Our Board

Meet the JOA Board Members

Tony and Jen Dumm, Founders of JOA

Tony and Jen were married in 1994 and have enjoyed raising their sons, Rutger (10), John Owen (8) and Wade (5), in Northeast Ohio. Both are graduates from Cleveland State University. Tony is the President of JOA. He has twenty years of engineering management experience and is currently the Plant Superintendent at Wyman Gordan Forgings in Cleveland. Jen serves as the Vice President. For the past 19 years, Jen has worked at The Atlantic Tool & Die Company in Human Resources.

Tony and Jen work tirelessly to provide positive family centered fundraising events. They are surrounded by a fantastic board of directors that ensure all funds raised are geared towards Duchenne and diabetes research. They continue to be overwhelmed by the generous spirit our community continues to provide.

Jennifer Briese, Board Member

Jennifer is a self employed engineer who has been working with many small manufacturing organizations in Northeast Ohio for the last 17 years. Prior to working independently, she worked with Tony at MAGNET (formerly Cleveland Advanced Manufacturing Program, CAMP), and worked for General Motors in the greater Detroit area. Jennifer earned her Industrial Engineering degree from GMI Engineering and Management Institute in Flint, Michigan. She lives in Hinckley with her husband of 21 years and her two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her daughters at their sporting and music events, tutoring math and sciences for high school students, biking, hiking and reading.

Linda Durica, Secretary

Linda earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Accounting from Baldwin Wallace University and specializes in both corporate and personal taxes. She has 28 years of accounting experience. Linda worked for several large accounting firms until 2002 when she started her own private accounting business. She and her husband Greg, reside in Berea, Ohio. Linda is also an avid baker and enjoys catering both small and large events as well as providing personal pastry requests.

Laura Falkinburg, Board Member

Laura is a Vice President and Executive Recruiter at Key Bank. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Kent State University and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) distinction. Laura was previously employed at the Cleveland Clinic as a Human Resources Consultant. In her free time, she loves reading, walking and taking Zumba classes. Laura and her husband Brad reside with their son and daughter in Avon, Ohio.

Ashley Gay, Board Member

Ashley Gay is the Regional Catering Sales Manager for Panera Bread, of North East Ohio. She has been involved with JOA since 2009, during her first introduction to Picnic in the Park. Upon meeting John Owen and the rest of his amazing family, she has made it a priority to support JOA in any way possible. She has participated in JOA events, as well as finding other organizations to support JOA through their fundraising efforts. Ashley resides in Strongsville, Ohio.

Natalie Guzzo, Board Member

Natalie is currently the Interim Marketing Director for JOA. Previously, she served as a senior account executive at Waggener Edstrom, a full-service global public relations agency. Before joining the agency, Natalie spent seven years at the Cleveland Clinic, a global academic medical center, managing external communications for several clinical and institutional areas. Natalie earned a Master’s in communication and leadership from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor degree in PR with a concentration in marketing from Kent State University. She resides in Berea, OH and enjoys reading, running and spending time with friends and family.

Laurie Muniak, Board Member

Laurie is an accomplished event coordinator and fundraiser. Over the past 20 years, she has been successful in leading and directing major fundraising projects, bringing together large scale events, and managing budgets and cash receipts for several local non-profit organizations. Laurie has brought her love for fundraising and her passion for non-profit to JOA’s Picnic in the Park and is now in a strategic role as part of the Board of Directors. Laurie resides in Brunswick with her husband of 26 years and their three children. She enjoys spending fun time with family and friends, reading, and the performing arts.

Mike Mysliwiec, Board Member

Mike is the superintendent of his family’s electrical contracting business. He earned an electrical apprentice and enjoys working with electronics and amateur radio in his spare time. Mike grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He, his wife Pam, two sons and daughter reside in North Royalton.

Jim Rymut, Board Member

Jim is retired from Ford Motor Company where he spent 31 plus years as a tool and die maker. While at Ford Jim came to know John Owen Dumm and became very close friends with him and his family. As a grandparent, he took a great interest in John Owen’s Adventure (JOA) and welcomed the opportunity to serve on the JOA board. Jim is passionate about raising awareness and finding a cure for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. Jim resides in North Royalton with his wife.

Amy Eve Schultz, Board Member

Amy has been a resident of North Royalton since June of 2008. She and her husband, Frank have 10 year old twin boys that attend North Royalton Middle School. Amy is a teacher in the Mayfield Schools for 16 years and currently teaches 5th grade. She has always enjoyed working with children and has a passion for helping children with special needs. She had the pleasure of meeting the Dumm family through her sons' baseball team and immediately fell in love with the family and their determination in finding a cure for Duchenne. She is honored to be on the board and she is confident that she will get the message out that a cure is near and we will do everything we can to derail this deadly disease.