paula crozier Executive Director

910.685.1550 | paula@accessilm.org

With a rich background in nonprofit management and successful careers in advertising, marketing, public relations, business management and nonprofit development, Paula brings a wealth of expertise to ACCESS. Utilizing her strong advocacy skills which rally support and resources for those in need, she builds strong community relationships that foster outreach and involvement.  

As a proud wife and mother of three daughters, one of whom has Down syndrome, Paula understands firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with advocating for accessibility and inclusion. She confidently ensures that those who cannot advocate for themselves, are heard and respected. Paula's leadership is characterized by her commitment to fostering strong community connections. She believes in the power of collaboration and works tirelessly to bring together stakeholders, partners, and community members to reach the visions of the mission she leads. 

Casie O’Rourke-Shepard, LRT, CTRS
Miracle LEague & ACCESS Play PROGRAM DIRECTOR

910.530.5883 | casie@accessilm.org

Casie is a UNCW Recreation Therapy Alumni, Licensed Recreation Therapist and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She brings over 10 years of professional experience assisting special populations improve their quality of life utilizing recreation and leisure outlets to promote healing. She is passionate about the influence sports and recreation can have on a person and is excited to have the opportunity to serve participants in our programs.

matt falvey
Project Soar PROGRAM DIRECTOR

910.508.6788 | matt@accessilm.org

Matt is from York, PA and has been coming to Topsail Beach since 1977 and Wilmington for decades. He graduated from Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD with a Business and Finance Degree and was an Army ROTC Scholarship Cadet. Upon graduation, Matt served four years with the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC.

Matt enjoys an active life with a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, doing Versa Climb Classes at Megarounds Downtown, and walking through Downtown with his Go Ruck.

In the summer, you can find Matt body surfing on Topsail Beach most weekends. He is an avid Penn State and Eagles football fan.

Matt likes to read about habits, Emotional Intelligence, and resilience. He has three amazing kids, all married. Matt has two daughters, one son and one granddaughter. For most of his adult life, Matt has had a Springer Spaniel and his most recent one is named Buddy. 

He is passionate about doing good within the community that he lives, works and plays. Matt is also passionate about Veteran causes and organizations. “I Love the incredible work that Access Wilmington does. I am humbled to be part of Project SOAR and to be able to give back to our great Americans.” Says Matt.

Other volunteer activities include: The United Way of the Cape Fear Region Capital Campaign Committee, The Catholic Charities Food Pantry, The Honor Foundation (when they need help-Joanna does an incredible job with Special Operations Warriors), Veterans Memorial Reef (in the Spring/summer).

Interns

Kira Heppe

Kira Heppe is a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is double majoring in Media and Journalism (Advertising and Public Relations) and Communication Studies. Kira is a Dean’s List student and is actively involved on campus as a member of the Audience Engagement Desk at The Daily Tar Heel, Communications Assistant for Zeta Tau Alpha, and a member of the Department of Basic Needs within UNC Student Government. Outside of school, she works at Kohl’s Frozen Custard in Wrightsville Beach and has served as a summer camp counselor at Camp Don Lee, where she discovered her passion for working with children and building community.

As the Nonprofit Management, Event Planning, and Marketing Intern at ACCESS of Wilmington, Kira is gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, event planning, and advertising. She was drawn to ACCESS because it combines her passion for nonprofit work, wellness, fitness, and creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities. Kira is excited to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact in the community this summer! Looking ahead, Kira hopes to pursue a career in nonprofit marketing or management where she can help mission-driven organizations connect with and serve their communities.

Hailey Sherrer

Hailey is a recent college graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A. in Psychology and Sports Media. As someone who grew up playing a variety of sports, Hailey knows how much of a positive impact sports and fitness can make on an individual's mental and physical well being. As a nonprofit management and event planning intern, she will gain hands-on experience on nonprofit operations, compliance and governance, development, programming and of course, engaging with our participants! Utilizing her sports media background, Hailey will hone her skills by promoting all things ACCESS of Wilmington and increasing its community engagement to and impact. Hailey’s internship will be key to aiding her in determining her long term goals. “I’m excited to combine my passion for sports and fitness with helping others to make them more enjoyable and accessible to individuals in the Wilmington community. “

RACHEL CLINE

Rachael is a rising junior at The Ohio State University majoring in Health Sciences with minors in Global Public Health and Communications. She has been on the Dean’s List for the past two semesters and serves as a Small Group Coordinator for Ohio State’s chapter of CHAARG. She chose to work at ACCESS due to a passion for leading group fitness and wanting to make it accessible for all! Through her internship, Rachael hopes to gain experience in health promotion while exploring more ways to make exercise, wellness, and healthy living more engaging and enjoyable. After college, she hopes to pursue a career in the field of public health or health promotion, and continue to work with individuals living with disabilities.

