About Us
Who We Are
Cornea Research Foundation Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides servant leadership to the Foundation through its guidance, decision-making assistance and strategic direction setting. Board members play an essential role in fundraising and building community awareness.
President - Dr. Francis Price Jr.
Vice President - Bill (F.W.) Grube
Treasurer - Walter C. Gross, Jr.
Secretary - Pat Chastain
Members:
Jim Butler
David C. Huse, DVM
Michael W. Dickerson
Phil Gibson
Toula Oberlies
Jerry D. Semler
Trischa L. Zorn-Hudson
Newest Board Member: Toula Oberlies (2009)
Francis W. Price, Jr. M.D., President
Dr. Price is founder and medical director of Price Vision Group and founder of the Cornea Research Foundation of America in Indianapolis, IN. An internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon, he is the recipient of a Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and been principal investigator on over 80 clinical studies of ophthalmic devices, medications and surgical techniques. He is also an inventor and holds several patents for ophthalmic devices.
He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a 1977 graduate of Indiana University Medical School where he completed his residency in ophthalmology. Dr. Price completed a fellowship at Tulane University. An internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon, he was named one of the top physicians in the country for corneal disease and transplantation by THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA.
F.W. (Bill) Grube, Vice President
Mr. Grube is the President of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. and a member of the Board of the Greenwood Village South.
Pat Chastain, Secretary
Mrs. Chastain is a retired Vice President of the Indianapolis Water Company; Executive Director of The Hundred Club of Indianapolis; Financial Partner of Propylaeum Club of Indianapolis Investment Club; Treasurer, Organizing Committee, Fire, Police Deputy Sheriff Recognition Luncheon; and Chair of the Official Board of Olive Branch Christian Church.
Walter C. Gross, Jr., Treasurer
Mr. Gross is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Goelzer Investment Management and a member of Goelzer Investment Management’s Investment Policy Committee with over three decades of asset management experience.
Jim Butler
Mr. Butler graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in metallurgical engineering and held a commission in the US Navy. A retired metallurgist with US Steel, he became an expert in steels for aircraft, guided missiles and rockets. His many interests include serving in his church, and as past president of the Indianapolis Speech and Hearing Center. An investor, Mr. Butler supports several research-related and other entrepreneurial enterprises in central Indiana.
Michael Dickerson
Mr. Dickerson is Vice President and Manager of Private Banking for Huntington National Bank’s Private Financial Group in Indianapolis. With 18 years of banking experience, he manages a comprehensive package of banking and wealth management services for high net worth clients. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis and an M.B.A. from Ball State University.
Philip Gibson
Phil recently retired from Eli Lilly & Company after 34 years of service in a variety of executive positions within Finance and Human Resources, both in the U.S. A. and globally. A native of Ireland, he attended Purdue University receiving a B.S. degree in economics and a M. S. degree in industrial management. Phil’s voluntary service has included the Indianapolis 500 VIP Parade Committee, the St. Francis Health Network board of directors and the Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union board of directors.
Trischa Zorn Hudson
Ms. Hudson graduated from the Indiana School of Law, from I.U.P.U.I. with a M.S. in School Administration and a B.A. degree in elementary education from the University of Nebraska. Among her many achievements, she is the most decorated Paraolympic athlete in the world with a total of 55 medals (41 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze). She has also experienced aniridia and artificial iris implants which brings the personal perspective of a patient into this condition and its treatment.
David Huse, D.V. M.
Dr. Huse graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and subsequently received an M.S. with a specialty in Small Animal Surgery from the University of Illinois. He currently is a faculty member at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. His personal experience with keratoconus and corneal transplants provides the Foundation with an insider’s view of this disease and an empathetic outlook towards others facing the same circumstances.
Toula Oberlies
Mrs. Oberlies is a graduate of Ohio University, and a former early childhood educator, child care center director, and producer of children’s musical programs. She is a long time volunteer at Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is a member of the board of the Blind Children’s Foundation, and has served several terms as President of the Board. She is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Young Singers Foundation. Her many interests include serving her church, travel, photography, and barbershop harmony singing. As a member of Sweet Adelines International, she serves that organization on the local, regional, and international level.
Jerry D. Semler
Mr. Semler is Chairman Emeritus of American United Mutual Insurance Holding Company, parent of One America Financial Partners, Inc. An Indiana native, Mr. Semler earned a B.S. from Purdue University; completed the Business Executive Program at Stanford University; and has received Honorary Doctorates from Purdue University and Marian College. He began his career with American United Life in 1959 and was named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year in 2004. He is active in many business, civic, and professional organizations and serves on numerous boards.
