Meet the Team
As I began the journey of publishing "Dave and Danny Pay It Forward" I found myself surrounded by amazing people that have been an invaluable source of inspiration and support to me. After I initially submitted my book proposal to Mascot Books, Todd Civin was the first person who reached out to me. His humor and positive outlook was so refreshing and I immediately felt a kinship with Todd. When I reached out to Dan and Brian Vaughan to tell them about the story I had written inspired by their late brother, David I followed my heart telling them how this story came to me as if downloaded from above. I didn't know how my story would be received as David had just recently passed but they embraced the story and added insights into David that I include in the book. Finally, Todd introduced me to the illustrator of the book, Jason Boucher and after seeing his humorous and heartwarming sketches I was hooked. Jason knew the story behind the story and when he told me his dad was also killed in a car accident when he was four years old I knew that our introduction was indeed synchronistic. So many things have come together to make this book a reality and I am sure that David has been there supporting us all the way too. Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to my son, Ryan who has been so instrumental in designing this website. I am incredibly proud for all Ryan does to help our world be a better place- just like Dave and Danny do. Love you, Ryan!
Gretchen Detora, Author
Gretchen Detora is a wife, mother, author of educational children’s stories, and a retired Instructional Assistant at South Elementary School in Andover, Massachusetts. As an author, Gretchen writes her children’s stories with the intention of inspiring others to find positive solutions in everyday life. This has always been Gretchen’s focus in her own life as well. While raising her son Ryan, she taught him the importance of giving back to others and how just one person can make a significant difference in the world. Gretchen also shared this important message with her students at South Elementary School. It is her hope that the positive messages in her stories will reach many more.
Gretchen Detora is a wife, mother, author of educational children’s stories, and a retired Instructional Assistant at South Elementary School in Andover, Massachusetts. As an author, Gretchen writes her children’s stories with the intention of inspiring others to find positive solutions in everyday life. This has always been Gretchen’s focus in her own life as well. While raising her son Ryan, she taught him the importance of giving back to others and how just one person can make a significant difference in the world. Gretchen also shared this important message with her students at South Elementary School. It is her hope that the positive messages in her stories will reach many more.
Jason Boucher, Illustrator
Jason Boucher is an artist and mason. He has been in construction going on 16 years but has been an artist most of his life. He never took a lesson and is pretty much self taught. He's married to his beautiful wife Erika and they have a beautiful daughter named Kayla and two handsome sons, Beau and Blake. It's his goal to be a full time illustrator and finally throw the work boots away!
Jason Boucher is an artist and mason. He has been in construction going on 16 years but has been an artist most of his life. He never took a lesson and is pretty much self taught. He's married to his beautiful wife Erika and they have a beautiful daughter named Kayla and two handsome sons, Beau and Blake. It's his goal to be a full time illustrator and finally throw the work boots away!
Todd Civin, Mascot Books
Todd Civin is a husband, father, grandfather, Senior Acquisitions Manager for Mascot Books and author...in that order. It was therefore a no-brainer when he learned about this incredible project that Gretchen has bestowed upon the Vaughan Family. It is not how much money we accumulate or how much stuff we buy while walking the planet but the impression we make on those we come in contact with. Anyone who made the impression that David Vaughan made in his brief time here is someone that I emulate and want to be associated with. A graduate of Syracuse University with his degree in Advertising, Todd is living the dream vocationally by bringing would be authors to Mascot Books.
Todd Civin is a husband, father, grandfather, Senior Acquisitions Manager for Mascot Books and author...in that order. It was therefore a no-brainer when he learned about this incredible project that Gretchen has bestowed upon the Vaughan Family. It is not how much money we accumulate or how much stuff we buy while walking the planet but the impression we make on those we come in contact with. Anyone who made the impression that David Vaughan made in his brief time here is someone that I emulate and want to be associated with. A graduate of Syracuse University with his degree in Advertising, Todd is living the dream vocationally by bringing would be authors to Mascot Books.
Dan and Brian Vaughan, Vaughan Family Trust
Dan is the youngest and Brian is the fourth of the eight Vaughan children. They were raised in North Andover, MA. Dan was Dave's younger brother, best man, and could often be found in his shadow, as is the case with most little brothers. In turn, Dave and Dan could often be found together, in Brian's shadow. Dan is a graduate of Villanova University and currently resides in Boston, MA, working in the Healthcare Industry. Brian is also a graduate of Villanova University, and he is a graduate of Boston College Law School. Brian lives and works in North Andover, where he is the co-founding partner of the law firm Smolak & Vaughan LLP. Dan and Brian are pictured to the left, together with Dave and their oldest brother, Tim. (From left to right, Tim, Brian, Dan and Dave)
Dan is the youngest and Brian is the fourth of the eight Vaughan children. They were raised in North Andover, MA. Dan was Dave's younger brother, best man, and could often be found in his shadow, as is the case with most little brothers. In turn, Dave and Dan could often be found together, in Brian's shadow. Dan is a graduate of Villanova University and currently resides in Boston, MA, working in the Healthcare Industry. Brian is also a graduate of Villanova University, and he is a graduate of Boston College Law School. Brian lives and works in North Andover, where he is the co-founding partner of the law firm Smolak & Vaughan LLP. Dan and Brian are pictured to the left, together with Dave and their oldest brother, Tim. (From left to right, Tim, Brian, Dan and Dave)
Ryan Harb, Website and Marketing
Ryan Harb, MS, LEED AP is a certified permaculture designer and founder of Beyond Sustainability Consulting. He is the son of Gretchen Detora and he couldn't be more proud of his mom. When she asked for his support with website design and outreach, Ryan was all for it. He spends his time working with other like-minded individuals in Amherst, MA on 'beyond sustainability' projects -- whose mission is to make the world a better place through education, community building, and sustainability. Ryan received his BBA in Business Management and was the first person in the nation to receive an M.S. in Green Building. www.RyanHarb.org
Ryan Harb, MS, LEED AP is a certified permaculture designer and founder of Beyond Sustainability Consulting. He is the son of Gretchen Detora and he couldn't be more proud of his mom. When she asked for his support with website design and outreach, Ryan was all for it. He spends his time working with other like-minded individuals in Amherst, MA on 'beyond sustainability' projects -- whose mission is to make the world a better place through education, community building, and sustainability. Ryan received his BBA in Business Management and was the first person in the nation to receive an M.S. in Green Building. www.RyanHarb.org