Reginald Wynns

President

Sole Proprietor of the Rising Stars Recruiting program. After graduating from Pontiac Northern High School, Reg earned a BA in Business Management from Northwood University.

Reg attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Southfield, MI.  Reg has been working in the metro Detroit area since 2008 promoting college advancement and encouraging young athletes to participate in various football competitions.

Through the years, the Rising Stars Recruiting program has helped over one thousand student athletes earn football scholarships.  In addition, we have educated and assisted parents with the recruiting and financial aid process, provided tutoring and ACT/SAT prep, and mapped out student athletes’ core classes in order to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.

Reg understands the reality that sports are a pathway to success in life.  He works to develop the discipline, accountability, and academic success necessary for athletes to excel beyond the playing field.

“Through my Son’s foundation,” says Reg,  “I hope to expand our support of student athletes from jersey to ties.”

Danielle Wynns

Vice President

Married to Reginald Wynns, Administrator of the Rising Stars Recruiting program.  Out of this union were born Eric Brandon and Dominque Nichole.

After graduating from Cass Technical High School, Danielle earned a BA in Marketing Management from Northwood University.  Danielle works as an IT Project Manager for Ford Motor Company.

Danielle attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Southfield, MI, where she serves as a choir member and Secretary for the Music Ministry.

After the passing of their Son Eric on August 10, 2015, Reggie and Danielle made a heartfelt decision to turn their loss into a blessing for the next student athlete.

“As co-founder of the Eric Wynns Living the Legacy Foundation,” says Danielle, “I hope to inspire breakthroughs in the lives of talented student athletes while helping them to further achieve their goals and dreams in education and sports.”

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required”
Luke 12:48

Nate Neal

Treasurer

Treasurer of the Eric Wynns Living the Legacy Foundation and Godfather of Eric Wynns. Nate has known the Wynns family for over 30 years and was honored when offered the opportunity to serve as Treasurer.

He has worked in the Telecommunication Industry for over 25 years. Nate possesses the creative and analytical traits necessary to effectively serve the Foundation. “Education is invaluable asserts Nate. “Everyone should have access to high quality post-secondary education.”

When not enjoying his other diversions – music production, carpentry, travel, and volunteering – Nate also fulfills his Director duties for his wife’s foundation – Empowered Voices.

Nate has been married to his wife Judy for over 20 years.

Judy A. Neal

Secretary

Secretary of the Eric Wynns Living the Legacy Foundation and Godmother of Eric Wynns.  Judy is passionate about educating and motivating others to see the value of their voice.  As a social justice advocate, she believes it is her responsibility to motivate those being impacted.

She is the founder and Executive Director of Empowered Voices, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing participation of underrepresented groups, including unmarried women, people of color, and people under 30, in the democratic process.  She is both a board member and volunteer for several local and national organizations focused on civic engagement.

Judy boasts over 17 years of service with Ford Motor Company, where she’s held various positions that require interaction and collaboration with teams domestically and globally to ensure deliverables are met.

She holds a Master of Social Justice Degree from Marygrove College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy, Associate’s Degrees in Banking and Finance from Northwood University, and is a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit

Judy has been married for over 20 years to Nate Neal, Eric’s Godfather and a foundation Board member.

Blake Ward

Board Member at Large

Blake Ward has held a variety of executive level positions in the banking industry over the past 30 years. He’s currently the Division President for Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation.

Blake is also a Board Member for the Bloomfield Baseball League and has coached football, baseball and basketball. Blake feels it’s his duty to share and give back to the community.

A graduate of the EIi Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, Blake earned a BA in Finance and Economics with Honors. He and his wife of 20 years have three active boys, the oldest in college and the other two in secondary school.

Angelia A. Johnson

Communications

Angelia is the brains behind the Foundation’s annual co-ed flag football game, which has enjoyed increased participation for three straight years. Angelia is an entrepreneur and proud owner of Team Angie Fitness – Be Your Best You. She is a fitness and life coach and a strong believer in our health being our true wealth.

Angelia is also very passionate about her faith and educating people to live their best and healthiest life. The philosophy she lives by and instills in her clients is the RYM philosophy (Revolutionize Your Mind). This philosophy stresses completely changing the mind’s approach to diet and training. Angelia tells her clients that when they completely revolutionize their minds and make the decision to put in the work, success will follow. “The hard training of a total body fitness class and a committed mental approach to diet and fitness can be life changing,” explains Coach Angelia.

Angelia also is the founder of Team Angie Fitness Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to leading the charge in educating inner city and surrounding low-income citizens with regard to the importance of exercise and eating a healthy diet. “If they do not have the proper exercise facilities and grocery stores, we will find a way to bring it to them!” she promises.

Angelia serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Team at her “day job” with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is very active in the community through this initiative and her non-profit.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and is the mother of one awesome son.

Dominque Wynns

Promotions/Communications

Dominque is in charge of Foundation Promotions and Communications and is Eric’s sister.  She plans to graduate from Western Michigan University with a BA in Fashion Product Design in 2019.  She is an active member of Western’s RSO YBBW “You Beautiful Black Woman”, an organization that supports, uplifts, and empowers the minds of women of color. In addition, Dominque is an active member of MODA, WMU’s Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association.

After graduating, Dominque plans to pursue a career in Fashion Product Development.  She attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Southfield, MI, where she served as a Steward for Children’s Church, Liturgical Dance Ministry, and the Christian Debutante program.  Dominque volunteered many hours in preparing canned goods for the homeless and performed in dance recitals at nursing homes and homeless shelters.

As Eric’s devoted little sister, Dominque has pledged to “be my Brother’s Keeper by ensuring Eric’s life and legacy are fulfilled through the Foundation.”

Devin Funchess

Board Member at Large

Devin Funchess is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Devin attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. Considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, he was listed as the fifth-ranked tight end in the nation in 2012. Devin committed to the University of Michigan in 2011, becoming one of the top prospects in Michigan’s 2012 recruiting class. As the team’s leading tight end he was named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week, a 2012 All-Big Ten honorable mention, and put on the FWAA Freshman All-America Team.

During Devin’s sophomore season as a University of Michigan Wolverine, he would set a school record for the most receiving yards in a season by a tight end. Devin’s dream became a reality when he was selected 41st overall in the second round by the Carolina Panthers in the 2015 NFL Draft. On August 14, 2015, he made his preseason debut for the Panthers. On February 7, 2016, Funchess was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50.

Off the field, Devin contributes his time to giving back to the Youth. Through his foundation Funch Bunch, Devin provides kids from the Metro Detroit area with an opportunity to participate in his annual Funch Bunch Youth Football camp where he works personally with the kids teaching them the fundamentals of playing football. He’s also known for spending time during the off season with student athletes that attends the Rising Stars Training program, speaking to them about his experiences and what it takes to play football at the next level. Rising Stars was also the place where he met and became friends with Eric in 2008. Competition and the love of football was and forever will be their bond.