Board of Directors

Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph, Gordon was CEO at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs for nearly eight years. Gordon has also been a system Vice President for Carondelet Health, in charge of outpatient services, long term care, and other services.

Prior to forming his own business, Gordon spent 16 years working in the healthcare industry with Carondelet Health in Kansas City. During that time, Gordon spent two years as Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City. He also spent eight years as CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, MO. Gordon also spent significant amounts of time leading the marketing efforts of the organization as well as the political advocacy work for Carondelet Health. During this time, Gordon became a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, and also spent time on the Board of Directors of the Missouri Hospital Association.

Prior to joining the healthcare industry, Gordon spent nearly 12 years as a sports anchor and reporter at WDAF TV in Kansas City. Gordon also hosted the Chiefs postgame radio show on the Chiefs Radio Network for 15 seasons, from 1992 until 2007.

In the early 1980’s, Gordon and his wife Susan became very involved with Down syndrome causes in the Kansas City area following the birth of their son Blake. Both were charter board members of the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City, and started the new parent program. Gordon then became one of the founders of First Downs for Down Syndrome, a fundraising organization for the Down Syndrome Guild and the Down Syndrome Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

John is married and has 4 children. The oldest, Lindsey is completing her Junior year at Cambridge, University in Cambridge, UK., majoring in English. Jessica is 18 and will be attending Kansas State University. Christopher will be attending Shawnee Mission East High with an emphasis in soccer and cell phone management. Completing the list of children is the main reason why John is involved in the Down Syndrome Community….son Jack, age 6.

Jack Melvin was born on Father’s Day June 18, 2000. Jack was introduced immediately to the Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center for which John became involved with fundraising. In 2001 the Melvin family became active with the First Downs for Down Syndrome “Buddy Walk” event which eventually led him to become a board member for FDFDS in 2004. John currently serves in the finance area for FDFDS and is co-chair of the “Huddle Time” event held each summer.

John has been involved in coaching his children in a variety of sports and has been active with a number of Church activities. He loves to attend all types of sporting events and watch others play golf.

Jo Ann has lived in Shawnee, Kansas for 32 years but is a native Texan. Jo Ann graduated from the University of Kansas and attended law school at the University of Kansas. She has practiced law with the firm of Evans & Mullinix, P. A. in Shawnee, Kansas for the past 26 years. Jo Ann is also on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Board of Discipline of Attorneys and is past President of the Wyandotte County Bar Association. Jo Ann is currently the Operations Chairman of the DSG Board and a member of the Programs Committee. She is active on both the DSG Board and the FDFDS Board. In her spare time, Jo Ann likes to spend time with her grandchildren, to garden, to ski and to travel.

My associates, friends and contacts started coming to me for donations. Some for their church youth group, some to raise money for cures for diseases, and still others for causes that were close to their hearts. One friend in particular, who was involved in the management of multiple non-profit organizations, would call me numerous times each year. My response was always the same, “whatever you want”. Finally one day she called and said, it’s time you stop donating a couple dinners here or a party there, and it’s time you jump in head first and really contribute all you have to offer to one organization that could really benefit from your experience, your connections and your resources. I replied that, once again she was right, and asked her to pick out two or three organizations that she felt were a good match for me. After researching Down syndrome and the DSG, I knew that this was the cause and organization that I wanted to work with. I have served as a board member on both the DSG & FDFDS boards for over 7 years, and I now committed more than ever. What I didn’t realize back then, which is so terribly obvious to me now, is that although I do feel like I contribute, the wonderful people I serve with and the beautiful kids and families I serve for don’t need me nearly as much as I need them. It is truly an honor for me to be connected to such a wonderful community. I feel blessed.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf, biking and gardening. I also have been married for 11 years and have two daughters, Chloe & Olivia.

I also serve on the Board of Directors for the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association.

Rudy is from Monroe, LA. He played football at LSU, where he started at all five offensive line positions. He played in all 13 games as a senior in 2005. He was selected second-team All-SEC. Rudy also was the recipient of the McWorter Award as the SEC's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Also a first-team Academic All-American Pick, accepted the Draddy Trophy, known as the "Academic Heisman," from the National Football Foundation. Named the inaugural winner of the Wuerffel Trophy, known as the “Humanitarian Heisman”.

Brain Waters if from Waxahachie, Tx. He played for North Texas, while at North Texas he played in 44 games. Starting at tight end for three years before switching to DE for his senior season. Brain hauled in 86 receptions for 975 yards and nine TDs in three years on offense. His senior year he started as DE and as the back up Tight end. He majored in Community Service at North Texas..

He first came to KC in 2000, and then in 2005 he signed a 7 year contract with Kansas City. He has started for 102 games in his NFL career; he had started at left guard for 79 consecutive games dating back from 11/25/01 to 11/05/06.

Brain has established the "Brain Waters 54 Foundation" in 2005, benefitting children and families. He also works closely with the Love Fund, hosting pizza parties and inviting children to chief’s games. Brain serves as co-chairman for the Chiefs First Downs for Down Syndrome program which raises $400,000 annually based.