Nathan eberhardt

Nathan Eberhardt is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He was named to the Dean's List during his junior year and plans to attend physical therapy school following graduation. His long term goal is to help individuals improve their health, mobility, and quality of life through exercise and rehabilitation.

As a summer intern with ACCESS of Wilmington, Nathan assists with adaptive fitness and recreation programs serving children and adults with disabilities. His responsibilities include helping conduct participant assessments, supporting fitness and wellness activities, and assisting with community based programs. Through this experience, he is gaining valuable hands-on experience working with diverse populations while developing skills that will support his future career in physical therapy. Nathan is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the ACCESS team while making a positive impact in the Wilmington community.

KENNY HO

Kenny Ho is currently a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health alongside a minor in Business. He has earned Dean’s list recognition for academic achievement and is passionate about improving both community and global health outcomes through education, prevention, and equitable access to resources.

Kenny chose to intern with ACCESS of Wilmington because of their commitment to serving individuals with disabilities with barriers to physical wellness. ACCESS’s commitment and mission inspire him in promoting inclusion, dignity, and opportunity while addressing the needs of underserved populations in the Wilmington area. Through this internship, he hopes to gain experience in promoting health and non-profit operations, strengthening his ability to identify and assist underserved populations, and learn how health promotion programs can have an immense impact in creating everlasting positive change. Kenny’s long-term goal is to help create advanced, equitable access to health and wellness services and transform communities in both local and global settings. 

lexa mccorcle

Lexa is a rising sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill planning to major in Health Policy and Management with a minor in the Economics and Business of Health. At UNC, she is actively involved in campus organizations, including Pi Beta Phi, the American Mock World Health Organization (AMWHO), and Public Health 360. Lexa has also gained leadership through serving as a committee member within her residence hall and as an official for intramural sports programs.

Lexa chose to intern with ACCESS to gain hands-on experience in the field of public health. As a student, she often learns about different career paths in public health, but rarely gets the chance to see what that work looks like in practice. Through this internship, Lexa hopes to learn more about the many ways ACCESS and other nonprofit organizations contribute to improving community health and well-being. Lexa is very excited to gain practical experience and see firsthand how non profit organizations can make a positive impact in public health in their communities.

ISAAC MCDOWELL

Isaac McDowell is a current Master of Public Health student at East Carolina University with an expected graduation date of December 2026. Isaac is also pursuing a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare and Social Services from Coastal Carolina University. Isaac currently serves as the Associate for Youth and Parish Life at St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he manages St. Paul's youth program and coordinates several other parish events and ministries. Since graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2021 with a BA in Public Health, Isaac has been involved in several long term volunteer service experiences in Mexico, The Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Before moving to Wilmington in 2024, Isaac served as the Youth and Outreach Coordinator at Christ Church Elizabeth City located in Elizabeth City, NC from 2022-2024.

ACCESS of Wilmington was highly recommended to Isaac as an internship site by UNCW staff and his internship began in Mid-May. At ACCESS, Isaac works with the SOAR program and hopes to evaluate the program from a public health perspective that will allow for the crafting of communication content that reflects participant experiences. Isaac also works with SOAR to collect both quantitative and qualitative data that allows for the program to receive critical grant funding and publicity. Isaac is honored to work with the veterans and first responders that are a part of the SOAR program. SOAR especially hits close to home for Isaac since Isaac's Dad is a police officer and Isaac knows first hand the stress that first responders are under. Isaac is also excited to learn from the leadership of Paula Crozier, the Executive Director of ACCESS and Barb Bienher, his internship preceptor and member of the ACCESS Board. 

Isaac hopes to take the valuable experiences from his ACCESS internship into his future career as he transitions into the public health workforce. Isaac is passionate about Spanish and serving the Latinx community in North Carolina and hopes to use the Spanish language in his future public health career.

