Board of Directors
Jay Dahlgren, President
Mr. Dahlgren is the Director of Manufacturing with Del Monte Pet Products. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Economics. Mr. Dahlgren has approximately 20 years of business management experience in manufacturing operations including multiple factory start-ups, staff recruiting, and team building.
Todd Steigerwald, Vice President
Todd Steigerwald is the Chief Financial Officer of Venturi, Inc., an aeronautical engineering company that provides engineering and support services to the DoD and NASA agencies. Previously, he founded and operated Steigerwald & Associates, Inc., a business management consulting firm providing services to both large and small government contractors. Additional professional experience includes Miltec, Inc., FMC Corporation, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas, and as a Contract Specialist in the United States Air Force. In 2003, he founded Matters of the Heart, a non-profit organization that helps and supports hospitalized and disadvantaged children. He is also current president of The Steve Parcus Memorial, a non-profit organization providing monetary support to Lee High School Athletic Programs and the Huntsville Sports Commission. He and his wife, Pam, have two children ages 23 and 21.
Taron Thorpe, Treasurer
Taron Thorpe, Madison Market Executive with First Commercial Bank of Madison, brings over twenty years of business knowledge to the market specializing in small to medium size business’s financial goal achievement. He maintains a concentration in providing a full compliment of client services to satisfy each client’s global needs. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Business and Economics and a Masters of Business Administration. He works closely with and serves on several non-profit boards including The Riley Behavioral and Educational Center, the Spina Bifida Association of Alabama, the Madison Hospital Advisory Council, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and the Madison Softball League. He continues to be active in the community through his participation with the Madison City School System, the Greater Huntsville Rotary Club, and attendance at Asbury United Methodist Church. He is married to the former Tammy Ann McCall; they have two children, Alex and Libby, ages 15 and 9.
Heather French, Director of Education, Secretary of the Board
Dr. French is currently working with The Riley Center’s clinical and educational programs, school collaborations, and research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English; a Master’s degree in English; and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership. Dr. French has experience as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist, as a K-12 classroom teacher, and as a college instructor. While in Virginia, she spent four years as part of a research team for a multi-state, 5 year, $5 million grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. French is married to Dr. Kevin French, and they have a one year old daughter.
Melody P. Crane, M.Ed., Executive Director of The Riley Center
Ms. Crane holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education/Emotional Conflict and a Master's degree in Special Education/Mild Learning Handicaps. She has 17 years experience teaching children with special needs including autism, learning disabilities, and seriously emotionally disturbed/behavior disorders. She has served as a principal of a private Classical Christian School and as an educational consultant.
Justin Burney, Director
Mr. Burney is an attorney in the Huntsville office of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. His areas of practice include general corporate law, real estate, and government contracts. Mr. Burney attended the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to law school, Mr. Burney graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. and an M.S. in chemical engineering.
Rob Clark, Director
Mr. Clark is a graduate of LSU with a B.S. in Business. He is married to Maggie Lee Clark and they have two children, Robbie, 16 and Emma, 14. He is a member of Huntsville Leadership Class 22 and the Secretary of The Dixie Section of the Professional Golfer's Association of America. Mr. Clark is currently employed with The Ledges of Huntsville Mountain.
Phil Crane, Director
Mr. Crane is a Contracts Manager for GE Fanuc Embedded Computer Systems, a subsidiary of General Electric Company. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Economics and Master’s degree in Contracts and Acquisition Management. Mr. Crane has 17 years experience in federal government as well as commercial and international contract administration.
Tina Greer, Director
Mrs. Greer’s experience includes 34 years in many facets of education. Having taught grade levels Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade provides a valuable background for her current position as principal at Morris Elementary in Huntsville. As a military wife, she traveled extensively and benefited from working in numerous school systems. As a teacher, she participated in inclusion classes and as a principal, volunteered to have three autism units in her building. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Dave Johnson, Director
Dave Johnson is the Director of Strategic Planning and Army Programs for Venturi, Inc., an aeronautical engineering company that provides engineering and support services to Department of Defense and NASA agencies. Before joining Venturi, he served 22 years in the U.S. Army, serving in numerous operational and Defense Acquisition assignments, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Semper Fi Community Task Force (SFCTF), a charitable organization providing assistance and support to currently serving and recently separated wounded veterans. He and his wife Deanne have two children 12 and 16.
Terry Palek, Director
Mr. Palek is the District Sales Manager for PLM Leader, a business unit of Inergi Design Services. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from Florida Tech. Mr. Palek has spent his entire 23-year professional career in the Huntsville-Madison area and includes experience in many aspects of product development, including definition, engineering, testing, manufacturing, customer support, training, sales and marketing. Mr. Palek is active in volunteer efforts and has been recognized twice by the Madison City Council for his community service. Mr. Palek is married to Becky Cooper Palek and has 2 teenage sons, Cooper and Carter.
Roger Schneider, Director
Roger Schneider is the CEO of LiveOnTheNet.com, a new media company based in Huntsville. He has over 25 years of experience as a technology executive in venues ranging from the implementation of statewide Child Support Enforcement Systems to directing nationally televised political events. He was Director of Research for U.S. Congressman Ronnie Flippo and led operations for the Office of Presidential Personnel in the White House; he has also served as a board member for several governmental authorities and non-profit organizations. Roger and his wife, Robin, have a twenty-one year old son with autism and have worked closely with many of the nation's top centers for autism therapy. They are excited to offer their experience, as well as the perspective of parents of an older person with autism, to the Riley Center which they feel is already revolutionizing the quality and quantity of care available to our area's families affected by autism.
