— ABOUT
Meet Our Board
The Board of Directors that support and believe in the PGNO mission
Kelly Garza, LSW, LCDC III-GAMB, OCPC, TTS
Board President
Meet Kelly
Kelly is the Manager of Peer and Specialty Services at Harbor. She has developed nationally-recognized prevention programs including problem gambling prevention services, holistic wellness programs, and youth-led prevention with high school and college-age students. She provides training in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid to community members, and recently joined the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio Board.
Jess Stewart
Board Vice President
Meet Jess
Jess has been an advocate for those with gambling issues since 2017, having personally dealt with the issue himself most of his life.
He joined PGNO as a member in 2018 and joined the Board of Directors the following year. Jess has presented or spoken at 4 Ohio Problem Gambling Conferences.
He has given multiple interviews to media of all types on the issue of gambling disorder, and about his recovery that began in 2016.
He continues to work toward bringing consumer protections and support to those whose lives are impacted by this issue.
Jen Bierer
Board Treasurer
Meet Jen
Jennifer is the Manager of Communications at PreventionFIRST! She is responsible for all agency marketing strategies and coordinates problem gambling prevention.
She has over 20 years of public health experience — in health promotion and prevention, focusing on chronic diseases, obesity, traffic-related deaths/injuries, mental health, and substance use/misuse.
Steve May
Board Secretary
Meet Steve
In May 2022, Steve joined the team at Gaming Laboratories International ("GLI") as a Client Services Executive, a specialized team formed by General Counsel Kevin Mullally. At GLI, Steve works with regulators, casinos, and gaming manufacturers, consulting on all forms of gaming and the unique regulatory responsibilities for each sector.
Abdullah Mahmood, LSW, LCDCIII-GAMB, ICGC-I, OCPS, ICPS
Board Member
Meet Abdullah
Abdullah Mahmood, LSW, LCDCIII-GAMB, ICGC-I, OCPS, ICPS, started working with clients at Maryhaven several years ago, before becoming the Administrative Coordinator of the Gambling Intervention Program. He has worked extensively in prevention, treatment, administration, as well as having direct services with clients on MAT, clients with substance use disorder, and clients with disordered gambling. Abdullah attended Columbus State Community College for his associate’s degree and attended The Ohio State University, where he recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. He is currently working towards his master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Cleveland State University.
Stephanie Geer, LPCC, ICGC-II, OCPS
Board Member
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie is the Gambling Program Coordinator at Meridian HealthCare. Meridian HealthCare has maintained a Problem Gambling Program since 2001 and has served the community in providing gambling specific screenings, assessments, individual and group counseling, family consultations, and prevention.
Cynthia Mercer
Board Member
Meet Cynthia
Cynthia Mercer, an SPHR-certified HR professional and coach with over 20 years of experience, specializes in employee engagement and retention strategies. Her coaching background spans executive, leadership, and career development. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Cynthia contributes to several boards, including the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. She holds degrees from Purdue and UT-Dallas and is certified in various leadership tools.
Samuel Porter
Board Member
Meet Samuel
Samuel H. Porter III serves as a partner in Ice Miller’s Public Affairs Group and Ohio Government Law Group.
Before joining Ice Miller, Sam was the regional director of compliance for Penn National Gaming, Inc. (“PNGI”) in Columbus. He oversaw all compliance operations for the Ohio Hollywood Casinos, Racinos and Racing to ensure adherence to all federal and state regulatory requirements, PNGI policies and compliance with responsible gaming.
Amanda Blackford
Board Member
Meet Amanda
Amanda Blackford currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Ohio Department of jobs and Family Serices where she spearheads fiscal operations and strategic allocation of a $3-4 billion annual budget, orchestrates comprehensive human resources functions, labor negotiations, facilities management, and operational excellence across the department. Prior to joining JFS, Amanda services as Director of Operations & Problem Gambling Services, for the Ohio Casino Control Commission where she dedicated the majority of her professional career to strive to improve Ohio’s problem gambling continuum of care. Working with treatment and prevention experts across the state and nationally, she has helped develop informed State policies and programs to aid those who may be struggling. Amanda received her Bachelors in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University.
