BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We serve our community so the dogs we breed, nurture, and train can one day serve people in need.
JOHN BAIST
BOARD CHAIR
John is an accomplish executive with broad CPG experience specializing in building branded or private branded sales. From start-up to turnaround or post-acquisition scenarios, John has demonstrated throughout his career the strong ability to drive revenue across all CPG channels. (Dollar, Drug, Convenience, Military, Grocery, Mass & Club.)
Leading North American sales teams for Lindy’s, Shearer’s Foods, Lance, Mission, and Barilla over the course of his career, John has been responsible for customer P&L’s ranging up to $700M. Additionally, his early career included sales management roles with Van Den Bergh Foods, Pillsbury, and General Mills leading direct or broker sales teams.
John’s intangible sense of initiative and ability to bring out the best in a team make him an incredibly effective leader at Project 2 Heal. Utilizing his passion for organizational development and service to others, John is excited to play a major role in shaping the future of Project 2 Heal.
CHUCK CURTIS
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Chuck is a Sr. Account Executive for ePlus Technology, inc. With over 30 years of experience in sales and sales management, Chuck is responsible for helping clients leverage technology to drive competitive advantage. As a customer advocate, Chuck prides himself on understanding clients’ challenges, identifying the right solution to solve the problem, and fostering a team approach to implementing technologies to achieve the desired outcomes.
Chuck met his wife, Lisa, at Bowling Green State University on Valentine’s Day 1991 and they’ve been happily married for nearly 30 years. They are blessed with three wonderful children, Jason, Craig, and Seth, and proud “parents” of two incredible dogs, Teddy and Murphy. Murphy is a Project 2 Heal pup, now 5 years old!
Chuck has previously served as a past board member for Mira Via (formerly Room At the Inn), including President for two years. During his tenure on the board, Mira Via completed a successful capital campaign leading to building a new residential facility for single pregnant women and their children. Chuck has also served as a member of the pastoral council at St. Matthew Catholic Church, and he continues to serve as sacristan and pastoral care minister bringing Holy Communion to the residents of White Oak nursing home in Waxhaw.
JOHN MULLER
BOARD SECRETARY
John Muller is a securities and corporate governance attorney with a deep understanding of banking, capital markets, laws and regulation. His expertise also includes governance, risk, and compliance. John is currently a senior lawyer with USAA and is responsible for supporting the Chief Financial Officer organization including the Treasury function. He is also involved in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to USAA, John was a senior lawyer with both Wells Fargo and Bank of America and held a variety of roles over his tenure at those companies.
John and his wife Karen are originally from St. Louis, Missouri where John attended Washington University School of Law. After graduating law school John worked in private practice at a law firm in Chicago, Illinois and he and his family moved to Charlotte in 2007.
John’s community work includes serving on the board of Justice Initiatives, a non-profit devoted to education and advocacy related to the court system. He is also involved in pro bono activities including Wills for Warriors. John and his wife Karen have two children, Jack (25) and Kate (22), and two dogs, Foster and Colton. John is an avid hockey fan and he and his son play in local adult hockey leagues.
BILL SHRIVER
BOARD TREASURER
Bill was born and raised in South Buffalo, NY in a large Catholic family and educated in a parochial grammar school and high school steeped in the traditional Franciscan tradition. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, completed coursework towards a Master of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering at State University of New York at Buffalo, has a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, and attended the Northwestern University J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management Executive Development Program.
Bill began his career as an executive with General Motors and is an alumnus Partner of Ernst & Young Consulting LLP and Capgemini Consulting and is a former co-founder of Spectrum Supply Chain Solutions, Spectrum Security Solutions and Blue Ridge of the Carolinas, a real estate investment and services firm. He currently has the honor of serving as CEO of Setech Supply Chain Solutions consistently delivering innovation and significant annual return on investment to his clients. The Setech team is proud to partner with many veterans’ support organizations including Project 2 Heal. Serving the Project 2 Heal mission aligns perfectly with his love for English labs and passion for helping others in need.
