Marilyn McCombe holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Virginia, and a master’s degree in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. After ten years in the U.S. Air Force and the birth of her two daughters, Marilyn moved back to her home state of Virginia to live near family. Her daughter with Down syndrome launched her into a second career supporting people with disabilities. After graduating from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Partners in Policymaking 10-month training program, Marilyn worked for 12 years as the Parent Resource Center Coordinator for the Fauquier County Public Schools. She was a founding board member of The Arc of North Central Virginia, and currently serves as the founding Chair of the disAbility Coalition of North Central Virginia.
Marilyn has served for 16+ years on the Fauquier County Special Education Advisory Committee. She is a member of the first Leadership Fauquier graduating class, and currently serves as co-chair of the Partnership for Community Resources. Marilyn’s daughters are a daily source of inspiration and encouragement for her growth and learning.
Christine Craddock holds a bachelor's degree in English from St. Mary's College of Maryland. After 9 years at The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, she became a stay-at-home mom for 10 years. She joined The Arc of North Central Virginia in January 2022 as the Administrative and Outreach Specialist.
Married for 16 years to her amazing husband, her most important role is mom to 14-year-old Cole and 7-year-old Carolina. Her passions include photography, woodworking, writing, and helping others by volunteering in her community.
*Indicates Parent of Child(ren) with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
2022-23 Board of Directors
Amy Hunter is a summa cum laude graduate of Trinity College in Washington, D.C., with a degree in Public Affairs. Her 20-year career in state government relations included positions in the Idaho State Legislature, a national organization of state legislators, and Stateside Associates, a government relations consulting firm specializing in 50-state issues management, where she was a principal and senior vice president.
The mother of seven children, including a son with Down syndrome and one on the autism spectrum, she is an advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities. She has homeschooled many of her children over the past 15 years, and currently has five students enrolled in Fauquier County Public Schools, where she chairs the Special Education Advisory Committee to the School Board.
Frédérique Vincent is a French Sorbonne graduate who spent most of her early career working in the field of translation and editing. The birth of her daughter with Down syndrome motivated her to shift her interests towards advocating for, and supporting, people with disabilities. She was a Medicaid Waiver Service Facilitator for ten years, most recently with Independence Empowerment Center, a Center for Independent Living located in Manassas. She is now dedicating her time to her daughter, and to community advocacy. Frédérique is a founding Board member of The Arc of North Central Virginia.
Frédérique has held many volunteer positions in and around Fauquier County, and currently serves on the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD) as Secretary and as a volunteer with Special Olympics. She is graduate of the VCU Va-LEND 300-hour training program, completing a project entitled: Virtual Communications 101: A Quick Guide to Empower Users with Disabilities to Access the Internet and Video Calls. Frédérique is a former Virginia State Special Education Advisory Committee (SSEAC) Regional Representative, former Fauquier County Public Schools SEAC Chair, and served on the Board of the Warrenton Civitans.
Suzanne Bowers holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from High Point University. She is the Executive Director of the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), a statewide nonprofit that provides tools and information to empower students with disabilities and their families. She has been with PEATC for 15 years and has more than 25 years of experience with navigating the special education cycle in multiple states. Before becoming a parent, Suzanne started her career as a teacher and later as a contractor for the Army’s Exceptional Family Member Program, prior to moving back to Virginia.
Suzanne is the proud mother of four children, two of whom have disabilities. She lives with her family in Fauquier County. She volunteers with Special Olympics and Ringing in Hope, in addition to serving on the Virginia State Special Education Advisory Committee, currently Chair of the Family Engagement Committee.
Sheri Sobkowiak
Email: ssobkowiak@rrcsb.org
Sheri Sobkowiak holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. For almost 30 years, Sheri has been leading teams of direct support professionals, supervisors, and managers in the field of disability and mental illness. A graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, Sheri is the Director of Case Management at Rappahannock Rapidan Community Service. Her work entails supporting individuals with IDD and Serious Mental Illness (SMI), as well as aiding people with a serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness to find long-term, permanent supportive housing and support.
Sheri and her husband have a son and a daughter, one dog, two cats, and, of course, the bearded dragon. In her free time, she enjoys group exercise classes, family gatherings, attempts at gardening, and traveling.
Kelly Jo Robson*
Email: shootingdsstars@gmail.com
Kelly Jo Robson holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in Agriculture. Kelly previously worked as a High School teacher, Softball Coach, and FFA Advisor for ten years. After Kelly’s son, Remington (9), was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome and other health complications, Kelly transitioned to a part-time job as a Community-Based Counselor and Qualified Mental Health Professional with Chrysalis Counseling Centers in Culpeper. Kelly has also served for five years on the Culpeper County Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee. Kelly prioritizes advocating for inclusion and equal opportunity for children and adults with all levels of ability.
In addition to Remi, Kelly’s Uncle Ricky has Down syndrome and has always been an important part of the family. Both Remi and Ricky served as inspiration and motivation to found Shooting Stars, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which focuses primarily on providing congratulatory birth bags to new families of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Recently, Kelly has shifted her focus back home. Along with her husband Ted and her parents, she owns and operates Anchor Mere Farm LLC, a family-run cattle, hay, and crop operation. Kelly and Ted have 4 other children: Ted Jr. (30), Gaige (17), Trinley (11), and Browning (6), and one grandchild (Reed age 2).