PATSA Board of Directors
Below is a list of the Board of Directors at PATSA, Inc.
To reach any Board Member by email, please send your question or comment to info@patsainc.org and specify which Board Member(s) you wish to contact. Your message will be forwarded per your request.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-990-3300. Our Fax number is (717) 337-1134.
Jay Geyer
Program Security Specialist
Arlington
Board President
Jay Geyer, is 28 and works for the Department of the Navy in Virginia. He graduated in 2011 from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Jay was diagnosed with TS at the age of 9. He started speaking about TS with PATSA in the 6th grade. Currently he serves as President of the PATSA Board of Directors. He was instrumental in planning and launching PATSA’s Junior Youth Mentor Program and PATSA’s Youth Advocate Training Program. One of PATSA’s key Youth Mentors at Camp and Retreat, he can be counted on to assist each child in his group and can connect with them on a personal level. He also has participated as a Coach at the NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy for 5 years. In his spare time, Jay likes to stay active outdoors, talk to kids with TS, and watch the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers.
John McLoughlin
Software/Systems Engineer
Montgomery
Board Vice President
John McLoughlin, is a Digital Systems Architect for Lockheed Martin with advanced degrees in both Software Engineering and Systems Engineering. He has been published in technical journals, lectured at national conferences and symposiums, and led training workshops across Lockheed Martin. John has a fifth-grade son with Tourette Syndrome. He and his family became involved with PATSA approximately five years ago. Since that time John has volunteered as a youth leader at the PATSA camping events, helped to organize and conduct the annual Pumpkin Run, attended the most recent PATSA Day at the Capital, and supported PATSA through personal fundraising. He also is the co-chair of his son’s school’s Parent Teacher Organization, a youth soccer coach, and a frequent volunteer at various school and community events.
Patricia John
Financial Advisor
Allegheny
Board Treasurer
Patricia John, is a financial Advisor from Pittsburgh who first learned about TS when her daughter was diagnosed in the mid 80’s. Her grandson was diagnosed several years ago at the age of 8. She is active in many charitable organizations and is a member of PATSA’s Speaker’s Bureau. Patty has spoken to several Rotary clubs in her area and has actively solicited donations. Patty is now listed in the local Rotary booklet as a speaker on Tourette Syndrome for her area. Patty has volunteered at several information booths for PATSA and has attended TS Family Camp. Patty’s greatest interest is promoting awareness of TS through trainings, fundraisers, and meeting with her local State Senator and State Representatives to help them understand how important funding for TS is in Pennsylvania. Patty has been a director on the PATSA Board since 2017 and has recently been elected as the Board Treasurer. She also serves as the co-chair of the PATSA Public Relations Committee and is a team member of FanTasTics in the Highmark Walk.
Elena Wiseley
Nurse
Delaware
Board Secretary
Elena Wiseley, Elena is 36 years old and is a nurse, currently working at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the Division of Neurology. Elena began working with the Tourette population in 2014. As the nurse to Doctors Lawrence Brown and Michael Rubenstein, Elena has become extremely knowledgeable in Tourette syndrome. She has worked alongside these highly skilled physicians for over 5 years and has helped numerous patients through various hurdles with their diagnoses. From early acceptance and understanding, to fighting insurance companies for medications, Elena devotes most of her professional aspirations to Tourette syndrome. Elena joined PATSA 2 years ago as a Speaker. She looks forward to using her training to assist as many children as possible who are affected by Tourette syndrome. Elena was also integral in helping PATSA be invited to CHOP neurology for their monthly TS Clinic.
Lori Harvey
Human Services Director
Washington
Director
Lori Harvey, and her family were first touched by Tourette when her youngest daughter was 3 and diagnosed with a Tic Disorder which was changed to Tourette syndrome at 4. Both of Lori’s daughters are now diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Lori has been involved with PATSA since her youngest daughter was in preschool as her husband and she prepared to send her young daughter to Kindergarten. The PATSA has been an important part of Lori’s family’s life since approximately 2011and she has been a Director on the Board since 2015. Lori also works for Merakey as a Regional Behavioral Health Director overseeing and implementing many services for children and adults in their homes and communities. She is a graduate of California University of PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s of Education in Special Education. She is currently a certified PA Special Education Instructor. She is also a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration/ Gerontology and a licensed Behavior Specialist Consultant in state of Pennsylvania, and is currently seeking her Doctorate in Health Care Administration. Lori is committed to education and advocacy for all individuals touched by Tourette syndrome and the community as a whole. Lori has been able to bring PATSA training to her team of Behavior Specialists and Therapeutic Support Staff.