Bill and his best friend and wife of over 30 years, Maureen, have a son, Matt and are long time parishioners at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. They are also blessed Project 2 Heal chaperone parents of rock stars Josie and Winnie.
SEAN DELLER
chair, Strategic Planning / PROGRAM & OPERATIONS
Sean a 25-year Army veteran with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Egypt, Israel, Korea and Panama. He started his career as an aviator, piloting both the UH-1 “Huey” and the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and served in a variety of leadership positions such as Company Commander, Flight Operations Officer, Battalion Logistics Officer, and Analysis Branch Chief, where he led analytical efforts to shape the future Army. Sean earned his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
Following his transition from active duty, he led analytical efforts in the defense industry supporting the development of future military capabilities. Sean currently works in a biotech company where he directs the manufacture and distribution of a novel therapy in a clinical trial for a rare, and lethal, pediatric neurodegenerative condition. He and Pam recently moved to Waxhaw along with their two sons, Brendan and Thomas, and two labradoodles, Maxwell Smart and Agent 99. Sean has experienced the tragic loss of fellow veterans and believes deeply in the mission of Project 2 Heal.
André Yandow
chair, COMMUNITY & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Graduating from Catawba College in 2014, André has worked several years in the field of digital marketing across a variety of industries. After gaining experience building marketing skills in the private sector, he decided to turn his creative drive toward the mission of making a difference in the lives of people in need.
Drawing from his experience in e-commerce and video production, André works to cultivate a deeper understanding of Project 2 Heal’s mission and the issues driving this cause, promoting education and engagement among followers.
CHARLIE PETRIZZO
project 2 heal FOUNDER & CEO
Charlie was born and raised in Staten Island, New York and as a young adult he moved to Old Bridge and later Millstone, New Jersey. His success in the financial services industry allowed him to rise through the ranks of First Union/Wachovia, ultimately leading him and his wife, Sandy, of 30 years, and their two daughters, Melissa and Kristen, to Charlotte. He assumed the role of the director of sales, marketing and product development for the Wachovia Insurance Group, a legacy Wells Fargo company; he left the company in 2003.
His story of surviving two tragic accidents, including the major brain trauma of a car accident and an “electrocution” in which he burned over two thirds of his body, Charlie became the focus of the 2012 award winning docu-drama called Charlie's Scars. The inspiration for the founding of Project 2 Heal came in part from Charlie’s recognition of the care he needed and received from his parents during, and after, his two trials from the accidents, but also from the recognition of how many friends offered to help his family during that time.
MANOELLA MARTIN
MEMBER, PROGRAM & OPERATIONS
Born and raised in Manaus, Brazil, Manoella moved to the United States chasing her dream of working for Walt Disney World in Orlando,FL. She successfully completed two international college programs and shortly after moved to Michigan in 2001. Manoella received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Walsh College and started her banking career in 2002, quickly moving up the corporate ladder.
She met her husband and they relocated to Florida for career opportunities in 2007. While in Florida, Manoella remained in banking and was very involved in the local community. After 11 years in banking she had to put a stop to her career as the stress of raising children and having a full time job became overwhelming. She was determined to have a career, but her emotional struggles would not allow her to remain in the financial industry.
While trying to heal and find her path, her heart dog Bentley ensured she stay on track, and helped her remain positive during a very tough time for her emotionally. She quickly realized the healing power of dogs during this process and came across Project 2 Heal, becoming a volunteer in 2019. Her involvement and love for the Project 2 Heal mission made her quickly realize she did not fit in the corporate world and after losing her father early 2022, she left her career in banking to pursue her dream.
She now devotes her time to her husband, two kids Julian and Sabrina, and her Australian Shepherds and Collies. She made it her life’s purpose to share the impact dogs can have in the lives of those suffering with mental illnesses. She is the founder of a 501c3 nonprofit called “Aussome Aussies,” devoting her heart and soul to changing lives through the unconditional love of dogs.