Mr. Dahlgren is the Director of Manufacturing with Del Monte Pet Products. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Economics. Mr. Dahlgren has approximately 20 years of business management experience in manufacturing operations including multiple factory start-ups, staff recruiting, and team building.
Todd Steigerwald, Vice President
Todd Steigerwald is the Chief Financial Officer of Venturi, Inc., an aeronautical engineering company that provides engineering and support services to the DoD and NASA agencies. Previously, he founded and operated Steigerwald & Associates, Inc., a business management consulting firm providing services to both large and small government contractors. Additional professional experience includes Miltec, Inc., FMC Corporation, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas, and as a Contract Specialist in the United States Air Force. In 2003, he founded Matters of the Heart, a non-profit organization that helps and supports hospitalized and disadvantaged children. He is also current president of The Steve Parcus Memorial, a non-profit organization providing monetary support to Lee High School Athletic Programs and the Huntsville Sports Commission. He and his wife, Pam, have two children ages 23 and 21.
Taron Thorpe, Treasurer
Taron Thorpe, Madison Market Executive with First Commercial Bank of Madison, brings over twenty years of business knowledge to the market specializing in small to medium size business’s financial goal achievement. He maintains a concentration in providing a full compliment of client services to satisfy each client’s global needs. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Business and Economics and a Masters of Business Administration. He works closely with and serves on several non-profit boards including The Riley Behavioral and Educational Center, the Spina Bifida Association of Alabama, the Madison Hospital Advisory Council, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and the Madison Softball League. He continues to be active in the community through his participation with the Madison City School System, the Greater Huntsville Rotary Club, and attendance at Asbury United Methodist Church. He is married to the former Tammy Ann McCall; they have two children, Alex and Libby, ages 15 and 9.
Heather French, Director of Education, Secretary of the Board
Dr. French is currently working with The Riley Center’s clinical and educational programs, school collaborations, and research. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English; a Master’s degree in English; and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership. Dr. French has experience as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist, as a K-12 classroom teacher, and as a college instructor. While in Virginia, she spent four years as part of a research team for a multi-state, 5 year, $5 million grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. French is married to Dr. Kevin French, and they have a one year old daughter.
Melody P. Crane, M.Ed., Executive Director of The Riley Center
Ms. Crane holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education/Emotional Conflict and a Master's degree in Special Education/Mild Learning Handicaps. She has 17 years experience teaching children with special needs including autism, learning disabilities, and seriously emotionally disturbed/behavior disorders. She has served as a principal of a private Classical Christian School and as an educational consultant.
Justin Burney, Director
Mr. Burney is an attorney in the Huntsville office of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. His areas of practice include general corporate law, real estate, and government contracts. Mr. Burney attended the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to law school, Mr. Burney graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. and an M.S. in chemical engineering.
Rob Clark, Director
Mr. Clark is a graduate of LSU with a B.S. in Business. He is married to Maggie Lee Clark and they have two children, Robbie, 16 and Emma, 14. He is a member of Huntsville Leadership Class 22 and the Secretary of The Dixie Section of the Professional Golfer's Association of America. Mr. Clark is currently employed with The Ledges of Huntsville Mountain.
Phil Crane, Director
Mr. Crane is a Contracts Manager for GE Fanuc Embedded Computer Systems, a subsidiary of General Electric Company. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Economics and Master’s degree in Contracts and Acquisition Management. Mr. Crane has 17 years experience in federal government as well as commercial and international contract administration.
Tina Greer, Director
Mrs. Greer’s experience includes 34 years in many facets of education. Having taught grade levels Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade provides a valuable background for her current position as principal at Morris Elementary in Huntsville. As a military wife, she traveled extensively and benefited from working in numerous school systems. As a teacher, she participated in inclusion classes and as a principal, volunteered to have three autism units in her building. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Dave Johnson, Director
Dave Johnson is the Director of Strategic Planning and Army Programs for Venturi, Inc., an aeronautical engineering company that provides engineering and support services to Department of Defense and NASA agencies. Before joining Venturi, he served 22 years in the U.S. Army, serving in numerous operational and Defense Acquisition assignments, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Semper Fi Community Task Force (SFCTF), a charitable organization providing assistance and support to currently serving and recently separated wounded veterans. He and his wife Deanne have two children 12 and 16.
Terry Palek, Director
Mr. Palek is the District Sales Manager for PLM Leader, a business unit of Inergi Design Services. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from Florida Tech. Mr. Palek has spent his entire 23-year professional career in the Huntsville-Madison area and includes experience in many aspects of product development, including definition, engineering, testing, manufacturing, customer support, training, sales and marketing. Mr. Palek is active in volunteer efforts and has been recognized twice by the Madison City Council for his community service. Mr. Palek is married to Becky Cooper Palek and has 2 teenage sons, Cooper and Carter.
Roger Schneider, Director
Roger Schneider is the CEO of LiveOnTheNet.com, a new media company based in Huntsville. He has over 25 years of experience as a technology executive in venues ranging from the implementation of statewide Child Support Enforcement Systems to directing nationally televised political events. He was Director of Research for U.S. Congressman Ronnie Flippo and led operations for the Office of Presidential Personnel in the White House; he has also served as a board member for several governmental authorities and non-profit organizations. Roger and his wife, Robin, have a twenty-one year old son with autism and have worked closely with many of the nation's top centers for autism therapy. They are excited to offer their experience, as well as the perspective of parents of an older person with autism, to the Riley Center which they feel is already revolutionizing the quality and quantity of care available to our area's families affected by autism.
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