Board of Directors

Scott Essler, President 

Scott has been the President of Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky’s Board of Directors since 2006, and an active member since 2003. Scott is an Operations & Training Manager for Paul Burrell Management, which owns and operates 14 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Bowling Green and surrounding area. He and his wife Tammi have four children, their youngest son, David, age 24 has Down Syndrome. Contact: scott@dssky.org

Nancy Combow, Vice-President 

Nancy is CEO of Cedar Haven, a Family Care Home. She started this business 21 years ago in Franklin, KY. She has touched the lives of many people through her professional career. She is a single mother with four children, one of which has Down Syndrome, 7 year old Cameron. She is dedicated to helping individuals with Down Syndrome reach their full potential. She advocates for educating, employing and supporting individuals with special needs. She has served for the last six years at Vice President of Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky.Nancy has been instrumental in bringing a grass roots support groups to State and National attention. Her strength is her experience-based vision, energy, creativity, and ceaseless devotion to the potential of each differently-abled person. Contact: nancy@dssky.org

Connie Spears, Secretary 

Connie has been the Secretary of Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky’s Board of Directors since 2010, and an active member since 2008. Connie is a Radiological Technologist at Western Kentucky University Health Services. She is the mother of 4 year old Owen, whom has Down Syndrome. Contact: connie@dssky.org

Rick Ebelhar, Treasurer  

Rick has been actively involved in Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky for the past four years and has held the office of Treasurer since 2011. He is the coordinator for the annual Golf Scramble and co-chairs the annual Buddy Walk. He is the General Manager for Weedman Lawn Care that serves the lawn care needs of Allen County, Barren County, Butler County, Daviess County, Hancock County, Ohio County, Simpson County and Warren County. He has two daughters, 5 year old, Sydney, has Down Syndrome. Contact: rick@dssky.org

ASHLEY CROWE, MEMBER AT LARGE

Ashley has been involved in Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky for the past two years. Developing and maintaining the current site, email campaigns and marketing materials has been her primary focus. She is the Website Coordinator for the locally owned and operated stationery and gifts business, Lifeguard Press.   Contact: ashley@dssky.org

Jane Tichenor, Buddy House Director

Jane is one of the original founding families that began Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky in 1996. She is a former high school band director and part-time WKU music instructor. For the past 17 years she has worked as an instructional assistant in a high school special-ed class and worked on incorporating music and dance as a part of the curriculum and has seen the benefits in language, behaviors, socialization and self-control from participating in music activities. Jane has helped establish the Rockerz dance team and the Adaptive dance class so children and adults can benefit from these activities. Jane held the office of Member at Large of Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky’s Board of Directors for three years and most currently was appointed to be the director for our new Buddy House. She and her husband Steve have four children, their youngest daughter, Kate, age 26 has Down Syndrome. Contact: jane@dssky.org

Advisory Board

OPEN – Community Relations

Lynne Croxton – Education

Clint Willis - Legal

Joseph Gass – Medical

Mark Hale – Finance