Our Team | Springboard Landings

About Us

Board of Directors

John Cooper, President

John is an Account Manager for Critical Mass, an experience design agency with a relentless focus on the customer. He believes people and relationships are the cornerstones of life. John relocated back to his hometown of Nashville in 2018 after spending five years in Hong Kong where he helped launch and grow CM’s office to service INFINITI Global. His prior experience includes working both agency and client side in high-growth and Fortune 500 companies spanning music, telco, automotive, and technology industries. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication, with a minor in Psychology, from Western Kentucky University.

Dawn Bagby, Vice President

Dawn is a previous retail business owner for over 20 years. She served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a grocery wholesaler and assisted in coordinating the relocation of one of the largest Disaster Recovery Centers in the United States. Currently and for the past 15 plus years, Dawn has been in the commercial, investment and residential management and sales Real Estate business as an Affiliate Broker. She is a member of many business boards. Although Dawn does not have a child with developmental disabilities, her passion to be involved and give of her talent to further the mission of Springboard Landings is exemplary.

Penny Brink, Secretary

Penny manages sales operations and proposals in the healthcare industry. Through personal and work experience, Penny recognizes the need for advocates for underserved populations and is passionate about the success of Springboard Landings. Before entering the healthcare field, Penny taught high school English and Journalism. Penny was a founding member and officer of the Nashville Women’s Ice Hockey League, a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the sport for females of all ages, and has served on conference committees and headed fundraising events benefiting young people in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. A graduate of Father Ryan High School, Penny received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Sociology from Belmont University and holds a Master of Education for Secondary Education from Vanderbilt University.

Ward Chaffin, Treasurer

Ward is the Principal, Managed Accounting, at Crosslin PLLC in Nashville. He is an active CPA in the State of Tennessee and a member of the AICPA and TSCPA. His clients include small to mid-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, medical practices, and distribution companies. Prior experience includes being the Corporate Controller for a startup physician practice management company and the Director of Finance for an educational technology company. Ward graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He also received a Master of Business Administration with honors from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Richard Chambers, Director

Richard was a teacher at Father Ryan High School from 1970 – 2014 and is now retired. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton and a Master of Arts from Middle Tennessee State University. Richard was adjunct professor at UT Nashville for four years, and a consultant for the College Board Southern Regional Office from the 1980’s to the present. Richard volunteers for Room at the Inn and Habitat for Humanity. His exceptional rapport and understanding of young people and adults, as well as his compassion and dedication, greatly enhance furthering the mission of Springboard Landings.

Father Mark Hunt, Director

Father Mark Hunt is a native of Nashville and a graduate of Father Ryan High School (1985) and Spring Hill College (1989) in Mobile Alabama. While at Spring Hill, he tutored residents at the Larche Community, a residential home for people with disabilities, and has been a huge supporter for this population ever since. Father Mark received his Master of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2001. He was ordained to the priesthood in June of 2001 and has served in pastoral positions at various schools and churches in Dallas and the greater Nashville area. He currently works as Chaplain at Mary Queen of Angels, an assisted living facility and Mercy Convent. Father Marc serves on the Board of Catholic Charities here in Nashville and the Tennessee Office for Refugees Board.

Sara Butler, Director

Sara is the Director of Architecture for the Nashville office of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood (GMC). A graduate of Auburn University, Sara’s firm, The CFP Group, merged with GMC in 2012. She has served on the Tennessee State Licensure Board for Healthcare Facilities, is current member of Women in Healthcare, and has been a member of the Circle of Red for the American Heart Association. In 2008, Sara was recognized as a “Healthcare Hero” in the Nashville Business Journal. Sara has served on the Board of Springboard Landings since 2016. Sara’s experience of over 25 years designing healthcare facilities and her passion for helping others furthers the mission of Springboard Landings.

Matt Nicks, Director

Matt has worked for more than 30 years in the environmental consulting industry assisting a variety of companies and institutions across the country to address specific concerns related to environmental investigations and remediation, renovations of buildings, reconstruction of damaged facilities, new acquisitions and purchases of land. He earned a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas, holds certifications in related areas, published articles in professional journals, and has taught environmental courses. He is a member of numerous boards and commissions. Matt’s expertise is invaluable as we move forward to bring Springboard Landings to fruition.

Jeff Doremus, Director

Jeff is a first-year MBA student at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, and is currently serving a one-year term on the Springboard Landings Board as a member of the Owen Board Fellows Program. Prior to moving to Nashville to pursue his MBA, Jeff advised institutional endowments and family offices on their investment portfolios with Cambridge Associates in Boston, Massachusetts. Jeff is passionate about non-profit service, having previously served on the Board of Young Professionals for The Steppingstone Foundation in his hometown of Boston, and is excited about supporting the Nashville community through his work with Springboard Landings. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in History from Denison University.

Charlie Cooper, Founder/Director

Charlie co-founded Springboard Landings with his wife, Pat, who were inspired to address the unmet need for independent living opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. He is a retired CPA, former business owner, and served as CFO for a multimillion-dollar conglomerate. Charlie is committed to working with members of the Board and the community to realize the mission and vision of Springboard Landings. He served as president of the Springboard Landings Board for 10 years and is the parent of an adult with developmental challenges.

SPRINGBOARD LANDINGS IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS TAX-EXEMPT UNDER 501(c)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

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