Our Team

Patrick Mertes

Patrick is in constant motion. Since his diagnosis with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 1997, he has refused to let the condition slow him down. He has spent over a decade designing and directing camp and outdoor programs for Outward Bound, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Diabetes Youth Families (DYF). Life with type 1 has offered Patrick the opportunity to expand his T1D community throughout the US, within Central America, and as far south as Santiago, Chile.

Patrick has spent the last seven years developing and directing family retreats, residential summer camps, and high-adventure programs for individuals living T1D and their families.

In 2019, Patrick developed the PROJECT 50-IN-50 expedition and became the first person living with T1D to summit the highest peak in each of the 50 US states in just 49 days.

Professionally, Patrick works throughout Tennessee as a Territory Business Manager for Dexcom. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, two daughters and son.

Anne Sutton

Anne began her career as a middle school teacher in Charlotte Mecklenburg and Union County public schools.  When her son Brady was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three, she left teaching to support her family and never looked back.  She became a fierce supporter of families and individuals living with T1D and has served many roles in the community, including volunteer, board member, donor, fundraiser, and support group leader. Over the last 8 years, Anne has worked at JDRF, designing, funding, and executing community-based programs at the chapter, regional, and national levels. Her passion for creating authentic connections, growing support networks, and offering valuable resources is at the core of Anne’s work.   She knows the benefits of the T1D community first-hand and is dedicated to making that experience available to all.  She looks forward to working with you and the DFC Board of Directors to continue our mission to empower our community to accomplish their goals and let nothing hold them back.

Outside of the DFC, Anne can be found enjoying amazing meals cooked by her husband, Ed.  Laughing with her oldest son Brady and driving her youngest son, Paxton, to the barn where they feeds their horse, Carmen, way too many carrots and hike the trails with their dog Gus. 

Gail Machilek

Gail was born in Wisconsin and moved to North Carolina with her parents when she was ten years old. Gail attended school in Raleigh and met her husband, Rudi, during her freshman year in high school.

Fast forward 50 years to today – Rudi and Gail have two children, four grandchildren and three rescue pups.

Gail enjoyed a long career in the financial services industry and upon retiring from that role, was asked to join the team at the DFC in administration. She enjoys working with the entire DFC family, is excited about being involved with the DFC and learning something new every day.

Bailey Naso

Bailey was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult at age of 21, so he didn’t have a T1D camp experience growing up. Much like his diagnosis, his life took an untraditional path: from moving around the North East growing up, to getting his A.F.A. from a small film school in Los Angeles after high school, to struggling with his T1D diagnosis, to searching for purpose and the right career.

Bailey knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and after processing his diagnosis, felt so much stronger than he ever thought he could be, and decided to be a light in others’ lives who needed it. He transferred to UNC Charlotte in 2024 to get his B.S.B.A. in Marketing, and in 2025 joined The Diabetes Family Connection as our social media intern, and volunteered at Camp Morris.

Since then, he’s volunteered as a counselor at DFC events and has found purpose in mentoring, inspiring, and giving back to the T1D community. Always up for deep conversations, Bailey lives life with the mindset that “Vulnerability is a Superpower,” and strives to help others live as their authentic selves and find strength, love, and compassion within themselves.

As the Communication & Engagement Manager, Bailey works to create social media posts to educate, engage and inspire those living with T1D to build confidence, nurture a positive mental attitude, and connect with a supportive community.

Jason Geer

Jason’s journey with T1D started at age 7 when he attended diabetes camp for the first time. He credits that first summer with instilling the positive mindset that has guided him through a full, exciting life of international travels and outdoor adventures.

Jason’s connection has come full circle from being a Camper to Counselor, then a DFC Board Member, and now serving as The DFC’s Operations Manager.

Jason is excited to serve in this role with a simple goal: to ensure the next generation of kids and families get the same supportive, empowering environment that meant so much to him growing up.

Jason and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Brookhaven, GA and enjoy hiking in the US National Parks and host a “You-Pick” Lavender Harvest every June at their family farm in Rutherfordton, NC.