Our leadership team, advisory board, and customer council are dedicated to guiding our mission and ensuring our solutions meet the dynamic needs of the field. Interested in learning more? Let us know—we’d love to help.
John Byer brings over 25 years of expertise in the Health and Human Services (HHS) technology sector. Committed to leveraging data and innovation, he focuses on creating interoperable solutions that drive meaningful outcomes. Under his leadership, Cumulus delivers transformative tools for collaboration, referrals, and performance improvement in community programs.
Tom Laba has over 20 years of experience in the Health and Human Services (HHS) sector, specializing in home and community-based services (HCBS). He has collaborated with federal, state, and local organizations to manage HCBS datasets and implement data-driven technology solutions. With expertise in software design, stakeholder engagement, and market trend analysis, Tom delivers innovative and sustainable outcomes for HHS programs.
Jeremy Danyow has two decades of experience in software development, with a career spanning HCBS, LTSS, and government reporting. He has also led engineering teams at Microsoft as a Principal Engineering Manager in the Azure organization. At Cumulus, Jeremy is dedicated to developing innovative, user-centered solutions that drive better outcomes in health and human services.
The Cumulus Advisory Board brings together a team of accomplished industry leaders, innovators, and strategic thinkers dedicated to guiding our mission. With deep expertise across technology, public service, and community programs, the Advisory Board helps shape our long-term vision and ensures we remain focused on delivering impactful solutions. Their vital insights and forward-thinking perspectives empower Cumulus to anticipate challenges, explore opportunities, and innovate for the future.
Lance Robertson is a nationally recognized leader in aging and disability services, with a career dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. As the former US Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living (2017–2021), he oversaw a $4 billion budget and spearheaded initiatives to enhance community living, person-centered care, and disability employment. A US Army veteran with bipartisan Senate confirmation, Lance now serves as a Partner at Guidehouse, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and resilience in healthcare systems.
Edwin L. Walker dedicated over 40 years to advocating for older Americans, leading the Administration on Aging within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He guided the development of home and community-based long-term care programs, enabling older adults and their caregivers to age with dignity and independence. Prior to his federal service, Walker directed the Missouri Division of Aging, overseeing comprehensive services for older adults and individuals with disabilities. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University. In March 2024, Walker retired from federal service, leaving a legacy of leadership in aging policy and program development.
Matt Salo is the founder and CEO of Salo Health Strategies, a boutique healthcare consulting firm in Washington, D.C., specializing in strategic advice, healthcare policy, and Medicaid market development. He is the founding Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), leading the organization from its inception in 2011 until August 2022. Prior to NAMD, Matt spent 12 years at the National Governors Association, advancing governors' healthcare and human services reform agendas. Recognized as one of Washingtonian Magazine's 500 most influential people, he is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and was honored by the National Academy of State Health Policy with the 2022 Academy Award for lifetime contributions to health policy.
Kevin Bagley has spent more than 15 years finding ways to improve the systems of care that support Medicaid participants across the country. Kevin’s most recent role was as the Medicaid Director for the state of Nebraska, serving under two Governors, Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen. Prior to serving as Nebraska’s Medicaid Director, Kevin served as the Director of LTSS for the state of Utah’s Medicaid program. Kevin served on the Board of Directors at the National Association of Medicaid Directors and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Kevin earned his Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University and his master’s in business administration from Utah State University.
The Cumulus Customer Council serves as the voice of our customer community, offering invaluable feedback and real-world insights that drive continuous improvement. Comprising a diverse group of customers from various roles and organizations, the council collaborates with us to ensure our solutions meet the dynamic needs of the field. Their perspectives help refine our products, prioritize features, and strengthen the connection between our tools and the outcomes they support. The Customer Council embodies our commitment to listening, learning, and evolving alongside those we serve.
Lisa Knoll leads Aging Ahead, Missouri's largest Area Agency on Aging, serving St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. Under her leadership, the agency launched the CHOICE program in 2014, bringing services and meals to locations where older adults naturally congregate. During the pandemic, she spearheaded the development of Cumulus, a digital platform enabling organizations to coordinate services and improve outcomes for older adults. In 2023, the National Council on Aging honored her with the Trailblazer in Aging Award for Innovation. Along with Cumulus and the University of Missouri - Saint Louis, Aging Ahead and the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (ma4) were final winners of the Administration for Community Living’s Social Care Referrals Challenge. Aging Ahead transitioned its large Veteran Directed Care program to the Cumulus platform in 2024, transforming efficiency by automating workflows, eliminating manual tasks, and improving outcomes for veterans and their caregivers.
Kathy Vesley leads Bay Aging, a multifaceted Area Agency on Aging in Virginia, employing over 350 staff members. Since joining in 1998 and becoming CEO in 2011, she has expanded services to address critical issues for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Under her leadership, Bay Aging launched VAAACares®, Virginia's Community Care Hub, enhancing health-related social needs services statewide by creating a learning collaborative with over 150 member organizations and a hub & spoke model for contracting, now active in more than 10 states and territories. In 2023, Vesley received USAging's Excellence in Leadership Award, recognizing her innovative contributions to aging services. Under Vesley's leadership, Bay Aging and VAAACares adopted Cumulus as their strategic Community Care Hub platform, optimizing multiple programs including Veteran Directed Care, along with Medicaid- and Medicare-funded programs for health plans.
Joshua Hodges leads the National Council on Aging's programmatic portfolios and network activation strategy, aiming to empower millions of older adults to enroll in benefits programs, prevent falls, and manage their health. His career has focused on improving aging experiences, including roles in national nonprofits and the federal government. At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living, he served as Acting Deputy Administrator of the Center for Integrated Programs, overseeing 11 aging and disability programs with a total portfolio exceeding $110 million. Hodges is also a member of the Grantmakers In Aging Board of Directors. NCOA has adopted Cumulus’ platform for high-impact programs, including the National Vaccine Uptake Grant Project and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which encompasses hundreds of subgrantees nationwide.