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Board of Directors

We thank the extraordinary individuals who commit their time, wisdom and resources to ACHA. This group oversees our leadership and our activities. Each one of our members brings a special connection to CHD, special talents and strengths to our organization.

Learn more about ACHA's Emeritus Board and meet the members.

The Board meets bimonthly to discuss ACHA matters. Each member spends at least 12 hours a month working for ACHA. These activities range from fundraising to working with ACHA Board committees, volunteers and staff. Their contributions, both individually and as a group, are vital to advancing ACHA’s mission and advocating for people living with CHD.

Board of Directors Roles, Responsibilities and Qualifications

The 2021 Board of Directors

Jeff Ishida Chair

Vice President of Real Estate Development, Costco Wholesale
Reston, VA

James Ruppel MD, MS Vice Chair

Retired, Gailey Eye Clinic
Galesburg, IL

Cindy Huie Immediate Past Chair

Owner, Salt Cellar Restaurant
Mesa, AZ

Tom Wix Treasurer

Senior Director of Customer Success, Landis+Gyr
Atlanta

Susan Timmins Secretary

Co-owner, Beach Bistro
Anna Maria Island, Florida

Arwa Saidi MB, BCh, MEd, FACC Medical Advisory Board Chair

ACHD Cardiologist
Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, FL

Jamil Aboulhosn MD, FACC, FSCAI MAB Immediate Past Chair

Director, Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center
Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Los Angeles, CA

Heather Abbott

Director of Partnership Marketing, Powerhouse Brands Consulting
Roslyn, NY

Ronny Altman

President, Altman Energy Inc.
Tulsa, OK

Stephen Back DO

Diagnostic Radiologist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Partner-Diagnostic Imaging Associates
Tulsa, OK

William Browne

Employee Relations Consultant & Family Foundation Advisor
Oklahoma City, OK

Michael J. Landzberg MD

Founding and Immediate Past Director, Boston Adult Congenital Heart (BACH) and Pulmonary Hypertension Service of the Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Aliza Marlin

President, HenYoga ®
New York, NY

Joanne Nichols

Head of Sales Development and Insights, Google
Newport Beach, CA

Michael Pernick JD

Attorney, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP
Rockville Centre, NY