Meet Our Team

Raymond A. Sales, Sr., JD, LLM

Ray is H.E.R.’s Managing Director, co-founder and thought leader. Ray enjoyed a 30-year career as a nationally-recognized public finance lawyer, first in Chicago (Partner, Chapman & Cutler), next in Atlanta (Partner, Powell, Goldstein, Frazier & Murphy [since merged with Bryan Cave) and thereafter as founder and Managing Partner of Sales, Goodloe & Golden, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Miami, specializing in housing and community/economic development law and finance. Before joining Chapman & Cutler , Ray served a short stint as General Counsel of Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City, Missouri. His experience includes planning of large-scale affordable housing and neighborhood development and redevelopment projects and public housing redevelopment. Upon retiring from the practice of law in 2011, and with the enactment and implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, Ray turned his attention to community-based health care, recognizing that community health is an often-overlooked aspect of community development. Sales founded Health Equities RPM, LLC to partner with public and non-public hospital systems, managed care organizations, public housing authorities, and others concerned with health care disparities that impact the lives of people of color and other underserved urban and rural population groups. Sales is a graduate of The Ohio State University (BA. Political Science; J.D., School of Law), where he also studied city and regional planning, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (LLM—Urban Law and Affairs).

Greg Meier, CPA, CGMA

Greg is a CFO, COO and Strategist with 35 years of experience profitably growing large, small and entrepreneurial organizations. His experience includes healthcare organizations including HCA, Mercy Health, Cigna, YesCare and EY. In addition to supporting Health Equities RPM, LLC Greg is President and CEO of Peak Organization Performance, LLC, a provider of Fractional CFO and COO services, while also serving on several advisory boards for start-ups, early stage and middle market companies. Greg has presented on numerous healthcare, finance and innovation topics, including being a two-time speaker at HFMA’s Annual National Institute. Greg’s leadership extends into the community where he is Board Chair for Easterseals Midwest and served as Regional Chair for Truman State University’s Pursue the Future capital campaign. Greg serves as CFO for H.E.R. and Community Care Connection.

Latoya N. Dickens-Jones, DNP, FNP, ACNP-BC

Latoya has been a registered nurse for 24 years, 16 of which as a nurse practitioner. She currently serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner at My Community Health Center, and is an Adjunct Faculty member at Aultman College of Nursing and Health Science. In addition to serving on several boards and her extensive volunteer service, Latoya also served as Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIRM) coordinator for the Stark County Health Department from 2015 to 2017. She earned her BSN from University of Akron (2000), her MSN from Malone University (2006), and a Post Masters in Acute Care from Kent State (2013). She also has a Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from AANP (2006), Acute Care Certification through ANCC in 2015, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice from Walsh University (2019). Her Doctorate Research poster was entitled “Identifying Barriers to the Access of Early Prenatal Care in Black Females.” Latoya has earned numerous awards, including the Women’s Award in Healthcare (2018), the George Dunwoody Community Service Award (2017), the Malone University Alumnae of the Year Award (2017), the National Black Nurses Under 40 Award (2016), and the Dehoff Emerging Young Philanthropist Award by United Way of Stark County. She is a member of the 20 Under 40, 2013 class, the Advanced Practice Nursing Board, Aultman Health Foundation, Stark County Black Nurses Association, the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Latoya is the Chief Nursing Officer for H.E.R. and Community Care Connection.

Lisa Johnson, RN, BSN, CDP, DFCDE

Lisa is a dedicated, compassionate, and purpose-driven healthcare professional with an unwavering commitment to serving others. Since beginning her career at Kaiser Permanente and Akron Children’s Hospital, where she first honed her skills, among other things, she has served in a number of pivotal leadership roles across the Aultman Health Foundation/Aultman Hospital System, including Human Resources Director, Diversity Inclusion & Equity Director, and Employee Relations Director. Beyond her professional life, Lisa is actively engaged in internal boards, councils, and committees, including most recently, chair of the Stark County Human Resources Association, President of the Stark County Black Nurses Association and the Stark County Minority Health Coalition. Currently, Lisa contributes her expertise to the nursing division at Portage Lakes Career Center and Stark State College, and plays a pivotal role in the City of Green’s Inclusion Committee. Lisa also serves as Executive Director of H.E.R.’s non-profit, 501c3, Community Care Connection (Canton branch).

