Our incredible board is comprised of medical professionals, business leaders, and community members. Together, we're united by BBH's mission of bringing the cure of comfort to children with life-threatening illnesses
Board Members
Matt French
Board Member
Matt is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a B.B.A. in Economics and Finance. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for Comprehensive Therapy Center, serving children with disabilities in the West Michigan area. Matt currently serves as Sales and Marketing Manager for North & Central America at Tintometer GmbH, a global leader in color measurement and water quality analysis since 1885. Matt was a dear friend of Billy's beginning in the third grade at St. Andrew's Elementary School, continuing throughout Billy's life.
Matt co-founded the organization with Charlie in 2011 to serve as a living tribute to Billy’s life’s work and the impact he had in his short life here.
T.J. Feagan
Board Member
T.J. is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned a B.S.B.A with majors in accounting and finance. During his time at CMU T.J. was a member of the men’s club lacrosse team, where he wore number 19 in remembrance of Billy and served as a team captain during his senior season. T.J. currently lives in Lansing, MI and works at Plante Moran, PLLC within their Assurance Services practice. A 2009 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School, T.J. is a long-time friend of Charlie’s and was very close with Billy. He looks forward to working with the children in West Michigan in advancing Billy’s dream.
Kim Alkema
Board Member
Kim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Albion College. With a business background, she has previously worked in finance for Dun and Bradstreet, Gordon Food Service and Fifth third bank. She currently works part-time for Key Recruiting out of Ohio. Kim and her husband Dave have two boys, Sam (Junior-DePauw University) and Tommy (Junior-EGR) who have both served on the BBH Youth Advisory Board. Kim volunteers weekly at Kids Food Basket in Grand Rapids and is active in the EGR school system. In her free time, she enjoys playing Bridge, Tennis and travelling.
Caitlyn Wood
Board Member
Caitlyn graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Dietetics and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. Caitlyn currently works for the Michigan Department of Education as a department analyst with the School Nutrition Program. She travels throughout Michigan, assisting local education institutions to ensure they provide nutritious school meals to all students. She was a friend of Billy’s beginning at Catholic Central High School. Caitlyn is married to Billy’s best friend, Kevin Wood, and lives with him and their German Shepherd, ‘Zoey', in Grand Rapids, MI.
Luis G. Vecchio
Board Member
Luis G. Vecchio has played the role of Charlie’s best friend, enemy, general acquaintance, and best friend again since before either of them could walk. It was Billy, the older brother Luis never had, who inspired him to pick up hockey at a young age. Luis proudly wore the same number as Billy (#91) and went on to co-found the first hockey team at Aquinas College, his alma mater. Currently, Luis is working on for an Atlanta based startup and is part of the Leadership and Advisory Council for Make-A-Wish Michigan. As a Board Member, Luis can be found playing bad cop with the Youth Advisory Board.
Charlie Wondergem
Board Member
As Billy’s younger brother, Charlie co-founded the organization in an effort to keep his brother’s lifelong dream of supporting children with life-threatening illnesses alive. Outside of BBH, Charlie is Director of Mergers & Acquisitions for Aspen Surgical, a private equity-backed global manufacturer of surgical solutions, where he has responsibility for leading the company’s acquisition growth strategy. He previously worked in Corporate Development for Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO), with responsibility for global mergers & acquisitions and business development activities. Additionally, Charlie serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish® Michigan and was named to Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Business Leaders (2020). Charlie graduated from the University of Denver in 2013.
Ellen Kent
Board Member
After graduating with a B.S. in Applied Science and Business from Miami University, Ellen moved to Grand Rapids to begin her career with Herman Miller, Inc. where she led Global Marketing activities until her retirement in early 2017. She held a variety of leadership roles in the Junior League of Grand Rapids, was a member of the organizing committee for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and served on the Capital Campaign Cabinet for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids.
Ellen and her husband, Tom, reside in East Grand Rapids. Together they enjoy serving as BBH Board members.
