A seven-member board governs Stark DD with each member serving up to three four-year terms. Monthly meetings are typically held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Cohen Room of Whipple-Dale Centre.
There are no meetings in July and November. All meetings are open to the public.
DANIEL SUTTER
Daniel Sutter, President, was appointed to the Board by the Stark County Commissioners in January 2013. Sutter is the General Manager-Marketing and Business Development for Timken Steel Group. He volunteers in the community through Special Olympics, United Way and Habitat for Humanity. Daniel’s daughter, Alyssa, attends day programming in our community.
JAMES ANDERSON
James Anderson was appointed to the governing board for Stark DD in February 2019 by the Honorable Judge Dixie Park. Mr. Anderson is a retired Canton City police officer.
MARIA HEEGE
Maria Heege was appointed to the Board in October 2016. She has over 37 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She is the President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Stark County and has been with the United Way for over 35 years. With a lifetime commitment to community service, Maria has been actively involved in volunteerism, not only locally, but also nationally. She is the guardian for her adult-aged sister, Chris, who receives support from the Board.
JESSICA FALVO LANG
Dr. Jessica Falvo Lang is a physician with over twenty years of experience. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Akron and her Medical Degree from Wright State University. Dr. Falvo Lang is on the medical staff at Aultman and Mercy Medical hospitals. She is also an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the North East Ohio Medical University, a member of the American Medical Association, and a Diplomat for the American Academy of Family Physicians. She and her husband, Chris, are the parents of four children: Connor, Jackson, Ronan, and Olivia, who has profound disabilities.
JENNIFER MOFF
Jennifer Moff is a wife and mother to two boys, Alex and Kyle, one of whom receives services from Stark DD. Mrs. Moff joined the Administrative Team at Plain Local Schools in 2018 as the principal of Avondale Elementary. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Akron in 1996, and began her teaching career in Akron Public Schools. After teaching elementary school for seven years she became the assistant principal at a middle school, and then the principal. In 2010, she returned to her roots as an elementary principal. After residing in Akron for 11 years Mrs. Moff and her family moved to Plain Township in 2014.
CARMELITA SMITH
Carmelita Smith was appointed to the board in 2017. Smith is an employee of the Stark County Family Council as the System of Care Family Engagement Coordinator for the Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery. Additionally, she is a parent of two sons; Jeremy, an Art student and Graduate of Cal Arts in Southern California, and Timothy, who has Cerebral Palsy, seizures, narcolepsy and high functioning Asperger’s Syndrome. He is working and living independently.
CINDI SUTTER
Cindi Sutter was appointed to the Board in October 2019. She is an architect who received her education from Virginia Tech University. In the community, she has served as a board member for the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), and on the Parent Advisory Council for the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH). Cindi and her husband, Matthew, have four children — one who is on the autism spectrum, and one with significant medical issues.
