Our Team
Bill Hutz
Co-Founder
I am known as the "Fish Guy"
Bill spent 40+ years turning his hobby into a business. As The Fishguy, he set up and maintained aquariums for clients after moving to Pittsburgh to marry his Sweetheart. Bill retired once the medical issues reached the point of no return. Bill elevates one liners and zingers to the highest level of sarcasm.He received a living donor kidney on May 31, 2018, from a selfless family member. Bill & Jackie started Team Fishguy Transplant Foundation to give back to others. You can’t take it with you when you go, so are YOU an organ donor? Bill encourages everyone to register and Be Someone’s Hero.
Jackie Hutz
Co-Founder / Chair
Jackie HutzJackie sees her glass as overflowing. She is married to Bill (the Fishguy), the love of her life. She counts being a Gramma as the best job in the world. Fishguy was added to the kidney transplant list in 2015 after a month in the hospital with kidney failure. Being told that his insurance was like a hospitalgown, (you only think you are covered), Jackie immediately set about raising $40,000 and planting the seeds for what was to come. Over the next two years, multiple friends / relatives attempted to cross the finish line and donate a kidney. Jackie’s ex-husband’s sister was the perfect match! This successful transplant journey is a clear example of God’s Perfect Timing. Happy to be out of the survival mode of the last decade, Jackie knew it was time to give back to others. Bringing people together to have a good time while raising funds comes naturally to her. Team Fishguy Transplant Foundation non-profit was launched to support transplant patients, donors, and their families while raising awareness for organ donation. Another key component to Jackie’s commitment of service is her advocacy position with the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Advocacy Committee where she interacts with legislators promoting legislation beneficial to kidney patients.
As an Ambassador with American Kidney Fund, she joins in the fight against kidney disease from prevention through post-transplant living. Jackie is a Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) Volunteer / Speaker throughout the greater Pittsburgh area raising awareness for organdonation.
Jackie received the 2019 Hestia Award from VOICe for her impact on the lives of others. Because she had four hours of unscheduled time, she facilitates The Power of 100+ Women Butler, a group of women making a difference for local non-profits.
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Cherie Peters
Vice Chair
Cherie Peters has been following her passion for organ donation and kidney health for her entire professional career after losing a close friend in high school to organ failure. She pursued a career in organ donation awareness upon graduation from IUP with degrees in Communications Media and Journalism/Public Relations. Cherie worked with CORE as the Community Relations Coordinator for four years before joining the National Kidney Foundation as the Program Manager for 11 years. She currently works with UPMC's kidney transplant team as the Living Donation Liaison. Her role includes training kidney patients on how to find a living donor, as well as managing a youth education program.
Cherie has known Jackie and her family since she was a child. They went to the same church, and Cherie later babysit for her kids (and Kyle's future wife)! Cherie was honored to be invited to join the board at Team Fishguy Transplant Foundation, and she looks forward to serving the board's incredible mission!
Cherie has known Jackie and her family since she was a child. They went to the same church, and Cherie later babysit for her kids (and Kyle's future wife)! Cherie was honored to be invited to join the board at Team Fishguy Transplant Foundation, and she looks forward to serving the board's incredible mission!
Anne Grzybek
Secretary
Anne is a life-long friend of Jackie’s, having first met in 7th grade-you do the math! She enjoys spending time with her 2 beautiful daughters Christina and Megan, husband Greg, and a very spoiled golden retriever named Sid. Anne is an avid sports fan, with the Penguins and the Steelers among her faves. She has been an RN for 32 years and loves her work. She is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful foundation!
Sandra Jerich
Treasurer
Sandra is a 20-year resident of Butler County with a long history of volunteering. She learned about Team Fishguy when she started doing the organization's bookkeeping through her work at Small Business Accounting, and quickly felt enthusiasm for the organization's mission. She lives in Saxonburg with her amazing husband Jim, and their crazy springer spaniel, Banner. She has two adult children and two precious young grandsons who are some of her favorite people in the world! When she's not at one of her parttime jobs, Sandra enjoys reading, movies, cooking, exercise, and travel.
