Laura Kay Berry Interim Executive Director

910.685.1550 | laurakay@accessilm.org

Laura Kay Berry is honored to serve ACCESS as Interim Director of ACCESS. Laura Kay is passionate about ACCESS of Wilmington and the entire ACCESS Community. In her sixth year on the board, Laura Kay is grateful for all the incredible opportunities for adaptive sports, recreation and fitness that ACCESS offers for her son Walker and their family. Laura Kay has over

TAYLOR SHULER, LRT, CTRS ACCESS FIT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

910.398.2211 | taylor@accessilm.org

Taylor Shuler holds a masters at Clemson University in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Recreational Therapy and a bachelors at University of North Carolina Wilmington in Recreational Therapy. Taylor got his start volunteering with ACCESS of Wilmington during Miracle League’s inaugural season in 2013. When G.A.M.E.S., which is now ACCESS Fit, began in February of 2015, Taylor added the program to his volunteering and upon his return to Wilmington started volunteering with ACCESS Fit again. He is honored to take the position after Jennifer Bell departed late in 2023 and lead a program that emphasizes building community by eliminating barriers to health and wellness. 

ARON LANIE, CTRS/LRT, 200ECYT
PROJECT SOAR PROGRAM DIRECTOR

910.508.6788 | aron@accessilm.org

Aron is a UNCW Recreation Therapy Alumni, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, and Licensed Recreation Therapist.  She is also a US Army veteran and an athlete that enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and anything outdoors. She has been teaching yoga and meditation since 2016 and has been involved with  ACCESS of Wilmington including Miracle League and Project SOAR as well as other nonprofits. She is passionate about health, wellness, and recreation, and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve participants in our programs. 

Aron is US Army Paratrooper Veteran.

Laura Kay berry, JD
Board chairwoman

Laura Kay is mom to Miracle League All Star and ACCESS Fit participant, Walker. She is a passionate community member and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. Laura Kay brings years of legal and fundraising experience to our team, and loves sharing the mission of ACCESS and our impact in our community and beyond! Laura Kay also chairs development for ACCESS.

Cathy Wright, PT, DPT, MHA, NCS
Board vice Chairwoman

Cathy is Manager of Therapy Services for Novant Health Pender Medical Center, Novant Rehabilitation Center at Rocky Point, and Therapy Resource Pool for the Coastal Market. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts, and her Executive Masters in Healthcare Administration from UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health. 

Cathy’s other loves include spending time with her husband and two sons at the beach and serving as counselor at Arthur C. Luf Burn Camp for Burn Survivors where she was awarded Councilor of the Year in 2022. She was also awarded the 2022 YWCA Women of Achievement Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero Award.

Janine Pugh
Secretary

Janine is mom to Miracle League participant, Samantha, as well as a Realtor® /Director of Recruiting with the KBT Realty Group - Keller Williams Realty. Being a special needs mom, Janine understands the challenges of families of individuals with disabilities. When not cheering for all the players at Saturday Miracle League games, you can find Janine playing pickleball, boating or spending time with her husband and family.

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

L.S. “Bo” Dean, Jr.
Member & 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.

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.

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.

Barbara Biehner Member

Barb has lived in Wilmington since 2005.

Her 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.

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.