BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Arkansas Autism Foundation Board of Directors

Annette Mencer
Vice Chairperson

Annette has called Arkansas her home since 1976. She graduated from UALR with 2 BA degrees and a M Ed. Counseling with a rehabilitation certificate as well as being a Certified Autism Specialist. She has been in the educational arena for the past 15 years and married for 27 years. She has a beautiful daughter who is active in the autism community and aspires to be an OT and a vibrant son who was diagnosed with ASD at the age of 9. In 2010, Autism rates were 1 in 110 and Arkansas was severely lacking in education and advocacy. Since her son’s diagnosis, she has spent every spare moment supporting, advocating, and educating Arkansas families by being a founding member of the Arkansas Autism Foundation, a parent representative on the Governors’ Council for Developmental Disabilities, and volunteering with community events. 

Belle Veiga
Treasurer

Belle was born in Brazil and fell in love with the United States when she was an exchange student in 1994. She moved back to Arkansas in 2009 and has been a resident of Little Rock since 2011 when she married her husband Joe. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has been working as an RN at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit since 2012. She has also worked as a nurse at Pediatric Plus Developmental School. She has a son on the autism spectrum and is a founding member. Belle also serves as the marketing committee chair and she feels very honored to be involved with this foundation.

Adrian Raney
Governance Committe Chair

Adrian spent 12 years in the Air Force as an NCO, and over 7 years in federal law enforcement as an agent in West Texas. He has experience as a PTO Treasurer, school festivals and parades, a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, a Booster Club President, and United Way Non-Profit Grant Review Panel Member.  Recently graduated from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and increasing his western Arkansas network, he continues to find and connect with other parents with children on The Spectrum and just experiencing behavioral issues.  He is “Dad” to two teenage girls who both like sports, cheer, and band, Ellyana (nearly 16 and very high functioning) and Breya (13). They live together in Hot Springs Village and participate in local Hot Springs and Jessieville functions as well. Adrian likes to play basketball and sing/play an instrument in his local church when he can. Adrian works for Prudential Advisors as a Financial Advisor and specializes in families with special needs financial planning among other things.

Dr. Cindy Fong
Board Director and Co-Chair of Grants Committee

Cindy has a background in counseling psychology and is mom to three children, two of whom have an autism diagnosis. She has served in various capacities over the years, advocating for individuals with autism or other special needs.  Currently, in addition to being chair of the grants committee for the AR Autism Foundation, she serves on the Lifespan Respite Coalition and is Vice-President of the Community Advisory Board at Partners for Inclusive Communities. Dr. Fong is a trained Sibshop facilitator and recently had the opportunity to travel with her son to Peru to teach workshops to families at a newly opened autism clinic in Cusco. She is honored to be involved with the Foundation and looks forward to seeing more innovative programs and opportunities developed for individuals and families with autism in Arkansas. 

Maggie Mencer, OTR/L, OTD
Board Director

Maggie has a younger brother with autism. She says that he has granted her so much in life, a passion to serve others, patience, and daily inspiration. She has volunteered with the foundation since its beginning and joined the board in 2019. Maggie recently graduated as an occupational therapist and is working at UAMS. She enjoys spending time with her family on their family farm in Little Rock. 

Jon Flaxman
Board Director

Jon Flaxman is one of the founders of the Arkansas Autism Foundation. A long-time volunteer and board member in several charitable organizations, Jon’s livelihood is in the graphics and printing industry. He and his wife (also a Board Member), Jill Flaxman, have a passion for developing a sustainable program for Arkansans on the spectrum who need help transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. They have two sons, and the oldest was diagnosed with high-functioning autism early in childhood. They are committed to improving access to resources for children and families with social and behavioral developmental delays.

Stacy Pomeroy
Board Director

Stacy grew up in Southeast Arkansas. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Stacy has worked with juveniles most of her professional career. She worked as a case manager for Pulaski County Juvenile Court, a case manager for a foster care agency and an adoption coordinator.

After living in Minnesota and Tennessee from 1997-2019, she and her husband moved to Monticello and opened Pomeroy’s Hometown Ace. They have two adult children Logan who lives in Alabama and  Amy who lives in Monticello. Amy was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism when she was 22. Stacy is excited to join the Arkansas Autism Board to help others and learn more about services in the community.

Kally Smith
Board Director

Kally has a deep love and ambition to help others. Although she does not have children of her own; she is a proud dog, cat, and plant mama.   With over a decade of experience as a dedicated teacher in diverse settings, Kally brings extensive knowledge and resources to help in the school and classroom settings.  She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and is deeply passionate about the autism community.  Kally says that she is eager to contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive community in our state and looks forward to connecting more with each of you.