Hero Foundation Board Members

DOUG LYNCH has three decades of experience in the clinical nutrition and wellness industries. Doug has an award- winning product background in sales and marketing of dietary supplements, medical foods, functional foods, cosmetics, animal nutrition, and proprietary actives. He’s held global executive roles in the proprietary ingredient companies such as Unigen, Lycored, and Cott Beverages. He has developed and marketed scores of consumer products over his career, and in 2020 won a NEXTY award for best supplement/functional food in the category. He won the Editor’s Choice for Marketing at Expo West 2014, and developed the first online dietary supplements for Sam’s Club and Walmart. Doug also created the inaugural supplements for Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) and licensed a topical ingredient which led to an ELC megabrand. Today, Doug partners with universities to commercialize their unique technologies for health: Wake Forest Medical School, Morsani Medical School (University of South Florida), and Florida Atlantic University. Doug also works as an industry mentor to the iCorps Program of the National Science Foundation and serves on a number of boards in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and China.

Rick Conklin is the Treasurer of the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation. He is currently a Managing Director at the First Analysis Corp in Chicago, IL, which he joined in 2012. Rick’s responsibilities at First Analysis include capital raising and sell-side mandates in the enterprise productivity and human capital software verticals. Rick is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA Economics, 1986) and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA 1990).

Deborah Rose has an accomplished 30+ year career in the banking industry and works in Mortgage Banking at Horizon Bank in Michigan City, IN.  Born and raised in Michigan City, she returned recently to her hometown and is now a great ambassador for the GDHF to the community at large. A graduate of Miami of Ohio University, with an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan, Debbie was elected as our first Secretary and is thereby responsible for ensuring collaboration between committees, grant applications, and the proper documentation of all endeavors. Deborah is a key enabler for the entire Board–an intuitive connector with a servants heart.

Bruce’s extreme passion for everything related to superheroes began during childhood and has continued throughout his life. His love for Spider-man in particular has established Bruce as one of the world’s biggest Spider-Man fans.  For the past 55 years, he has immersed himself into every form of entertainment featuring his favorite hero while collecting massive amounts of Spider-Man comic books and memorabilia. More importantly, Bruce has experienced many meaningful and unique connections with the character, including living his entire life in the hometown of artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man’s co-creator. Over the past few years Bruce has formed friendships with Ditko family members and has helped with projects honoring Mr. Ditko in his hometown, Johnstown, PA. Bruce’s collection and stories of connecting through Spider-Man have been featured in various national media, creating new opportunities for him to share his passion with the world. This mild-mannered husband, father of two, grandfather of one, and 30 year high school math teacher is now widely considered the premiere “ambassador” of Spider-Man. Bruce’s visual storytelling presentations of his “lifetime of Spidey” and Ditko connections are sought after by live audiences at comic book conventions and other events. www.spideyandme.com

Terry Stewart is a prominent leader in the entertainment industry, notably serving as the long-term President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he significantly boosted visitor numbers and global recognition. He holds degrees in Engineering and Education from Rutgers University, and advanced degrees in Finance and Law from Cornell University.

Beginning his career in traditional business, Terry transitioned to Marvel Entertainment Group, contributing notably as President and later Vice Chairman. Post-retirement, he spearheaded the development of a major arts and entertainment district in El Dorado, Arkansas, and continues to consult on various cultural projects across the U.S.

Terry also actively participates in numerous cultural and philanthropic boards, demonstrating a strong commitment to music and arts preservation. His experience and dedication make him a valuable asset to the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation, supporting our mission to nurture heroic virtues in the community.

Stephen Graf is a lifelong resident of Michigan City, Indiana and the grandson of Fred Graf, the Owner/Operator of MC’s original “Graf Dairy” for which the Foundation is named. He has collected & enjoyed hero graphic novels & movies favoring the Marvel universe since his youth and will act as a key Foundation ambassador in the community. As an experienced retail expert with a demonstrated 26 year history of success in the consumer goods and grocery industries, Stephen’s skills will be essential in helping the foundation connect with the kids we are hoping to inspire. In Stephen’s current role as Area Sales Executive for the WK Kellogg Co., he leads a team of seasoned professionals across 7 States.

