Our Board - Assist M.E.

Board of Directors

Together, with a team of incredible volunteers, we work tirelessly to bridge the gap and provide patients in need with the tools they need to regain their independence and move around safely in their homes and communities.

Jack Sheehan

Founder and Executive Director

Inspired by the necessity to address the lack of accessible medical equipment for underserved populations, Jack began collecting, storing, and donating items from his garage for two years before formally establishing Assist ME as a nonprofit organization in 2016. His vision was driven by the awareness that appropriate medical equipment can significantly reduce fall risks and prevent hospital readmissions, thereby enhancing patients’ autonomy and overall quality of life.

Jack, a graduate of Purdue University's Krannert School of Business, has made notable advancements in medical technology. Among his achievements are the co-invention of a homecare bed with automated features and the development of the first integrated fall alert system. His tenure with companies such as Hill-Rom and Tempur-pedic Medical afforded him critical insights into the healthcare industry.

An adventurer by nature, he has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro alongside his daughter, who served in the Peace Corps in Africa.

Henry Lander

Board Chair

Henry Lander has served as the Board Chair for Assist ME since March 2023. In this role, Henry applies his Six Sigma Master Black Belt skills in process improvement to support the organization’s mission and its team.

After earning an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill in 1980, Henry spent 22 years at Sonoco Products in South Carolina before moving to Charlotte in 2003 to work for Bank of America for 12 years. He later transitioned to the technology services industry to expand his professional experience and retired from corporate America in 2020.

Post-retirement, Henry has focused on contributing to the nonprofit sector and offers pro bono consulting services through Social Venture Partners (SVP) to help nonprofits like Assist ME enhance their processes and efficiency. Additionally, Henry enjoys playing golf twice a week.

Ann Marie Beurle

Grant Writing Chair

Illuminating the ways Assist ME helps patients in need regain their mobility and independence, Ann Marie aim has been to grow equipment donations since joining the board in 2023. She is drawn to the organization’s mission to redistribute underutilized medical equipment to those who can benefit from it the most.

A graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, Ann Marie was the lead partner and portfolio manager on actionable stock ideas for over twenty years at a well-known, growth-oriented investment advisory firm in New York. Currently, she utilizes her experience with disruptive innovators in advisory projects with Social Venture Partners Charlotte (SVP), a venture philanthropy organization investing in nonprofits addressing social and economic inequality in Charlotte. Ann Marie also serves on the Steering Committee for SEED20, an annual event organized by SVP to promote innovative solutions to social inequity in Charlotte.

James Dye

Operations Board Chair

James, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Southwest Airlines pilot for nearly three decades, brings extensive operational expertise to Assist ME, enhancing its inventory and distribution systems. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he flew the C-130 Hercules and served as Operations Officer for European deployments until 1993. He later joined the National Guard in Charlotte, managing deployments to Panama. His military experience honed his leadership skills, paving the way for a successful aviation career.

James’ involvement with Assist ME began through a project with Social Venture Partners Charlotte, leading to his board membership in 2023. He enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and rekindling his passion for golf. His strategic vision and dedication drive Assist ME’s growth, ensuring more individuals receive essential mobility support.

Sherry Simpson

Volunteer Board Chair

Sherry has been a volunteer with Assist ME for 10 years, witnessing positive impacts on patients who receive mobility equipment. With a BS in physical therapy from The University of Chapel Hill (1986), she works at CMC-Main/Atrium Health, treating orthopedic and trauma patients, many of whom need equipment but have inadequate insurance. She connects patients to Assist ME, recruits and trains volunteers, manages schedules, and finds equipment deals online.

A native of Charlotte, Sherry is married with two adult children. She enjoys family time, traveling, hiking, and backpacking, having completed four Grand Canyon trips and seeking new annual destinations with her son.

Jolyn Sloan

Community Outreach and Development Chair

Having recurring mobility issues from acute and chronic conditions since 2015 and medically retired from the financial services industry since 2019, Jolyn joined Assist ME in September 2024 to combine her personal and professional experience to advance the organization’s fundraising and public relations efforts.

Jolyn holds a MA in English/Linguistics and a BFA from UNC Charlotte with
concentrations in ceramics and sculpture, and an BA degree in English from Mars Hill University. She brings nonprofit experience through festival and event planning, grant writing, sponsorship development, and board roles. Jolyn excels at building teams and programs on a local to global scale with expertise in marketing, communications, advertising, risk compliance, and change management.

Jolyn, a former associate editor of a community entertainment tabloid, was a restaurant critic and foodie, enjoys camping, playing once a week in an APA 9-ball pool league, arts and culture, and traveling with her husband.

Jim Sloan

Governance Chair

Jim joined the Assist ME board in February 2025, bringing his experience in risk, compliance, and policy governance to manage the organization’s bylaws and policies and align long-term objectives for continued sustainability. He is a 1986 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Economics with 32 years of banking experience, first with Bank of America and currently with U.S. Bank.

Jim has held a variety of positions including Technology Consulting, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Vendor Management, Process Improvement and Risk and Compliance. Since 2006, he has used his Six Sigma Master Blackbelt training to provide guidance to senior leadership on technology strategy, capital expenditure planning and strategic vendor management, all applicable to his board role at Assist ME.

Jim has a knack for trivia and enjoys camping, travelling, golf, pickle ball, playing in the APA Pool league and attending performances of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.