Board of Directors

Travis is a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist who has grown up in the O&P family and has been extremely active since a very young age. Travis’ father, Jim, is an amputee and Prosthetist with whom inspired Travis to enter into the profession. Travis obtained his Certified Prosthetic Assistant credential through ABC in 2011. He is a Graduate of West Virginia University with a BS in Sport Management and Cal State Dominguez Hills with his MSOP degree. Travis works alongside his wife Jacy Young, CPO and in the fall of 2021 opened their own practice, Glacier Point Prosthetics, in conjunction with Capstone Orthopedic in Merced, Ca.

Michelle Jamin, PT, DPT

Vice President

Michelle Jamin earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Elon University. She currently works in the inpatient setting at University of Maryland Rehabilitation and also provides amputation rehabilitation privately in the Northern Baltimore area. Michelle has contracted with Integrum to develop a rehabilitation protocol for physical therapists to treat patients who have had the osseointegration procedure. Michelle serves as the Communication Chair for the Federal Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. She played an integral role in developing a petition to propose a new section of the APTA dedicated to limb loss and limb difference. Michelle is a Certified Adaptive and Inclusive Trainer and is passionate about bringing fitness, sport, and community participation to those with mobility challenges.

Rebecca 'Becky' Snell

Secretary / Treasurer

Becky has over 35 years of experience in computer application design, development, and business operations analysis in insurance, entertainment, and health care. She is a frequent lecturer at state, regional, and national O&P meetings on HIPAA and cyber security. She has been the IT Director for Dankmeyer, Inc. in Maryland since 1991. She is passionate about advocating for prosthetic and orthotic patients through patient storytelling.

Deborah 'Debbie' Plescia, CPO

Director

Debbie is the clinical specialist for Ottobock Orthopedic Services. She is a Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist and a graduate of Northwestern University Prosthetic and Orthotic Program. In addition to her national certification, she is licensed to practice in eight states.

With over 35 years of clinical and managerial experience in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Debbie provides comprehensive care and claim management for patients and providers. Her affiliation with Ottobock helps fulfill their mutual goal to help people maintain or regain their freedom of movement.

Debbie volunteers as an examiner for the Clinical Patient Management exam with the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics (ABC). She served eight years on the ABC Board of Directors and has the distinction of being elected the first female president of ABC in 2018.

Debbie is also an Ironman athlete who enjoys the challenge and discipline of competition. She finds great pleasure in spending time with her two sons and three grandchildren as often as possible.

Elise Griset, CPO

Director

Elise attended St Mary’s College of California on a Division I soccer scholarship where she earned her undergraduate degree. She is also a graduate of Loma Linda University where she earned her MSOP degree. Elise is now an ABC Certified Prosthetist Orthotist and works for P&O Group Pediatric Specialists, based out of Children’s Hospital Colorado. Throughout her education and career, Elise was an avid Volunteer with CAF and PossAbilities. Elise helped develop an educational outreach program with the School of Allied Health at LLU to Ethiopia. Elise continues to help organize the service learning trip and serves as a leader while in Ethiopia.

Jena Baxter

Director

Jena has over 20 years of experience working in HR and Talent Acquisition. During this time, she has provided exemplary recruiting services for Healthcare, IT, and Engineering Industries. For the last 11 years, Jena has specialized in the O&P Industry and is currently the Manager of Clinical Recruiting for Hanger Clinic, who has over 670 Clinics across the US. Jena has been recognized for her achievements in recruiting and received the “Vendor Rookie of the Year” award from Blue Cross Clue Shield of Florida to numerous annual President Club contests during her time as a third party recruiter.

Jena has been involved with OPAF since 2010 and an Advisory Board member since 2014, until she joined the Board in 2017. Jena is a strong supporter of local First Clinics and assist with events at State and National meetings. Jena has a true passion and commitment to continue her support of adaptive recreation programs through OPAF. In addition to her professional experience, Jena resides in Greenville, SC along wither husband and two children.

Matt Swiggum, President & CEO Proteor USA

Director

Matt Swiggum joined the OPAF Board in December of 2019. He has worked in the field of prosthetics since 1997, and believes that delivering advocacy tools and access to care are critical for the long-term success of people with limb loss and limb differences. He brings decades of experience in executive leadership, sales and marketing which will benefit OPAF by strengthening industry relationships while maintaining the focus on the needs of the community. Matt’s experience has culminated in his current role as CEO of Proteor USA, a leading O&P manufacturer. Matt has his MBA from the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis, Minnesota and a degree from Morehead State University in Kentucky. He lives in Austin, Texas with his two children and his wife, Heather, a Certified Prosthetist.

Taushima 'Shima' Nixon

Director

Shima is from a small rural town called Williamston located on the eastern coast of North Carolina. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy with a minor in Spanish. I chose a career in Recreational Therapy for reasons that are near and dear to my heart. I absolutely love adaptive sports, wheelchair basketball being my all-time favorite. Although, being a bilateral lower extremity amputee is not my personal identity, learning how to walk again after a traumatic car accident is one of my many accomplishments that motivates me daily. If I can learn to walk all over again, learn to cope after trauma, and overcome obstacles that lead to adversity; then I can learn to do anything. I am currently the class President for Cohort 9 at The Alabama State University’s Masters of Orthotics & Prosthetics Program. One of my major goals is not to be rich but to be a stepping stone for someone else. One of my greatest joys is to see the smile on someone else’s face. I love to help and assist others in reaching their goals and tap into their full potential. In the next 10 years I would like to be the CEO of a company that not only provides prosthetic and orthotic services, but also allows individuals with physical disabilities an outlet to be as physically active as their abilities will allow. Sports changed my life, and I would love to be the reason it can change someone else’s. There is no leisure time while in grad school, however I enjoy playing guitar, piano, and drums while also raising a very energetic puppy named Ace.

Lesleigh Sisson, CFom

Immediate Past President
President Dec 2017-Nov 2020

Lesleigh Sisson, has been committed to serving the Orthotics and Prosthetics community since 1992. Prior to launching her consulting business, O&P Insight, Lesleigh served as Director of Administration for a multi-practice company. Through her experiences in administrative and clinical support roles, she recognized the need to assist dedicated professionals working toward this common goal: to provide excellent patient-centered care while achieving successful reimbursement.

The Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation