Chair
Melissa Balint Nigro
Community Volunteer
Melissa is a retired finance and marketing executive who has held positions in the banking, investment, and industrial sectors. Former employers include The Toronto Dominion Bank, Vanguard, Hamilton Lane, Airgas and Unisource Worldwide.
She currently volunteers her time as the Board Chair of The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore and as an exhibit guide at the National Aquarium. In addition, Melissa serves on the Investment Committee of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, an independent private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences.
Melissa received a BS in Business Administration from Villanova University and completed The Wharton School executive education program in marketing. She and her husband Joe reside in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore.
Immediate Past Chair
Kristy Eriksson
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
Kirsten (Kristy) Eriksson is a management-side employment lawyer with Miles & Stockbridge P.C., a regional firm headquartered in Baltimore. She represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law throughout the country. Her clients range from local businesses and non-profits to large national companies in various industries such as education, manufacturing and financial services. While much of her practice is devoted to litigation (including mediation and arbitration), Kristy regularly advises clients on employment law compliance and training to avoid litigation. She also assists employers in compliance audits and investigations by government agencies, and conducts internal investigations of employee complaints. Kristy also works with many federal contractors on affirmative action compliance and audits. Kristy first became involved with the Ronald McDonald House in 2003, and was overwhelmed by the palpable feelings of hope and caring the very first time she visited the House. Not long thereafter, she joined the Board and has been an active member ever since. Her colleagues in the Labor & Employment Group are also big supporters of the House, volunteering to serve dinner at the House and running in the Red Shoe Shuffle.
Vice Chair/Chair Elect
Tim O’Donald
Harbor East Management Group
Mr. O’Donald serves as the President for Harbor East Management Group. Tim oversees all of the operating property functions including Development, Property Management, Maintenance Engineering, and Accounting for Harbor East. He brings almost 20 years of experience in the management of Class A commercial office and urban/mixed-use projects to the Harbor East Team.
Prior to joining Harbor East Management Group, Mr. O’Donald was General Manager and Director for Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse. Mr. O’Donald began his real estate career in Atlanta in 1990 with Childress Klein Properties.
Mr. O’Donald was also a commissioned officer in the United States Army and served two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal for his service.
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Mr. O’Donald is an Executive Committee and Board Member for the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in Baltimore and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Urban Land Institute Baltimore (ULI). He also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.
Mr. O’Donald earned the RPA designation from the Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI) and the CPM designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University.
Co-Chair, Campaign
Bill Paterakis
Northeast Foods
Bill Paterakis is President and CEO of Northeast Foods, Inc. (NEF), also known as Automatic Rolls. The Paterakis Family Bakeries were founded in 1943 under the original Flagship of H & S Bakery. NEF has been a supplier to McDonald’s since 1965, based on a handshake agreement with Ray Kroc. The Family ownership covers 14 Bakeries, including its partnerships, operating in seven states with distribution into twenty-three states. Today, Bill oversees more than 2,000 employees system-wide. Bill and his family have also acquired substantial real estate holdings in the Baltimore area, including the Harbor East Development-a world-class project that includes over 6 million square feet of mixed-use space. His Faith based approach in life has encouraged him to seek out those in need. Bill is deeply involved with local and international Charities. He also serves on the Board of two Private Schools and the University of Maryland Childrens’ Hospital.
Secretary
Dr. Vanessa Paterakis Smith
Vanessa Paterakis is a 1974 graduate of the Bryn Mawr School, a 1978 graduate of the University of Maryland and a 1981 graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School. She practiced dentistry in Fells Point/Harbor East for the past 37 years. She has 3 sons, Alex, Jason and Eric and is married to Frederick Smith. She has been a Board Member of RMH for the past 16 years. She is also on the board at Gerstell Academy, Freven Foundation and Yumi Cares. Vanessa got involved with the Ronald McDonald House because of her “family” commitment to the House, and her desire to give back to her community.
Interim Treasurer
Steve Martin
Take-Two Interactive, Firaxis Games
Steve has more than twenty-five years of expertise in C-level positions for Finance, Human Resources, Operations, and Executive Management in the video game industry.
Steve graduated from Calvert Hall College High School and Loyola College in Maryland where he majored in Accounting with a minor in Finance and earned his MBA. Steve also earned a commission in the US Army from the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps for which he remains on inactive reserve. After graduating from Loyola, Steve earned his CPA and gained his initial expertise in the business world through audit and tax work in the public sector at Wooden & Benson, CPAs. This was followed by private sector accounting, financial planning, and SEC reporting work as Controller at General Elevator and MicroProse Software.
Steve co-founded Absolute Quality, Inc., a video game testing and customer service company. His company grew from 10 employees to over 200 employees at its peak and was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in Maryland. Steve also secured public financing and established international operations for this company in Glasgow, Scotland.
Success at Absolute Quality, led Steve to run Firaxis Games as CFO, COO and now as President of Firaxis as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive.
Steve received the World Trade Center Institute’s Maryland International Leadership Award from Senator Barbara Mikulski and Governor Martin O’Malley for civic leadership and outstanding achievements in business in the great state of Maryland. In 2016, Steve was recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.
Steve is very active in the community. He served on the Board of Baltimore Medical Systems, Inc. and continues to serve as a member at large for their Finance Committee; currently serves as on the Board of the Center of Entrepreneurship at the University of Baltimore; and served on the Board and as Finance Chairman of Our Lady of Grace Catholic School. As well, Mr. Martin coaches soccer at Loyola High School Blakefield.
Chair, Investments
Marty Domres
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
With 9 years in the NFL, Marty played with the Chargers, Colts, 49ers and Jets. Marty’s best season came in 1972 with the Baltimore Colts when he replaced John Unitas, throwing 1,392 yards and 11 touchdowns. In his nine year, 90-game career, he passed for 4,904 yards on 299 for 809 passing, with 27 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns.
In 2004, Marty received the All-American Football Foundation President’s Award. He was inducted into the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame, the CBA LaSallian Athletic Hall of Fame, Columbia University’s Hall of Fame, and the Columbia Football All-Century Team.
After his retirement, Marty settled in Baltimore. Currently, he is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley, where he and his team provide comprehensive financial services for high-net-worth families, corporate and executive services, and maintain relationships with several venture capital firms and their Limited Partners.
Marty’s community activities are numerous: he is an active member of the Baltimore Visionary-Foundation for Fighting Blindness; a past board member of Save Our Streams Foundation of Maryland; past member of United Way Toqueville Society, and past President of the Police Club of Maryland. He is the current Chair of the Investment Committee for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore.
Marty and his wife Cheryl have one son, Christina, and reside in the Baltimore area.
Executive Committee Member at Large
Elisa Mintz Delia
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Elisa Mintz Delia is the Assistant Administrator for Kennedy Krieger, an internationally recognized children’s hospital located in Baltimore, Maryland. Elisa is actively involved in operations, innovative projects, healthcare design, and strategic planning for the Institute. Elisa holds Masters’ Degrees in Social Work from the University of Maryland and in Leadership and Social Change from Tai Sophia Institute. Elisa’s commitment extends beyond her professional responsibilities. She developed the “Life Without Limits” Trike- A- Thon for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, partnered with Lotus Jewelry Studio to create a cause related jewelry line benefitting nonprofits, serves on the Advisory Committee for S.O.A.R. (Sibling Outdoor Adventure Retreat) a weekend retreat for patients and their siblings, and works with the ALS Association to raise awareness and funds for research. Elisa resides in Towson, Maryland with her husband, Michael, and two children.
Executive Committee Member at Large
Stacey Ullrich
Under Armour
Stacey M. Ullrich is the head of Global Philanthropy at Under Armour and the Executive Director of the UA Foundation. Ullrich is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the company’s global investments and outreach programs, as well as oversight and management of the Under Armour Foundation. Prior to joining Under Armour, Ullrich held leadership positions with Constellation Energy, Feats, and the PGA TOUR, including stops on the Web.com Tour, previously known as the NIKE Tour and the Champions Tour.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, from Missouri State University. As a life-long learner, Ullrich is a graduate of Leadership Maryland, served as a
Transition Chair for the Pugh Administration, and is a Weinberg Foundation – Israel Mission Alumni.
As part of her commitment to the community, Stacey serves in a variety of leadership roles including the board of Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Center Club, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore, Inc., Business Volunteers Unlimited and St. Agnes Foundation. Additionally, she serves as an advisor for the National Afterschool Association and Two Ten Foundation Social Services and is the Chair of the Governor’s Commission of Service and Volunteerism.
Stacey is known for her ability to drive transformational change in communities and advocating for new approaches and solutions to solving some of our nation’s biggest challenges. Stacey is active in her church and children’s school. A resident of Howard County, Maryland, Stacey is married and has four children.
Executive Committee Member at Large
Tom Hayden
Hayden Enterprises, Inc.
Tom Hayden, a lifetime Baltimorean, has been a McDonald’s Owner Operator in Baltimore, MD for more than 24 years. Mr. Hayden has grown up in the McDonald’s organization, working at McDonald’s in high school, as store manager at the Light Street restaurant and eventually becoming an Owner Operator. The Hayden’s involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore began more than 30 years ago when the House was first built. In addition to supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore, Mr. Hayden, his wife Jean and their family also support Race for the Cure and are actively involved in raising awareness and fundraising for the organization.
President, Red Shoe Crew
Kathleen Bands
My Cleaning Service, Inc.
Kathleen Bands is the Vice President of My Cleaning Service, Inc., which provides eco-friendly, commercial janitorial services and post-construction cleaning for properties in the Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia markets. Kathleen oversees all aspects of the business ranging from the management team and quality control, to client outreach and the strategic direction of the firm. After graduating from Notre Dame Preparatory School, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington College in 2010. Kathleen is proudly serving as the President of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore’s young professionals, the Red Shoe Crew. Kathleen is a founding member of the Crew, and has previously served as a co-chair of the Red Shoe Shuffle, the Crew’s signature fundraising event. Kathleen is a proud resident of one of Baltimore’s newest neighborhoods, Harbor Point, MD.
Board Member
Tina Baxter
Baxter Enterprises-McDonald’s
Tina and her husband Tom are McDonald’s Owner Operators along with their daughter on the Delmarva Peninsula. She has been a board member since 2002 and served on the Grants committee as both a member and now chair, since 2000 Previously she served on the grants committee at the Washington DC Ronald McDonald House. Giving back to the community has always been very important to both Tina and her husband. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve RMHC. She has also had several leadership positions with her church. She and her husband also have two sons and three beautiful grandchildren. She likes to travel, read and is a passionate quilter and loves living on the eastern shore of Maryland.
Board Member
Beth Bounds
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Beth Bounds is a Pediatric Patient Advocate and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center since January 2000. She has specialized in working with children diagnosed with kidney disease. She is the Assistant Program Director of Camp All Stars a weekend program for children with kidney disease. In her position as Pediatric Patient Advocate she collaborates with Administration & Patient Relations in addressing and understanding the needs of families. She has been a member of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Patient-and Family- Centered Care Advisory Council since 2008. Beth has referred families to the house since she started her career as a social worker in 1989. She understands the benefits of this unique resource to families and the regional healthcare community. Beth lives in Columbia, Maryland with her husband and two daughters. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Beth has been a Board member at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore since 2012 and participants on the Grants Committee.
Board Member
Jim Bower
McDonald’s Owner Operator
Photo and bio coming soon.
Board Member
Amy Calvert
Visit Baltimore
Photo and bio coming soon.
Board Member
Randy Carper
McCormick & Co., Inc.
Randy Carper, retired from McCormick & Co in 2016. He started his career with McCormick & Co in Chicago in 1983 and advanced through a number of progressively senior roles in sales. His last role was President of the U.S. Industrial Group. His responsibilities included leading the company’s industrial and foodservice business in the U.S, Latin America and strategic global customers. Prior to this role, he was Vice President Industrial –Europe, Middle East and Africa and was located in the U.K.
