David Thomas learned about Epic Experience through his wife, Rebecca “Giddy Up” Thomas, who is a Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer survivor. She was a camper at one of the week-long Epic Experience camps and now volunteers regularly for the organization. In 2022, David attended the Epic Experience Hearts and Hope Gala and a regional meet up in the state of Maine, and quickly realized why Rebecca found the Epic Experience community extraordinary. He is excited to help Epic Experience with its mission and positively influence the lives of cancer survivors.

David has been with Consigli Construction Co., Inc. since 2004 and currently helps lead their Portland, Maine office. Consigli is one of the largest employee-owned construction managers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with offices dotting the east coast from Maine to Washington DC. Consigli has been recognized in each of their regional offices as a Best Place to Work and nationally as a Best Employer by Forbes.

David and Rebecca enjoy the outdoors, travel, running, fishing, and spending time with their four-legged children.

Julie Uspal is an Emergency Medicine physician in Philadelphia and is honored to be part of the Epic Experience family. 

She is originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Pittsburgh for her undergraduate studies and the Penn State College of Medicine for medical school. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and then joined the faculty at Penn Medicine in 2016. She currently works as an Emergency Medicine Attending and serves as the Director of Quality and Safety in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Emergency Department. 

Julie is a breast cancer survivor who attended a winter camp with Epic Experience in 2018. She is grateful for the healing power of the Colorado mountains and the lifelong friendships she made through Epic Experience. Her experience at camp was so inspiring that she felt called to give back to the cancer community as a volunteer with Epic Experience. She has volunteered at multiple camps, is a member of the Medical Advisory Team, and now serves on the Board of Directors. She is honored to give back to an organization that does so much for the adult cancer community.

Julie enjoys travel, cooking, and adventures with her family. She lives in South Jersey with her wonderful husband, two amazing sons, and beloved pug. 

Cory Sly was introduced to Epic Experience by his good friend and McKesson mentor, the late Louis Chinn, aka “Stud”. Cory and a group of friends and co-workers came together to run a half marathon in San Leandro, CA and raise funds for Epic Experience in honor of Louis’ battle with cancer.  The group pivoted once COVID-19 lingered and ended up running the half marathon virtually and raising over $10,000.  

Cory is a midwesterner at heart, born and raised in the St. Louis/Southern Illinois area before spending 10 years in the suburbs of Chicago all while maintaining his love for the better of the baseball teams, the St. Louis Cardinals.  Cory attended Ball State University in Muncie, IN obtaining his Bachelor's degree in Sports Administration and Marketing.  A couple years after college, Cory had the opportunity to join McKesson and over the past 12 years has spent his time with the company working with Oncology Clinics and Manufacturers to ensure oncology practices and patients have the drugs they need, when they need it. Louis’ mentorship instilled a true patient first approach into Cory’s philosophy.  That approach tied with the ‘get the job done attitude’ he inherited from his parents have led to many successful problem solving drills in order to get the patient what they needed, when they needed it. 

Cory and his family call Indianapolis home, enjoying the full four seasons the Midwest offers.  Cory is a dedicated father, husband and son with an incredible support system.  When Cory is not spending time with his two daughters, wife, family or friends he enjoys running, golfing, traveling, catching up with friends and a glass of bourbon! When around the house his four legged best friend, Yadi, is not too far away.  

A multitude of family members and friends within Cory’s life have been impacted by cancer.  The opportunity to join the Epic Board of Directors was welcomed with open hands and excitement.  Cory looks forward to continuing to support and assist the amazing work and growth of Epic Experience. 

Michael was born in Sacramento and lived there  until he went off to attend Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He is a survivor of testicular cancer and a macro prolactinoma pituitary brain tumor, both of which were diagnosed in 2007. Michael has worked at Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller real estate SaaS start-ups. When Michael isn’t working, you can find him on the golf course, hanging with his dogs, and getting cocktails in Old Town Arvada with his fiancé.

Michael is excited to be a part of Epic Experience and looks forward to Epic’s future growth and continuing its mission of empowering cancer thrivers and survivors.

Ron Bye is a 49 year survivor of testicular cancer having been diagnosed in 1975 at the ripe old age of 20. At the time, such a diagnosis was a virtual death sentence with a mortality rate of 95%.  He beat incredible odds against him!

Ron attended the Epic camp in the summer of 2022 for TC survivors and was so impressed he simply had to get more involved. Ron serves on the Finance Committee, bringing his extensive business experience to help further the mission of Epic.

Ron has done public speaking on his cancer experience and survival as well as being a published author.

Ron has nearly 50 years business experience and more than a dozen BOD positions for various non-profits including numerous cancer advocacy organizations. He has held global leadership positions for both private and public companies and led a staff of over 400 professionals.

Denny “Stretch” Williams is from Louisville, KY. He was diagnosed in January 2022 with esophageal
cancer. After treatments and surgery, he is living life beyond cancer. Denny attended Epic Experience in
March 2023. After camp, he realized the need to pay it forward and became a camp volunteer to help
other cancers survivors. Stretch is an advocate for the mental health side of cancer and willing to share
his story to bring hope for others fighting this disease.

Denny is married with two boys. An avid sports fan, he cheers on the Cincinnati Reds and anything
University of Louisville athletics. He was a college baseball player at UofL and stands 6’8” tall. Hince the
nickname “Stretch”. Denny works as a high school athletic director.

Derek Reese was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2021 and attended EPIC summer camp in 2023.  Since then, he has been more open about his cancer journey and confident in thriving despite cancer as well as finding shared resilience with his fellow EPIC campers.

Derek, aka Popeye, is a regular volunteer at EPIC camps cooking up as many fun culinary items as he can and participating in regional meetups.  

Derek serves as Policy Advisor for the American Petroleum Institute in Washington DC.  Derek previously worked for and retired from ExxonMobil after 30 years and is a former US Naval Officer.  Derek earned his Bachelor of Science, with Honors, in Chemistry from Millsaps College and a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  His favorite activities include being with his family and friends - exploring the wilderness areas of the US and Canada and all things SEC football.