Board of Directors
Donald Hudspeth
Mr. Hudspeth has over 28 years of clinical laboratory experience as a certified Medical Technologist (ASCP), including ten years with the University of North Carolina Hospitals and 18 years with Cord for Life. Mr. Hudspeth is licensed by the State of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Supervisor in Immunohematology, Hematology, Serology, Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Pathology and Microbiology as well as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and has completed the AABB Certification in Cellular Therapies through George Washington University.
Mr. Hudspeth is a registered Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and a member of the Cord Blood Association. He has also enjoyed teaching Immunology to Clinical Laboratory Science and medical school students at UNC while working in the UNCH clinical labs. Mr. Hudspeth is an Eagle Scout with 5 palms and has served numerous volunteer positions within the local Scouts BSA Troop and Pack.
Kelli Cable
Ms. Cable has 35+ years – experience in Office, Management, Human Resources, & Customer Service. As the Director of Administration and Client Services, Ms. Cable joined Cord for Life in December 2006, and has assisted in providing more efficient and effective ways to ease the enrollment process, as well as obtaining and establishing excellent customer care during the enrollment and donation period; for our Storage and Donation customers.
Robert Hoekstra
Robert Hoekstra has extensive experience in federal workers’ compensation, personal injury, insurance contractual disputes, civil rights litigation, and medical malpractice. Rob specializes in representing workers who were injured overseas while supporting our troops. On behalf of these clients, he has successfully obtained millions of dollars in benefits and negotiated additional millions in settlements.
Rob works solely for plaintiffs and claimants, but prior to founding the Hoekstra Law Firm, he represented plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of civil litigation matters including auto accidents, premises liability, products liability, civil rights, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation. His former clients include the State of Florida, Walmart, Michaels Stores, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Through his years of experience representing defendants, Rob is better equipped to anticipate many defense tactics and obtain the best possible recovery for his clients.
Rob studied at Florida International University College of Law, where he received two book awards in Legal Skills & Values II and his Seminar on Victim Compensation. During law school, Rob got his start at the City of Miami – Office of the City Attorney, where he worked extensively on a variety of civil litigation matters.
While in law school, Rob married his high-school sweetheart, Lindsay Hoekstra. In his free time, Rob enjoys playing tennis, serving as an amateur chef and BBQ pitmaster, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Stephen Brooks
Mr. Brooks holds several degrees from multiple universities in fields ranging from Sociology, Political Science, English, and Educational Administration and Supervision. He retired from Public Education in with over thirty years’ experience as a teacher/coach/administrator in North Carolina. His positive influences and teaching style had a far-reaching impact on thousands of students and their families.
Mr. Brooks has served his local communities on numerous boards, including Crimestoppers and Centro Latino. He founded and served as the Director of the Sovereign Alliance for Youth, a nationally recognized program for at-risk high school students.
In his free time, Mr. Brooks enjoys spending time with his wife, graciE, and their Bengal cat, Prince Ari. He likes to golf, play guitar, sing and write. Lastly, Mr. Brooks is a keen researcher on the effects of quantum theory in organizational systems. He cites Margaret Wheatley’s “Leadership and the New Science,” as the seminal work in this field. “I am honored to serve on the Cord For Life Foundation Board of Directors,” states Mr. Brooks. “I intend to be involved – very proactive – as we work together ‘to increase awareness and access for potentially life-saving cord blood treatments.’”
Marni Ward
Marni Ward is currently a District Sales Coordinator with Aflac. Ms. Ward has 8 years’ experience as a successful sales manager and 11 years as an agent. She spends time servicing and maintaining accounts and recruiting and training new agents. Her background is in Marketing and Advertising and she has her degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida.
Marni has always found a way to maintain a place in the community and has participated in multiple local organizations. She serves as Board Chair of the Marketing and Outreach committee for the Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County and is a member (since 1999) of the Women’s Executive Council, having held several board positions including Vice President. Ms. Ward has also served as the Florida East Ambassador for the Aflac Cancer Center for 8 years and as the Bowl-a-thon fundraiser Organizer for the Cancer Center for 6 years.
Marni has 2 Daughters, 1 in college and 1 in High School. She also has 2 dogs and loves travelling and reading.