Bill Ferianc
Bill has lived in the Pittsburgh area for all of his life, growing up in Observatory Hill, on the North Side. He retired from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, after being employed there for 36 years. Bill is also the owner of Holly Ridge Web Design which has been in business since 2005 and has built over 120 websites for his clients. Bill has been the Webmaster for Team Fishguy since 2019 and also works on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Bill has lived in Shaler Township for 20 years with his wife, Diane and 3 adult children. Their daughter, Lauren, graduated from Robert Morris University and currently works as an Actuarial Retirement Consultant for Mercer. They also have twins, their daughter, Alyssa, graduated from Penn State University – Behrend and is a Mechanical Engineer at Westinghouse; and their son, Zach, is a Physical Therapist Assistant at the Willows in Oakmont.
Bill enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, as well as doing home improvement projects at his house and his daughter’s house. Bill has a Golden Shepard (Golden Retriever/German Shepard mix) named Bella and a grand-dog named Chase (Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Yorkie and terrier mix).
Bill has lived in Shaler Township for 20 years with his wife, Diane and 3 adult children. Their daughter, Lauren, graduated from Robert Morris University and currently works as an Actuarial Retirement Consultant for Mercer. They also have twins, their daughter, Alyssa, graduated from Penn State University – Behrend and is a Mechanical Engineer at Westinghouse; and their son, Zach, is a Physical Therapist Assistant at the Willows in Oakmont.
Bill enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, as well as doing home improvement projects at his house and his daughter’s house. Bill has a Golden Shepard (Golden Retriever/German Shepard mix) named Bella and a grand-dog named Chase (Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Yorkie and terrier mix).
Ellen Shilling
Ellen is a Software Quality Engineer for an International Transportation company. A western PA native, she attended West Virginia University and is a proud Mountaineer. She is married to her love of nearly 25 years, Andrew and mother to her absolute most favorite boy, Jack. She has personal experience with serious illness having survived Stage IV Lymphoma twice when her son was an infant. In 2011, she received a lifesaving stem cell transplant. She is passionate about helping people and believes that we each have a responsibility to one another to make the world better. To that end, she hopes to serve Team Fishguy Transplant Foundation and their mission.
Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale
Jennifer is an attorney and founder of Gilliland Vanasdale Law Office, LLC, a law office approaching 20 years of business with offices located in Cranberry Township and downtown Butler, PA. Jennifer is a hard worker and is deeply committed to her profession and helping others. She herself was helped as a child and believes that all things are possible with determination, hard work and support.
Linda Ryan
Linda is a lifelong Pittsburgher. She attended Fox Chapel High school. She graduated with a BS in Mental Health Counseling from Gannon University. After a five year stretch of working in foster care Linda began her own business long side of her husband, Brendan. Together they owned and operated CSA Home Inspections and EnviroCare of SW PA for 26 years, helping others find the right home for their families. Together they have 2 wonderful children.
As a family they enjoy traveling, skiing, rugby, hiking, biking, bonfires, and s’mores. Linda is an avid exercise enthusiast. Having run the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Half marathon numerous times, she enjoys being outside “training” especially with her friends. When not on the trail you can probably find her on her yoga mat enjoying a moment of peace. Coming from an exceptionally large extend family she is often the host of summertime gatherings. Having her family around is most important to her. Linda’s brother was a bone marrow recipient giving her new perspective on what it means “to GIVE”. Helping others has always been her way and she is happy to be joining Team Fishguy.
As a family they enjoy traveling, skiing, rugby, hiking, biking, bonfires, and s’mores. Linda is an avid exercise enthusiast. Having run the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Half marathon numerous times, she enjoys being outside “training” especially with her friends. When not on the trail you can probably find her on her yoga mat enjoying a moment of peace. Coming from an exceptionally large extend family she is often the host of summertime gatherings. Having her family around is most important to her. Linda’s brother was a bone marrow recipient giving her new perspective on what it means “to GIVE”. Helping others has always been her way and she is happy to be joining Team Fishguy.
