BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RICHARD
MECKSTROTH, DDS: Dr. Richard L. Meckstroth is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dental Practice & Rural Health at West Virginia University School of Dentistry. His primary interest is public health dentistry. He directs the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships program for the School of Dentistry. He serves on the Curriculum Committee, Outreach Committee and the Advisory Panel of the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships Program and serves on the Steering Committee of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free West Virginia. Dr. Meckstroth is also the State leader for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Head Start, Early Head Start Dental Home Initiative.
Research Interests: Tobacco cessation, sports injury prevention , barriers to dental care and geriatric education concerns.
LYNN
D. MOULDEN, DDS, MPH: Dr. Mouden is an internationally recognized author and lecturer on the clinical and legal aspects of family violence prevention and oral health advocacy. He is Past-President of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and serves as the American Dental Association's National Spokesperson on family violence prevention. Dr. Mouden is founder of the Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness (P.A.N.D.A.) program. For his efforts in family violence prevention and oral health advocacy, Dr. Mouden received the
Dental Association's Dentist of the Year, and Distinguished Service awards.
JOHN
C. RANDALL: Enterprise Development Advisor since 1981, educated at Harvard
Graduate Business School, creator of MasterMinder(R) Success System, author of Mastering Your Marketing, and Board of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia
since 2004.Author/Writer: Speeches, reports, published books, seminars, and workshops presented to thousands in a wide range of venues. Most dealing with subjects important to business and economic sectors: self-leadership, viewpoint speaking, communications skills, marketing, management, financial analysis, business planning and related issues.
Public Speaker/Trainer: Representing self and various organizations, have written and presented speeches, seminars, and workshops on a wide range of business and economic topics. Venues include national conferences, CEO membership associations, regional training and local business organizations.
Creator, owner and presenter of the MasterMinder® System for Self-Leadership. Author of the book "How To Save Time and Worry Less!" It is the backbone of a dynamic seminar/workshop "Lead Self - - or Be Led!" The MasterMinder® Self-Leadership System covers concepts, techniques and processes that have stood the test of time since 1979.
Business Development Advisor: Confidential business optimization advisor to more than 200 owners of small business operations. Service, construction, manufacturing, high-tech, medical, dot coms, etc. (other pertinent areas of expertise reflected in occupational highlights and experience). Exit strategies, mergers and acquisitions, start-ups, organizational development, marketing strategies, etc. (www.johncrandall.com)
TRENIKA
SATTERWHITE: Mrs. Trenika Satterwhite received her Bachelor’s of Sciences Degree in Computer Networking from Alcorn State University in 2002. She has been employed by the Virginia Department of Corrections as a Payroll Administrator since March 2008. Prior to moving to Virginia, she was employed as the Payroll Manger for the Greater Meridian Health Clinic and its satellite clinics. She is the proud wife of Taurus Satterwhite and mother of two, Tyson and Taylor.
ALBERT
W. THWEATT, Ed. D.: Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALROD ENTERPRISES Multi-divisional Firm Specializing in Security Services, Facility Support Services and Supplies and Food Distribution. Employs over 400 Persons Across the Mid-Atlantic United States. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Hampton Roads Continuing Educational Center – Director.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: The Bank of Southside Virginia; Board of Director. The University of Florida; Board of Trustees. Virginia State University; Board of Visitors. Edward Waters College; Board of Trustees. Venture Richmond; Board of Directors. Virginia State Chamber of Commerce; Member, Board of Directors. International Management Council; Member, Board of Directors. Petersburg Economic Action Corporation; Member, Board of Director. Union Branch Baptist Church; Board of Trustees. Petersburg Public Education Foundation; Member, Board of Directors. Virginia Future Education Commission Task Force. National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.
BILLIE
A. UNGER, ED.D.: Currently Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Transitional Studies at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Dr. Billie A. Unger genuinely enjoys teaching, learning, reading, traveling, and meeting interesting people. A former middle school English teacher and developmental English coordinator at Shepherd University, Dr. Unger holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education/Language Arts from Shepherd University.
She also earned both her Master's degree in Special Education/Specific Learning Disabilities and her Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at West Virginia University (WVU). The best part of Billie’s job, she exclaims, “is helping students discover their own voice as they learn how to improve their writing skills.” Billie first met Sonja Lauren in 1992 when Sonja was a frightened, first-time college student at Shepherd College (now University). Even then, Sonja’s writing moved Billie in a way that is rare for most developmental composition students.
When Sonja began the tedious process of writing her poignant memoir, The Covered Smile, she asked Billie to serve as its editor. During this process, Billie and Sonja developed a genuine friendship and love for each other that has continued throughout the years. With passionate devotion to her students and over 27 years of teaching and learning experience, Billie is always searching for ways to motivate students and provide them with a "can-do" attitude. Using her trademark purple pen, Dr. Unger encourages her students to become the best writers and individuals that they can be. She is both proud and honored to serve as a board member of the Sonja Lauren Foundation. Sonja is proof that a diligent work ethic, a desire to help others, and a “can-do” attitude can make a difference in not only one’s own life but also in the lives of others.