Manoella has certified 4 dogs through Alliance of Therapy Dogs and volunteers at local libraries, a recover High School, the Charlotte EMS team, General Motors and is in the process of getting approved as a volunteer at Levine’s Children Hospital with her therapy dogs. She is an AKC evaluator, has bred and raised several of her own litters, has helped train several puppies to become service dogs and has saved dogs in need of medical care with the local shelter.
JOE COLUCCI
MEMBER, PROGRAM & OPERATIONS
Joe is a Senior Project Manager and Group Leader at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. He has 19 years of experience in Commercial Construction with a wide range of clients from Office, Hotels, Industrial, Manufacturing, and Mission Critical Construction. He is local to the Charlotte Office in Ballantyne and is responsible for the planning, design, and construction of all of his projects. Joe has a “customer delight” driven attitude, and has been able to serve the Charlotte area for the last 13 years. He acts as the company’s Southeast Recruiting Lead as well as the Southeast’s Mission Critical coordinator.
He met his wife, Kara, in Greensboro, and they have been happily married for 12 years in Charlotte. They have been blessed with 5 children: Joey, Annabeth, Ali, Jude, and Kobe. The family enjoys being outdoors, playing soccer & golf, horseback riding, and playing with our Project 2 Heal dog, Cypress! They attend Hickory Grove Baptist Church and serve in the children’s ministry.
Joe has been involved at Project 2 Heal ever since he attended the Putts for Pups event several years ago as a guest. Joe has always lead a service-driven life, and immediately resonated with the mission that Project 2 Heal strives for. Seeing how this organization can change and save a life is something that Joe and his family are very passionate about and felt very convinced to jump in with both feet. Annabeth, Joe’s eldest daughter, has been Project 2 Heal’s biggest advocate, walking our Project 2 Heal dog in the neighborhood and seeking out neighbors to discuss the Project 2 Heal mission. For all of her hard work, Charlie has made Annabeth an official Junior Board Member!
Joe and his family look forward to reaching neighbors both locally and in a wider area to further advance the mission of Project 2 Heal.
MELVINA LEE
MEMBER, GOVERNANCE
Melvina Lee is a Relationship Manager with the Corporate Properties Group at Wells Fargo. With over 35 years of corporate experience, Melvina is a trusted advisor and strategic partner to line-of-business partners optimizing infrastructure costs and accommodating shifting corporate needs.
Melvina graduated from Pace University in New York with a Bachelor of Science, completed her MBA at Queens University in Charlotte, NC, and a Doctorate of Education from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Melvina is married and they have one son, Patrick, a senior in High School, 2 Labrador Retrievers—Harley, a black lab, 12 years old, and Piper, a yellow lab, 8 years old.
She strongly believes in Project 2 Heal’s mission to reduce the cost and time it takes to place a service dog with a person in need and hope to make a great impact in the local community with her passion with the School Outreach Program.
BOB SAVAGE
MEMBER, COMMUNITY & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Bob is the Senior Vice-President, Sales for the Walmart Division of On-Shelf Marketing based in Matthews, NC. Bob has spent the last 35 years of his professional career in the consumer products industry focused on developing companies, brands, and teams. You will find that Bob has a unique blend of creativity coupled with a depth in analytics and communication. He has worked on several start-ups, including De Wafelbakkers where he spent the past 13 years developing a national retail business before being part of the company sale process. He has a BBA in Marketing from Texas Tech University.
Although having not served in the armed forces, Bob has a passion for helping and honoring the men and women that have served our country. Bob was previously one of the founding Board members of FISH (Food Industry Serving Heroes) a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial support, life assistance (service dogs, mobility scooters) and creating awareness of the needs of current and retired military members.
Bob and his wife Kindra have two adult children, a granddaughter and an eleven-year-old rescue Black Lab named Penny. Having worked on pet brands and being a lifelong pet owner, Bob understands the enrichment and joy that comes from a relationship with a dog. On weekends and time away from the office, you will find Bob enjoying time with his family, participating in the shooting sports, and playing a very bad game of golf.