Cherla Farris, BSN, FNP, DNP

Cherla is a registered nurse for over fifteen plus years, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Cherla earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Chamberlain University where her quality improvement initiatives included the utilization of evidence-based, culturally sensitive interventions to decrease health disparities in minority patients that lead to an increase in colonoscopy test adherence. Dr. Farris received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston. Her experience includes primary care, occupational health, and acute care. Cherla is enthusiastic about teaching and utilizing a preventative, holistic approach with her patients. Her focus over the last 10 years has been at the community level providing direct care to those in the workplace and community. Empowering, educating, and caring for women is a passion of hers. Dr. Farris is also a strong patient advocate, always working to enhance the care setting and bridge the gap in healthcare for diverse populations. Cherla directs H.E.R.’s education and training programs for Nurses, Community Health Workers, and Doulas.

Jahari Malek Crawford, Sr., BRM, FAC P/PM

Malek co-founder, has 23 years of experience in planning, developing, and executing industry-leading technology solutions for veterans and underserved rural and urban population groups. As the Business Relationship Manager for Veterans Affairs Telehealth Services program, Joint Interagency Tele-ICU initiative with the Air Force, and VA Tele-Primary Care Hub initiative he was responsible for understanding and implementing the strategic vision, business model, and strategy. Malek also led the VA’s OIT BIOS rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the expansion of telehealth services, requirements development, and funding for many other VA Tele-Modalities. He is a specialist in Healthcare Digital Transformation, innovative virtual solutions, including programmatic design, development, and blueprinting. He is a graduate of the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, and a proud Army Veteran. Malek also has a Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership from John Hopkins University and an Associate degree in Project Management from George Washington University, Washington DC. Malek serves as Chief Technology Officer for H.E.R. and Community Care Connection.

Jacob D. Herzog, BSN, MSN

Jacob’s multifaceted career showcases a strong dedication to advancing healthcare through innovative telehealth solutions. His leadership in transforming telehealth programs into national models of excellence and his proactive engagement in developing services that improve access and outcomes, particularly for underserved communities, highlight his commitment to impactful healthcare delivery. Furthermore, his entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his founding roles at Health Equities RPM, LLC and Community Care Connection, Inc., where he focuses on utilizing technology to bridge health disparities. Inspired by his grandfather’s legacy, Mr. Herzog’s efforts to position St. Louis as a hub for addressing maternal and infant health challenges further demonstrate his strategic and compassionate approach to healthcare innovation. His ability to communicate effectively and engage diverse stakeholders ensures that his projects are not only visionary but also inclusive, fostering environments that enhance community and professional collaboration. Being a dedicated husband and father has deeply influenced Mr. Herzog’s commitment to service, as he strives to create a healthier and more equitable community for his family and others. His family-oriented values drive his efforts to tackle significant health challenges, fostering environments where future generations can thrive. Jacob serves as Chief Engagement Officer for H.E.R. and Community Care Connection.

Carlos Saenz, BBA

Carlos is a well-rounded individual, with a career spanning various segments of the healthcare industry. His track record of success in business development and leadership roles at esteemed organizations like Mercy Health, Abbott Laboratories, McKesson, ARAMARK, Sodexo, EmCare, and Aspire Health Innovations speaks volumes about his expertise and effectiveness in the field. His ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, from C-suite executives to physicians, hospitals, university health systems, and beyond, underscores his deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies. Moreover, his knack for forging impactful partnerships and closing multi-million and multi-billion-dollar deals highlights his strategic acumen and business savvy. Beyond his professional achievements, Carlos’s commitment to philanthropy and community service shines through his involvement with organizations like Catholic Charities of St. Louis and Good Shepherd Children and Family Services. His dedication to supporting senior executives through networking and his active engagement with St. Louis Executive Connections demonstrate his generous spirit and desire to give back. Carlos is a Health Equity Partner focused on strategy and strategic relationships, and business development.