AEDAN HANRAHAN

Aedan Hanrahan is a rising sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Management & Society with a minor in Risk Management. As a Nonprofit Management & Event Planning Intern with ACCESS of Wilmington, Aedan is excited to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit administration, community outreach, event planning, fundraising, and organizational development. Through this internship, he hopes to deepen his understanding of how nonprofit organizations create meaningful impact while developing the leadership and professional skills needed for a future career in mission-driven work. In his free time, Aedan enjoys staying involved in his community, exploring new opportunities for growth, and connecting with others through service and leadership. 

Adam nicholas
Board chair

Adam is a father to five children, two of whom participate in Access programming. He and his wife Kate have been licensed foster/adoptive parents with New Hanover County since 2015 and have a passion for helping children find love, acceptance, and success in life. Adam is a commercial real estate broker with a background in development projects. He brings to the board a unique view into the lives of individuals with disabilities as well as a strong desire to serve his community.

Barb BIehner
Vice Chair

Barb’s career has already spanned over 40 years as a healthcare leader for various healthcare systems including: Chesapeake General Hospital, Sentara Health, Bon Secours Health System, Children’s National Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Child Health Corporation of America and Accredo Health. Her roles progressed from Assistant Administrator to Senior Vice President to Chief Executive Officer. Prior to her move to ILM she was a senior vice president with a for-profit specialty pharmaceutical distribution company which was successfully sold to Medco. After moving here, she was an independent consultant and facilitator to many organizations as well as the first administrator for the Animal Emergency and Trauma Hospital - while also dipping her toes into academia. Barb became an Executive in Residence at UNCW’s Cameron School of Business starting in 2006 and held various positions including Director of External Programs as well as part time faculty since then, teaching Healthcare Ethics and Healthcare Operations/Supply Chain Management. She is now a full time Assistant Clinical Faculty member in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, Master in Health Administration. She has served and continues to serve on several boards locally and regionally including New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Coastal Region, Pender Memorial, NHRMC Home Care, Plantation Village, Cape Fear Clinic, Cape Fear Community College’s Veterinary Technician Advisory Board and Intalere’s Eastern Alliance. She has been a member and Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives for over 40 years and mentors students as well as early careerists on advancement in the college and their careers.

Her favorite things to do are ….enjoy wine and rescue dogs.

Rick campagna
Treasurer

Rick is the CEO and Co-Founder of Carolina Storage Centers here in Wilmington, NC. He has a Business degree from Penn State university. He is a Licensed General Contractor both here in North Carolina as well as South Carolina. In addition, Rick has had a decade of working in the Renewable Energy “Solar” field here in North Carolina where he was a lobbyist for the industry.  Rick is a representative of the Campagna Companies here in Wilmington, NC, specifically, Camp Construction, Inc., who generously built ACCESS of Wilmington’s accessible baseball facility (Miracle League of Wilmington) out at Olsen Park. Rick and his father, Rocky Campagna have been involved in numerous community projects through their tenor here in New Hanover County. Having both of the Campagna’s community driven personalities is something for which ACCESS is incredibly thankful.

Tom Burrell
Secretary

Professional Service

Tom’s professional career was comprised of two parts. He first served in the United States Army from 1966 until he retired in 1992. Tom then began a career as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, serving in that capacity from 1992 until his full retirement in 2015. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry after graduating from the United States Military Academy. During Tom’s career, he served in several positions leading soldiers and serving as a staff officer at various levels. Tom ended his military career in the Pentagon as a Program Analyst on both the Army and Joint Staffs. After retiring from the Army, Tom was a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. He led a team of experts in continuity of operations and critical infrastructure. His last engagement was as the senior program and policy analyst for the Director, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Program (IPAWS) in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Community Service

Tom served as a member of his homeowner association’s Board of Trustees for 13 years. In that role, Tom developed and instituted the first long-range strategic plan for the association. While serving as Treasurer for the association, he synchronized their budget with requirements and instituted the system and policy for ensuring the association’s reserves were adequately funded and appropriately used. From 1998 until 2021, Tom served as Chairman of a community civic association’s planning committee. Tom planned and executed monthly meetings, and served as the organization’s primary liaison with County staff, the development community, the Planning Commission, and the Board of County Supervisors. Tom also served two terms on the City of Fairfax Planning Commission. During his tenure, his team developed and adopted an award-winning Comprehensive Plan 2035 and a separate Implementation Plan to focus on and track. In 2018, Tom was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the Commonwealth’s Common Interest Community Board (CICB).

