Board of Directors

When Friends of Children’s Hospital was created in 1989, the board of directors was a small group dedicated to improving children’s hospital. Since then, the size of the board has increased but the goals have not changed. The volunteer group of directors works together to promote fundraising events and reach new donors. New board members are nominated each September.

Friends of Children’s Hospital Board of Directors

Executive Committee:

Sara Ray – Chairman

Sara Ray was recently elected the new Chairman of the board of directors for Friends of Children’s Hospital. Sara has been an active member of the board for several years and is the chairman for An Evening with the Mannings. She and her husband Bill live in Madison.

Suzan Thames – Honorary Chairman

Suzan Thames received her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Mississippi and her Masters in Communicative Disorders from Tulane University. She worked as an Audiologist with Jackson Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic for 34 years.

Suzan was on the Advisory Panel for the Mississippi Children’s Cancer Clinic Building Commission and was instrumental in the fundraising for the Cancer Clinic. Suzan is a sustaining member for the Junior League of Jackson and is a founding member of the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board of Directors (1989-Present). She is also a sustaining advisor for the Mississippi Children’s Museum Development Committee (2002-2010). She is co-chairman for The MIND (memory impairment and neurodegenerative dementia) Center at UMMC. Suzan also serves as a board member on The University of Mississippi Foundation and the executive committee of the Alumni Association of the University of Mississippi.  Suzan and her husband Tommy live in Jackson and have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Jackie Petrus – President

Jackie Petrus grew up in Monroe, Louisiana and received her Bachelor’s Degree from LSU in marketing and merchandising. She moved to Jackson in 1992 and has been involved in many organizations in the community.
These include membership in the Jr. League of Jackson, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, the Jackson Symphony League and the Mississippi Museum of Art Auxiliary. She has also been involved in fundraisers for the American Heart Association, Friends of the Jackson Zoo and the Mississippi Society for Disabilities. For the past 10 years she has been active member of the Friends of Children’s Hospital board volunteering in all projects and serving twice as president. Jackie is currently a member of the Friends executive committee and Friends membership chairman.

Leigh Reeves – President-Elect

Leigh Reeves attended Mississippi State University earning a marketing degree with a minor in economics. She is married to Todd Reeves and they have 2 children Turner and Gaines. Leigh was the founder of VIP Jackson Magazine, a city publication that focuses on social events and philanthropic activities.
She is involved in Junior League and Friends of Children’s Hospital, and the MSU Bulldog Club. As a member of the Friends of Children’s Hospital board she has worked on various projects but the concentration of her service on the board is through Enchanted Evening Under the Stars; a fundraiser occurring every other August.

Rob Armour – Treasurer

Rob Armour is a graduate of Delta State University and he graduated with honors from the international School of Bank Marketing and Management at the University of Colorado in 2002. Rob currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer for BankPlus.  Rob has worked on several Friends of Children’s Hospital fund-raisers dating back to 1996 and he joined the Friends board in 2007. He currently guides the Friends car tag program, works with the annual golf tournament and acts as Treasurer on the Executive Committee. Recently, he has served on the boards of the Magnolia Speech School, the Greater Jackson Art’s Alliance and the Jackson Art’s and Music Foundation.

Rob and his wife Tamyne reside in Madison with their three children, Larisa, Patrick and Nikolai.

Donna Windsor – Ex-officio

Donna is originally from New York and began working at University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1991.  She is currently the Director of Business Operations for the department of Pediatrics.  Donna has been on the Friends board since 1996 and served as Treasurer from 1996-2010.  Donna is co-chairman for the MiracleHome project and is very involved with each Friends project.  She is married and lives in Madison and has one son, Tommy.

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Board:

Dr. Bob Abney

Dr. Robert L. Abney received his pediatric training at Chapel Hill in North Carolina. He worked at Children’s Medical Group for many years before retiring in 2000. Dr. Abney is involved with many organizations across the state. He is a current board member and past chairman of the board for Magnolia State Bank, he is a longtime board member with the Mississippi Children’s Home Society and he has been on the Friends of Children’s Hospital board for many years. Dr. Abney was instrumental in starting the Children’s Hospital Pro-Am Golf Tournament as well as the Miracle Home project. He also oversees the Friends partnership with the Viking Classic and helps with the children’s hospital car tag project. Dr. Abney and his wife Kay live in Madison.

