FOUNDATION STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Staff
Jud Fisher
President & Chief Executive Officer
A Michigan native, Jud Fisher is a graduate of DePauw University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He joined Ball Brothers Foundation in 2003 after working for Old National Bancorp. In addition to his duties as president and chief executive officer of BBF, he serves on the boards of several regional and statewide organizations including the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, IU Health East Central Region Board of Directors, Edmund F. & Virginia B. Ball Foundation, Muncie Aviation Company, First Merchants Corporation, and Burris Laboratory School’s Owl Academic & Athletic Boosters. He is the great-grandson of Ball Brothers Foundation founder Edmund B. Ball. As president and chief executive officer, Jud leads a dedicated board and staff in carrying out the mission of the Ball Brothers Foundation.
Jenna Wachtmann
Vice President
Jenna Wachtmann joined the Ball Brothers Foundation staff in 2014 after working in fundraising and program development for social service agencies in St. Louis and Indianapolis. She also completed an internship with the U.S. Department of State, Office of Innovation. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and holds both a certificate in nonprofit management from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI and an executive master of arts degree in philanthropic studies from the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As vice president, Jenna supports the foundation's president and CEO in strategy development, communications, and day-to-day management of operations. She also works directly with the foundation’s grantees.
Rich Spisak
Senior Program Officer
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, senior program officer Rich Spisak holds degrees from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and the University of Colorado. He joined the Ball Brothers Foundation staff in 2008 after successfully serving on the football coaching staffs at four universities and on the development staff at Ball State University. His responsibilities at BBF includes researching program areas, reviewing grant requests, conducting site visits, and tracking project results.
Donna Munchel
Program Officer & Grants Manager
A native of Muncie, Donna Munchel began working for Ball Brothers Foundation in 2005. Before joining the BBF staff, Donna worked for 11 years at her alma mater, Ball State University. Donna holds dual roles at Ball Brothers Foundation. As a program officer, she researches funding requests, reviews grant proposals, and conducts site visits. In her role as grants manager, Donna coordinates all logistical aspects of the grantmaking process including managing our on-line grants submission system, due diligence procedures and grant award paperwork, final report tracking, and reports for our board of directors.
Dan Wolfert
Program Officer
Dan Wolfert, an East Central Indiana resident since 2010, joined the foundation staff as a program officer in 2024. Prior to joining the foundation, Dan worked in fundraising and marketing for a local nonprofit organization supporting people with disabilities. His background also includes experience in project management and serving as the athletic director at Yorktown High School. In his role, Dan supports the foundation’s place-based and relationship-centered grantmaking, providing guidance to assist organizations in applying for funding support, strengthening the foundation’s relationship with current grantees, exploring opportunities to expand grantmaking in alignment with initiatives and special projects, and facilitating connections for grantees with additional partners and resources.
Susan Brumley
Executive Assistant & Convenings Coordinator
Bringing over 20 years of customer service and business management experience, Susan Brumley joined the Ball Brothers Foundation staff in 2023. Before working for the foundation, Susan created her own personal consulting business and served as the retail manager at the Orchard Shop at Minnetrista. As the Executive Assistant and Convenings Coordinator, Susan is the initial point of contact for grantees and community members wishing to connect with the foundation. She also works closely with the foundation’s board of directors and helps oversee the day-to-day workflow of the office.
Our Board of Directors
Our governing board meets three times each year and blends representatives from two generations of descendants of the Ball brothers with several regional business and civic leaders.
James A. Fisher
Chairman
James A. Fisher (“Jim”) is a grandson of E.B. Ball and the son of John and Janice Fisher. Jim holds a BA in English from DePauw University, an MBA from the University of Colorado and served in the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Captain. Jim worked for Ball Corp. for over thirty years. In addition to serving as Chairman of Ball Brothers Foundation, Jim has served as a trustee of the Asheville School and DePauw University. Jim and his wife Elizabeth currently live in North Carolina but previously resided in Muncie during which time Jim served as Chairman of the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital board, a board member of Delaware Advancement Corporation, and on the Advisory Board of Old National Bank.
