Board and Staff

Jonathan Simonton,  Chair

Jonathan and his wife have three children. Their youngest, Ezra, was born with Spina Bifida in 2019. Jonathan became involved with the association in order to help raise awareness and to make sure families have access to resources after getting a diagnosis of Spina Bifida. As Chair, wants to help bring important resources and information to families impacted by Spina Bifida so that they don’t have to be fearful of a Spina Bifida diagnosis and so that individuals with Spina Bifida can live their best life. Jonathan is an avid trail runner and loves all things outdoors. Him and his family love camping, hiking and figuring out ways to adventure even with a child who has special needs.

David Martin, Past Chair

Dave has been the Owner and President of Martin’s Auto Repair since 2006, when he took over the family business from his father. His automotive career began in 1974 working as a station helper and then as a gas attendant.

Dave married his wife Bo in 1992 and they have an adult daughter, Qamree, and three granddaughters. Dave bowls, plays over the line baseball, and is a passionate football fan, proudly supporting his lifelong favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Dave was born with Spina Bifida and wants to help others affected and increase public awareness.

Kimberly Williams, Treasurer

Kim and her husband, Jim, have an adult son.

Ron Whiteside

Ron has been involved in the lives of people with Spina Bifida nearly all his life. He has been an Orthotist for over 30 years and loves working with people in the Spina Bifida community. He has owned his own orthotics company and now works for Hanger. Many of our SB Families have a great love for “Mr. Ron.”

Jay Brown, Secretary

Jay brings experience in the legal field. He wants to help people, including children, by raising awareness to help decrease the effects of Spina Bifida through education and raise their quality of life by advocating on their behalf. He hopes to network with his fellow legal professionals to assist in raising awareness by participating with time and donations.

Dakota Christiansen

Dakota is an ABC-certified prosthetist/orthotist for Hanger Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona.
She specializes in pediatric lower extremity orthotics and scoliosis, and she loves
working with people in the Spina Bifida community.
Dakota has been pursuing a career in orthotics and prosthetics since high school. She
enjoys working with Spina Bifida patients to come up with an orthotic treatment plan that
fits their goals and lifestyle. She enjoys helping them succeed and continue to enjoy the
activities they love. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of and witness the
positive outcomes that make a difference in her SB patients’ lives. 
In her free time, Dakota enjoys spending time with her husband Robert, playing with her
dogs (Finn and Willow), hiking, watching her favorite TV shows, and cooking.