Jason is Emerson Rose’s Dad and the co-founder of the Emerson Rose Heart Foundation. He is a native of South Carolina and graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. Jason lives with his wife, Susan, in Clemson and is self employed working in real estate. Jason loves spending time with his family and serves as an elder at Crosspoint Church. Jason’s ultimate goal in serving through the ERHF is to make an eternal impact by displaying the hope exclusive to Jesus Christ to families encountering the most difficult days of their lives.

Susan is Emerson Rose’s Mom and the co-founder of the Emerson Rose Heart Foundation. She is a native of South Carolina and attended Clemson University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Counselor Education. Susan lives in Clemson with her husband Jason, and enjoys spending her days at home with their two children, Rowan and Campbell Jane. Susan is very passionate about serving families who are affected by congenital heart disease and sharing with them the love of Christ.

Kirby Player is a farm boy from Bishopville, SC and received a degree in Agricultural Education in 1983 from Clemson University during which time he had the honor of serving as Student Body President of Clemson University in 1982/83. Kirby later completed a Master’s degree in PRTM and PhD in Therapeutic Recreation both from Clemson University. Kirby is the Director of the Palmetto LEAF (Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture & Forestry) Initiative. Kirby serves the ERHF with a desire to see the lives and hearts of young children and their families ministered to medically and with the Gospel.

Wanda Bazemore is the current Associate Director and Director of Events for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.  Prior to joining MUSC she was the Director of Special Projects and Events for Duke Children’s.  She was the first female executive director of the longest running charitable pro-am in the nation, the Duke Children’s Classic.  She directed and managed all events surrounding two major capital campaigns – the building of Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center and MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Wanda works with several family foundations nationally providing consult for their philanthropy as well as several other non-profits.  Her interests are helping with her church’s mission in the Dominican Republic, her family (15 immediate family members) and staying fit by working out several times a week.  

Originally from the Arkansas/Texas border, Bill and his wife, Betsey, recently celebrated 47 years of marriage with 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren. Upon graduating from Ouachita Baptist University with a BS in Biology and Chemistry and MSE in Biology and Education, he served 4 years in the U.S. Army in Germany as a Captain (Company Commander) in VII Corps Direct Support. After military service, he held corporate management roles in multiple states including successive roles in engineering, plant management and corporate management. Upon retirement from the corporate world in 2007, he engaged in several international and local consulting/self-employment opportunities. Bill and Betsey have resided in the Upstate S.C. area since 2001. They have been long term members of Crosspoint Church - Clemson and currently serve as a small group Bible study Co-Leader. Other community responsibilities included Officer roles on the local HOA board and Executive Committee Board Member, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee for Foothills Community Health Center.

Scott’s family has roots in South Carolina as it all began in Irmo, South Carolina. His parents were committed to going where the job took them throughout all of his childhood which resulted in many stops throughout the Southeast and Midwest living in a total of 10 states.  Scott attended high school in Bridgeport, West Virginia where he met his bride and married his high-school sweetheart, Megan. Not fond of cold climates and chasing the dream of being a golf professional, Scott attended Methodist University, in Fayetteville, NC where he graduated with a BS in Business Administration and a focus in Golf Management. While chasing the golf dream, he and Megan welcomed Hailey and Maggie, their two daughters, to their family.  Scott and Megan currently reside in the upstate of South Carolina where Megan works as a third-grade educator, and he works in insurance. Maggie, their youngest, is their connection to the Emerson Rose Heart Foundation as she was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. They, as a family, are honored to serve other heart families like theirs.  

Jud is life-long resident of Oconee County, SC.  After graduating from Clemson University with a BS in Textile Chemistry and Polymer Science in 1983, Jud successfully blended a career in business development and management with ministry and non-profit leadership. In 2013 Jud earned a MA in Christian Leadership from Liberty University and soon after co-founded LifePoint Church of Oconee and currently serves as the Missions Pastor.  Jud looks forward to supporting the mission and vision of the ERHF and seeing hope and life given to heart families around the world.

Zachary Haddan was raised in the upstate and currently resides in Piedmont, SC with his wife Megan and their six kids on a small hobby farm. He hopes to make a difference in the life of others through being a good steward of his time, resources, and talents. God has made an impact on Zach's life that has resulted in him wanting to care for and advocate for children, specifically those affected by a heart condition and those in foster care. Zach and Megan's oldest daughter was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. The Haddans were introduced to Emerson Rose Heart Foundation following the birth of their daughter. Zach and his wife are thankful for the work ERHF does in serving and changing the future for those affected by congenital heart disease. Zach works as a Financial Advisor in Greenville, SC, a position he has held for twelve years. He focuses on working with individuals and families to create meaningful legacies. Prior to his work, as a Financial Advisor, he was in a leadership role with Chick-fil-A for a number of years. Currently Zach serves on the diaconate for Downtown Presbyterian Church (Greenville, SC). The Haddans are also a foster family, having fostered several children in the past seven years. One of their children is adopted from foster care. In his few free moments, Zach enjoys time on the tractor, anything to do with animals, camping with his family, and tailgating Clemson games.