​Executive Board Members

​Kristi West

President

Kristi and her husband, Jared, are originally from South Dakota. They moved to South Carolina 19 years ago, where they are enjoying life and raising their 6 children. Their daughter Avery was born with Down Syndrome eleven years ago. Avery is currently in 5th grade, and she attends Holly Springs Elementary School. Avery is a very jubilant and energetic girl who enjoys swimming, singing, and cheerleading. She brings a daily dose of joy to all of her family members and to everyone she encounters. Aside from raising her kids, Kristi's passion is to educate and connect new and existing families who have a child with Down syndrome.  Kristi has served on the DSAU board for a few years, and she will continue to serve as the new president. She is looking forward to continue making a difference  in the lives of families who have a child with Down Syndrome.

Vicki Kilbride

Vice-President

Vicki has lived in Greenville since 2002, with her husband and 2 children. Sarah 13 with Down syndrome and Matthew 20. She loves reading, traveling and spending time with her family. 

She wants to offer those affected by Ds the chance and the knowledge to be able to do anything they want to do.  She wants to help the DSAU expand it's outreach to the community and spread more awareness of the Ds community and what they can offer to the Upstate.​

​Diana Mabry

Secretary

I work for Michelin, NA. I  was born in Charlotte, raised in Colorado and moved  to Greenville, SC as a teenager.  My husband Chris and I have 4 wonderful children. (Grant, Kayla (has Ds), Harrison and Lexi)  I enjoy spending time with family, attending sporting events and outdoor activities.  I look forward to helping the DSAU spread awareness and help those affected by Ds in the Upstate.​

Brian Morley

Treasurer

Brian and his wife Laureen relocated from Mystic, Connecticut in 2015 and live in Simpsonville, South Carolina with their 14 year-old son, Stephen. Stephen was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after birth. He hasn’t let that affect him. He is currently in an inclusive education environment as an 8th grader at Riverside Middle School. Recently he obtained his 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He loves his music and watching YouTube and plays Roblox. Additionally, he aspires to be a vlogger someday. Get out of his way world, Stephen is on his way!!

Brian has been involved in non-profit bookkeeper and payroll services for 25 years. He is currently employed by Greenville County Schools and is the secretary/bookkeeper at Blythe Academy of Languages.

Board Members

Erin Hahn

Camp Committee Chair
I grew up in Greenville County and currently live in Simpsonville. I have worked at Laurens District 55 High School as a teacher since 2005.  I teach Sports Medicine and Unified Physical Education; I am also a Certified Athletic Trainer.  I am also a student council advisor at LDHS and active member of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils.  I have volunteered with the SC Special Olympics since I was in high school and have been a Special Olympics Coach for over 6 years.   In 2019, my son, Evan Liam was born still with DS.  I have a very special place in my heart for people with DS.  I love working with my students and children of all ability levels.  When you focus on a person's abilities rather than disabilities it is amazing what you will find.

Jessyka Petruescu

New Parent Committee

Hello, my name is Jessyka Petruescu.  I grew up in Sacramento, California. I was a Teacher before I became a SAHM. We came to South Carolina in 2012 for my husband's career advancement. My husband and I have three beautiful children; Sophia is 10yrs old, Noah is 5yrs and my youngest Mila just turned one in January.  She was born with Down Syndrome.  I am honored to be part of the board and excited to help in anyway I can and hopefully to make useful contributions to benefit our awesome community.

Kristen Jackson

Education Chair

Kristen Jackson lives in Spartanburg with her three children. Jaxon is her youngest(6yrs), and he has Down syndrome. She also has a 15 year old daughter, Makiyah, and an 18 year old son, Jaylon. She works for Spartanburg County School District Seven and is excited to serve our families and our community.

Melanie Summer

New Parent Chair

Mel has lived in SC for 10 years now. She studied early childhood education and has worked in child care for years.  She is also a free lance photographer. She has been blessed with 4 wonderful children. Shane 11, Kaden 8, Lana 5, and Desmond 3 (who has Down Syndrome.) She looks forward to serving our community!

Michael Bridges

Scholarship Committee

Mr. Bridges, a Certified Estate Planning and Probate Law Specialist since 2005, earned his Juris Doctor from the Cumberland School of Law (magna cum laude).  He earned Master of Laws in Taxation from University of Florida and Master of Laws in Estate Planning from University of Miami and earned his Masters and Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Alabama.

He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), President (2010-2011) and Vice President (2009-2010) of the South Carolina Chapter, and member of the South Carolina Bar Elder Law Committee and Chair for the Committee  (2012-2014).

Mr. Bridges is admitted to practice in South Carolina, Florida and North Carolina.

Sean Rodgers

Communication Chair

Born in California, raised in the South-Western United States, Sean Rodgers is a IT Professional using his skills here in the Upstate for CREFORM Corporation.

He and Becka, his wife, live in Downtown Greer with their two boys, Kodiak and Maverick. Kodiak was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth but hasn't let that stop him from enjoying life. Maverick is his little brother and is ready to take on the world with Kodiak.​

Raechel Hackett

Social Chair

Raechel has been a stay at home mother of three for the past  8 years. Jace is 11, Samuel (DS) 7 & Maddilyn is 2. She served on the PTA board for the Meyer Center for 4 years as the treasurer and president. She is excited to serve on the DSAU board and serve our amazing community.

Stacy Tench

Member at Large

Lisa Franks

I moved from Cape Cod, MA to Greenville in 2008. My husband Will and I have three adult sons, Scott, Brian and Eric, and four amazing grandchildren, Olivia, Lukas (who has Down syndrome), Isabella and Maximus.
As a family, we are all very involved in Lukas’s life and with Team Lukas. Lukas is definitely my sweet Prince! I look forward to continuing to help serve and support our Upstate Down syndrome community in as many ways as possible.

Erika Klocker

Erica is originally from a small town in North Carolina. She moved to Myrtle Beach, SC in 2013 after meeting her husband, Jason. They have two boys, Behr (age 5) and Cash (19 months). Behr is their little rock star with Down Syndrome, who is an absolute joy. Cash is their rambunctious, comedian that keep them on their toes. They relocated to the upstate in August of 2020 and have a great desire to help be advocates for those with Down Syndrome.

Greg Bello

Greg was born and raised in Florida and recently moved to Spartanburg in 2020 to attend medical school at VCOM. During his time in undergrad at The University of Florida, Greg was a coach and committee member at Inclusive Fitness Unified Sports, a community-based participatory research program that aims to improve the quality of life of students with physical and intellectual disabilities through sports and fitness. Through relationships formed in this program, Greg became passionate about the Down Syndrome community. He spent the past year working as a full time aid for several young adults with Down Syndrome. The impact that the DS community has had on Greg is way bigger than what he could have ever imagined and he is looking forward to serving and advocating for this population in the Upstate area.Member at Large