Board of Trustees
Lynn Barninger
Chairman of the Board
Why I serve: because I know how important my
recreational and sport interests were to me growing up and I want everyone to have the same choices and opportunities. I hope that the services we provide create a sense of community and friendships that can last a lifetime while creating life skills that carry over into other areas of people’s lives.
Bio: Lynn is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a degree in Parks and Recreation with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Adapted Physical Education. Lynn
currently works at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center providing Aquatic Therapy in
their outpatient clinic to the veterans. Her previous experience includes working in long-term care and skilled nursing rehabilitation and coordinating a wheelchair sports program for a
non-profit organization outside of Chicago, IL.
Matthew Klein
Vice Chair
Why I serve: I want to make sure we can continue to provide the same if not better opportunities for the intensive needs community that my son receives from Rec2Connect.
Bio: Matt is the parent of two boys, one of which has significant delays. His son has received aquatic therapy and other services from Rec2Connect. Matt is currently a Principal with Findley, a human resources consulting firm. Matt is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and an Enrolled Actuary under ERISA. Matt has a Master’s Degree from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Ashland University. In addition to Rec2Connect, Matt is also the director for the Lorain County Special Needs Resource Day and a past Chair of the Board for Middleburg Early Education Center.
Chris Laboda
Officer
Why I serve: I am passionate about community issues including Education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and continue to look for opportunities to grow my civic engagement.
Bio: Chris is a Certified Public Accountant and graduate of John Carroll University with degrees in both Accountancy and Criminology. He is currently a Senior Manager at Maloney + Novotny,
LLC providing attestation and consulting services to not-for-profit organizations with an
emphasis on advanced analytics and dashboard reporting tools to best understand key
performance indicators and the overall financial health of an organization.
Laurie Silver
Officer
Why I serve: I would like all
individuals to benefit from the access to recreation that Rec2Connect has afforded my son.
Bio: Laurie is the parent of 3, including a 20 year old son with special needs. She has extensive
experience within the special needs community regarding services available, education,
therapy and recreation resources in the Greater Cleveland area. Her son has received aquatic
therapy at Rec2Connect for the last 16 years. Laurie received a Doctor of Science in Public
Health from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
Bob Beattie
Officer
Why I serve: because Rec2Connect’s programs make a difference in people's lives
whether they are the participant, family members, or friends. It's amazing to see participants of
all ages enjoying the programs offered that they will never "age out of", a life-long community
where community is needed the most.
Bio: Bob is a parent of a child with autism and has seen the tremendous value of adaptive swimming
and adaptive recreation in general, not only for his son but for his family as well. Bob has served
as a volunteer and board member of nonprofits in Cleveland and professionally, his field is
commercial insurance, serving commercial businesses with insurance and risk management
needs, as the Insurance Marketing Manager at Jackson, Dieken & Associates in Westlake,
Ohio.
Danielle Sindelar
Officer
Why I serve: I enjoy having an impact in the community this organization
serves. It has allowed me growth and opportunities for myself personally and professionally.
Bio: Danielle is a dedicated healthcare professional whose passion surrounds healthcare literacy and advocacy. She is currently the Director of Emergency Services and Interim Director of Community Based programs at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Danielle has a Bachelor’s degree from Niagara University and a Master’s degree from Kent State in Healthcare
Administration.
Tim Neal
Officer
Why I serve: To ensure that all children, like
my twice-exceptional daughter, Gabby, have all opportunities possible to be included!
Bio: Tim has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is the Principal at Wallace H Braden Middle School. Tim served in the United States Marine Corp. He also served on the Board of Directors for the New Leaf United Methodist Church and on the Legislative Committee for the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.
