Our list of team members
About Us
Steve Pitzer
President | CEO
Steve Pitzer comes to Transplant Coordinators of America with nearly 25 years of experience in the organ donation field. He got his start in the field in 1986 as an organ procurement coordinator in the U.S. Air Force. From there, Pitzer was employed with UNOS Organ Center as an organ placement coordinator.
Robert Koppenaal
VP Operations
Robert began his journey in the transplant field over 13 years ago. He started with Transplant Coordinator of America 6 years ago and has since become a vital role in the development of our operations. His innovative mindset has allowed our organization to become the high-quality service experience your team has come to value and expect.
Richard Gray Granger
Sr. Coordinator/Advisor
Gray Granger joined TCOA with more than 20 years of experience as a senior organ placement specialist and CPTC with UNOS. In this role, Granger provided assistance to organ procurement agencies and transplant centers by allocating organs, assisting with transportation and providing input on policy development. He has served as a faculty member at university-sponsored symposiums and other public-speaking venues.
Toni Ashton
Coordinator
Over 6 years with Lifepoint OPO with Nursing degree from Kirkwood Community College. Hospital experience in surgery, ICU, surgical trauma, digestive diseases ICU. Worked with TCOA since 2014.
Laura Anderson
Coordinator
RN 22 years, CPTC (2003), Organ Procurement Coordinator 13 years. Current active critical care RN. With TCOA since 2017
Lynette Williams
Coordinator
Worked at Missouri OPO since 2012. With TCOA since 2017. Licensed EMT since 1999, Paramedic since 2002. Paramedic instructor (specialty in ACLS, PALS, and ITLS) with University of Missouri, (K.C). Currently attending school for a Registered Nurse degree by end of 2018. Bachelors in Psychology.
Bridgette Carstensen
Coordinator
B.S & M.S. in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 3+ years experience at the Center for Donation and Transplant NY/VT as both an Organ Procurement Coordinator and a Quality Analyst. With TCOA since 2018.
Patrick Silva
Coordinator
Doctor of Medicine from Far Eastern University-NRMF, Philippines & B.A. Psychology. Organ Transplant experience field since 2003 as a triage & recovery coordinator for OPO in St. Louis for 12 years. Has been with TCOA since 2016.
Thomas Mulligan
Coordinator
Bachelors in Nursing 2004 from UCF Masters in Nursing concentration in Education from Walden University 2011 Worked Florida Hospital Cardiac Units 2003-2006 Translife OPO Organ Procurement RN 2007-2009 Mayo Clinic Transplant Center 2010-Present
Lauren Neal
Coordinator
BS in Nursing and a MBA from Southern Illinois University. 8 years as a Recovery Coordinator with Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis, MO and with TCOA since 2015.
Luann Mitcham
Coordinator
20 yrs CPTC, ABTC
32 yr RN
Charity Hagemeier
RN Coordinator
RN, BSN, CPTC - 10 years in Organ Procurement. With TCOA since 2017
Samuel Blanchette
Coordinator
3 yrs Organ Preservation Specialist 1 yr Tissue recovery coordinator 2 yrs w/ TCOA
Shanna Nimmons
Coordinator
Currently, Shanna is a dedicated transplant coordinator for our organization. Her background includes, 5 years of experience with an Organ Procurement Organization that included kidney perfusion and organ procurement coordination and 4 years working with physicians and their hospital owned practices to help coordinate and manage day to day operations.