BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEMBERS
John-Edward Heath
Founder/President
Founder/PrThriving in the face of adversity John-Edward Heath starts his life by being a product of social services. John-Edward would find himself being removed multiple times from his biological parents due to neglect and abuse. In his young adulthood, John-Edward was involved with the wrong crowd causing him to feed into the victim mentality and fall behind in school with the consequence of dropping out.
A turning point in John-Edward’s life was when he started to see his childhood friend losing their lives or being incarcerated putting life into perspective and giving him the idea to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. John-Edward would enlist in the military at the age of 17. The military shapes a new man and plays a major role in the development of John-Edward’s life until he finds turmoil in the loss of his best friend who was a First Lieutenant due to suicide giving John-Edward a new perspective on mental health.
In 2016 John-Edward underwent what was meant to be surgery to fix his leg, ending in a 13-surgery journey and a below-the-knee amputation. In the midst of an amputation, John-Edward would lose his significant other to suicide. Two years post amputation John-Edward would become one of the faces of Adaptive CrossFit, train and compete with the biggest face of USA Track & Field.
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David Needham
Vice President
David’s love of fitness started when his mother would take him to the gym as a kid while she trained. His fitness career took off playing division III basketball in upstate New York. While finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Sam Houston State University, David worked as a personal trainer and coached group fitness.
In 2012, David fell in love with CrossFit watching one of his best friends compete at a big local CrossFit competition. After trying a few WODs, he was hooked and his CrossFitting took off. In 2013, he became a Level 1 CrossFit Coach and 3 years later (2016) became a Co-Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit Brave.
Currently, David is a full-time Firefighter with the City of Durham, Owner of CrossFit Brave, Co-Owner of CrossFit HSP, a part of the head staff of the Adaptive CrossFit Games, and does Small Business Consulting.
Sam Kesaris
CEO of USR Holdings
Sam Kesaris grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland. After graduating high school he attended
college at the University of Coastal Carolina.
In 2011, Sam moved to Florida where he became part of an up and coming health and life
insurance brokerage, becoming a partner in 2013. In 2014 Sam was approached to invest in a
substance abuse treatment center—Amethyst Recovery Center. In 2015, Sam sold his
insurance company and started as the CFO at Amethyst. He was then promoted to Chief
Marketing Officer in 2017 of USR Holdings LLC and in 2019 took over as CEO of USR Holdings.
Kari Miller-Ortiz
Delegate
Miller-Ortiz, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant, lost both her legs when a drunk driver hit a car she was in while she was on leave from military duty in 1999. After playing a variety of adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, she discovered the sport of sitting volleyball. In 2008, Miller-Ortiz helped Team USA win a silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Beijing. The following year, she would be named Paralympian of the Year. She would subsequently compete in two more Paralympic Games as a part of the U.S. team that would earn the silver medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and then the gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. For the 2020 Paralympics, Miller-Ortiz served as an NBC commentator. Throughout her career, Miller-Ortiz has worked to create adaptive programming and events. She began working for the US Paralympic Military program and was responsible for setting up the program for newly injured service members at Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval, and Fort Belvoir facilities. She also created and ran similar activities for the U.S. Air Force wounded ill and injured program.
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Cara Manas
Treasurer
Cara Manas holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master’s in Education, both from the University of Maryland. She spent eight years as a K-8 Physical Education and Health teacher, shaping young minds and promoting healthy lifestyles.
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Beyond her professional career, Cara has dedicated over a decade to coaching and non-profit work. Her coaching experience covers all ages and includes strength and conditioning, lacrosse, field hockey, and CrossFit. Her non-profit efforts are centered around organizing community events to raise funds and awareness for special causes.
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AAFMD offers Cara the perfect platform to blend her passion for health and wellness with her commitment to charitable work, enabling her to make a meaningful impact on the community's well-being.
Leslie Manning
Secretary
Leslie is a passionate and dedicated professional hailing from Middletown, Delaware. With a rich history in both the corporate and creative sectors, Leslie has established herself as a versatile and innovative leader. Leslie spent a significant part of her career at Wheelwod, where she held various key positions that showcased her leadership and strategic thinking abilities. Her tenure at Wheelwod was marked by numerous achievements, including spearheading major projects and initiatives that drove the company's growth and success.
Leslie's ability to navigate complex challenges and her commitment to excellence earned her a reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking professional. In addition to her corporate career, she is the proud owner of her own photography business. Leslie's photography business is a testament to her creativity, attention to detail, and dedication to delivering high-quality work. Leslie's diverse background, coupled with her unwavering dedication to her work, makes her a dynamic and inspiring addition to any team. She looks forward to leveraging her experience to support and uplift the communities she serves through her new role.
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Rory Murray
Board Member
Rory Murray joined Providence Strategies as Principal in 2021. A native of the Philadelphia area, he relocated to Maryland in 2007. Rory served honorably as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps for four years, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Following his military service, he continued his public service as a Maryland State Trooper. Rory holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Towson University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. After graduating from law school, he joined a prestigious lobbying firm in Annapolis before assuming the role of Vice President of Advocacy at the MD|DC Credit Union Association. Rory is widely respected in the State House, General Assembly, and regulatory agencies for his ability to take the lead on highly complex issues, build coalitions, and create collaborative pathways. In 2023, Rory was recognized as a VIP in the Maryland Daily Record’s Veterans in Business in Law. He resides in Ellicott City with his wife, Emilie, has three young children, and their dog named Maddie.
Lord Voldemort
Chief Morale Officer