Kai Caraganis
Member

Kai Caraganis is a 40-year resident of North Carolina, having grown up in Chatham County and making his way to UNCW for his undergraduate studies. Professionally, Kai embarked on his career with Fidelity Investments, gaining valuable experience in the finance sector. He later transitioned to investment banking, specializing in the middle market, which further honed his expertise in finance. For the past decade, Kai has been deeply involved in the venture capital space, focusing on bringing nascent technologies to market. This role highlights his keen eye for innovation and his commitment to advancing emerging technologies. Currently, he is Vice President Investment banking at Carnegie Point.

Kai's commitment to community service is evident from his early and significant volunteer contributions with nonprofits in the Triangle. involvement with Communities in Schools, where he contributed as a dedicated volunteer. His passion for community engagement led him to a significant board role at the Durham-based organization, Partners for Youth. As a board member, Kai played a pivotal role in financial oversight, serving as the treasurer. His leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in the successful merger with Durham Children's Initiative, a major step in enhancing the organization's impact on the community.

On a personal note, Kai is happily married to his wife, Courtney, for ten years. They are proud parents to their daughter, Margot, and share their home with two energetic malamutes. Kai's personal life reflects his dedication to family and his love for a vibrant home life.

Cody Cress Member

Cody Cress is a seasoned commercial real estate broker who has been with Sun Coast Partners Commercial since 2007. Cody graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Environmental Engineering. This technical background combined with a wealth of commercial real estate experience spanning almost two decades, enables Cody to navigate the intricacies of the real estate industry.

Beyond the boardrooms and property listings, Cody is deeply invested in the Wilmington community. He actively engages in local initiatives and endeavors to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the area. Cody believes in the power of community collaboration and strives to make a positive impact both professionally and personally. 

Cody lives in Wilmington with his wife, twin daughters, pit bull rescue and enjoys coaching both girls’ and boys’ middle school tennis teams.

Jane lang
Member

Angila Berni
Member

Angila Berni is a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Coast Guard with a distinguished career in leadership and service. While on active duty, she pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Mount Olive. She later earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from A.T. Still University, further deepening her expertise in health and human performance. Passionate about wellness and community impact, Angila owned and operated an award-winning health and wellness facility for over a decade, helping individuals achieve their fitness and rehabilitation goals.

Currently, Angila is a full-time lecturer in the Exercise Science program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she applies her extensive experience to educate and mentor future health and fitness professionals. Her diverse background in military service, business, and exercise science allows her to bring a unique, well-rounded perspective to both the classroom and community initiatives. Dedicated to inclusivity and accessibility in wellness, she is excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Access of Wilmington, furthering its mission to provide adaptive recreation and fitness opportunities for individuals of all abilities.

Charles Blankenship MBA, FACPE, NRP
Member

Charles A. Blankenship brings more than three decades of dynamic leadership and operational expertise in emergency medical services (EMS), mobile integrated healthcare, and public safety, to his role as a board member. Currently serving as Division Chief of Support Services – Mobile Health at Novant Health, he is responsible for supporting strategic and operational oversight leaders of AirLink, New Hanover EMS, Community Paramedics, PCTS, and VitaLink, as well as fleet operations, logistics, information technology, risk and safety programs, purchasing, and research and innovation.

A U.S. Army veteran and lifelong public servant, Charles has over 30+ years of experience in EMS, 15 years in emergency management, and more than 20 years in adult education. He has served as a Volunteer K9 search and rescue handler, developed mobile healthcare and behavioral health transport programs, and led disaster preparedness initiatives. His previous roles include leadership roles at Mission Health where he managed Inter-facility transports, Community Paramedics, Behavioral Health Transport, Dispatch and Fleet; along with working at rural EMS and teaching wilderness medicine. Charles is a Fellow of the American College of Paramedic Executives (FACPE) and a long-standing board member, Secretary and now President-elect of the National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA). His commitment to advancing EMS leadership and education is reflected in their work towards development of national standards and credentialing programs for EMS leaders, safety and communication officers.

He holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Innovation from North Carolina State University, a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from Eastern Kentucky University, and multiple EMS and public safety certifications. An Influential voice in the field, Charles is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, including Pinnacle EMS Leadership, EMS Today, and International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine. Charles is driven by a vision to lead to progressive health in EMS systems focused on community-based, population health strategies, and continues to champion innovation, integration, and excellence in emergency care delivery. He and his wife Cyndi a retired Physical Education, Health Teacher and Coach, have been residents of Leland since 2020 after moving here from the mountains to enjoy the area beaches.