Randy’s hobbies include golf, fishing, gardening and food. He and his wife Theresa are staying in the Baltimore area. They have two children both married and have two granddaughters.
He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Baltimore.
Board Member
Dr. Steven Czinn
UMMC – Department of Pediatrics
Bio coming soon.
Board Member
Melissa Delaney
Legg Mason
Melissa Delaney is Vice President, Global Web Services at Legg Mason, Inc., which provides active asset management in many major investment centers throughout the world. She is responsible for helping to drive the execution of integrated digital marketing projects from conception to launch in support of sales. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Notre Dame of Maryland University as well as a Master of Arts in Management with an emphasis in Marketing from Notre Dame. Melissa previously served as the President of Ronald McDonald House of Baltimore’s Red Shoe Crew and is also a founding member. She resides in Baltimore and enjoys spending as much time with the families and children of the RMH as she can!
Board Member
Amy Calvert
Visit Baltimore
Photo and bio coming soon.
Board Member
Megan Ford
McCormick & Company, Inc.
Megan Ford is President – U.S. Industrial Group, and leads the Company’s industrial business in the U.S. and Latin America. In her role, she drives McCormick’s strategy for its key global industrial customers. Most recently Ms. Ford was the Vice President U.S. Industrial Group Sales & Marketing.
Since joining McCormick in 1986, she has held several positions in sales and marketing, in both the business-to-business and consumer products segments of the industry. Ms. Ford’s leadership roles throughout her tenure include VP of PepsiCo and VP of Strategic Business and Consumer Products Division.
Ms. Ford holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Towson University and a Master’s in Management from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.
Board Member
Niles R. Ford, PhD
Baltimore City Fire Department
Chief Niles R. Ford, PhD has over 25 years of experience in the fire service, EMS, all hazard/risk response, and public administration. As Fire Chief, he oversees an organization more than $200 million budget that provides a systemic inventory of public safety services to the City of Baltimore. Since being appointed by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Chief Ford has worked on several initiatives to effect change within the organization. Chief Ford has been recognized by several organizations for his personal and professional accomplishments including “Fire Chief of the Year” in 2011 by the Black Chief Officers Committee (BCOC). Chief Ford holds an Associates of Fire Science from Lawson State Community College, a Bachelors of Science in Public Safety Administration from Athens State University, a Master of Science in Management from Faulkner University, and a PhD in Organization and Management with emphasis on Human Resources from Capella University.
Board Member
Mark Furr
McDonald’s Owner Operator
Mark has been a McDonald’s Owner/Operator in the Baltimore area since 2001. He was originally from Houston, Texas and moved his family to Maryland in 1999 to become a McDonald’s franchisee. Serving on the RMHC Grants Committee originally inspired him and his company employees to become more involved in this great mission. Mark graduated from Texas A&M University and enjoys outdoor activities.
Board Member
Christopher Mann
McDonald’s Owner Operator
Christopher D. Mann is a 3rd generation McDonald’s Owner/Operator and Anne Arundel County native. After graduating from Loyola University Maryland, he became a McDonald’s Franchisee in 1997 and currently operates four restaurants. Chris has served as president, treasurer, and in various leadership roles within the McDonald’s Baltimore Marketing Cooperative. He currently sits on the McDonald’s National Marketing Council, and was recently elected chairman of its Media & Budget Committee. Chris is the son of one of the founding members of the Ronald McDonald House and has been actively engaged for more than two decades with many social and fundraising activities for the House. Chris is married to Jen, a founding member of the RMH Women’s Committee, and has two children who also love to actively support the House.
Board Member
Steve Martin
Take-Two Interactive, Firaxis Games
Photo and bio coming soon.
