Chad Stevens, President

Chad has Hemophilia and is the last survivor of seven cousins with Hemophilia. He is a founder and current president of the Snake River Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Association and is also a member of the Hemophilia Foundation of Idaho. He has worked in the past with several community organizations, including Partners in Education, Habitat for Humanity, Boise River Festival and Paint the Town. After 18 years in the banking industry Chad retired, and along with his wife Jolynn moved back to his hometown of Newdale, Idaho. Chad presently serves as a councilman on the Newdale City Council. Prior to his appointment as HFA President, he served three years as 1st Vice President of HFA.

Peter Bayer, 1st Vice President

Peter B. Bayer (severe Hemophilia A, HIV, and Hepatitis C+) has been active in the bleeding disorders community since the age of eight when he made speeches at luncheons sponsored by what was then The Metropolitan Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation in New York City. Over the years, Peter has been a member of the board of several advocacy organizations including the HFA, the NHF and the Florida Chapter of NHF. Recently, Peter moved to Las Vegas, Nevada for a new job. His arrival in Las Vegas coincided with the decision of the Hemophilia Foundation of Nevada (HFN) to join the HFA. Peter is now a member of the Board of HFN and is very pleased to be serving on the HFA Board of Directors.

In addition to his volunteer work, Peter has written extensively about living with hemophilia and attendant conditions. Perhaps his most widely read work, "A Life in Limbo," about coping with hemophilia and HIV, was published by The New York Times Magazine on April 7, 1989. Peter has been a law professor for over 10 years. He presently teaches Legal Writing and Analysis and Evidence at the recently founded Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada at Las Vegas. However, Peter's more exciting and rewarding adventure took place when he married Joy Foy, a budding attorney.

Kerry Brooks, 2nd Vice President

Kerry Brooks was born in Fort Worth, Texas and spent most of his childhood in Denton, TX. Kerry studied Political Science at the University of North Texas, and Computer Science and Engineering at University of Texas at Arlington. Kerry has been married to his wife, Carla Brooks, for over 30 years. They reside in Carrollton, Texas and have two beautiful children, Alan and Chris. Chris was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A at birth and has lived most of his life fighting an inhibitor.

Kerry became actively involved with the Texas Central Hemophilia Association (TexCen) in 1988. He served as President from 1995 through 2004. Since 2004, Kerry has played an active role in the bleeding disorders community as Chair of the Legislative Committee for Tex Central Hemophilia Association. Kerry is employed by Factor Health Alliance. He has been active with HFA for many years.

Melinda Clark, Secretary

Melinda Clark has been a part of the bleeding disorders community her entire life. Her maternal grandfather had moderate factor eight deficiency. Melinda grew up helping care for her younger brother, who also has moderate Hemophilia A. Melinda played an active role in her local chapter as a teenager, doing presentations to schools, and helping take care of younger children during events. Melinda is also the mother of a young daughter with von Willebrand Disease. Melinda is a past Secretary of her local chapter, and has been a member of the HFA Board of Directors since 2002. Melinda has served on several committees including Teen Connection and Focus on the Feminine. Melinda is currently Focus on the Feminine Committee Chairperson. She was elected as an at-large member of the Executive Committee in March of 2004. She is extremely active in coordinating and promoting the HFA Focus on the Feminine program.

Tom Vaclavik, Treasurer

Tom Vaclavik has been an active board member of Hemophilia of Indiana and an active member of the HFA Board of Directors since 2004. His grandson was born with severe Hemophilia A. Tom is very involved with the HFA Dads In Action and Fundraising Committees. He is Co-Chair of the HFA Dads In Action Program. He has worked with several other organizations such as the Moose Lodge, the American Legion, Special Olympics and Baxter Hemophilia Advisory Board. Tom lives in Hobart, IN with his wife Linda Holliday.

Carlos Ruiz, Member at Large

Bio coming soon...

Matthew Compton, Member at Large

Bio coming soon...

Carl Weixler, Past President

Carl Weixler, a 48 year-old from Kentucky with severe Hemophilia Factor IX deficiency, started his hemophilia advocacy life at the age of four when he met the Governor of Kentucky to request funding for a state hemophilia program. Carl has been active ever since. His involvement with the Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation ranged from volunteer to Chapter President. He has been a public speaker for local, national and international Hemophilia groups, such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA), National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), Brazilian Hemophilia Federation, Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB), and numerous businesses (medical and non-medical). He is currently employed by Critical Care Systems, a home care pharmacy serving the needs of those with hemophilia and related coagulation disorders and their complications.

Carl has not let his hemophilia, HIV, HCV, or anything else deter him from his vigilant efforts to educate, advocate for and protect his community. Carl is passionate about God, his family, the bleeding disorders community and the water. He is a certified lifeguard and teaches children to swim at Hemophilia summer camps. He is also an avid boater and camper. Carl says, “I love the adventure of life.”