Frank B. Petty
Vice Chairman
Frank Petty, the great-grandson of F.C. Ball, joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2013. Frank grew up in Muncie and remains connected to the Muncie business community. He is Principal of Walnut and Charles Properties. Frank is a Ball State University graduate with a BS in History. Currently, Frank is both a member of the Camp Crosley YMCA Board of Managers and a board member of The Children’s House (a Montessori school). Frank also volunteers with Wings of Mercy, a nonprofit, volunteer pilot organization that helps transport ill patients to far-away care. He and his family live in Traverse City, Michigan.
Charles F. Ball
Secretary
Chuck Ball is a fourth generation Ball family member who has served on the Ball Brothers Foundation board since 2013. Chuck is also executive director of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. He has significant small business experience and is the President/Owner of Ball Brothers LLC. Chuck and his family live in Leland, Michigan.
Edmund F. “Rick” Petty, Jr.
Treasurer
Rick Petty, the great-grandson of F.C. Ball, joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2022. Rick spent the early years of his life in Muncie and now lives in the greater New York City area. A graduate of Western Washington University, Rick has an extensive background in investments and finance having previously worked for Deutsche Bank, Bankers Trust, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Today, Rick serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations. In his home community, Rick is involved with The Harvey School and serves as a member of the board of directors of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.
Scott E. Shockley
Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
Scott Shockley, a Partner with Muncie-based law firm DeFur Voran, joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2010. Having been born and raised in Muncie, Scott earned his BA at Yale University and his JD from the University of Denver College of Law. After practicing law for several years in Colorado, Scott returned to Muncie where he has been an active community member. Scott’s family has deep ties to the Ball family as Scott’s grandfather was President of Muncie Aviation and Scott’s father flew Ball Corp. aircraft for Muncie Aviation. Scott is an Ordained Elder at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and previously served as President of the Muncie YMCA. In 2008, Scott was selected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a group for which he served as President of the Indiana Chapter, 2016-2017. In 2013, Scott was honored by the publication “Best Lawyers in America” for his work in the field of commercial litigation.
Jud Fisher
President & Chief Executive Officer
A Michigan native, Jud Fisher is a graduate of DePauw University and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He joined Ball Brothers Foundation in 2003 after working for Old National Bancorp. In addition to his duties as president and chief operating officer of BBF, he serves on the boards of several regional and statewide organizations including the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, IU Health East Central Region, Edmund F. & Virginia B. Ball Foundation, Muncie Aviation Company, First Merchants Corporation, Owl Academic & Athletic Boosters, and the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Board of Visitors. He is the great-grandson of Ball Brothers Foundation founder Edmund B. Ball. As president and chief executive officer, Jud leads a dedicated board and staff in carrying out the mission of the Ball Brothers Foundation.
William M. Bracken
Director
Will Bracken, a grandson of F.C. Ball, grew up in Muncie and has served on the Ball Brothers Foundation board since 1992. Will is retired and has a background in real estate. In addition to serving on the board of the Ball Brothers Foundation, Will is an emeritus trustee of Carleton College. Currently, Will lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and also enjoys spending time in Arizona.
Judith F. Oetinger
Director
Judith Fisher Oetinger is the daughter of John W. Fisher (1915-2009) and Janice Ball Fisher (1916-2010), the youngest daughter of BBF founder E. B. Ball. A native of Muncie, Judy currently resides in Kentucky where she operates as a horse breeder active in the sales and promotion of American Saddlebreds. Judy was a founding member and served on the board of the Iceland Family Entertainment and Ice Skating Complex in Louisville, Kentucky and also the board of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. She formerly served on the board for the Clifton Cultural Center in Louisville. Judy published her book, The Saddlebred: America’s Horse of Distinction, first edition in 1991 and reissued in 2010. Judy joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2001.
Nancy B. Keilty
Director
Nancy Keilty, a granddaughter of Edmund B. and Bertha C. Ball, grew up in Muncie and has served on the Ball Brothers Foundation board since 2004. Nancy lives in northern Michigan where she and her husband own a 250 acre farm. Nancy is also actively involved with the Hereford Youth Foundation and is a member of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation board.