Board Member
Kyle R. Miller
Ernst & Young
Kyle Miller is an audit partner with 31 years of experience in the healthcare, health insurance and life sciences industry. He is a senior partner in Ernst & Young’s Northeast Healthcare practice and has managed many large and complex healthcare and managed care audits. Kyle also has extensive experience in financial and internal control related issues for healthcare companies. Kyle has served as the lead partner on many of EY’s largest clients in the health insurance, health care provider and life sciences sectors. Kyle also serves as the lead partner on the CMS portion of the Department of Health & Human Services audit.
Kyle is a member of the AICPA and is licensed in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia. Kyle served on the Baltimore Ronald McDonald House Charities Board for over 18 years and served as the President of the Board during 1992-1993. Kyle is a member of the Maryland Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and also served as the President of the Maryland Chapter in 1998. In addition, Kyle leads the Alumni and various People initiatives for the Baltimore office of EY.
Board Member
Anita Nucci
Founding Member
“I knew Billy Ehrmann when he attended Fork Union Military Academy with my two sons. I gave him a few rides to Baltimore. When I learned of his serious illness from his brother, Joe, I had one of the first major fundraisers for him. Joe called me and asked that I join the First Board of Directors at RMH. The Board was formed in 1980 and here I remain.”
Board Member
Tamla Olivier
President & CEO, BGE HOME and Constellation Home
SVP Constellation
As president & CEO, BGE HOME and Constellation Home, Olivier is responsible for developing and executing the strategic plan to differentiate Constellation’s deregulated gas & electricity products with home energy service offerings to deepen relationships and drive earnings for the organization.
Olivier joined Constellation in 2010 as executive director of human resources for Constellation NewEnergy and has held various roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, Olivier was Vice President, Constellation and Enterprise Risk Management Human Resources. In that role, she oversaw all human resources efforts supporting Constellation’s commercial retail and wholesale business, as well as enterprise risk management for Exelon.
Prior to joining Constellation, she was a vice president at T. Rowe Price where she worked for 11 years supporting the retail, information technology, and global investment operations organizations. There, she introduced a supervisor program that successfully prepared high potential diverse talent for broader people management roles across the organization. She has also held leadership roles with United Defense and Wells Fargo.
In addition to being co-chair of the women’s council for My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, Tamla is on the board of the Partners in Excellence Scholarship program. Tamla is also actively involved with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius Loyola Academy and Cardinal Shehan School. Olivier is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Board Member
Frank Palmer
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Photo and bio coming soon.
Board Member
Keith Persinger
University of Maryland Medical Center
Keith D. Persinger, MBA, is the Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Keith joined the University of Maryland Medical Center in 1993. His current role includes oversight and direction of financial operations and strategy for the Medical Center. He also provides oversight for debt financing and investment activity for the University of Maryland Medical System.
In addition to his role at the Medical System, Mr. Persinger serves on the board at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Baltimore, Inc., and is a current member of the Maryland Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), and the National Advisory Council of the National Healthcare Financial Management Association.
Prior to joining the University of Maryland Medical System, Mr. Persinger was a consultant in the firm of KPMG, LLP, in KPMG’s Healthcare Financial Strategies Consulting Group. Keith received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Loyola University of Maryland
Board Member
Deborah R. Rivkin
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Deborah R. Rivkin serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs for Maryland at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and has been with CareFirst since December 2010. She is responsible for state legislative and regulatory activities in Maryland. Since joining CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Rivkin has successfully positioned the company to be seen as the respected go-to source of information and expertise that Maryland policymakers have put to good use as the state continues to implement federal health care reform.
Prior to CareFirst, Rivkin spent 20 years as the Executive Director of the League of Life and Health Insurers of Maryland. As an attorney with Piper & Marbury LLP, Shapiro & Olander, and Funk and Bolton, she represented life and health insurers before regulators and legislators in Maryland. In addition to her work with CareFirst, Rivkin engages with several causes, currently acting as a board member for the Ronald McDonald House of Baltimore, the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center and the Howard County Board of Health. She also serves as Legal Advisor to the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as a board member of the Howard Community College Education Foundation and the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board. In 2015, she was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland (B.S., cum laude, 1984) and Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., cum laude, 1987).
Board Member
Sandy Pagnotti
President & CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Baltimore