Kristin Allen

Kristin Allen has served on the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board since 2009, primarily working on the annual Friends fundraiser, An Evening with the Mannings and the Enchanted Evening Gala. Kristin Allen is the Assistant Vice President-Public Relations Officer at BankPlus. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kristin attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication. In the community, Kristin is also an active member of The Junior League of Jackson and is involved with the Jackson Symphony League and American Heart Association. Kristin and her husband Sidney Allen live in Madison with their son Perry.

Sidney Allen

Sidney Allen has served on the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board since 1996. He is a past president of Friends and currently serves as Chairman of the Friends Miracle Home Project and Co-Chair of the Friend’s Golf Tournament. Sidney is the Vice President of Van Farms, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer of Southeastern Timber Products; and Chief Financial Officer of Southern Timber Venture and CLAW Forestry Services. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Banking and Finance.

In the community, Sidney has held leadership positions at the Country Club of Jackson, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Mississippi Housing Corporation and Christ United Methodist Church. He is currently affiliated with the
University of Mississippi Alumni Association; University of Mississippi M-Club Alumni Association; and the Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida Forestry Associations.

Katy Creath

Katy and her husband Nelson live in Jackson with their two children.

Pat Decker

I was born and raised here in Jackson, attended public schools and graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in education.  It was always my desire to teach and to help children grow in knowledge and maturity.  I have been fortunate to do this through formal teaching and mentoring.

I am married to Charles Decker and have two adult children, Jennifer Shipp and Chris Decker.  I am also blessed to have five grandchildren.  It was during my daughter’s birth of her twins that I became involved with Friends and the NICU and realized just what an important and vital role these facilities offered for the Jackson area.  My goal is to help in any way to make Blair Batson the best children’s hospital in the country.

Cathy Havens

Cathy Havens attended the University of Southern Mississippi and has over 20 years experience in the health care industry. She started her healthcare career with Southwest MS Anesthesia/Pain Treatment Center/First Choice Surgery Center in Natchez, MS. In 1999, she formed Creative Healthcare Solutions, a boutique health care firm providing specialized services to ambulatory surgery centers. Prior to starting her own company, she was employed by Calisher and Associates, Inc., Executive Medical Services. Cathy retired as a successful entrepreneur in 2007 to allow her more time with her family and her favorite charities.  She has been very involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation where she has chaired the silent auction as well as served as the gala chairman for three years. She joined the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board in June 2009.  She is married to Joey Havens, partner with Horne, LLP. They have four children Brandon, Haley, Kelsey and Rigby. They reside at Lake Caroline in Madison and attend St. Francis Catholic church.

Roxanne Hilsman

Roxanne grew up in upstate New York. She attended Bennington College, Southern Vermont College and Dominican College (where she did an internship at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco). She earned a BS in Human Services/Art. After moving to Mississippi to teach  at St Andrew’s Episcopal School, she received a Masters of Art Education degree at Mississippi College.  Roxanne taught art at St Andrew’s Episcopal School for 12 years and  taught part time at Hinds Community College. She now paints full time and is represented by Nunnery’s at 119 Gallery.  Roxanne helped found Mississippi Hearts Against AIDS, has been actively involved with Candlelighter’s for 15 years, is a sustaining member of the Cancer League, a board member of the Mississippi State Kennel Club and is an AKC delegate. She is a current member of the Oil Painters of America and the American Artists Professional League. Roxanne joined the Friends board in 1998 as  the Candlelighter’s Liaison.  Roxanne lives in Jackson and is married to Dr. Gray Hilsman.  She has two sons, Evan and Ryan and two stepchildren, Gamble and Kristian.