Nimish Naik
Dr. Nimish Naik has known and loved Pittsburgh since the time he met his future wife at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. During breaks, they would visit Kelly‘s amazing family and he took in the bridges, rivers, neighborhoods, and of course the sports teams! Her family was instrumental early in his career. Whether helping edit essays for medical school applications or being a year-long dog sitter while he was living in a dormitory his first year at New York Medical College, they provided him with much needed support. It was then when he knew Pittsburgh was a city full of people that live to help a neighbor in need.
After completing a residency and chief resident year in internal medicine at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, he moved permanently to Pittsburgh with a burgeoning family when starting a nephrology fellowship at UPMC.
While transplant nephrology was always a particular interest since working in a cutting edge transplant immunology lab during college, after fellowship he joined a general nephrology practice that has served the North Hills and beyond for over 30 years with a mission to provide excellent care of patients with the kindness of a Pittsburgh neighbor. He is now a partner of that practice, Advanced Nephrology Associates, and came to know Jackie and Bill through his illness and eventual transplant. He was honored when asked to participate in this organization that is devoted to give back to patients with diseases requiring transplantation.
After completing a residency and chief resident year in internal medicine at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, he moved permanently to Pittsburgh with a burgeoning family when starting a nephrology fellowship at UPMC.
While transplant nephrology was always a particular interest since working in a cutting edge transplant immunology lab during college, after fellowship he joined a general nephrology practice that has served the North Hills and beyond for over 30 years with a mission to provide excellent care of patients with the kindness of a Pittsburgh neighbor. He is now a partner of that practice, Advanced Nephrology Associates, and came to know Jackie and Bill through his illness and eventual transplant. He was honored when asked to participate in this organization that is devoted to give back to patients with diseases requiring transplantation.
Wendy Dravis
Wendy's family has witnessed, first hand, the miracle of organ donation. Her father in law received a heart in 2014. His new heart gave him 7 good years to be with her mother in law, watch his children grow as adults and know her boys. He was one of her favorite people.
Wendy's life has always been centered around family. She's a wife and mom of three teenage boys. She grew up in Johnstown, PA with her mom, dad and three brothers, and is a proud aunt of 18 nieces/nephews and great nieces/nephews.
Wendy is a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. She services Butler and Allegheny Counties and loves to build relationships with her clients while helping them buy or sell real estate. Prior to real estate, Wendy was a teacher, a fitness instructor and owned a small construction business.
Wendy loves to travel - or at least think about traveling. She loves anything outside and active - hiking, biking, camping, yoga, yard work. After dabbling in biking for the past few years, she's looking forward to some long overnight rides this year. She's hoping to bike the GAP trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland this summer with her sons.
Wendy's life has always been centered around family. She's a wife and mom of three teenage boys. She grew up in Johnstown, PA with her mom, dad and three brothers, and is a proud aunt of 18 nieces/nephews and great nieces/nephews.
Wendy is a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. She services Butler and Allegheny Counties and loves to build relationships with her clients while helping them buy or sell real estate. Prior to real estate, Wendy was a teacher, a fitness instructor and owned a small construction business.
Wendy loves to travel - or at least think about traveling. She loves anything outside and active - hiking, biking, camping, yoga, yard work. After dabbling in biking for the past few years, she's looking forward to some long overnight rides this year. She's hoping to bike the GAP trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland this summer with her sons.
Paige Bauer
Paige Bauer is married to chef Michael and mom to 6-year-old David. She works at a local pediatrician’s office. Paige loves to bake and decorate cookies. Coffee is her love language. She is a voracious reader and does jigsaw puzzles in record time. Paige has witnessed the importance of organ transplant as the daughter of Jackie & Bill and niece of living donor Oma Palmer.
Rob Bauer
Rob Bauer Jr. is a husband to his wife Samantha, father to their kids Tyler (27), Will (11) and Andi (10) and before all else, a servant of God. Rob worked for over 20 years in the trucking and logistics industry and recently transitioned to help his wife manage their insurance agency, Goosehead Insurance- The Bauer Agency as well as their household. Rob is an Elder at Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church where he and his family worship. In his spare time, Rob loves to golf, practice Tang Soo Do as a black belt and enjoys spending time with his family.