Kevin L. Farris, Sr., BSPhy, MSME

Kevin has 27 years of experience in leading, developing, and implementing operational excellence standards and procedures for highly regulated industries and sectors such as Natural Gas, Energy, Food, Construction, Department of Defense, and Medical. Kevin has held positions such as Regional Director of Operations, Sr. Director of Operations, COO over the span of his career. He specializes in industry gap analysis, risk identification and mitigation, training and development, and building high performing teams. One of his most notable achievements was to work with DOT and PHMSA on the San Bruno investigation in which his direct recommendations resulted in changes for the operations of gas pipelines across the country. Mr. Farris has also had his share of achievements in the medical industry by assisting in the publication of articles pertaining to the Encapsulation of Pancreatic Islet of Langerhans Cells, and the Directional Solidification of Cells to increase viability during freezing process. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Indiana State University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and a Certificate of Completion for Project Management form the Villanova University. Kevin serves as Chief Innovation Officer for H.E.R. and Community Care Connection.

Broderick "Brody" Flynn, BSN, MSN

Broderick is a master’s prepared nurse with a degree from Kent State University. He has a MSN in nursing leadership and healthcare administration. Mr. Flynn has over a decade’s experience working in telehealth. He has developed programs on a national scale and deployed multiple telehealth modalities. His skills involve synchronous and asynchronous adoption to better serve patients in the home environment as well as in skilled nursing facilities. He is adept in CPT coding and identifying reimbursement for telehealth workload. He also has a skill for workflow development and standard operating procedure creation. Mr. Flynn has been able to apply the nursing process to telehealth program development and create solutions that meet the patient in the home providing seamless monitoring and early intervention.

Michael Harris, BS, MBA

Michael founded Bamboo, a company aimed at helping businesses tackle complex problems through software, marking a significant pivot from his initial career on the exotic derivatives desk of Societe Generale in NYC. His journey in finance, which began with marketing structured products to institutional clients, eventually led him to a passion for coding. This newfound interest steered him towards a software-centric role, where he developed critical support tools and systems for the bank’s Asset Backed Products desk. Michael’s expertise further expanded at BlueMountain Capital Management, a $20bn hedge fund, where he crafted systems aiding post-trade operations alongside a team of quantum computing PhDs, MIT and ivy-league graduates, and seasoned Wall Street professionals. Choosing to move back to Ohio in his early 30s to be nearer to his family proved to be one of his life’s best decisions. Michael, an ardent learner and reader with a penchant for the classics, holds two bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Accounting from The University of Akron, along with an MBA from ESSEC, France’s second-ranked business school. Now a father to two sons and a survivor of cancer in his late 20s, Michael actively volunteers at his church with the Knights of Columbus, cherishing every day of life with a profound sense of gratitude. Michael is a Health Equity Partner focused on developing the App for Transform Health RPM, LLC.

Michael Margraf, BA

Michael is responsible for running all facets of the business. Michael has spent nearly 20 years leading successful technology startups. Prior to co-founding Total Orbit, Mr. Margraf co-founded Optimal Solutions, Inc., a software company serving the broadcast and cable television industry. OSi was sold to Harris Corporation in early 2006 for $42 million. Following OSi’s acquisition by Harris Corporation in 2006, Michael served as Vice President and Director of Sales for the Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division. Mr. Margraf is an investor and currently serves on the boards of several web-based startup companies. He also actively participates and has served as a technology advisor on the boards of numerous educational foundations for local schools and universities. Michael holds degrees in Business Administration and Sociology from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael is a Health Equity Partner focused on producing educational and engagement content for the H.E.R. App.