Stephanie Duckmann
Director
Stephanie Duckmann is a great-granddaughter of E.B. Ball. She has served on the Ball Brothers Foundation board of directors since 2010. Stephanie holds a BA in political science from Northwestern University as well as a secondary teaching certificate in social science. Stephanie also played basketball for Northwestern. She is a teacher and coach in the Chicago area and also serves on the Board of Education for Des Plaines District 62. Stephanie and her family live in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Stacy McHenry
Director
Stacy McHenry, a fourth-generation Ball family member, joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2013. Stacy was raised in Muncie and graduated from Yorktown High School. She attended both Ball State University and Florida Institute of Technology. Stacy also serves on the boards of Edmund F. & Virginia B. Ball Foundation, Florida Golf West, Inc., Indian Pass Village Co., and Sarasota Village Co. As a small business owner, Stacy has also been engaged in many boards, committees, and philanthropic endeavors in and around Indialantic, Florida, where she currently resides. These include the Florida Institute of Technology, The Scott Center for Autism, Riverside National Bank, Brevard Art Museum, Henagar Center for the Arts, Junior League of South Brevard, The Marine Resource Council, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Space Coast Soccer Club, and many local political campaigns.
Elizabeth Bracken
Director
Beth Bracken, great-granddaughter of F.C. Ball, joined BBF’s board in 2019. Born and raised in Minnesota, Beth now lives in New York City with her husband and children. Beth is a graduate of Connecticut College and has her MBA from Georgetown University. Beth has two decades of experience in global marketing and brand development, having worked with multinational beauty companies and start-up companies that have become major brands. Beth is also engaged in volunteer work in the New York City area.
Jeff Bird
Director
Jeff Bird, a physician with a distinguished career, joined the Ball Brothers Foundation board in 2020. A lifelong resident of Muncie, Jeff graduated from Muncie Community Schools and went on to attend DePauw University where he earned his BA in Zoology. Jeff attended the IU School of Medicine and completed his residency through Ball Memorial Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency program. Jeff went on to own a family medicine practice in Muncie and later became the Associate Director of the Ball Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. Following his tenure as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer at Ball Memorial Hospital, Jeff was named President of the East Central Region for Indiana University Health in 2017. In this role, he oversees IU Health Ball Memorial, and Jay hospitals. Jeff is an active leader in the Muncie community, serving as Co-Chair of Next Muncie and chair of the Delaware Advancement Corporation, among other leadership roles.
Laura Hill
Director
Laura was raised in Muncie where she attended Indiana Math, Sciences, and Humanities Academy (on the campus of BSU, adjacent to Burris Laboratory School) as a high school student. She graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with both a Business major and pre-med coursework. Following her graduation from IU, Laura first worked as an analyst at Ernst Young prior to joining Denali Capital, a CLO manager, in the Chicago area. Laura earned an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Most recently, Laura served as Vice President-Alternative Investments at Advocate Aurora Health which became part of Advocate Health, the 3rd largest nonprofit hospital system in the U.S., last year. Today, Laura serves as Chief Investment Officer at Advocate. Laura and her family recently moved back to Muncie from the Chicago area. Laura serves on the board of the Muncie Sports Commission and is a member of Next Muncie.
Dennis Trammell, Jr.
Director
Dennis is a Chicago-native who first moved to Muncie in 2002. Dennis transferred to Ball State University from New Mexico State and was a two-year letterwinner in basketball. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Ball State University in 2005. He went on to play basketball overseas for several years before making his home in Muncie. Dennis has worked for a number of BBF grantees throughout his career including positions as a direct care staff member at the Youth Opportunity Center, Executive Director of the Buley Community Center, Youth Sports Director at the YMCA of Muncie. Today, Dennis runs his own business focused on youth sports development. Dennis is on the board of Muncie Sports Commission, a previous board member of Cardinal Varsity Club, and has volunteered with The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee.
Associate Directors
The purpose of the Ball Brothers Foundation Associate Directors program is to introduce the “next generation” of Ball family members to Ball Brothers Foundation.
Lauren Connor
Michigan
Chris Fisher
Michigan
Sarah Bracken
Colorado
Richard Shanahan
Florida
Matt Bracken
Pennsylvania