting of shareholders held on November 5, 2008, though he continued to remain involved with the Company serving as its Chief Medical Adviser. On May 29, 2009, Dr. House was appointed to serve as the new Chairman of the Company’s board of directors.
Victor Lazzaro
Mr. Lazzaro was appointed to our Board of Directors in February 2007. Mr. Lazzaro also serves as a director for Colorado Catheter Company, Inc. Before joining Disaboom, Mr. Lazzaro founded, and currently is the President of, International Health Technology Company, a consulting firm providing planning methods, strategies and processes to bring specialty medical clinics to China.
Prior to founding International Health Technology, Mr. Lazzaro served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of United HealthCare’s Mountain States Division from March 2000 to November 2005. Mr. Lazzaro also served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer for a California HMO and Louisiana insurance company from 1982 to 1990, and Regional Vice President of Health Plan Operations (Gulf South) for Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1990 to 2000.
R. Jerry Overgaard
Mr. Overgaard was appointed to our Board of Directors in November 2006. Mr. Overgaard has served as Vice President of Financial Products of MKA Capital Group Advisors, LLC, since August 2004. Mr. Overgaard served as Vice President, Institutional Sales Division, for Dreyfus Services Corporation from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Overgaard began his career in 1962 with IBM Corporation and has spent the last 27 years in the financial services industry.
David Petso
Mr. Petso was appointed to our Board of Directors in March 2007. Mr. Petso also serves as a director for Colorado Catheter Company, Inc. Since 1980, Mr. Petso has worked for Petso Financial Consultants, LLC. Mr. Petso is currently the president and owner of Petso Financial Consultants and has over twenty-five years of experience in the financial planning industry.
John Walpuck
Mr. Walpuck was appointed to serve on our Board of Directors beginning in April, 2007. Additionally, Mr. Walpuck currently serves as our President, CEO and CFO. He brings over 20 years of financial and management experience to the Company, and over 15 years of experience in the Internet and web-based software industries. Prior to joining Disaboom, he was Chief Financial Officer of Nine Systems, a streaming media software services company acquired by Akamai in November, 2006. Prior to that, he served as a corporate officer, financial executive and management consultant to privately-held and publicly traded companies ranging from start-ups to organizations with over $50 billion in revenue. Mr. Walpuck’s experience spans 15 industries, 40 countries, and a broad range of financial and corporate matters.
Patrick Templeton
Mr. Templeton has over 35 years of experience the fields of government relations and public affairs. Following sixteen years with GE and four years at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration where he was Chief of External Relations, he established his own consulting firm, Templeton and Company. Since 1995, Mr. Templeton has been Senior Consultant to the government relations firm of BKSH & Associates. From 1999 through 2003, Mr. Templeton was also employed by the Coalinga Corporation, a private financial management company, serving as Washington Representative. Additionally, Mr. Templeton is Chairman of the Board of the EdVenture Group, a non-profit corporation that provides technology and related consulting services to educators and businesses. Mr. Templeton is also associated with outreach activities of prominent disabilities organizations.
Scott Chandler
Mr. Chandler was elected to serve on our Board of Directors on November 5, 2008. Mr. Chandler has over 15 years of senior and executive level management experience. Mr. Chandler is currently managing partner for Franklin Court Partners, LLC and also serves as a director of other companies including Cimetrix Inc. (CMXX.OB). Prior to founding Franklin Court Partners, LLC Mr. Chandler was the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for RHYTHMS NetConnections and has worked for other companies engaged in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Chandler earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A from Whitworth College.