Staff
Bob Miller
Bob is the Father of Ryan who passed away in 2011 after a valiant eleven-month battle with Non-hodgkins Lymphoma (Burkitt’s Disease), and is the President of Ryan Rock’s!!! Outdoor Adventures. As President of Ryan Rock’s!!! Outdoor Adventures Bob is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organizations programming and fundraising. “My pupose for creating this organization is to give a child and their family a break away from Cancer. No hospitals, no Doctors or Nurses, no needles. A chance to be outside, one with nature. Experience something they have never done before.” Bob’s expertise and love of hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting allows Ryan Rock’s!!! Outdoor Adventures to provide a professional and memorable retreat for the entire family. Bob currently works for Unique Fabricating as a Team Lead. He resides in Clawson Michigan with his wife Kristen and their two fur babies Bella and Liberty. In his spare time Bob enjoys competitive shooting, camping, and Fly Fishing. |
Board Members
Kristen Miller
Kristen is the Mother of Ryan, her hero. After watching Ryan go through his valiant fight with Cancer, she knew she had to continue his legacy and provide children and their families a special memory that would last a lifetime. Helping her husband Bob create Ryan Rocks!!! Outdoor Adventures has helped to heal her forever broken heart. Kristen works as a Preschool Teacher at The Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, MI. She has dedicated her life to educating the lives of young children for over 23 years. “It is my passion and purpose in life to help children learn.” Kristen currently resides in Clawson Michigan with her husband Bob and their two fur babies, Liberty and Bella. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, camping, going to the movies, and trying her hand at competitive shooting. |
Gwyneth Van Brandeghen
A Ryan Rocks board member since 2015, Gwyneth had the privilege of getting to know Ryan--his love of the outdoors, of spending time with his family, fishing, camping and even swimming in her pool. His infectious personality and the passion his parents, Bob and Kristen, exhibited to celebrate Ryan's legacy inspired her to serve as a volunteer in the early days of the Ryan Rocks Foundation. Working with Ryan Rocks and their efforts to support the whole family through the difficult times faced by young cancer patients has been hugely fulfilling. Gwyneth is a Michigan native and has enjoyed camping and the many natural wonders Michigan has to offer both in her childhood and as an adult with her friends and family. Gwyneth is an avid baker, a trait her friends and family deeply appreciate, and enjoys spending time working with her German Shorthair, and Wirehair Pointers, not to mention her cats. She currently works as a Scheduling Coordinator for Flint Gastroenterology Associates, PC. She lives in Linden with her menagerie and one very tolerant man, Mark. |
Jeffrey Gerak
Jeffrey’s story and passion for those afflicted with cancer started very much like many others, after the loss of a loved one to cancer. Jeffrey graduated from The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy at Wayne State University in 2003 and has practiced as a pharmacist throughout Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Most of his career after graduation was at The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan, where he broadened his knowledge and experience in the field of oncology. It was during this time that his desire for wanting to do more began to grow. Jeffrey is an avid competitor in practical shooting that has traveled throughout the United States. He yearned to establish an annual competition that satisfied the challenges other competitors wish to see in their own travels, while having the proceeds go to those with cancer. He was introduced to Bob and Kristen Miller of RROAI through his wife, Carla, who met the Millers during her pediatric residency training when Ryan was undergoing chemotherapy. In 2013, he organized his first Ryan Rocks!!! Charity Blast (RRCB), held at Livingston Gun Club (LGC) in Brighton, Michigan. The Level II match sanctioned by the USPSA has become a staple on the calendar for many involved in the organization, becoming larger with each passing year. The RRCB is held every year at LGC on the second weekend of July. Jeffrey and Carla live in West Bloomfield, Michigan with their 3 children, Noah, Sonia and Nathan. Within the past year, Jeffrey has stepped away from full time practice and currently stays home with their children. In his spare time, he enjoys participating in shooting competitions and barbeques with family and friends. |
Tara Lindsay
Tara Lindsay has been taking care of other people's children for over 30 years, and has worked as a nanny for the past 24 years. She attended Central Michigan University where she studied Special Education, Early Childhood and then pursued a degree in Public Health Education and Health Promotion. After ending her time at CMU in 1996, Tara recognized her deep love for the work of nannying and chose to enter it as a full time career. She has cared for children of all ages, stages, and developmental ability levels, as well as worked with a variety of family types. She was trained as a Newborn Care Specialist by The Alexandria School in Solon, Ohio. She has passed the International Nanny Association nanny credential exam. Tara left the field of nannying in August 2001 to become a long term missionary at an orphanage in rural Honduras. After returning home to Michigan in April, 2003, she resumed her nanny career. Tara currently is a full time, live out nanny for an Oakland County family with three young boys. Tara is a Co-Founder and Director of MPNA. At the national level, she has served as Secretary for the Professional Nanny Association and offered advice to nannies and parents as the PNA "Ask Nanny". She has also twice been a workshop presenter at Nannypalooza, a national professional education conference as well as been a presenter at local parenting events. Tara volunteers with Be The Match, a division of the National Marrow Donor Program to recruit and educate potential marrow donors. She is on the board of directors for Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures, a Michigan based charity for children with cancer. Tara was named a 2010 Outstanding Young Michigander by the Michigan Jaycees for her numerous volunteer and philanthropic activities and served as the 2014 Leadership Consultant for the Wyandotte chapter of the Michigan Jaycees. |
Mark Altovilla
Mark has lost both of his parents to cancer, along with many dear friends and had been looking for a way to help and encourage people though this horrible battle. He has helped in many different ways -through golf outings, fund raisers and donations over the years. And now, being a part of Ryan Rocks has helped him heal. Mark believes that no child should have to walk this road alone and hopes that, through the combined efforts of the board and our supporters, Ryan Rocks!!! Outdoor Adventures will continue to gain support and recognition and will never have to deny to a child in need. Mr. Altovilla has been a Quality Manager in Automotive for over 30 years and brings problem solving skills and practical knowledge to Ryan Rocks!!! Outdoor Adventures. Mark’s knowledge of the outdoors, guns and shooting sports will enhance each child’s experience. He is active with the children getting them out of the house and hospital to educate them on the proper handling of firearms and to bring a smile to their faces. He is also an avid golfer, hunter and enjoys wind therapy on his custom Harley-Davison. Mark resides in Center Line Michigan with his Fiance Suzanne and their granddaughter Rylie Rose. |
Ian Redmond
Ian is a husband and a father. He works as an attorney and also teaches self-defense classes to adults. Ian appreciates helping others with his time and talents.. Ian is a cancer survivor and has lost loved ones to the disease. He began helping Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures in 2011 and has served on its Board of Directors since 2015.. Ian is an Eagle Scout and is well versed with firearms, fishing, camping and wilderness craft. These skills, coupled with his legal knowledge and passion to serve, continue to assist Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures in a variety of ways. |
Tom Putvin
Tom has been volunteering for Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures events since the first day, and has been a board member since 2015. Behind every successful Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures event there is a need for people who help organize the chaos and transform it into an experience above and beyond expectations. Tom loves working in this area making sure events run smoothly. Tom is honored to work with such a wonderful group of people who help kids and their families affected by cancer. Tom feels blessed to have the support and help from his daughter Caitlyn. Together they have helped Ryan Rocks Outdoor Adventures run smoothly and grow. |