Jake Bosmeijer, Secretary

Jake Bosmeijer manages all of the technology in the DeVos Communication Center at Calvin College (in Grand Rapids, MI). This includes video and audio studios, editing suites, and associated control rooms. Born in the Netherlands, he studied at the University of Amsterdam where got his degree in electronics, computer science and business management. He moved to Michigan in 1979 and worked 14 years at a large corporation as manager of communications technology. He has been a consultant on various ventures, from point-of-sale kiosks to the design and installation of sound and video for worship, and has managed projects ranging from Web sites and video programs to creative content asset management. Jake has made presentations to the CAPCSD (Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders) and the CMMA (Communications Media Management Association), his contributions to the Gray Center span 3 years, producing a range of DVDs. He is an avid champion to finding winning solutions for community service projects as a learning experience for students.

Carol Gray, President

Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding. She recently completed over 22 years of employment with Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, initially as a teacher with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in recent years as a consultant to students with ASD in inclusive educational programs.

In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations-- strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has published several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding.

Carol is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with ASD.

Brian Gray, Treasurer

Brian Gray, our Secretary and Treasurer, is a School Psychologist who has worked with the Jenison Public Schools for 26 years. He holds a Specialist Degree in School Psychological Services from Central Michigan University. In the past he has worked as a psychologist for Psychiatric Consultation Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a proud father of two and married to Carol Gray.

Laurel Falvo, Board Member

Laurel Falvo is the Executive Director for The Gray Center. Laurel graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, she taught first grade at Hudsonville Christian School. In addition to her work with the Gray Center, Laurel is associated with Early On of Kent County, serving on the Local Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. Laurel and her husband Steve have three wonderful children, who keep their life full of laughter, learning, love, and endless activity.

Laurel is endorsed by Carol Gray and The Gray Center to provide Social Stories(TM) presentations and trainings.

Laurel is the author of The Good Food Cookbook For Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets, and a co-editor of The Social Stories™ Quarterly. She has most recently authored and produced More Than a Sum of Diagnostic Differences: A Positive Perspective on Autism and Asperger Syndrome, and ASD to Z: Basic Information, Support, and Hope for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Contact Laurel by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Susan Judd, Board Member

Susan Judd graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. She has worked as a reporter and editor for several West Michigan newspapers. Shortly after her son Corey was diagnosed with autism, Susan joined the board of the Autism Society of West Shore. She started the chapter's monthly newsletter, HOPE (Helping Ourselves Pursue Education) in December 2000 and edited a handbook for families of newly diagnosed children. In 2004, Susan received the Barbara Lipinski President's Award from the Autism Society of Michigan. (You can subscribe to the HOPE newsletter by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

Bruce Mills, Chairman

Bruce Mills teaches at Kalamazoo College and participates in the College's institute for service-learning. In his field, he has published numerous articles and three books, including Poe, Fuller, and the Mesmeric Arts (2005). Since his son’s autism diagnosis in the spring of 1995, he has devoted time to ASD programming in the Kalamazoo area. For the first-year seminar program at Kalamazoo College, he teaches a class that connects students to families and educators serving those on the spectrum. In the fall of 2000, he received an award from the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) for his contributions to the autism program. More recently, he has participated in conferences on autism, including Autism and Advocacy at Fordham College (fall 2006). He is presently composing a collection of essays that explores autism, memory, and the imagination. The title essay of the work-in-progress, “An Archaeology of Yearning,” was published in The Georgia Review (fall 2005). Bruce lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife, Mary Holtapp, and his daughter and son, Sarah and Jacob. Bruce has shared some of his writing on this web site!