Carla turner
Member

A dynamic public health leader with over 20 years of experience in leadership, emergency response, and nursing, Carla has managed extensive budgets and led teams of over 110 individuals. Her experience includes leading major programs and designing comprehensive all-hazards emergency plans at New Hanover County Public Health, where she served as Division Manager, Assistant Health Director, and Personal Health Services Manager. She holds an MS in Healthcare Administration from California College for Health Sciences and a BS in Nursing from UNC Chapel Hill. Certified in project management, LEAN healthcare, BCLS, and ICS 100–800, she has received numerous awards such as NACo Leadership Academy (2022), Health Care Heroes (2021), and was named WILMA’s inaugural Woman to Watch in Health Care in 2012. Affiliated with NC Public Health Association and other organizations, she is dedicated to mobilizing teams, managing crises, and ensuring the health and safety of communities.

On a personal note, Carla has been married to her husband, Bill, for over 30 years and they have 3 amazing children. Their youngest has participated in ACCESS programming in the past.

Mona Leipold Member

Laura Kay berry
member Emeritus

Laura Kay has been a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities for over two decades, bringing both professional expertise and personal passion to her work. As the parent of an ACCESS participant, she has a deep understanding of the benefits that adaptive sports and inclusive recreation provide for individuals and their families.

Before dedicating her efforts to the nonprofit sector, Laura Kay practiced law, specializing in commercial litigation, antitrust, franchise, and state administrative law and served as a clerk to two judges at the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

At ACCESS of Wilmington, she has enjoyed serving in multiple leadership capacities, including Secretary, Vice-Chair, Board Chair, and Interim Executive Director. Laura Kay is focused on helping ACCESS achieve the vision of building a fully accessible recreational center to further serve our ACCESS community and all residents of New Hanover.

L.S. “Bo” Dean, Jr.
Member Emeritus

Bo serves New Hanover County in the Human Resources department. Bo, also a Board Member Emeritus of ACCESS, brings a great deal of fundraising and board development experience to ACCESS. On Saturdays you can find Bo announcing at the Miracle Field as the voice of the Miracle League of Wilmington!

Bo has received many community accolades including Cape Fear Association of Fundraising Professional's Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year in 2010 and Encore Magazine's Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and 2018.

DAVID MORRISON, MPA
member Emeritus

David serves as a business and strategic communications consultant at DF Morrison Consulting. He was a visionary as part of the founding ACCESS Board and dedicated many years as Vice Chair of the Board. David graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Professional Writing with a from UNCW and, most recently, with his Master of Public Administration.

David loves to bring his knowledge of baseball and smiles to the countless individuals that now have the opportunity to “Play Ball” in our community. You can find him each week at the Miracle Field hitting home runs serving as Head Coach for the Cubs!

David was also a founding Chair for the Cape Fear Disability Commission (CFDC). 

TAMMY PRUDEN
member Emeritus

Tammy has served New Hanover County as a Special Education Teacher for 20 years. She brings a heart for disability awareness, inclusion, and programming experience to ACCESS. When she is not teaching, coaching the Hoggard Swim and Dive team, or serving at Winter Park Baptist Church, you can find Tammy behind home plate at all the Miracle League baseball games!

Tammy was awarded the UNCW Community Partner Award for Excellence in University Engagement in 2016.

Michael Franklin, mba
member Emeritus

Michael is Controller at IKA Works, a proud support of ACCESS of Wilmington. Michael was a key member of the Wilmington Believes in Miracles campaign to build the Miracle Field and Playground, and served as Treasurer for ACCESS for over 10 years!

Chad Porter
member Emeritus

When he is not pitching for the Miracle League of Wilmington, you can find Chad traveling the United States as a Motivational Speaker and Leadership Trainer. Chad brings years of community building and programming experience to ACCESS. He also serves as the M.C. for the Annual Miracle Makers Luncheon and I Am Beautiful Fashion Show. 

Chad was honored as the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's Alumni of the Year in 2017.

Amy Queen
member Emeritus

Amy works for Syneos Health in Wilmington, NC. She is a founding member of the ACCESS Board, bringing business and community relations experience to ACCESS team. When Amy is not singing in the choir at First Baptist Church or leading the Azalea Festival Princess Pageant, you can find her cheering on the Hoggard Men’s Basketball Team with her family.