Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers from a wide range of professional experience who are passionate about improving the lives of AHC patients.  The application of their various professional skills and their strong commitment to the mission of the foundation enables the AHC Foundation to develop strong support in the research community, and be excellent stewards of funds raised by our volunteer community.

Officers of the board

Joshua Marszalek joined the AHCF board of directors in 2013 and currently serves as President of the board. Josh has previously served as Vice President and Secretary to the Board.  Josh and his wife, Laura, live in Connersville Indiana and have two children, Levi and Kathryn. Kathryn was diagnosed with AHC in February 2012, and the Marszaleks joined the list of families who are committed to helping other families and funding research to cure AHC. Joshua is a licensed architect and owns his own architecture practice, Rural Valley Architecture. Prior to owning his own practice, Joshua worked in Connecticut and at CSO Architects in Indianapolis, IN. Joshua Marszalek – joshua@ahckids.org

Gene M. Andrasco is currently the Treasurer for the AHCF. Gene joined the ACHF Board of Directors in 2011, and has previously served as the Vice President and Co-Treasurer.  Gene volunteers his time to the foundation in honor of his daughter Kiley who was diagnosed with AHC in 2003. Gene lives in Lake Zurich, Illinois with his wife, Kelly and two children, Ryan and Kiley. Professionally, Gene is the Finance Vice President of the Marketing Store. Gene Andrasco – gene@ahckids.org

Vicky Platt is currently the foundation Vice President of Research; she joined the foundation Board of Directors in 2010. Vicky volunteers her time to the foundation in honor of her daughter who was diagnosed with AHC in 2003. Vicky lives in Mt.Prospect, Illinois with her husband, Andy, and daughters, Emma and Aria. Professionally, Vicky is the Director of Research at Willamette Management Associates in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to her tenure at Willamette Management Associates, Vicky worked in the law library of Kirkland & Ellis and at the Michigan State University Main Library. Vicky Platt – vicky@ahckids.org

Stephen Henderson joined the Board of Directors in 2020. He is currently serving as the Foundation Secretary. Stephen firmly believed in the Foundation’s mission: END AHC and wanted to take an active role in assisting the Foundation to achieve its mission. Stephen lives in Pella, Iowa, with his wife Lacey and their four children, Elena, William, Adriana, and Estella. Estella was diagnosed with AHC in 2019. Since that time, Stephen and Lacey have dedicated their time and energy to learning about the disease and raising public awareness and funds to combat AHC. Professionally, Stephen is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Division at William Penn University. Stephen Henderson stephen@ahckids.org

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Kate Byrne joined the Board of Directors in 2020. Her son, Connor, was diagnosed with AHC in 2019 at 8 weeks old. Upon learning of Connor’s diagnosis, Kate and her husband Tom immediately decided to dedicate any time they could to increasing awareness and supporting fundraising efforts for the foundation. They live in Indiana with Connor and their young daughter Jane. Kate works in Human Resources for the University of Kentucky and has a passion for promoting AHC awareness through social media and website development. She is also committed to working with resources in the Chicagoland area to plan fundraising opportunities and events increasing rare disease awareness. kate@ahckids.org

Sharon Ciccodicola has previously served as the Medical Liaison and became the AHCF Coordinator in 2010. Sharon is also a Registered Nurse and currently owns Ciccodicola Case Management and record review. Sharon developed an interest in rare diseases while working in specialized maternal/child and pediatric nursing units.  Sharon became interested in AHC through Richard George, the former AHCF President whose son has AHC. Sharon is married to Pasquale Ciccodicola who volunteers his services as the Foundation Attorney and they live in Detroit. They have two grown children, Dominic and Katie, and are enjoying being grandparents. Sharon Ciccodicola – sharon@ahckids.org

Cate Cohen rejoined the AHCF Board of Directors in 2018. She has been involved with the foundation since her son, Asher, now 11, was diagnosed in 2010. Cate currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband Tobe and their two children, Asher and Flynn (7) and is navigating having two older children out of the nest and pursuing their own adventures in colleges back East. Prior to becoming a stay at home Mom, Cate enjoyed a career in Brand Marketing, first in the high-tech industry, and later on the agency side of the business. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Rivier College. She looks forward to increasing awareness of this disease, and raising funds to END AHC. cate@ahckids.org

Bill Gerber joined the Board of Directors in 2011.  He joined the pursuit for treatment and a cure for AHC when his son Sean was diagnosed with AHC in 2004. He is actively involved in fundraising and awareness on behalf of the foundation, including aligning his company’s philanthropic mission and corporate social responsibility initiatives to support the AHC Foundation efforts. Bill lives in Hartford, CT with his wife Olga and three children, Sean, Shelby, and Isaac. He is also the co-Founder of Accounting Department.com, a 10-year-old company providing virtual accounting, bookkeeping and controller services to small and medium-sized businesses nationwide. Bill Gerber –bill@ahckids.org

 Heather Gates lives in Ohio with her husband and daughter, Jocelyn (20).  Jocelyn was diagnosed at 3 yrs old.  Heather home educated Jocelyn from 5 yrs old until her graduation in 2017.  Heather has a B.S. in Child and Family Studies and Early Intervention from The Ohio State University. She worked as an Early Intervention Specialist at a Children’s Hospital and a County DD program.  She previously has volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center, home educators group, and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She is always looking for alternative ways to help Jocelyn in her daily challenges with AHC. Heather Gates – heather@ahckids.org

Katelyn Wilson joined the board of directors in 2020. Katelyn lives in Springfield, MO with her husband, Michael, and two daughters, Quincy and Landry. Landry was diagnosed with AHC in 2019. Following Landry’s diagnosis, Katelyn and her family committed their time, energy, and resources to sharing Landry’s story to spread awareness and raise funds to cure AHC. Katelyn is a pediatric physical therapist specializing in intensive therapies for children and an adjunct professor of physical therapy at Southwest Baptist University. Katelyn Wilson katelyn@ahckids.org