Angela Telfer, Board Member

Angela Telfer is the Principal of Kalamazoo RESA’s Croyden Avenue School and is the Administrator of the Autism Program. She has 20 years of experience in special education (2 years as a teacher for students with severe cognitive impairments, 10 years as a teacher of elementary aged students with Autism Spectrum disorders, 4 years as a teacher consultant for students with ASD and 4 years as an administrator). Angela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Central Michigan University, a Master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Western Michigan University and is currently completing administration certification at Grand Valley State University. She has provided training in autism spectrum disorders at Kalamazoo RESA and throughout the state of Michigan. She has been a trainer for the START (STatewide Autism Resources and Training) Project through Grand Valley State University. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Autism Society of America, the Autism Society of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek and the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education. She has been nominated for a position on the board of Residential Opportunities, Inc. of Kalamazoo Michgan, an agency that provides housing supports to help people with disabilities live more independently and as part of their community. Her career goal has been to better understand the perspective of people with ASD in order to provide quality educational services and to share this unique perspective with others so that children and adults with autism and other disabilities are accepted, respected, valued, participating members of their communities. Angela lives in Mattawan, Michigan with her husband Doug and daughter Alexa.

Kenneth Tiews, Vice-President

Kenneth E. Tiews is an attorney with the law firm of Wheeler Upham, P.C. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan and has taught courses in philosophy of law at Calvin College and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. He is on the boards of Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services and the Isabella Foundation, two Grand Rapids organizations serving the elderly. For many years he has acted as Attorney for the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, Presbyterian Church (USA) and, in addition to church-related law, maintains a general legal practice, specializing in elder law, estate planning, trusts and estates law, probate proceedings, and non-profit organizations. He was privileged to help Brian and Carol Gray first organize the Gray Center as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Presently, he serves as Chairperson, from which vantage point he observes and admires the extraordinary dedication, energy, creativity and talent of the men and women with whom he is fortunate to be associated on the Gray Center Board.

Willie Wallis, Board Member

Willie Wallis is married, with two children, now in their 20's, and two grandchildren. She has a BA from GVSU and a Master's from CMU. She has been in the field of autism for 30 years, first becoming interested in it in 1972 when it was mentioned in a child psych class she was taking.

Willie worked in Muskegon Public Schools as a classroom teacher for 10 years and as a teacher consultant for 10 years. She is now in her 12th year at Ottawa area ISD as a teacher consultant.

Gray Center Advisory Board:

Dr. Tony Attwood

Dr. Tony Attwood is a noted speaker and Austrailian psychologist in the field of autistic spectrum disorders. Born in Birmingham, England he holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the from the University of Hull, Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey, and Ph.D. from the University of London. Professor Uta Frith was his Ph.D. supervisor. Dr. Attwood started diagnostic and treatment clinic for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome with Dr Brian Ross, Child Psychiatrist, in Brisbane in 1992. This clinic functions two days a week, the other days he supports children and adults by visiting them at school and home. Dr. Attwood is a much sought after speaker and author at national and international conferences on individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. His book Asperger’s Syndrome:A Guide for Parents and Professionals is a groundbreaking work on understanding individuals with ASD and has been translated into Japanese, and will soon be available in Danish.

Alyson Beytien

Alyson Beytien is a popular speaker, parent/teacher trainer and mother of 3 sons with autism. She is a consultant and trainer for school systems throughout the Midwest on educating individuals with autism. Alyson has a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and is the moderator of a DVD training series, “Family to Family: a Guide to Living Life When a Child is Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder”. She is also a columnist for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine and host of the web/radio program “Family to Family” on www.autismone.org. In her spare time (is there such a thing?) she quilts, gardens, reads voraciously, and thinks of behavior plans in her sleep!

Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Pathologist who has specialized in addressing the communication needs of students with autism, and other moderate to severe communication and behavior disorders. She is a popular national and international presenter who shares her expertise through frequent consultation, conferences and inservice training programs. Linda is the author of the popular book, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, currently one of the most recommended books in the field of autism because of its practical, easy to implement ideas for improving communication. Her new book, Solving Behavior Problems in Autism, continues the approach of supporting communication with Visual Strategies. You can visit Linda's web site at: www.usevisualstrategies.com

New advisory board member bios coming soon…

• Beverly Bishop
• Sam Kennedy
• Kathy Maximiuk
• Barbara Newman