Stephanie Dissen
Accounts Receivable
Allegheny
Director
Stephanie Dissen, lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, two sons and daughter. She has been a member of PATSA since 2014 and volunteers as often as possible. She was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at 9 years old and her older son was diagnosed when he was 8. After Jordan was diagnosed, she became involved in finding the best doctors, treatments and services available. She believes that getting involved with PATSA has benefited her entire family. She is committed to helping others with TS, and has a desire to educate people to bring about more acceptance and understanding of TS. Stephanie and her family have been involved in planning several fundraisers for PATSA in the Pittsburgh Area as well as participating in the Highmark Walk as team FanTasTics. Stephanie has been a director on the PATSA Board since 2017 and is a co-chair of the Public Relations Committee. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Fitness and Wellness. Stephanie has been employed for 14 years at Giffin Interior & Fixture, Inc., an architectural wood working company in Bridgeville PA.
Adam Fishbein
Grants Management
Director
Adam Fishbein, is a young adult and a long-time self-advocate. He has been involved with PATSA since he was diagnosed with TS and AD/HD in 2nd grade. Adam was PATSA’s first Youth Board Representative and he served as the Board of Director’s Vice President for several years. Adam has been a Youth Mentor at PATSA’s Family Camp several times, interned with PATSA for his senior project, volunteered at several PATSA events, such as the Annual Pumpkin Run. Adam has chaired the Board Development/Nominating Committee, serves on the PR Committee, Fundraising Committee, and Camp Committee. Adam consistently lobbied the PA legislature annually with PATSA from 2nd grade until 8th grade and trained as a Tourette Association of America Youth Ambassador (YA) in March 2014. As a YA, Adam presented to schools, religious institutions and other community organizations about TS, raised awareness through various media outlets, and lobbied to the U.S. Congress for funding. Recently, Adam has worked at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, the Senate Diversity Initiative, RespectAbility, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Adam holds a Master in Public Administration and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Law, Economics and Government, both from American University in Washington, DC.
Lindsay Glass Bauer
Mental Health Professional
Lehigh
Director
Lindsay Glass, is an adult with Tourette Syndrome. She is currently pursuing her Masters at Marywood University and works as a Mental Health Professional. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation Services from East Stroudsburg University. Lindsay enjoys volunteering with PATSA in her spare time. Some of the things she does with PATSA include: helping with the TS Family Camps and Retreats, serving on the board of directors and on the fundraising and camp committees, and attending fundraisers and community events to promote awareness of Tourette Syndrome and PATSA’s services. She enjoys anything creative and has utilized her creativity to develop and independently direct our craft programs for the children at TS Family Camp and Retreat.
Jonathan Horvath
Sr. Director Program Mgmt.
Butler
Director
Jon Horvath, lives in Cranberry Township with his wife (Lydia) and two sons (Vincent (16) and Andrew (12 with TS)). Jon is a seasoned business executive that came to Pittsburgh from Chicago in 2011 after helping his company, Smith Micro Software, consolidate multiple remote offices into a new space in McCandless. He graduated with honors from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Religious Studies and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in the History of Religions from Miami University of Ohio and is a Hotchkiss Scholar from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. For the past few years Jon and his family have been working closely with PATSA to bring education and awareness to the Seneca Valley School District in Western PA following a series of challenges they have faced with the district not being capable of addressing a student with TS. They have become passionate advocates for awareness, education and accommodation in the public school system for students with TS to help ensure a positive and fostering experience for students, teachers and staff. Jon would like to bring this passion for TS to assist the Board of Directors at PATSA.