Alyson Jones

Alyson Jones is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Mississippi and her law degree from the University of Tennessee.  She is an attorney with the law firm of Butler Snow in Ridgeland, MS.  She is a member of both the Mississippi Bar and Tennessee Bar Association.  Alyson is married to B. Jones and they have two sons, Bernie and Bowen.  They live in Jackson.

Bryan Jones

Bryan Jones graduated from The University of Mississippi in 1972 and began working for BankPlus shortly after. He is currently President of North Region for BankPlus. Bryan serves on the board of directors for Staplcotn, The Nature Conservancy and Friends of Children’s Hospital. He is a current board member and past treasurer and president for the Delta Council. Bryan is a member of the Yazoo County Chamber of Commerce and he is past president of Yazoo Rotary & a Paul Harris Fellow. He is Commissioner for Yazoo County Port Commission and Commissioner for Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Bryan and his wife Sara live in Yazoo City and have three children; B. Jones, Jessie Hornback and Will Jones.

Bruce Leach

Bruce Leach is a graduate of Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Bruce has been in the advertising industry for the past 19 years where he served as the Director of Sales for Comcast Spotlight in Mississippi and Louisiana and is currently a partner at Parents & Kids Media. He joined the Friends of Children’s Board in 2010 and is proud to help further the cause of helping Mississippi’s children. Bruce and his wife, Gina, live in Clinton with their three children.

Gwen Rakestraw

Gwen Rakestraw and her husband Bill live in Ridgeland and manage The Radio People radio stations.

John Scarbrough

John T. Scarbrough is Vice President of Paul Moak Automotive, one of Mississippi’s longest-running, family owned and operated automobile groups including Honda, Volvo, and Subaru brands. A Jackson native, John is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Degree in Fitness Management and holds a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy as well as an MBA from Millsaps College. John and his wife, Jeanne Moak Scarbrough, are now proud parents of two young sons at home, ages 4 and 6. Their first son is deceased after a battle with cancer. John gratefully serves Friends of Children’s Hospital in memory of his son and the Blair E. Batson Hospital staff who cared for him.

Ellen Skrmetti

Ellen Skrmetti joined the Friends of Children’s Hospital Board of Directors in 2008. She is an honor graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Merchandising and Marketing Minor. She and her husband, Tim, live in Madison with their daughter, Meg.  With Friends of Children’s Hospital, Ellen has been involved with the Southgroup 5K and Enchanted Evening Under the Stars. She is also a member of The Junior League of Jackson.

Jordan Willett

Jordan Willett grew up in Pascagoula, MS and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Millsaps College in English in 2008.  Jordan is the recruiting coordinator for HORNE, LLP.  She serves on the Rankin County Distinguished Young Women Board of Directors and is the Millsaps Dance Team Coach.  She also volunteers as a Kappa Delta Alumna serving on the Jackson Alumnae Chapter Board and Millsaps Chapter Advisory Board.  Jordan began her work with Friends of Children’s Hospital by working on the Enchanted Evening Committee in 2011.

Brenda Hayes-Williams

Brenda Hayes-Williams was raised in Rayville, Louisiana. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology/Communicative Disorders from Southern University A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since moving to Mississippi in 1996, she developed her own speech therapy agency, Brenda Hayes-Williams and Associates Therapy. Thus far, she has accumulated 14 years experience providing speech therapy services to Mississippians statewide. She recently embarked in a new endeavor that includes providing occupational and physical therapy services. Her passion is actively involving herself in community service endeavors in the Jackson metropolitan area such as the Junior League of Jackson. Her most cherished duties include fulfilling her role as wife to her husband, Bryman, and a mother to her three children, Jordan, Bryman, Jr., and Hayes.

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Ex-Officio:

Ruth Ann Allen

Ruth Ann Allen is the Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi. Ruth Ann has been involved with Friends for approximately 14 years. She has served on the Nominations/By Laws Committee and is a volunteer for the Trustmark Children’s Hospital Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Ruth Ann is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and she resides in Jackson with her husband, Tim.

