Board of Directors

Joseph Cantor

President

Joseph Cantor joined the board as a member in 2022. Joseph lives in Richmond and works as an attorney at Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci. He specializes in representing individuals and families affected by brain injuries.

Kathleen Hardesty

Vice President

Kathleen Hardesty joined the board in 2021. She is an Occupational Therapist and Sentara Regional Director for the Acute and Post-Acute Rehabilitation Services.

Spencer Koch

Secretary

Spencer Koch joined the board in 2021. Spencer lives in Richmond and works for NuMotion in Assistive Technology and Seating. Spencer was introduced to BIAV after spending two sessions as a counselor for Camp Bruce McCoy, BIAV's two-week recreational camp for adults with brain injury.

Daniel Klyce

Treasurer

Dr. Klyce joined the board in 2022. He is a rehabilitation psychologist with specialization in brain injury. He is the co-director of the Richmond VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center’s TBI Model Systems project, an assistant professor in VCU’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the rehabilitation psychology advisor at the Sheltering Arms Institute.

David Corbin

Member

Gary DuPriest

Member

Jan Fentress

Member

David served with Henrico Fire for 23 years as a Station Captain/Firefighter, Critical Care Paramedic, EMS Supervisor, Crisis Intervention Team Instructor/Member, and Safety, Health, and Wellness Officer for the department. David served as a business advisor with Anderson Business Advisors and now works for Virginia Realty Solutions

Gary DuPriest joined the board in 2021. He is a brain injury survivor from Lynchburg and also the current Chairman and CEO of Central Virginia Disability Association, Inc.

Jan is passionate about advocating for traumatic brain injury patients. In 2012, her 19-year-old son had a skateboarding accident and was diagnosed with a TBI. Jan works for Legacy Care as a Regional Director of Operations, partnering with 31 post-acute client facilities and managing 28 providers. She also serves as Junior Warden on the Vestry of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church.

Anne Gilson

Member

Brittanie Vogen

Member

Dr. Rhesia-Maria R. Ochoa

Member

Anne manages AMEG Consulting and leads teams of leaders and consultants. She is focused on facilitation, coaching, and speaking with a diverse background in Fortune 100, non-profit, family-owned, and start-up organizations. She provides strategic facilitation, consulting, and leadership coaching and is an organizational transformation expert.

Brittanie Vogen, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience who serves clients with neurological conditions and specializes in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation. Through her career she has engaged in and become proficient with business development, relationship cultivation, and fostering strong community partnerships allowing her to meet the dynamic and holistic needs of her clients to ensure success with their care. Brittanie holds a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University, and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Bay Path University [formerly Bay Path College]. Brittanie is an active advocate within the brain injury and stroke atmosphere including provision of new recovery techniques, increasing access to neuro-based care, and instilling hope for survivors.. Brittanie is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and is working towards her Brain Injury Specialist Certification.

Dr. Rhesia-Maria R. Ochoa joined the board in 2022, and is a Clinical Psychologist who began working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recognized the tremendous need for brain injury advocacy among marginalized populations. She is currently employed at Utopia Psychological Services, and also engages in advocacy and leadership around disability and TBI awareness.

Alexandra Watson-O'Brien

Member

Susan Wirt

Member

Justin Weppner

Member

Alex has been a board member since 2020. Alex lives in Virginia Beach and works as a Veteran Advocate in the Supported Services for Veteran’s Families Program.

Susan began her nursing career in critical care before moving into case management and life care planning. She later founded Wirt & Associates, LLC, and earned her MSN. Now teaching in Radford University’s RN-BSN Fast-Track program, she holds national certifications (CRRN, CCM, CLCP) and has served as ARN president. Her honors include ARN Case Manager of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Justin Weppner received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, followed by his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship in General Surgery at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia, and his fellowship in Brain Injury Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. His clinical interests include caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries, concussions, anoxic brain injuries, stroke, and spasticity. He is also interested in researching blast-related TBI, disordered sleep in TBI, pituitary dysfunction following brain injury, and the impact of depression, age, and gender on functional recovery after brain injury.