Denise Ricks is an Intervention Specialist at the Buchtel Community Learning Center.  She teaches students with multiple disabilities, in grades nine through twelve, with the Akron Public School District.  

Ms. Ricks attended The University of Akron and earned a Master of Science Degree in Education (2008) and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Special Education (2000).  While in high school, she volunteered at the Weaver School and Workshop and Barret Elementary School.  She also worked for eight years at the former Broadview Developmental Center and for United Disability Services.

Ms. Ricks has been an advocate and mentor for many of her students and their parents, as well as for her own daughter, Candace, who was born with Down Syndrome.  She loves teaching and learning from them.      

Ms. Ricks and her husband, Michael, also have a daughter, Sparkle, and a granddaughter, Saige.  Ms. Ricks loves writing poetry, watching football on Sunday and simply stopping to “smell the flowers” in her garden.

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Tami Gaugler has worked for the Tri-County Independent Living Center since 2005. She began with Tri-County in the capacity of Housing Coordinator where she surveyed for compliance, advocated for affordable/accessible housing and assisted with transitions out of institutions and into the community. Tami currently works as the Deputy Director of Tri-County, which includes supporting and learning the duties of the Executive Director.  

Tami also serves on the Portage County Housing Services Council, the Akron Summit Community Reinvestment Coalition and the Akron City Action Plan Impediments to Fair Housing Committee. She has previously participated on Summit County Project Homeless Connect, Summit 2010 Housing Affordability Committee and the Stark County Homeless Services Council.

She earned her Associate Degree with high Distinction in Business Administration from the Akron University – C & T College in 1985 and also attended Mount Vernon Nazarene College where she studied ministerial studies for two years.

Tami was born with a disorder that resulted in the loss of part of her arm at age seven. She has been a self-advocate her entire life.  She has been married for 35 years and has two sons.  

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Jason Dodson was appointed as a volunteer Board Member for the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board in January 2021. He brings a wealth of knowledge as a private practice attorney for Roetzel and Andress. Prior to joining Roetzel and Andress, Mr. Dodson served as Chief of Staff to two County Executives in Summit County, Ohio and as Assistant Director of Law for Summit County.  He also represented public, for-profit and non-profit clients before joining the Summit County Executive’s Office. 

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