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David Ward, originally from Champaign, Illinois, has called Nashville home since 2019 and works as an Insurance Defense Attorney for Eraclides Gelman. David is always drawn to community service and a great cause, and the great mustache brought him to Mustaches for Kids. When not in the courtroom, David officates basketball for TSSAA and loves spending time with his wife, Kim, and their two dogs, Yogi and Miley. He enjoys all things outdoors: skiing, sailing, hiking, and always exploring the local nearby breweries. He joined M4K in 2024 and is off and running!
DAVID WARD
Board Member
INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED?!
M4K Nashville is on the hunt for some new mustache aficionados to join committees and help spread the word! If you’ve got a passion for facial hair and a heart of gold, we want YOU. No, you don’t need to have a world-class mustache yourself (though it wouldn't hurt), but you do need a sense of humor and a desire to help local kids.
Join us, and let’s turn mustache-growing into a powerhouse for good!
Email m4knashville@gmail.com now and help us make the world a hairier, happier place!
PATRICK KAPLA
Board Member
Patrick Kapla is the Regional Sales Manager for Hoeft Builders, where he plays a key role in fostering relationships and expanding the company's presence throughout Middle Tennessee. Originally from Wisconsin, where Hoeft Builders is headquartered, Patrick moved to Nashville and quickly became involved in the community. Currently, he serves on the board of CRE615 as an events director and is actively engaged with the Phoenix Club of Nashville, volunteering with multiple nonprofit organizations across Middle Tennessee. Outside of work and philanthropy, Patrick enjoys running, attending concerts, watching sports with friends, and long walks with his dog, Buster.
Jason Koontz is a Project Manager for BELL Construction Company based in Brentwood, Tennessee. A Middle Tennessee native with almost a decade of various project types, Jason believes great buildings come from great communities. Along side the busy life of project manager, Jason also sits on the board of Emerging Leaders for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee. Mr. Koontz is passionate about the education and development of young professionals coming up into the construction industry and looks for new ways to Build a Better Tomorrow. Jason joined M4K in 2023 as a Grower and now joins the board with enthusiasm for community engagement. Having met and worked with many in the Nashville community, Jason looks forward to be the grow serum for already impressive board of directors. In his free time, Jason enjoys the outdoors, live music, and finding a new, motivating quote from sports.
JASON KOONTZ
Board Member
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PATRICK KAPALA
Board Member
Patrick Kapla is the Regional Sales Manager for Hoeft Builders, where he plays a key role in fostering relationships and expanding the company's presence throughout Middle Tennessee. Originally from Wisconsin, where Hoeft Builders is headquartered, Patrick moved to Nashville and quickly became involved in the community. Currently, he serves on the board of CRE615 as an events director and is actively engaged with the Phoenix Club of Nashville, volunteering with multiple nonprofit organizations across Middle Tennessee. Outside of work and philanthropy, Patrick enjoys running, attending concerts, watching sports with friends, and long walks with his dog, Buster.
David Ward, originally from Champaign, Illinois, has called Nashville home since 2019 and works as an Insurance Defense Attorney for Eraclides Gelman. David is always drawn to community service and a great cause, and the great mustache brought him to Mustaches for Kids. When not in the courtroom, David officates basketball for TSSAA and loves spending time with his wife, Kim, and their two dogs, Yogi and Miley. He enjoys all things outdoors: skiing, sailing, hiking, and always exploring the local nearby breweries. He joined M4K in 2024 and is off and running!
Board Member
DAVID WARD
JASON KOONTZ
Board Member
Jason Koontz is a Project Manager for BELL Construction Company based in Brentwood, Tennessee. A Middle Tennessee native with almost a decade of various project types, Jason believes great buildings come from great communities. Along side the busy life of project manager, Jason also sits on the board of Emerging Leaders for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee. Mr. Koontz is passionate about the education and development of young professionals coming up into the construction industry and looks for new ways to Build a Better Tomorrow. Jason joined M4K in 2023 as a Grower and now joins the board with enthusiasm for community engagement. Having met and worked with many in the Nashville community, Jason looks forward to be the grow serum for already impressive board of directors. In his free time, Jason enjoys the outdoors, live music, and finding a new, motivating quote from sports.
Mike Simmons has 20 years of experience in the insurance and risk management industry. Currently, he is a Risk Performance Advisor at Scott Insurance, focusing on safety, risk management, compliance, and safety culture. Originally from Virginia, he moved to Tennessee in 2017 with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys family, basketball, outdoor activities, and community service. In 2021, he founded Mustaches for Kids Nashville. That same year he was recognized by Franklin Tomorrow as an “Exemplary Community Volunteer” and received the “Newcomer Impact Award” for his contributions to the Franklin, TN community.
MIKE SIMMONS
President/Founder M4K Nashville
Dana Simmons is a wife and mother of two. She was born and raised in Central Virginia and graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Dana currently works part time as a registered nurse at a local dermatology office. She has also been teaching piano lessons to kids and adults since the age of 16.
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Dana enjoys antiques and vintage finds – you can see posts about her hobby on instagram @lizzieandruthvintage. Her other hobbies include reading and spending time with her family and friends. Dana has been supporting her husband, Mike, in starting M4K Nashville since he first had the idea, and can’t wait to see how many children’s charities can be helped by M4K!
DANA SIMMONS
Secretary
Jamie Holmes is the Content & Brand Strategist for T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. in Nashville, TN. She was raised in Washington State, moved to South Carolina for college, where she played Division II Softball, and in 2011 moved to Nashville to pursue her Master’s Degree from Belmont.
Jamie is involved in several construction industry groups and is on the Board of Directors for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater TN, she is a Past Chair of the ABC Emerging Leaders group. Jamie is also a Certified Professional Services Marketer and is on the Board of Directors for 100 Women Who Care Greater Nashville.
Jamie’s family resides in Washington, where she visits frequently. She is also a dog and chicken mom. In her spare time, you will find her working in the yard/garden, building a new house, and spoiling her dogs and chickens.
JAMIE HOLMES
Marketing & Communications
Dave joined the Grower ranks in 2022 and is now stepping into the role of Finance Chair, which means your fundraising dollars are in very responsible (and Buckeye-loving) hands.
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By day, he’s a Business Banking Relationship Manager at Fifth Third Bank. By night, he’s a golf-loving, cold-beverage-enjoying, Ohio State-cheering husband, dad of two, and proud dog dad of four furry kids.
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We’re pumped to have Dave and his financial wizardry on board!