Jeff Mason
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Allegheny
Director
Jeff Mason, has been diagnosed and directly affected by Tourette Syndrome for 30 years now. He is a 2011 graduate of Kutztown University of PA where he studied Political Science with a focus in State/Local Legislation. He is a 2005 recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s “Eagle Scout” award. Leadership in the community is nothing new to him. He is also involved in Lions Club international and with their blind/visually impaired camp, Beacon Lodge, in mid-northern PA. Jeff was able to make it through childhood Tourette’s by finding an unlikely match-up with former Phillies Outfielder Jim Eisnerich. Jim also suffers from Tourette’s, and he inspired and drove Jeff to be who he is today without letting the illness get in the way. Jeff has brought his direct experiences along with leadership from Boy Scouts and community involvement to the PATSA board, where he has been a member since 2016. He serves as the Chair of our Legislative committee and has made great strides at improving our relationships with PA Legislators. Jeff currently resides in the Pittsburgh area. He appreciates the opportunity to use his service to better the lives of everyone affected by Tourette Syndrome.
Lesley Geyer
Occupational Therapist
Luzerne
Board Alternate Secretary
Lesley Geyer, is an occupational therapist with over 40 years of experience in treating children. She has published and presented locally and nationally on topics related to children with disabilities and has advanced training and certification in Sensory Integration. Lesley has served as President and Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the PATSA and has been instrumental in our growth. She also serves as our Fundraising Committee Chair and has grown this Committee from zero to over $26,000 per year. She has provided numerous trainings on Occupational Therapy at camp for PATSA. She lives in NE PA and has an adult son with Tourette syndrome.
Marc Schmidt
Professor of Biology
Philadelphia
Director
Dr. Marc Schmidt, is currently a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania where he studies the neural circuits involved in acoustic communication using songbirds as a model system. Because the specialized circuits involved in vocal communication rely on the same basal ganglia circuitry that is affected in TS, this work allows the study of sensorimotor integration and processing within a natural behavior. Dr. Schmidt is also director of the undergraduate Neuroscience program at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Tourette Association of America. Dr. Schmidt has been heavily involved in TS outreach because he has an adult daughter with TS,. He founded Waffles for Tourette, which raises awareness and funds for TS at local Farmers Markets, and runs a workshop twice a year in collaboration with the Integrative Health Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This one-day workshop for parents and teens blends education and advocacy with mindfulness and theater improvisation techniques to address TS. Dr. Schmidt was a well-received presenter at PATSA Camp this year.
Dave Kiefer
Attorney
Allegheny
Director
Dave Kiefer, is an in-house litigation attorney at FedEx Ground, where he has worked since November 2018. In that role, Dave defends claims involving FedEx Ground’s business model and handles employment-related claims concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations. Prior to joining FedEx Ground, Dave worked as an associate at two law firms in Pittsburgh and as an in-house attorney at a labor union in New York. Outside of his legal work, since 2014, Dave has volunteered with Steel City Greyhounds, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming retired racing greyhounds in Western Pennsylvania. Additionally, since 2018, Dave has coached in the Miracle League of the South Hills, an all-inclusive program that allows individuals of all abilities ages 5 and up the chance to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Dave holds degrees from Harvard Law School (J.D.), Miami (Ohio) University (M.A.), and Centenary College of Louisiana (B.A.). Dave resides in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania with his wife Danielle, daughters Emerson (4) and Fallon (1), and greyhound Mr. T.
Jordan Galing
Paraprofessional
Bucks
Director
Jordan Galing, was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome when she was 8 years old. She is currently celebrating over 13 years sharing her super powers with her family and friends. She is excited to meet and share her story and to help others as they learn how to navigate life with TS. She graduated from Council Rock High School in June 2019. She attended one year of college at East Stroudsburg University during the pandemic. She then decided to pursue a full-time position in her family’s business. She quickly learned and proved herself valuable and is currently the Office Manager at Do It Right Screening, where she leads and oversees the fingerprinting operations in Newtown, PA. She also performs drug testing collections for clients as well as some basic background check services. Jordan enjoys volunteering with PATSA in her spare time and has been involved for several years. Her favorite is participating in the Camp committee and helping families with TS at the Family Camps and Retreats. She has also done private fundraising events to help support the TS community. She is a frequent speaker at local school districts raising awareness about TS and the impact it has on individuals. She has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and stays in active contact with her “little” to this day. Jordan lives with her family, has two dogs (Bella and Rocky), and enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and helping local families with their babysitting and dog watching needs. Her goal is to make a child’s life better through friendship, support and caring.
Open Position
occupation
county
Director
Lana Beck
Student
Youth Board Representative