JOHN
WARD, DDS:
As a previous VCU Faculty Member for thirty years, Dr. Ward Conducted research in dental materials, authored articles published in prosthodontic journals, contributed a chapter to a complete denture textbook and wrote the complete denture and removable partial denture clinic manuals used in the VCU School of Dentistry clinics. He also Served on various committees within the School and University as well as local and national prosthodontic organizations.
He has presented lectures and continuing education courses at the local, state, and national levels. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, and a member of the Virginia Section of the American College of Prosthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association and the Richmond Dental Society. Dr. Ward retired from VCU School of Dentistry in July 2003, and joined the practice of W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., D.D.S., & Associates, Ltd., where one of his sons is a general dentist.
ADVISORS
JOHN
GOODMAN, CPA: Mr. Goodman is a certified public accountant, licensed in the state of Virginia. He has recently begun his own practice specializing in accounting and tax for both individuals and organizations in various industries. Mr. Goodman has also been an owner and chief financial officer of Liberty Mortgage Corporation for the past four years, a firm responsible for the origination of more than $450 million in residential real estate loans in the state of Virginia. Mr. Goodman has six years of public accounting experience with Witt Mares, PLC, where he focused mainly on not-for-profit industry audits in addition to assisting firm clients in locating new financial professionals, testing and consulting on internal controls, and documenting compliance with federal programs. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999, Mr. Goodman resides in Richmond's historic fan district with his wife and two boys.
DANA AUBERT TRUESDALE, DDS: Attended Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Received Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN. Completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Employed as a private contract at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland Dr. Dana Participates in numerous health fairs and community projects each year and has taught classes at an area battered women's/homeless shelter s. Dr. Dana now resides in Edgewood, MD.
JOHN
GOODMAN, CPA: Mr. Goodman is a certified public accountant, licensed in the state of Virginia. He has recently begun his own practice specializing in accounting and tax for both individuals and organizations in various industries. Mr. Goodman has also been an owner and chief financial officer of Liberty Mortgage Corporation for the past four years, a firm responsible for the origination of more than $450 million in residential real estate loans in the state of Virginia. Mr. Goodman has six years of public accounting experience with Witt Mares, PLC, where he focused mainly on not-for-profit industry audits in addition to assisting firm clients in locating new financial professionals, testing and consulting on internal controls, and documenting compliance with federal programs. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999, Mr. Goodman resides in Richmond's historic fan district with his wife and two boys.
DANA AUBERT TRUESDALE, DDS: Attended Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Received Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN. Completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Employed as a private contract at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland Dr. Dana Participates in numerous health fairs and community projects each year and has taught classes at an area battered women's/homeless shelter s. Dr. Dana now resides in Edgewood, MD. 
ANGEL
BROWN, D.A.: Angel Brown is a graduate of Clover Hill High School and the Chesterfield Technical Dental Assisting program. Currently she is employed as an oral surgeon assistant and is a volunteer working towards her EMT degree. Angel enjoys volunteering her time with the National Give Kids a Smile program as well as the Mission of Mercy programs and looks forward to assiting the foundation with their fundraiser events as well as providing dental education delivery to our clients.
TERRY
DICKINSON, DDS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA DENTAL
ASSOCIATION: Was hired to serve as the Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association in 1999 and has served in that position since.
Some of the awards received by Dr. Dickinson are:
- The Virginia Primary Care Association's William E. Cole award in 2001 for his vision and leadership in the area of access to care
- Two Presidential Citations by the American Dental Association for his efforts in bringing needed care to those less fortunate
- "Director's Award" from the National Health Service Corp (US Department of Health and Human Services ) after serving as Chairman of the National Advisory Council in 2005.
- Award from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services for his leadership role in the "Smiles for Children" dental Medicaid program.
- In 2006 he received the 1st Annual NetWorthy Award presented by Governor Tim Kaine at the Virginia Health Care Foundation's Heroes in Healthcare award luncheon.
- Dr. Dickinson was instrumental in the formation of the nationally known Mission of Mercy Project (gathering of dental professionals and lay-volunteers for two or three days for the purpose of treating those who come).
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Project manager of the Katrina MOM Project in New Orleans.
HEATHER
GRUNDER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Heather currently works in the dental field at The Virginia Center for Prosthodontics as the patient services coordinator. Heather is our Graphic Designer, with her college education in that field she is the perfect person to assist with all graphic and dental needs.
LINDA
GULLOTI: Linda has Worked in the dental field for eight years and began teaching in September 2002 at the Chesterfield Technical Center's Dental Assisting Program. Volunteered in February of 2009 in the Give Kids a Smile Day. Approximately 1300 children came from all over Chesterfield, Richmond and Henrico received dental exams and cleanings. On August 4, 2009, Ms. Gullotti and an associate were recognized at an awards dinner for winning the Regional and State Creating Excellence Award for volunteer work done with their students.
