Debbie Dacey and her husband moved to Traverse City from Cincinnati in 2012. While the beautiful Northern Michigan is quite an enticement for retirees, the bigger appeal was her daughter’s family and four grandchildren. Debbie is a retired speech-language pathologist with more than thirty-five years of experience working with children and adults with significant disabilities. She has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings as a therapist, consultant, and supervisor. She specialized in the use of assistive technology in the area of augmentative communication. Debbie has presented at local, state and national conferences. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville where she taught graduate classes in augmentative communication and computer access. She has a strong commitment to helping improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. Serving on the Board of the Disability Network of Northern Michigan is one more step on this lifelong journey.
Paul graduated in 2004 with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Lake Superior State University. He currently lives in Cadillac and is the business owner of Streamer’s Custom Flies where he crafts custom flies for fly fishermen. Paul is passionate about accessible recreation and strives to live life to the fullest. He enjoys skiing, sailing, kayaking, camping, fishing, and all that Northern Michigan has to offer. He is currently a committee member and Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 125 in Cadillac and is active with Knights of Columbus Council 1224. Paul became a board member in Spring 2014 and is excited to have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of others with disabilities.
Brandon received his undergraduate degree with honors from Michigan State University in History with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2011. He currently practices estate planning in Traverse City. He is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by tailoring plans specifically to each of his clients. Part of his practice involves helping disabled individuals with guardianships and conservatorships, Medicaid planning, and special needs trust issues. As an attorney with a disability, Brandon finds a great deal of fulfillment in helping others with disabilities increase their degree of independence, and improve their quality of life. When not practicing law, Brandon enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors around Traverse City, fishing, hunting, hiking, and spending time with his wife, Charlotte, and dog, Bosco.
Jasen Hutchens is the Director of Information Technology at Traverse Bay Area Credit Union. He loves to sail, fish, camp, and train his dog, Mosin. He hopes to continue to provide support to Disability Network Northern Michigan by utilizing his skills in technology and love for the outdoors to help improve access and help facilitate opportunities for people with disabilities.
Mike is a trust officer with Huntington Wealth Advisors. He previously was in private legal practice in Traverse City and Boston, MA, where he handled litigation, commercial transactions, and estate planning. Mike also represented individuals with disabilities in discrimination cases and has remained passionate about disability rights and advocacy. He has been an instructor with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Currently, Mike serves as a mentor to small businesses with the Northern Michigan Chapter of SCORE and is part of the SCORE/Chamber of Commerce — Mark of Excellence Certification Committee. He also volunteers at the Third Level Crisis Legal Aid Clinic. Previously, he served on the Board of Directors at the East End House, in Cambridge, MA. Mike lives with his wife Chantal and son Nate in Kewadin, MI.
After graduating high school in 1972 I entered an apprenticeship and received my Journeyman's card as a Reinforcing Ironworker. In 1976 I had experienced a diving accident that left me quadriplegic. No one expects this kind of a sudden life change to happen to them. With the help of family, friends and my faith in the Lord Jesus I have come to live the fullest of lives. Fulfilling God’s calling my life I am a licensed minister serving the community.
Some of my interests are sailing, kayaking, traveling, designing stained glass and kites. I hope to be an asset to everybody the Disability Network supports.