Chris Prins
Board Member
Chris is a commercial real estate advisor at DAR Commercial. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University, with dual degrees in marketing and management. He currently plays on his church's fast pitch softball team. He is a 2010 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, where he played on the varsity baseball and soccer teams. In his spare time, Chris enjoys basketball, baseball, football and spending time with friends.
Jack Long
Board Member
Jack is the former Co-President of the Billy Bear Hug Youth Advisory Board (YAB). During his time with the YAB, he was inspired by the organization. He led fundraisers at his high school (Grand Rapids Christian), spoke at events, and even shared the comfort of Billy Bears to families in Guatemala. Jack is an Economics student at the University of Michigan. He has worked with Goldman Sachs Asset Management as a Summer Analyst, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch as a Registered Wealth Management Client Associate. In his free time, Jack enjoys running, playing basketball, exploring nature, and spending time with friends and family.
Tom Kent
Board Member
Tom earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and completed MBA coursework at Wayne State University. After serving with the US Army as a Material Systems Analyst, Tom attended the Detroit Police Academy and was assigned as a Probation Officer at the City of Detroit Recorder’s Court. Concurrently, he studied at the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law and was awarded a Juris Doctor degree. He was elected to the position of Prosecuting Attorney for Crawford County. Following his term as Prosecutor Tom conducted a successful private practice representingemployers and insurance companies in litigated matters. Currently he serves as CEO for HealthPro Shield, LLC. His community involvement includes the Capital Campaign Cabinet of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and the Capital Campaign Cabinet of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. He is an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow and previously served as Executive Financial Officer of the Gerald R. Ford Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Jessica Ruppert
Board Member
Jess holds bachelors degrees in Communications and English from DePauw University. With a background in marketing and public relations, she has previously worked for the children's footwear brand Stride Rite, and women's clothing retailer Laura Ashley. Jess and her family are members of Mayflower Congregational Church, where she teaches Sunday school and serves on the personnel committee. She is also a volunteer in the East Grand Rapids School District through the Junior Gradebooks program. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, skiing and tennis.
Dalton DeVos
Board Member
A West Michigan native, Dalton is currently working with Continuum Ventures, supporting their diligence activities for their investments in a variety of Midwest businesses. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Marketing and Management in 2014. During his collegiate career, he interned with Amway, the US House of Representatives, and Haworth. He is an avid sailor who has raced in the Melges 32 and 52 Super Series classes, and enjoys participating in the annual Chicago-Mackinac race alongside his father, Doug. Dalton circumnavigated the world by boat from Sept. 2015 through Oct. 2017, and from 2018 to 2020, worked as a Digital Associate at Amway. Dalton and his wife, Kelly, reside in Grand Rapids and are active supporters of various philanthropic initiatives.
Kevin Wood
Board Member
Kevin is a Security Specialist with Founders Brewing Co., where he oversees the company’s corporate security programs. Kevin was a close friend of Billy’s, beginning at St. Andrew’s Elementary School, and continuing throughout their time at Catholic Central High School and thereafter. Kevin was previously a Special Agent with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, and served a one-year tour of duty in Afghanistan, resulting in many distinguished awards, including the Army Commendation Metal (ARCOM) with Valor. Kevin and his wife, Caitlyn, reside in Grand Rapids.
Robert L. Hooker, MD
Honorary Board Member
Dr. Hooker is a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon with Cardiovascular Surgeons, P.A. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kenyon College and an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Hooker and his family are long-time friends of the Wondergem family, and he is in part responsible for Billy's passion for medicine. "Bobby", as he was known to Billy, served as a wonderful mentor as Billy put together plans to attend medical school. The two were frequently in touch regarding the possibility of a new cardiothoracic research program in West Michigan, and had been collaborating on some research at the time of Billy's passing. Dr. Hooker and his wife, Michelle, reside in Orlando, FL with their two daughters.