About Fundamentally Awesome

Alicea Townsend

Founder, President & Executive Director

Alicea Townsend founded Fundamentally Awesome from her own experience as a mother raising a child with a genetic disorder, autism, and medical complexities. With a background in science from her college studies and over 20 years of experience as a business owner and operator, Alicea brings a unique combination of analytical thinking, professional expertise, and deeply personal mission to everything she builds. After navigating long waitlists, insurance denials, and a system that was not designed to support families like hers, she refused to accept that her family had nowhere to turn. Her son survived medical emergencies, and that experience deepened her commitment to safety education and inclusion for every child who needs extra care. Alicea leads Fundamentally Awesome with the same passion and determination she brings to every aspect of her life as a mother, an advocate, and a community builder.

Kris Black

Chief Technology Officer

Kris Black has spent 22 years making technology do one thing well: work when people are counting on it. A self-taught full-stack engineer and the founder of Araptus, he's built and secured the digital backbone for dozens of organizations across Texas and beyond — including the site you're reading right now.

That part matters. Kris didn't arrive at Fundamentally Awesome as an outside hire. He was already the person quietly keeping our online home fast, safe, and standing. Stepping into the CTO role simply made that commitment official.

His work spans the whole stack — from the databases that hold sensitive information to the screen a tired parent navigates at midnight looking for help — building in everything from Rust to TypeScript. But what he cares about most is the part nobody sees: security, privacy, and reliability. For an organization families trust with the details of their children's lives, that isn't a feature. It's the entire job.

As CTO, Kris sets the technology direction for the mission: making help easy to find, stretching every nonprofit dollar of tech spend, and making sure the data families share with us stays theirs. He measures success by how invisible the technology is — because when it just works, the team is free to do what they do best.

A native Texan, Kris lives near Houston with his wife Elle and their four dogs. When he's not building software, he's building cars.

Angela Penton

Treasurer

Angela Penton brings over 20 years of business ownership and financial expertise to her role as Treasurer of Fundamentally Awesome. A graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in Business, Angela's deep understanding of financial management and organizational operations strengthens the foundation of everything Fundamentally Awesome builds. Her business acumen and commitment to our community make her an invaluable member of our leadership team and an essential part of ensuring that every dollar we raise goes directly toward the families we serve.

Zoe Seber

Secretary

Zoe Seber is a business graduate of Tennessee Tech University with a strong background working with both children and adults across a variety of settings. She gained hands-on experience as a lifeguard at Standing Stone State Park where she ensured the safety and wellbeing of visitors, and throughout high school she dedicated herself to supporting children's safety, education, and emotional development including teaching kindergarten students math skills. With expertise in communication, child development, and marketing, Zoe brings a unique combination of skills to her role as Secretary. Her passion for children's safety and her ability to connect and communicate make her a natural fit for the Fundamentally Awesome mission.

Mike Thompson

Assistant Treasurer

Mike Thompson brings over 25 years of successful business ownership and leadership to Fundamentally Awesome, giving our organization a stronger and more dynamic business presence. His expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and business operations provides the kind of seasoned guidance that helps a growing nonprofit make smart, sustainable decisions for the long term. Known for his adaptability and results-driven management style, Mike has built and sustained a thriving business through changing economic climates and shifting markets, skills that translate directly into building a resilient and financially sound nonprofit. As a father of neurodivergent boys, Mike brings something beyond professional expertise to Fundamentally Awesome — personal understanding, genuine empathy, and a deep commitment to the mission that only a parent living this experience can truly offer. Mike is transitioning into the role of Treasurer and we are so proud and excited to have his leadership, his heart, and his business acumen as part of the Fundamentally Awesome family.

Maverik Talbert

Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships

Maverik Talbert brings over five years of experience with Mattress Firm where he currently serves as a Senior Store Manager and participates in their Leadership Development Program and Give Back initiative. Through Mattress Firm's community partnership program, Maverik has spent the past year working closely alongside Fundamentally Awesome bringing volunteers to adaptive and sensory-friendly events and creating inclusive experiences for families who deserve them. His firsthand experience with our mission and his deep commitment to community impact make him uniquely positioned to serve as Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships. Maverik is passionate about strengthening the bridge between corporate partners and the families Fundamentally Awesome serves and is excited to deepen the relationship between Mattress Firm and our community in this new role.

Ashley Bedford

Recording Secretary & Board Operations Specialist

Ashley Bedford holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology and brings a wealth of professional experience that spans early intervention with special populations, group homes supporting young people transitioning to adulthood, and program operations for care homes across the Houston area. Her clinical background in communication and development combined with her expertise in secretarial work, program management, and operational procedures makes her one of the most uniquely qualified members of our leadership team. As a mother of medically complex children, Ashley has also navigated government systems firsthand and understands the challenges our families face from the inside out. Her combination of professional expertise and lived experience in the disability community makes her an extraordinary asset to Fundamentally Awesome, ensuring that our board operations, records management, and compliance run smoothly so our leadership can stay focused on the families we serve.

Kandess Ronning

Program Committee Chair

Kandess Ronning is a business owner, care specialist, and mother of two neurodivergent children who brings both professional expertise and deeply personal experience to her role on the Fundamentally Awesome board. She coaches Miracle League baseball and leads program development and grant application efforts for Fundamentally Awesome, drawing on her extensive knowledge of navigating the medical and support systems in Texas. Her business savvy, her commitment to the disability community, and her firsthand understanding of what families truly need make her an invaluable voice in shaping the programs and initiatives that serve our community. Kandess embodies the Fundamentally Awesome spirit of helping us help each other in everything she does.

Edna Townsend

Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy

Edna Townsend is a University of Texas business major with a passion for marketing, digital strategy, and the power of community storytelling. She brings hands-on expertise in website management, social media strategy, and marketing communications that keeps Fundamentally Awesome connected to the families and partners who need us most. With family members in the disability community, Edna understands firsthand the importance of the work Fundamentally Awesome does and brings both personal investment and professional skill to everything she contributes. Her eagerness to grow, learn, and innovate makes her a forward-thinking asset to our organization, and her work is helping build the digital foundation that will carry Fundamentally Awesome into the future. Edna is not just building our brand — she is helping build our legacy.