Amanda Alliston

Amanda Alliston graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. She has been an ex-officio member of Friends of Children’s Hospital since joining the Medical Center in 2010 as a Children’s Miracle Network Coordinator. Amanda lives in Florence with her son, Hayden.

Dr. Rick Barr

After receiving the B.S. in animal and veterinary science from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.V., in 1984, Dr. Frederick Barr received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1988. He completed residency training in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University from 1988-91. From 1991-94, Barr completed a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine and was a research fellow in the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco.  Barr spent a year at the University of Tennessee at Memphis as an assistant professor of pediatrics before returning to Vanderbilt University in 1995 as an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Pediatric Critical Care Division. In 2002, he earned the M.S. in clinical investigation from Vanderbilt and from 2007-10, served as division chief of pediatric critical care. In 2010, he was named professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University.

Before joining the Medical Center, Barr was an endowed professor of pediatrics in pediatric critical care medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he also was director of clinical and translational research.  The author of multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Barr also was elected to the Society for Pediatric Research and Sigma Xi Research Honor Society. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and American Academy of Pediatrics

Becky Bates

Becky and her husband Scott live in Jackson with their two sons.  Becky works at University Medical Center.

Dr. Blair E. Batson

Dr. Blair E. Batson was the first Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.  Under his direction the first children’s hospital was constructed on the University Medical Center campus.  He envisioned a place just for children because in his words “children are not miniature adults” and they need specific equipment and care for their size.  When the new children’s hospital was constructed in 1997, it was named in his honor.  Dr. Batson lives in Jackson and still joins us for special events.

Angela Compere

Angela Compere is the pediatric volunteer coordinator at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. She started working at Batson after receiving great care and support during the sickness and death of her daughter. Angela received her degree in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before working at Batson, she served as the director of the pre-school, after school and Mother’s morning out programs at First United Methodist Church in Clinton. Angela has served on the Friends board for five years and coordinates volunteers for the children’s hospital. Angela and her husband Doug live in Florence. Her daughter lives in Japan with her husband and her son lives in Florence with his wife and their two children.

Dr. Owen B. Evans

Dr. Owen B. Evans graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1969 and the Vanderbilt School of Medicine in 1973. After completing an internship in pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, he was on active duty in the US Navy for two years. Dr. Evans returned to Vanderbilt in 1976 and completed pediatrics and child neurology training. He was on the faculty at Vanderbilt until he moved to Jackson in 1983 and joined the faculty at UMMC. Dr. Evans was Chief of Pediatric Neurology until 1989 when he was appointed Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Evans stepped down as Chair in 2011.

Dr. Evans has been fortunate to have been associated with number of charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Make-a-Wish, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Honduras Medical Mission. He was a founding member of the Friends of the Children’s Hospital and has been on the Board for the past 21 years. Dr. Evans enjoy painting and has donated a number of his art pieces to a number of charitable fund raising events.  Dr. Evans and his wife Lynn have been married 39 years and live in Jackson. They have two children, Kathryn and Owen and two grandchildren, Aiden and Ella Kate.

Guy Giesecke

Guy Giesecke is the current CEO of Batson Children’s Hospital.  He came to Batson in 2010 and previously served as COO for Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and Vice President at East Texas Medical Center.  Guy received his degree from Abilene Christian University and his MBA and Masters in Healthcare Administration from The University of Houston.  Guy and his wife Kara live in Madison with their three children.

Hunter Hatten

Hunter Hatten and his wife Jody live in Brandon with their two children.  Hunter is employed by Johnson Controls.

Jennifer Hospodor

Jen Hospodor attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville earning a degree in English with a concentration in writing. She later received her master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications from Mississippi College. She is married to Eric Hospodor and they have one little girl, Ruby. She has been an ex-officio member of Friends since joining the Medical Center in 2007.

Matthew Johnson

Matt and his wife live in Byram and are expecting their first child.  Matt joined the board as an ex-officio director when he joined the medical center in 2008.

