Annette Whittemore graduated from the University of Nevada with a BS Ed in Elementary and Special Education. Teaching children who had neuro-cognitive deficits, like those found in autism, ADD, and learning disabilities, provided her with a unique experience to later use in her pursuit of answers to her daughter's serious illness.

When her daughter became ill with a chronic neuroimmune disease, Annette began to seek appropriate medical care. Annette found that few doctors understood the reasons for her daughter's continuing physical decline. "We traveled to several well known University research hospitals hoping we would find the answers we needed. Seventeen years later there is still a scarcity of physicians with the medical knowledge or tools to treat the underlying causes of these chronic and often debilitating diseases." For this reason, Annette has committed her time and resources to bring attention to the serious nature of neuroimmune diseases and change her community in a positive way. She began this important mission in 1994 by supporting a Think Tank on ME/CFS, led by Dr. Daniel Peterson of Incline Village. In 2004 she and another patient advocate began a medical foundation to support research to find biomarkers of disease and treatments for patients impacted by the HHV-6A virus. "As a founding member of the HHV-6 board, I had the unique opportunity to learn about the association of this neurotrophic virus to many diseases of the brain, including MS, MTL epilepsy and ME/CFS."

In order to provide solutions for patients and bring new doctors into this field of medicine, Annette, legislators, and others supported a bill to build a biomedical research center at the University of Nevada, Reno with an Institute for Neuro-Immune disease and the Nevada Cancer Institute. In addition, Annette and Harvey have contributed over one million dollars and pledged another four million dollars in support of the building and programming to bring this project to fruition.

As the Founder and President, Annette supports the basic and clinical research programs, recruitment of physicians and support personnel, while also leading fundraising activities. "We have a wonderful team, including Dr. Daniel Peterson, Dr. Judy Mikovits, Research Director, Mike Hillerby, Director of Government and Public Affairs, and many other dedicated scientists, such as Drs Frank Ruscetti and Vince Lombardi, who have helped make this dream a reality," explained Annette. In addition, researchers at the University of Nevada Medical School have become collaborators on projects that are vital to our understanding of the immune deficits seen in these patients. "Our goal to work with other institutes, to enhance our efforts and bring expertise to this field of medicine, is already becoming a reality."

"I am continually amazed at the commitment of those who work with us, some of whom have moved their entire families to Reno. Most importantly I want to recognize the volunteers who have given so much of their time in furthering our goals to build a world class institute in Reno, Nevada."

The Nevada Business Journal recently honored Annette and her husband Harvey as Health Care Heroes for their personal commitment to this Institute and its mission. Other community activities include current positions on the Governing Board of the Davidson Institute and the Community Board of Pack Paws.

As Vice President, General Counsel for Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI), Carli Kinne is responsible for the direction of legal, intellectual property, compliance, human resources, and grant management functions of WPI. Carli has provided legal advice and support to WPI since its inception. Carli graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2002. Following law school, Carli began her legal career as a clerk for Nevada Supreme Court Justice Robert Rose. After completing her clerkship, Carli served as Associate General Counsel for Wingfield Nevada Group where she provided legal counsel to companies involved in a variety of industries. Carli also holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Debi Blades brings more than 30 years of financial management experience across diverse industries to her role as chief financial officer.  She is responsible for the day to day accounting for WPI, including AR, AP, General Ledger, bank reconciliations, and month-end reports.

Debi joined WPI in 2010 after working for more than 15 years at a management company as controller. In that role she was responsible for accounting and human resources. Prior to that Debi spent 15 years in the ski resort industry as an accountant.

Debi attended the University of New Hampshire. In her free time Debi likes camping with her husband Bob of 15 years as well as hiking and being outdoors.

Audit and tax services are provided by an outside CPA firm.

A graduate of the University of Nevada Reno, Michael has spent 20 years working in the government relations and public policy arenas in Nevada, with a strong emphasis in healthcare. As a professional lobbyist at the Nevada Legislature, he has worked in a variety of areas, including insurance, utilities, telecommunications, finance, professions and regulatory boards. Michael has testified before Congress on senior prescription drug issues, and is a frequent speaker on a variety of public policy issues and the legislative process.

He comes to WPI having served as Chief of Staff to former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn. Michael was responsible for the day to day management of the Governor's Office, as well as management and oversight of the Cabinet and the various agencies of state government. He also regularly worked with outside constituent groups, other Governor's offices, federal agencies, the White House and national associations, as well as staffing the Governor's recent Chairmanship of the Republican Governors' Association. Michael served on or chaired a variety of state committees for the Governor, as well as working on special projects in areas from Homeland Security to Information Technology.

Michael also has a 15 year background in non-profit leadership and management, with extensive experience in all aspects of non-profit management, including program development, fundraising, membership recruiting and retention, board relations, financial management, governance and public relations.

Michael is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Nevada Museum of Art, on the Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs, and a Trustee of the Western States Arts Federation. He also served as Chairman of the Washoe County Human Services Advisory Board.