Sy Winnie has been a music instructor since 1979, and is currently on staff at The Forte’ Music School in Toledo, Ohio. He can also be found as the keyboardist for “The Chris Shutters Band”, and the house pianist at Angelo’s Northwood Villa. In the past he has performed in opening acts for music artists such as Eric Burdon, The Smithereens, Alex Bugnon, Spyro Gyra, Norman Brown, and others. Sy has been a collector of all things Spider-Man since the sixties. The collection has been featured in several publications, and books. They include Marvel’s Spider-Man Encyclopedia, The Spider-Man Vault, Spider-Man The Icon, TV Guide, and Forbes magazine to name a few.

Aaron Sultan is thrilled to be a board member of the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation. He hails from North Carolina by way of New Jersey, and is married to Cheryl with six children and three grandchildren. He is a sinner and is saved through faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. A longtime fan of all things comics, Aaron collects pop culture memorabilia, toys, vintage Marvel and Spiderman collectibles, comics, original art and still enjoys reading from his trove of Silver and Bronze age tales. He has teamed with longtime pal Dewey Cassell to publish books on comic book legends George Tuska, Marie Severin and Herb Trimpe. He has interviewed dozens of golden, silver and bronze age greats, many of whom are no longer with us. In addition to a career in marketing at IBM and VMware, Aaron also has a book ministry where he shares missionary stories of the faith to help fund orphanages and gospel missions throughout the world.

L. Lee Hymn is considered one of the world’s most knowledgeable Marvel Memorabilia collectors and leads our Board’s “Valuation Committee” which assesses collectable donations to the Foundation. A lifetime Marvel fan, specifically in the Silver & Bronze Age genres, he was an early adaptor in using the Internet to build a quality collection of eclectic hero memorabilia while amassing a significant knowledge base of backstories on obscure and valuable items. Over the years, he has connected many collectors of superhero memorabilia (including several members on our Board!), thereby enhancing the knowledge and expertise of the entire collecting community. He has a background in I.T., is an expert on superhero ephemera valuation, and an avid evangelist in the preservation of Superhero memorabilia for future generations to be amazed, entertained and inspired.

Board Member Thomas F. Lasky has been a fan of the Marvel Comic World since early childhood. As one of the pioneering Spider-Man toy collectors, Tom preserved some of the genre’s rarest toys, many of which have made their way into other prominent collections including the Graf Dairy collection. “I love reminiscing when seeing The Foundation’s collection of awesome toys and am so happy to help share it with our community!”

Tom’s thirty-six years in the teaching profession have provided him with keen insights into the importance of promoting character in young people. Given this, Tom serves as the Foundation’s liaison with the Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) and as a key ambassador to the community at large. “I believe showcasing heroes can inspire kids to emulate their virtues. I look forward to the Foundation’s collaboration with MCAS to offer examples of character to the children of Michigan City and beyond.

With over two decades at the helm of her family’s natural food store, Mylese is a dedicated advocate for healthy living and brings entrepreneurial experience to her role as a board director. Serving on the boards of the Independent Natural Food Retailer’s Association (INFRA) and Discovery Charter School, she demonstrates a commitment to both her industry and local education. As a native of Michigan City, Mylese appreciates the charm and opportunities of Northern Indiana and is eager to contribute to the Dairy Hero Foundation’s initiatives.

Werner Graf is the Founder & Operations Advisor for the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation. As a C-Level business executive, life-long supporter of youth education and avid collector of hero memorabilia, Werner established the Foundation to help promote traditional virtues in America’s youth. His background in global operations, technology consulting and sales has made him a trusted partner for C-Level Executives and he now continues to align the strategic needs of the community with creative solutions.

Werner began his career at Procter & Gamble before moving to a successful career in strategy consulting for Ernst & Young and IBM. The third stage of his career leveraged progressive executive roles at such global blue chip companies as Wipro, Tata, NTT Data, and finally at Visionet’s as their Chief Customer Officer. He has completed Tata’s Executive Leadership training in Pune, India and IBM’s Executive Program at Harvard. He has an accounting degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Secondary Teaching degree from Saint Mary’s College and participated in Tulane’s MBA Program. He has served on his community’s school board and Chicago’s board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.