Who We Are: Board of Directors

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Joe Ripple is the Founder and Chairman of "Scares That Care!" He is a  former U.S. Army Soldier, Police Officer and Detective, and has spent  over thirty years in this type of capacity. In fact, it was during his  time as a Police Officer where the idea for "Scares  That Care!" was born. His partner's daughter developed an inoperable  brain tumor, and she unfortunately passed when she was four years old.  This death had a huge impact, thereby providing the catalyst for the  organization you see today. Joe adopts a collaborative  effort of managing the organization, meaning that any member at any  level can come to him with a thought or idea to help improve our  mission.

It's about the charity. It's never about him. 

Joe has been married to his wife Michelle for 28 years and celebrates  the joy each day of spending time with his daughter, Lauren. He also  never takes himself too seriously, always enjoying a joke or meme at his  expense. Joe is grateful to all who support the  charity, but none more so than the volunteers.  

Brian Keene is a bestselling, award winning writer. He became involved with the charity over a decade ago, after working with the early founders at  various conventions and events. He oversees the charity's popular  AuthorCon fundraising events, and also serves as a public liaison.  

Andrew Ely is an accountant with nearly forty years experience in several environments. He met Joe Ripple while performing in his other role as the Grim Reaper for a Halloween event at a theme park outside of Washington DC in the late 1990s. The two sides of his life merge perfectly in an effort to help those in need from an under appreciated segment of fandom. 

Alfred Guy has been affiliated with Scares That Care since its beginning. He has coordinated and hosted fundraising events and activities as a volunteer, and serves on the Board of Directors.

Alfred Guy has worked as a Training Officer at the University of Maryland since 1996. He is responsible for designing, developing and facilitating training sessions of various lengths for Maryland State employees. Mr. Guy has 29 years of Maryland state service. He is a former U.S. Army Captain, has a BBA in Marketing from Temple University and holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Alfred is also an actor and cast member with The Fowl Players of Perryville - a Murder Mystery Troupe based in Maryland.

It is from these areas where Alfred Guy lends his insight and experience to help support the mission of the charity.

Angel handles marketing & social media platforms for Scares That Care.

She was the Secretary/Treasurer of an LGBTQIA+ non-profit in Topeka,  Kansas where she also helped organize events & was involved with  multiple areas of public speaking. She is a full-time employee at GEICO  Insurance, working for their home office specializing in state  regulation compliance. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business  Management from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas.
 

Before joining the BOD, she was a STC attendee, then a State Representative in Virginia.

 Brian, a  dedicated volunteer since 2006, joined the Board of Directors in 2010.  Over the years, Brian has played a role in various capacities,  including advertising, web design, technology solutions,  and program implementation. Extending to both online and onsite  fundraising, where they have made significant contributions to support  our recipients. 

With over 30  years of experience in Technology and Operations, Brian currently serves  the membership at PSECU, one of Pennsylvania’s largest credit unions.  As a seasoned and versatile leader, Brian  oversees critical functions such as the core banking system, records  information management, and print/mail/supply operations. Their  commitment ensures that teams are empowered and well-equipped to  deliver industry-leading solutions and performance. 

Brian holds a  bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and an associate’s  degree in Information Systems Technology. Their dedication to servant  leadership and continuous pursuit of industry  and management certifications reflects their passion and commitment to  excellence. 

Sonora Taylor is Scares That Care's Director of Technology. She manages the website and assists the board in running the charity's annual events, including Author Con.

Sonora is an award-winning horror author, and has also worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade. She specializes in email marketing and website management. She's a part-time digital consultant whose clients include authors, lifestyle bloggers, and journalist Bob Woodward.

Sonora is proud and honored to support Scares That Care and the work they do for people in need.

Donna joined Scares that Care in 2011 as a volunteer and throughout the years has been the driving force behind merchandise, coordination and facilitation of outside events. Never without her trusty side kick Doug Funk, she has traveled the country representing Scares That Care. Donna is the newest addition to the Board of Directors.

Donna’s marketing and promotion background and degree has been an integral part for raising awareness and funds to support our mission throughout the years. Donna’s close relationship with cancer and disease diagnosis has made this mission personal.

When Donna isn’t fighting real monsters, she finds joy in an active role for her 3 beautiful grandchildren and community. Yoga and art are her favorite “down time” activities.