About Us
The Georgia Association for Prader-Willi Syndrome, Inc. (PWSA/GA) is the only organization in Georgia dedicated to the support of individuals and families affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome.
PWSA/GA is registered in the state of Georgia and with the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable, non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
PWSA/GA is a chapter of the National Association PWSA (USA), located in Sarasota, Florida.
The Georgia View is published quarterly by PWSA/GA. The opinions expressed in The Georgia View are those of the authors or editors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and board of directors of PWSA/GA unless so stated.
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide information, education, and family support that will empower people with Prader-Willi Syndrome to lead quality lives as productive citizens.
Board of Directors & Officers
Lisa Matesevac
President
Robert (Bob) M. Warren, CCIM
Treasurer
Jayne Parsons
Board Member
Tom Underwood
Board Member
Dottie Cooper
Vice President
Scott Arant
Board Member
Jamie Prentice
Board Member
Miriam Worlds
Board Member
Tammy Galloway
Secretary/Newsletter
Kelly Guillo
Board Member
Neal Spradlin
Board Member
Tammy Galloway
Tammy is the mother of Kyle, a 23 year-old with PWS, who has recently transitioned out of the public school system. Her and her husband, Greg, also have a daughter who is 19 years old. Tammy has a BA and MA in History from Georgia State University, and has worked professionally as an archivist at the Atlanta History Center and at Emory University prior to Kyle’s birth. She has written and published three books of nonfiction history and has worked as a freelance writer for magazines and institutions, researching and writing the histories of the later. She has also volunteered as the editor of newsletters for several different clubs and organizations. Currently, Tammy serves as secretary for Forsyth County Special Olympics and as secretary and newsletter editor for PWSAGA. Areas she has the most current experience with are: COMP Waiver, SSI, as well as beginning to navigate adult services for individuals with special needs.
Neal Spradlin
Neal and his wife, Angie live in Newnan and have three children, Amy (24), Brooke (20) and Christina (18 w/PWS). Neal graduated from Georgia Tech in 1992 and owns a small engineering company which is involved with design and construction of residential and commercial land development projects. In addition to serving on the PWSAGA board, Neal works with special needs students at his church. He loves to support and encourage parents who feel overwhelmed in dealing with raising a child with special needs.
Scott Arant
Scott lives in Dunwoody with his wife Deborah. They have three children Charlie (20), Jack (18) and Ally (15 w/ PWS). Scott founded American Health Imaging (AHI) in 1998 and continues to serve as its CEO today. Scott serves as a Director on several healthcare-oriented boards: Foundation for Prader Willi Research, Physician Care Clinic, NeuroScience Foundation, Association for Quality Imaging and The Texas IDTF Association. He graduated from Auburn University’s business school in 1991.
Dottie Cooper
Dottie Cooper is the mother of 2 children, including Shawn Cooper, 48, with Prader-Willi Syndrome. She joined PWSA-USA shortly after Shawn was diagnosed at age 11 and over the years served on various committees, the Board of Directors and with her husband, Dale, as co-Interim Executive Director of PWSA- USA.
Dottie has been active in PWSA-GA from its inception, serving on the Board of Directors and as President, when the organization successfully appealed to the state of Georgia to establish 4 Medicaid Waiver slots dedicated to PWS, established the first supported living home for PWS, and hosted the National PWSA-USA National Convention.
Dottie brings to PWSA-GA her experience in navigating the Medicaid Waiver and supported living for adults with PWS, as well as a keen interest in medical issues for aging adults with PWS.
Marina Jones
Marina Jones lives in central Georgia with her husband, Alan, and two children Jonathan, 12, and Madeline, 15, who have Prader-Willi Syndrome. Marina works part-time as a Parent Mentor for the Special Education department with The Houston County Board of Education. Her passion is providing support to families, especially those in the PWS community! Marina says she is honored to serve on the board.
Marcello Schutzer
Marcello Schutzer lives in Atlanta with his wife Andrea and his 2 daughters, Giulia, born in 2003 and diagnosed with PWS shortly after birth, and Nina, born in 2008.
Marcello has more than 30 years of experience in senior executive finance roles in leading multinational companies and holds a degree in business administration from FGV in Brazil and an MBA with emphasis in Corporate Strategy and Finance from London Business School.
Marcello has served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in rural India, in building day care facilities for poor children in Brazil and is currently a Board member and Treasurer of the International Prader Willi Syndrome Organisation.
Robert (Bob) M. Warren, CCIM
Bob Warren and his wife Andrea live in Johns Creek, GA and have four children Rob, Sam, Taylor (PWS) and Lizzie (adopted, PWS). Bob is a Senior Vice President and Head of FHA Underwriting for Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, LLC, and specializes in the financing multifamily and healthcare loans utilizing HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Conventional financing.
In addition to serving on the PWSAGA board as Treasurer, he has been involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer and been a supporter of many local organizations focused on serving the special needs population.
Lisa Matesevac
Lisa Matesevac has served as the Vice President of the Georgia Association for Prader-Willi Syndrome since Spring 2019. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Lisa and her husband, Michael, relocated to metro Atlanta in 1997.
Lisa holds a doctorate in Audiology and served for over 20 years as the Director of Audiology at a large pediatric ENT practice in Atlanta. In 2018, Lisa transitioned to work as a Study Coordinator for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research conducting natural history studies and other PWS research.
Lisa has a strong interest in supporting families of children with special needs and in early intervention and has spent her career focused on these goals. When not working, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 boys, the youngest of which has PWS.
Tom Underwood
Tom Underwood is the Operations Director for Hoar Construction’s Atlanta Office. With over 25 years of experience in commercial construction valued at more than $1 billion, Tom has experience in multiple industry sectors, including government, K-12, higher education, commercial, hospitality, multifamily, and healthcare.
Tom has been in Atlanta since 2008 and joined Hoar’s Atlanta team in fall 2018 to manage projects, field staff, and overall strategic growth for the office. He has excelled in operational leadership, profit and loss management, strategic planning, client management, and people development through multiple management roles over his career.
Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from Auburn University. He is certified as a Construction Documents Technologist.
Tom has served on many industry and philanthropic boards and committees in the past, and he lives in Roswell with his wife, Jill, and their two children, Griggs, age 18, and Ridley, age 15. He enjoys the outdoors, endurance sporting events, and Auburn football.