Board of Directors

Greg Pruitt has served 26 years as Hickman County Judge Executive, administering all facets of county government in his home county. While functioning in this capacity, he has served on and chaired a number of local, regional, state, federal, and multi-state organizations involving many areas such as tourism, health and social services, transportation, and economic development. He has been dealing with adult onset HSP since 2002. About a dozen members of his family tree over the past three generations have dealt with HSP. Greg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Business Administration from Murray State University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Kentucky. He lives in Clinton, Kentucky, with his wife, Norma. They have 3 children and 4 beautiful grandchildren.
Pruitt@sp-foundation.org

Jim graduated from the University of TN at Chattanooga with a BS in Marketing. He worked for 5 years in fundraising with the American Heart Association, followed by about 15 years in pharmaceutical sales with Bristol Myers Squibb and Daiichi Sankyo. He currently serves as our Vice President and is the Fundraising Chair. Jim has SPG4 and lives with his wife and two children in Brentwood, TN. His daughter was diagnosed with HSP in 2023. Jim is very excited about potential breakthroughs with medical research in the near future. If you would like to help, please let him know. Jim.sheorn@sp-foundation.org

Hank has been part of the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation team since 2011. He was an ambassador for Illinois for 12 years. In 2020 he was elected as Secretary to the Board. Hank supports the foundation's goals by working with the various foundation committees. He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from DeVry University. Hank has had Primary Lateral Sclerosis since 2003. Hank.Chiuppi@sp-foundation.org

John was elected to the SPF Board in May of 2013. He is from Alexandria, VA and graduated from the College of Charleston in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics before entering the Financial Services Industry. After three years with Morgan Stanley he transitioned to Edelman Financial Services, a financial planning firm headquartered in Fairfax, VA. He was diagnosed with HSP in early 2003 and is the second in his family with the condition.

Rebecca Cochran is a dedicated and compassionate individual, married to her husband Tobin for nearly 35 years. As a mother of three boys, and most recently Mimi to her grandson, Rebecca's life is filled with love and commitment to her family and community. Her middle son, Joshua, was diagnosed with the complicated version of SPG-11 at a very young age. This is one circumstance that has inspired Becki to become deeply involved in various non-profit organizations serving those in need or with disabilities. For the past two years, Becki has served on SPF’s Fundraising Committee.
Over the years, Rebecca has made significant contributions to the community through her work with these organizations. She has chaired several auctions, demonstrating her leadership skills and dedication to making a positive impact. Rebecca's efforts have not only raised essential funds to carry out the mission of these organizations but has also increased awareness and support for these important causes.
In 2012, Rebecca walked nearly 500 miles over a five-week period on the Camino de Santiago, a journey of personal growth, connection, and unforgettable experiences. As a Board Member, Rebecca will serve the SPF’s mission with the same strength, resilience, and commitment.

Tina is a retired teacher who still stands by the motto that greeted each student as they entered her classroom—“What we learn with pleasure, we never will forget.” Tina uses her performance and people skills to inform, advocate and fundraise for the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. Tina has HSP and was clinically diagnosed in late 2002 and received a genetic diagnosis of SPG7 in 2014. Tina became a member of the SPF Board in 2012 and continues her efforts in finding a cure for HSP & PLS.

Frank is a retired businessman. Before his retirement, Frank was President of Pittman and Davis, a direct marketing catalog company specializing in the sale of gift packages of fresh fruit and other perishable gift food items. From 2005 to 2011, Frank served as secretary for the Board of Directors. He was elected President in January of 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree in both business administration and sociology from Trinity University and a Masters degree from Southern Methodist University. He has HSP and lives in San Antonio.

Sara joined the board in March 2025. She attended both Benedictine University and Judson University, ultimately graduating with a BA in Science and Mathematics from Judson. While at Judson, she worked as a student researcher at the World Hunger Research Center, studying agricultural cover crops as a food source in Third World countries. Their work was presented at a conference in Honduras and published in a book addressing the use of cover crops as a food source. After graduation, she continued to research world hunger, helping complete the analytical chemistry experiments for a graduate student in India. She then went to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, working in research labs in Trauma Surgery, Rheumatology and the Genomics Core Lab. While at Feinberg, she contributed to research that was published and later presented in the United States and Europe. After 6 years at Feinberg, she worked for another 4 years at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in the clinical laboratory. Most recently, she has worked as a Scientific Reviewer for the Critical Path Institute. In her spare time, Sara enjoys nature and animals, especially frogs, reading, documentaries, lilacs, matcha, eating ethnic food, pampering the family cat and spending time with family and friends.

Dina joined the board in March 2021. Dina graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Architecture. She became a licensed Architect in 2002 and took early retirement after 25 years. Dina lives in Adel, Iowa with her husband and two boys. She was diagnosed with HSP in 2013. Dina is Co-Ambassador of Iowa and chairs the SPF Education Committee. Dina.Landphair@sp-foundation.org

Carina is the Founder and CEO of The Maddi Foundation, a UK based Charity that focuses on medical research for SPG15. She began this work after her teenage daughter, Maddi, was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. Since the beginning Carina has dedicated her time to learn more about the condition, and with her strong fundraising drive has been able to help finance appropriate research projects; One of which is The Maddi Foundation partnering with SITraN at Sheffield University England, both The Maddi Foundation and SITraN are pleased to have SPF on board with us.

Previously Carina was a successful businesswoman and a commercial florist working in some of London’s Top Hotels including the world renowned Claridge’s. She lives in Essex, England some 30 miles North East of London with her family, 2 daughters Madeleine and Alexandra and husband Paul.

Jackie worked as a Medical Assistant until she was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia in 1997. When diagnosed she opened her own business. She has volunteered in many ways, including a civil rights march in Georgia, working at a no-kill animal sanctuary in Utah, being a Big Sister, and worked on several political campaigns. She is currently the SPF Ambassador for Iowa. Her first book, Spiritual Clarity was published in 2005. Jackie spends many hours a week studying reports on medical research, communicating with others who are similarly involved, and looking for ways to raise money for SPF. She was named to the board in 2013. Jackie lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, son, and two dogs.

Annette Lockwood is an SPF incorporating board member and served on the foundation steering committee. She retired from ExxonMobil in 2006 after twenty-six years in a variety of positions. She is active in the SPF community organizing various fundraising initiatives including the ExxonMobil Employees Favorite Charities Campaign. Annette obtained a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Marquette University. She has adult-onset HSP, which also affects many individuals in her family. She has two children and lives with her husband in Fairfax Station, Virginia.