Our Board of Trustees
AMANDA-LEIGH PLAYER HALL
PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BAS (UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN), MAS (BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY)
Amanda-Leigh has worked in the architecture field, and as a freelance artist, but her passion lies in helping others.
Amanda-Leigh Player Hall serves as President and Executive Director of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation in the United States. As the daughter of Gary and Vivienne Player, she is honored to continue the legacy of love and service her parents began—helping vulnerable children access the education, healthcare, and support they need to thrive.
With a deep belief in the power of compassion and community, Amanda-Leigh is committed to building lasting partnerships that make a meaningful difference. She brings sincerity, faith, and a heartfelt sense of purpose to everything she does--always striving to honor her parents’ vision while growing the foundation’s mission in impactful ways.
MICHAEL R. WHETSTONE, M.D
Dr. Whetstone graduated from medical school in 1983. In 1989, after many years training in reconstructive and plastic surgery, he opened his medical practice in the Las Colinas area of Dallas, Texas.
His work led him to the Philippines with a team of international surgeons to perform reconstructive surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates. He also participated in trips to Guerrero, Mexico with the Crystal Foundation to lead a team to serve the community in an area where medical care was unavailable.
Following retirement in 2019, Dr. Whetstone resides in Irving, Texas with his wife, Teri.
Together they are the parents of three children and four grandchildren.
PATRICIA D KAUFMAN
Patricia D. Kaufman has dedicated her life to living out these words: “Of those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.”
Patricia began her career in retail manag–ement and went on to specialize in Interior Design. Her most cherished work is the interior of the Patricia D. and M. Scot Kaufman Cancer Center which she and her husband Scot founded in BelAir, Maryland in 2013.
Patricia currently sits on the foundation boards of two hospitals and is the vice-president of her family’s own charitable foundation. She is also the liaison for the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry on the Missions Committee of the church she attends. Serving those in need is her greatest passion.
Patricia and Scot retired to Marco Island, Florida where they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two children and two grandsons of whom they are very proud.
HAMISH HUME
Hamish Hume is a senior partner and member of the Executive Committee at the law firm of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP.
His practice focuses on high stakes litigation, with particular emphasis on cases against the government and antitrust cases. He has won numerous notable cases with billions of dollars at stake, and has been the first chair trial lawyer for many Fortune 500 companies. He lives in Washington D.C.
Patty Fischer
Patty Fischer has dedicated her entire career to endeavors which enhance the educational environment for children.
After graduating from Western Ontario University with Honours in Urban Geography, Patty initially worked for an Architectural firm, with a focus on children's playground planning.
She chose to further enhance her knowledge through the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, as a Primary School and High School Specialist. Patty later served in various roles in education, including teaching and Head of School.
For the past 30 years, Patty has dedicated her time as a volunteer in the field of charity work, frequently on boards, and in fund raising positions involving health and children. She joined the Gary and Vivienne Foundation as a Trustee in April 2023).
Tom thoman
Tom Thoman holds a master’s degree in Business Administration through the Executive MBA Program at The Katz Business School at the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
He has spent most of his career with Airgas, rising through the ranks as he turned around businesses through collaboration and building strategy. Tom enjoys free time with friends and family, making the most of the great outdoors by boating, hiking, fishing, exploring and golfing.
Lucy Gray
Lucy is a UK-qualified lawyer from London who has over 15 years of experience both in private practice and in-house.
Lucy has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the US and has developed a wide network of clients, particularly in the Middle East, where she was based between Dubai and Riyadh.
Lucy is a partner at the law firm Winston & Strawn, and in her spare time, Lucy assists the Legal Studies Department at Elmira College, NY, as a Visiting Professor. She loves all sports, especially golf and tennis, learning languages, traveling, and exploring new cultures.
RICH TABARRINI
Rich has been working in Life Sciences his entire career, with 30+ years of experience in the industry.
After spending several years in Validation, Project Management, and Executive Leadership roles, Rich founded Covex LLC in 2001 and grew the company to become a leading provider of compliance services. Covex LLC was purchased in 2019 by Private Equity and merged with Clarke Solutions to become Verista. Rich was initially named Chief Sales Officer and then promoted to President.
After a short stint in retirement, Rich returned as President in August 2023. Rich is a Board of Trustee member for the Hill School, a private boarding school in Pottstown, PA.
Rich is a Pennsylvania native, and he and his wife Christina currently reside in Naples, Florida. They have four adult children and two dogs which keeps them quite busy. His personal interests include personal training, tennis, golf, and rooting for Penn State football. Rich is a graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
JORDAN PLAYER
Jordan is a director at Willis Towers Watson.
Jordan’s day-to-day focus, as director, is strategic top line growth including leading national and multinational teams and client relationships. He has more than five years of non-profit experience and has supported the GVPF since inception.
Jordan will focus on key initiatives and partnerships through a diverse network with a goal for a sustainable life of the GVPF to supplement his grandparents’ legacies of changing lives for more than 70 years.
Jordan enjoys golfing and fishing in his little free time.
MARK KELLY
Mark serves as senior vice president and a division manager for DSI operations in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Mark received his degree in Mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. He has a wide range of experience in multiple markets ranging from high-rise office buildings to microelectronics clean rooms. His specific expertise includes construction, costing, value engineering, design and management.
Over the years, Mark has progressively assumed greater responsibility at DSI and held numerous positions on state and local contractor and labor organization boards.
Ambassadors
JONATHAN BROWN "JB"
Jonathan Brown (“JB”) brings a wealth of experience in marketing, procurement, medical device ventures, and private equity partnerships, ultimately finding his professional passion in real estate. As the founder of a real estate development and strategy consulting company, JB combines broad business expertise with a deep commitment to making communities thrive.
From his early years, JB has embraced leadership and service, dedicated to helping others and building a better world. As a proud Ambassador of the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation, he looks forward to helping it exceed all its goals.
Jonathan lives in Florida, cherishing time with family and friends, staying active with sports and fitness, and living a faith-based life.
eric sharpe
Eric Sharpe is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Master of Business degree. He has six years of professional financial experience and is Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registered. Eric is a financial advisor and financial services representative. Prior to joining CREATIVE Financial Group, Eric spent 12 years with Merck & Co., Inc. in the vaccine sales division.
Eric currently resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania with his wife Julia. He has helped serve the community with his involvement with Kiwanis International and the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation. Eric has been a paramedic/firefighter for over 30 years. He currently is a member of the Berwyn Fire Company. In his free time, he enjoys spending time on the golf course with his wife. Eric and his wife have completed over 30 half marathons together
How to donate
To be in the position to give back to the world in moments of success is priceless.
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation greatly appreciates any and all financial donations as we work to provide quality education to children in need.
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation is a charitable organization identified under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code. The donations contributed to the Foundation are considered a tax-deductible contribution.