Since 2004, she has taken dental assisting students to the Mission of Mercy Projects in Wise County and for the past two years to the West Virginia M.O.M. Is a member of the Board of DA studies for state of VA. In 2008 Chesterfield County awarded Mrs. Gullotti as the Teacher of the Year.
KATE
W. HANGER: Kate Hanger is the Director of the Virginia Dental Health Foundation. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and attended graduate school at Marymount University. Kate has over 5 years experience in local nonprofit management. She lives in the country with her husband and four dogs.
DANIEL
W. McNEIL, PH.D.: Professor of Psychology at West Virginia University . Eberly Professor of Outstanding Public Service. Dr. McNeil teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on multicultural issues in Psychology. Is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Professor. Dr. McNeil is a clinical researcher in health psychology, including behavioral dentistry , studying the experience and expression of emotion, particularly anxiety and pain. Additional academic appointments include: WVU Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health and Core member of the WVU Native American Studies program.
DAGNY
MEADOWS, EVENT COORDINATOR: Dagny Meadows has a vast history in the field event planning, being a public radio announcer as well as being a highly skilled business office manager within the medical field of assisted living. Dagny and her Husband Parker Meadows are the owners of a Camelot Entertainment which is a professional Wedding and DJ business.
PARKER MEADOWS, (not pictured) OFFICIAL EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHER AND DJ: Parker Meadows is the owner of Camelot Entertainment which specializes in Weddings, Reunions, Special Events and Karaoke. Parker is a highly skilled wedding photographer and has kindly offered his skills to the foundations and has become our official photographer and entertainment supplier.
LINDA
MILES, CSP, CMC, FOUNDER, LLM&A and THE CONSULTING SPEAKING
NETWORK: Linda Miles, CSP, CMC, Virginia Beach, VA, is an internationally recognized consultant, speaker and author on dental practice and staff development. Linda is a successful businesswoman who not only founded LLM&A, a leading INC 500 dental management consulting firm in 1978; but also founded the Speaking Consulting Network in 1997. Linda is known as the speaker who instinctively understands and loves to share the business side of practicing dentistry to dentists and teams.
GIILBERT
"GILLY" ROBERTS, ADMINISTRATOR, W.B. PERKINSON, JR., DDS &
ASSOCIATES: Gil Roberts graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1975 with a B.S. in Business Administration. After graduation he was recruited by W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. D.D.S. & Associates, Ltd. where he has been the practice administrator and for 34 years. During the past 34 years he has taken the practice from one location and 6 employees to 9 locations and 240 employees today. Gilly has lectured in Virginia on dental practice management and computers in dentistry.
TAURUS
SATTERWHITE, M.S.: Mr. Satterwhite is a proud father and husband who enjoys spending time with his family. Outside of his wife and kids, he is the Vice President for Services and Operations for ALROD Enterprises Inc., and also serves as
a webmaster for the Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc.
FOUNDERS
SONJA LAUREN: Sonja Lauren is the author of The Covered Smile, a public speaker, advocate, and now President and founder of the Sonja Lauren Foundation, Inc. Her passion to prevent what happened to her as a child (having dentists write "Situation-Hopeless" on her dental records and proceed with a full mouth extraction at
13 years old) has lead her to this new chapter in her life, and she is dedicated to help as many children and young adults as possible.
Sonja previously worked as an ophthalmic assistant for sixteen years before she decided to dedicate her time and talents to the field of dentistry as the office manager of a childrens medicaid clinic for several years. Currently, Sonja is employed by a wonderful family dental practice as an insurance coordinator while she dedicates her time to the foundation, her precious daughter, and her dear friends and family of choice.
Sonja previously worked as an ophthalmic assistant for sixteen years before she decided to dedicate her time and talents to the field of dentistry as the office manager of a childrens medicaid clinic for several years. Currently, Sonja is employed by a wonderful family dental practice as an insurance coordinator while she dedicates her time to the foundation, her precious daughter, and her dear friends and family of choice.
LISA
THWEATT, M.S.: Mrs. Lisa Thweatt is a registered nurse with a master’s in community and public health nursing and has a nurse practitioner degree from the University of Virginia. She has taught various nursing courses at John Tyler Community College in Chester, VA as well as Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing in Richmond, VA. She has been a nurse for over 13 years including working in several departments at the nationally known teaching hospital Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.
She is heavily involved in improving the lives of those in her community and currently works as a health specialist for a nationally known preschool program.
Lisa Thweatt believes that each and every person should be equipped to be a productive and healthy citizen. As a nurse, teacher, and child advocate her professional and personal endeavors have enabled her to touch many lives that resulted in positive outcomes. She is committed to improving the overall health of all clients she works for and cannot think of a better endeavor than to be a part of the Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. She is a devoted wife and mother of two boys.