Susan Shands Jones

Susan Shands Jones is a senior staff attorney at the University of Mississippi Medical Center who holds an undergraduate and law degree from Vanderbilt University. A former chair of the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation, Susan has served on the boards of the Foundation and the Mississippi Heritage Trust. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jackson and has served on the Friends Board since 1997. Susan lives with her husband, Howard, in Belhaven.

Mike Lightsey

Mike Lightsey and his wife Deb live in Madison.  They have two grown children.  Mike works at University Medical Center.

Paul Loyacono

Paul Loyacono is a graduate of LSU. Paul first became involved with Batson Children’s Hospital in 2006 as a volunteer. He is involved with the annual Trustmark Children’s Hospital Pro-Am Golf Tournament as well as the True South Classic PGA golf tournament.  He also serves on the board of directors for the Mississippi Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Paul is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch. He and his wife Kati live in Madison and have two girls, Paige (5) and Emily (3).

Tena McKenzie

Tena McKenzie has served as an ex-officio member of the Friends board since it was founded in 1989. As associate director of public affairs for the University of Mississippi Medical Center, McKenzie is the primary liaison between Friends and Batson’s public affairs and fundraising staff.

Dr. Mart McMullan

Dr. Mart McMullan and his wife Lyllian reside in Flowood, Mississippi and he works at University Medical Center.  He joined the board as an ex-officio director in 2011.

Melanie Morgan

LaDonna Northington

LaDonna Northington graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Nursing in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, with a Master’s Degree in 1987, and with a Doctorate in Nursing Science from Louisiana State University in 1998. LaDonna started her career in the Children’s Hospital as a staff RN in the PICU. She worked in the PICU for 8 years and then after completing her Master’s degree, she was a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the PICU/1C area for 8 years. LaDonna started teaching at the University Medical Center School of Nursing in 1995. She is currently the Director for the Traditional Undergraduate Program for the Jackson Campus.

Kristie Nutt

Kristie Nutt lives in Flora with her husband David.  She has one grown daughter, Carlee.  Kristie is active with the Enchanted Evening Gala and is committed to helping Friends of Children’s Hospital however she can.

John Clark Packer

My name is John Clark Packer and I am 30 years old.  I am from Madison and graduated from Mississippi State University in 2005 with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.  I am a former Batson patient and now I am a spokesperson for the hospital sharing my story how the hospital helped saved my life.  I started working part time at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a Children’s Miracle Network Coordinator for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in 2006.  I previously served as a Deacon and a Youth Leader at Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church and as a board member on the Central Mississippi State Alumni Association.  My hobbies include movies and sports.  I am a diehard Mississippi State fan and I go to all of the games.  I got my first season tickets to MSU football games when I was in the 5^th grade and I have not missed a season since.  I presently reside in Madison with my dog Bo Duke.  My honors and achievements include:

Jackson’s “Finest of the Finest” Award for Cystic Fibrosis, award given for outstanding contributions to the CF chapter along with dedication and determination on fighting CF
Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis, chosen as the Honorary Chairman for the CF Walk
U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Honorary Recruiter
Faces of Love, chosen to be one of the 10 faces to appear on the Faces of Love painting which appears throughout Mississippi, a copy hangs at the Southwest Terminal at the Jackson International Airport.

Judy Packer

Judy Packer received her BA and Masters in Education from Mississippi State University.  She has been a teacher her entire career at various schools including: East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, Madison County Schools, Madison Ridgeland Academy, Jackson Public Schools and she currently works for Canton Public Schools.  Judy has served on the board of Friends of Children’s Hospital for many years and volunteers with each fundraiser.  She has served on the board of the Ronald McDonald House and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Judy is associated with the Madison Ridgeland Junior Auxiliary and is a Deacon at Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church.  Judy has one grown son, John Clark Packer and she lives in Canton.

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Program Administrator:

Melanie Schade

Melanie graduated from Belhaven University with a degree in Communications/Broadcast Journalism.  She worked briefly at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS and for the American Red Cross before joining Friends of Children’s Hospital in 2007.  She handles daily donations and requests for Friends of Children’s Hospital and assists the board with all the fundraising activities.  She and her husband Justin live in Jackson with their daughter Molly Rose.