Casey Coleman, Founder

As Founder of True Competitors, Casey has provided a mission, vision and strategy for the success of the organization. Casey has a passion for building and providing a team of support around children in hospitals throughout the country

Casey was born in Fort Myers, Florida and now resides in Jefferson City, Tennessee with his wife Jennifer. He is a pitcher in his ninth season in professional baseball. Coming from a background of MLB pitchers, Casey and his grandfather (Joe Coleman) and his father (Joe Coleman) are the only third generations of all pitchers in MLB history. Other teams he has played for at the major league level are the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals.

In college, Casey attended Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers where he played 3 years until being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the 2008 first year players draft. While playing for coaches Dave Tollett and Rusty Mckee there, he was also teammates with notable MLB pitchers Chris Sale and Richard Bleier. Majoring in criminal justice , he plans on returning to school to finish his bachelors degree.

Casey has a passion for helping kids across the country especially after one of his close baseball friends has a son who was in and out of the hospital. Watching the reaction of both his friend and his friends son when players would reach out to them made True Competitors turn from a fun idea into a realistic oppurtunity for everyone.

Danny Chait, President/CEO

Danny helped form True Competitors in May of 2016 and has since been tasked with leading the corporation forward as President and Chief Executive Officer. Danny will be responsible for day-to-day operations of all activities within True Competitors. He will work with both the founder and Board of Directors to ensure that True Competitors is successful in the fulfillment of its mission.

As a former Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles patient, Danny has a passion and understanding for the mission of True Competitors.

Danny earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a graduate of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

Stephanie Upchurch, Secretary

Stephanie was born and raised in Florida, where she currently resides with her husband, Josh, and two daughters, Lillian and Madelyn. She studied Biomedical Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University, and received her Master’s degree from the University of South Florida.

Stephanie spends most of her time mothering her two young daughters, and is also actively involved in her local community.

Stuart Barney, Director

As President and Chief Operating Officer of The Barney Accountancy Group Ltd. (a Nevada Corporation), a Partner in Morse & Barney, CPA’s, Stuart provides consulting, accounting and tax services for nonprofit organizations, individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. He has extensive experience in accounting for nonprofit behavioral healthcare service providers, including accounting, government reporting, consulting and cost allocation services. His clients include a wide variety of professions and occupations including both owners/entrepreneurs and employees. He holds a C.P.A. license in both California and Nevada.

Stuart has a strong commitment to his clients, as well as to the community. He is a sector leader for the City of Calabasas - Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), member of the National Eagle Scout Association, Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. Formerly he was a member of the Jewish Family Services of Santa Monica Board of Directors, a volunteer/consultant for the Calabasas Youth Track Club, and a volunteer for Boy Scouts of America Troop 22. He was previously President and Co-founder of The Colors of Sports, Inc., a marketing and snack food distribution company.

Stuart is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. He graduated with a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Dan Branca, Director

Dan Branca is a General Dentist in Tampa, FL. Dan played baseball at Eckerd College and then proceeded to earn his Doctor of Medical Dentistry from the University of Florida. He is very passionate about giving back to the community and serving others and has been on mission trips abroad and provided dental services for the underserved here at home.

Dan is an active member in his local community along with his wife Erin, who works as a Pediatric Dietician. They have always held a special place in their hearts for children in need. Through his role on the Board of Directors, Dan hopes to help bring kids happiness and joy in their time of most need.

Neil Wenger, Director

Neil S. Wenger is Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at UCLA and a consulting researcher at RAND. He is director of the UCLA Healthcare Ethics Center and is chair of the Ethics Committee at the UCLA Medical Center. He also is director of the NRSA Primary Care Research Fellowship in the UCLA Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research.

Dr. Wenger is an active general internist and carries out research in the empirical study of clinical ethics, care of and decision making for the older patient, and quality of health care.

Neil received his M.D. from the UCLA School of Medicine and his M.P.H. from the UCLA School of Public Health. Neil will serve on the Board of Directors to help ensure True Competitors successfully fulfills its mission and vision.