We thank the following four outstanding volunteers for their service to our Board of Directors. Each recently completed their term. They have all played instrumental roles in guiding our mission with their insights and unique expertise. What all four of them have in common in how they served the Foundation is their love for our families. We are grateful for their big hearts and the combined thousands of hours they gave to the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED).
Frank H. Farrington, DDS, MS
Dr. Farrington is a professor emeritus in pediatric dentistry from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry who joined the Board of Directors in 2003. However, his service to our families goes back to before the NFED was even incorporated in 1981. Dr. Frank was the first dentist who responded to NFED Founder Mary K. Richter when she wrote to every dental school in the U.S., asking if they had treated anyone with ectodermal dysplasia.
On the Board, Frank has served as a liaison to our Scientific Advisory Council, of which he was a founding member, and to our Patient Care Council. He has attended and volunteered at nearly all 36 Family Conferences. There isn’t much he hasn’t done for us! His knowledge of the dental and medical aspects of the conditions and his understanding of our history have been incredible gifts to our Board. He served on numerous Board committees through the years: Family Services Committee, International Relations Committee, and Treatment Assistance Program Committee.
In 2016, we awarded him with The John E. Gilster, DDS Outstanding Service Through Dentistry Award. Watch the video tribute we made for him for that award. Read in Frank’s own words how a chance meeting changed his life and connected him to the NFED. In this piece, he said,
I have grown with the foundation from the start and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those affected by ectodermal dysplasias. It is my destiny!
Thank you, Dr. Farrington, for your 14 years of service to the Board! While that term may be finished, we look forward to your continued involvement with the Councils.
Jack Kriz
Jack Kriz joined the Board of Directors in March of 2005, representing NFED families. He is affected by ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome and didn’t learn that the NFED existed until 2002. This architect from Portland, Ore. became active almost immediately! Jack served as Board secretary, personnel liaison and member of the Family Services Committee and Technology Committee.
We appreciated his personal experience and the family voice he brought to the Board. Jack’s bike rides to Family Conference have raised awareness and funds for the Foundation. While he may be stepping down from the Board, we still have him working hard for the Foundation! This year, he is the chair of the 2018 Family Conference Committee and continues in his role as a Family Liaison.
You can read in Jack’s own words what it was like growing up affected by EEC syndrome and using what you got. We thank you, Jack, for your 12 years of service to the Board and look forward to working with you on other projects.
Brian F. Randall
Brian Randall joined our Board of Directors in the fall of 1999. He is a senior vice president of investments for Raymond James and Associates in O’Fallon, Ill. You cannot put a price tag on the value of his financial acuity and oversight of our finances and investments. With his help, the NFED is fiscally sound! He served as treasurer and financial advisor and was a member of the Development and Investment Committees throughout his 18 years on the Board.
Brian and his wife, Evelyn, became loyal supporters of the NFED in the 1980s after attending our dinner auctions. Both became more involved as volunteers. They enjoy attending Family Conferences to meet families and be a part of our activities.
We presented Brian with an Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2016 for his unwavering commitment to the ectodermal dysplasias community. All of us on the staff hope he continues to stop by our office to brighten our days. Thank you, Brian, for all that you do!
Sarah Tevis Poteet, DDS
Dr. Tevis Poteet joined the Board in 2003 as our youngest member ever. She was a great addition given her expertise as a dentist and her personal experience of being a woman affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. It was wonderful to have Sarah as our first Board member to have grown up with the Foundation.
She served on the Education Scholarship Committee, Family Services Committee, Patient Care Council and the Treatment Assistance Program Committee. This dentist from Dallas conducted dental evaluations and spoken at Family Conferences. Thank you, Sarah, for your 14 years of Board service!
Read in her own words about her life’s calling and ectodermal dysplasia.
Serving on the Board is an enormous commitment. These four professionals did an outstanding job and we will forever be grateful for them.
A trenendous Thank You goes out to these retiring board members. Your dedication and passion has helped shape the NFED into a strong and stable organization. We thank you for your service!