Dayton Autism Society Board Members 

2008-2011 Term

Nancy Bernotaitis President	I'm Nancy Bernotaitis.  Mom to Seth (17), Rachel (15), and Sam (10-autism).  I work P/T as Office Manager at Regal Home Care in Kettering (that's my day job).  The rest of my time is filled with autism.  I currently serve on the Dayton Autism Society board as President.  We, the DAS, are a member of the Ohio Autism Coalition.  I am moderator of the Yahoo advocacy group, T.A.S.K. Force Ohio-Taking Action for Special Kids (an advocacy group for parents of children with any type of disability).  As part of my advocacy, I'm also a member of Voices for Ohio's Children.  I'm a member of Dayton Area Special Moms (a social networking group for moms of children with any type of disability).  I currently serve on a committee called the Autism Coalition (different from the Ohio Autism Coalition), who's objective is to educate local physicians in identifying and treating autism, as well as bringing programs to this area for autistic children.  I belong to an autism study group (read and discuss books related to autism).  I'm also working with Kidnetic Energy to bring special needs gymnastics/dance to this area; and local libraries to bring programs to the libraries for our children.  I am currently a member of the We Care Arts Focus Group, who's objective is to determine a need for art programs for autistic children in this area and create a curriculum.  If that wasn't enough, I also serve as Secretary to Sam's Cub Scout pack.  In my "spare" time, I enjoy watching my older two play indoor soccer, and Sam play Challenger's baseball.   Spending time with my family at church and on family movie/pizza night is what I live for.
Shelli Mendel-Koeppl Vice-President	My name is Shelli Mendel-Koeppl.  I have been married to Daniel Koeppl since 1992.  We have two children, Brendan (8), and Adam (6).  I have been a rescue volunteer since 2003 for the Collie Rescue of the Carolinas.  I have also served on the board of the Dayton Autism Society since 2007.  My relationship with autism is through my sons, Brendan who has ADHD and autistic tendencies and Adam who has Asperger's Syndrome.  I am a stay-at-home mom who wants to help out the autism cause and to focus my energy in learning as much as I can to help my sons and be a source of information/inspiration to others.  I find the Dayton Autism Society board to be my way of doing this.
Bob Bernotaitis Treasurer	I am Bob Bernotaitis.  Married to Nancy since 1990. I am dad to Seth, Rachel, and Sam.  I have worked at Serra Chevrolet in Miamisburg as Parts Manager for 17 years.  I am the support system that allows my wife to be as involved in the autism community as she is.  My most important job is playmate to Sam, and he occupies most of my free time.  When Sam allows me to, I enjoy working on my project car (a 1986 Mercury Capri), watching my kids play sports, and watching football.  In the past, I have been a soccer coach, and served on the West Carrollton Recreational soccer board, as President.  This is my first year of serving on the Dayton Autism Society Board, and I'm looking forward to the events we have planned.
Dan Koeppl Secretary	My relationship with autism is through my sons, Brendan, who is 8 years-old and has ADHD and autistic tendencies and Adam is 7 years-old and has Asperger's Syndrome.  I am a member of the Armed Forces, currently serving at Wright-Patterson AFB.  Recently, I had the opportunity to follow my sons during the 1st annual Dayton Autism Society walk and had my first real opportunity to interact with other parents affect by autism.  Needless to say, seeing children at all ends of the autism spectrum rocked me to my core.  My goal is to help other parents put away any self-denial that their child is not "normal" like I did, while facilitating open-ended dialogue for the exchange of knowledge and ideas to benefit all of our children.
Pat Gay Member at Large	I am a parent of a young adult with visual and hearing impairments.  Disability issues have been important to me for many years.  Among my family members, I have a cousin who has sons with Asperger and a cousin who has a little girl with autism.  Autism has become a part of my life on a personal level.  As a family consultant at the Regional Center, one of my responsibilities is to support families who have children with disabilities.  Many of the families I work with have a child or children with autism.  My responsibility is to find resources, give guidance and support in the educational process, and be a good listener!  Being on the autism board will help in my endeavors to assist families with their concerns and needs.
Mary Hoskins Member at Large	I am Mary Hoskins, and I have been a Member at Large on the Dayton Autism Society board since 2007.  My connection with autism is my son, Britton, who is soon to be 10 years-old.  Despite all the therapies and treatments that we have tried, Britton remains in the severe category of autism.  I also work as a nurse at Children's Medical Center, Dayton, and come across many families affected by autism on a daily basis.
Debbie Lloyd Member at Large	I am an Intervention Specialist at Wogaman PreK-8 (Dayton Public Schools).  I teach students grade K-2.  I began teaching in November 1999 as a sub.  In August of 2000, I was asked to set up an MD room at Hickorydale.  I was to be there 3 weeks.  I did not leave until they closed the building in June of 2006.  It was at that time that I came to Wogaman PreK-8.  I still have the same age.  I have always had 1-2 students with autism in my classroom.  This year I have 5.  I wish to serve on the Dayton Autism Board to help improve my own personal learning and to do everything I can to increase the quality of life for the individuals with autism and the families of those individuals.