Board/Staff | A Special Wish SWO

Meet the Board

April Hale

President

Strategic account manager

My husband, our dog Beau, and I live in Kettering, Ohio. Beyond my professional endeavors, I enjoy traveling and exploring new places with my family. We firmly believe in the power of community and strive to stay engaged in local activities and initiatives. I am grateful to be a part of this board and the difference we are making in families' lives all across southwest Ohio. Being able to grant a wish to a family is the best part of this organization. Knowing that the family, for one hour or for a few days, gets to be a family—free from the top priority of illness—is incredibly rewarding. They are creating forever memories that do not include hospitals or doctors.

Quin Kline

Vice President

Managing Partner,

Q&A Strategies

I have been married to Russ for 15 years and we are crazy dog people, welcoming around 30 foster dogs and puppies a year into our home.

A special wish is the most magical form of a celebration of life and love a person can experience. Connecting with the ones you love can be so hard with everyday stressors, to give the gift of connection to a family facing enormous difficulty is an honor few can say they have been a part of. I am blessed I have been given the ability to support the kids and families of ASW in any small way.

Jayne Gmeiner

Secretary

Chief nursing officer,
Dayton Children's Hospital

I am a nursing leader with over three decades of nursing leadership experience in adult and pediatric health care environments. I enjoy time with family and friends, attending sporting events, reading, and, especially, the beach! I serve on this board to help create resources for special events for the children in our region who are experiencing very difficult life-threatening illnesses. I am motivated by creating fun family memories for these children and their families.

Dylan Romans

Treasurer

Senior audit and accounting manager, Brady Ware and Company

I am native to the Dayton area and enjoy spending my free time with my wife and son, traveling, and visiting all of Dayton’s awesome craft breweries. I really enjoyed seeing Nathan’s wish for the ultimate Cleveland Browns experience come true in October 2022. Even as a Bengals fan, it was amazing to see how welcoming the Browns organization and players were and to see Nathan’s joy in getting that experience.

Mukund Dole, M.D.

Program director, Hematology/Oncology, Dayton Children's Hospital

My hobbies include golfing, photography, gardening and spending time with family and friends. I work with many families who are recipients of Special Wishes and I see firsthand how they impact the families that I work with.

Chris Besecker

Project manager,

Shook Construction

I grew up in Greenville, Ohio. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, learning about American history, trying new local restaurants, and traveling.

I helped grant a Wish in 2022 and felt the impact. I love seeing deserving children receive an experience or gift that helps bring them happiness.

Carol Murray

Nurse practitioner,
Transitional Care Unit, Dayton Children's Hospital

I have been married to my husband, Chris, for 30 years and we have four adult children and also serve as foster parents. We love to explore all things in the great outdoors. I also enjoy running, reading, and sporting events. I love to hear stories and see pictures of families that I have worked with during prolonged hospitalizations. enjoy a family event or vacation.

Zachary Pierce

Senior Corporate Recruiter - Applied Research Solutions

Born and raised in Kettering, OH. I attended Fairmont HS and graduated from The Ohio State University. I married my lovely wife Erin Pierce in 2017 and we currently live in Kettering. We have two pets a basset hound (Luna) and a cat (Kitty). I am a golf fanatic and play as often as possible. We enjoy spending the rest of our time taking walks, and spending time with family and friends (and watching Bravo reality shows). I have always found it inspiring the work ASW does in helping fulfill dreams for kids and families in our community and look forward to supporting that mission.

Dr. David Roer

Pediatrician, Pediatric Associates of Dayton

I have been married, Jenni, for 43 years and have 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. I love to golf and fish in my free time. I was on the Board years ago and have always told people it was the most enjoyable Board I have ever been on, and the greatest people to work with. I am excited to rejoin the group!

Jim Heikes

I'm a lifelong resident of Dayton, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Wright State University and a retired educator. My career fields were teaching social studies and school counseling. I enjoy playing golf, studying history, reading, and spending time with my family. My wife and I enjoy volunteering for Dayton Live, Five Rivers MetroParks, Lakeside Environmental Stewardship Society and Lakeside Heritage Society. I have been involved with A Special Wish since the 90's, having served as a board member, board chair and advisory board member. I am happy to make a positive impact on children and families through A Special Wish.

Brian McNeice

General Manager, Mill Mechanical

My wife, Jennifer and I currently live in Springboro where we settled 15 years ago when we got married. I am the proud father of three children. My hobbies include traveling, being with friends, golf and watching the Bengals at Paycor stadium. Growing up I was a foster child and was fortunate to eventually be placed with a great family. It was my foster sister that encouraged me to get involved with Special Wish and I am so grateful that I did. I started on the advisory board and grew to love the organization which is why I now am happy to be on the board. My goal is to help Special Wish fill as many dreams as possible.

Janel Mills Barnett

Partner, Synergy Building Systems Inc

I am a nearly lifelong resident of Beavercreek where I reside with my husband Jerad. We are proud parents of three kids. Our oldest daughter is a leukemia survivor who received a special wish towards the end of her treatment. The wish was exactly what we needed to get through some very difficult days at the hospital. It also provided so much joy to our other two kids whose lives were also uprooted during this time. We are forever grateful!
Fun Fact: After our hard days, our family decided to travel and have since visited 49 out of 50 states. We have also been to 45 National Parks.