Board of Trustees

Jennifer Knott – Executive Director

Jennifer is a graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Leisure Studies, with a concentration in Recreation Therapy and a minor in Psychology. Jennifer began Rec2Connect in 2009 with 2 clients. She launched the Rec2Connect Foundation in 2014. Her previous experience includes: Classroom Behavior Therapist at Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism, Job coach at Goodwill Industries, Volunteer in Aquatic Therapy at Hattie Larlham in the Physical Therapy Department and Recreation Therapist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Lynn Barninger – Chairman of the Board

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 Veteran’s 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. Lynn’s true passion started right out of college when she worked with children and adults with disabilities providing them community leisure opportunities and coordinating a wheelchair sports program for a non-profit organization outside of Chicago, IL.

Matthew Klein – Vice Chair

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

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. Chris is passionate about community issues including Education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and continues to look for opportunities to grow his civic engagement.

Jacqui Lingler – Officer

Jacqui is passionate about fitness and joined Rec2Connect’s board as an “ideal harmonization of my professional experience and passion” She began her career working in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and continue to provide referrals from the providers fitness as a “prescription!”  She is the Senior Clinical Project Manager SPR Therapeutics, Beachwood, OH where she coordinates and implements clinical study activities for SPR product development projects. One of her personal missions is bringing movement/fitness to young people in an environment that is fun, builds confidence and meets people where ever they are- regardless of age, ability, or skill.  She is energetic, motivated, and goal driven and enjoys meeting people and making connections in our community.

Laurie Silver – Officer

Laurie is the parent of 3, including a 12 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 8 years. Laurie received a BS degree from Denison University and a Doctor of Science from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. She has served on the Committee for Capital improvement for the Mandel Jewish Community Center, as Committee Chair for Boy Scout Troop 662 in Shaker Heights, and is currently the co-President for the Shaker Heights High School Band Boosters. She is also a member of the Deafness Advocacy Committee (DAC) at Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, and co-coordinator of EARS, a support group for teens who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Bob Beattie – Officer

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. Bob is a graduate of St. Lawrence University.

Dan Hannan – Officer

Dan has a son with autism and has experienced Rec2Connect programming first hand as a parent. He has been a dedicated volunteer for our annual fundraiser for the last 3 years. Dan specializes in Sales and Marketing professional that has strong ties to several local schools, organizations and charities. He is the Eastern Regional Sales Manager at North Coast Media Cleveland. He assists his marketing partners to reach their goals through digital and print media. He has years of experience in marketing and sales. His prior experience also includes project management in construction and demolition projects

Danielle Sindelar – Officer

Danielle is a proud parent of two girls, a dedicated healthcare professional who’s 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. Rec2Connects mission, vision and values is what drew Danielle to join the board. The ability to be a part of such an amazing organization that impacts our community, health, wellness in such a diverse and inclusive way is exciting and part of Danielle’s focus to better ourselves and our community.