Foundation welcomes new members to Board of Directors

Obinna Egbo, MD, FHM, FAAP, is the President and founder of Zion Medical Group. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Nigeria College of Medical Sciences and Dentistry in 1994 and has since acquired nearly three decades of international medical training and practice experience from Africa, Australia, West Indies and North America. Obi, as he is known by his colleagues, friends and family completed residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in 2005 and is board certified in both specialties. He is a graduate of UCSF hospitalist leadership academy. Obi has elite hands-on experience with population health initiatives and care continuum in various health care settings including acute and post-acute facilities. He is a recipient of multiple hospital and medical leadership awards. Dr. Egbo is a fellow of the Society of Hospitalist Medicine, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been practicing in Arizona since 2005. He is a strong leader and mentor in the health care community serving in various community boards. He
loves God, is blessed with the best wife in the world and five world changing children.

Patrick Epum is a Director Team Lead at BMO Harris Bank. Epum is an experienced banker and financial professional, who provides access to strategies and solutions to meet the financial needs of companies in the middle market space (revenues of > $20MM) with broad industry coverage. He has a depth of experience in commercial lending, institutional investing, financial analysis and risk management. Since 2007, he has focused on building successful relationships and offering guidance to simplify complex financial challenges.

As a reliable and informed partner, he is committed to understanding the drivers and objectives of the growth-oriented companies we serve. Working with a collaborative team, he seamlessly connected key business stakeholders to the resources they need – sector expertise, industry insight, and global thought leadership – through Commercial, Wealth Management and Capital Markets specialists across BMO Harris Bank. His goal is to be a trusted partner with product /solution expertise and to provide a competitive offering to finance capital expenditures, working capital growth, acquisition financing, recapitalizations, family-owned business succession planning, ESOP financing, and other financing structures.

Edward G. Marley was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) in September 2022.  He steps into this role after leading MICA’s financial operations for 11 years as its Chief Financial Officer. Under his leadership, MICA has strengthened its financial position as demonstrated by its rating of A (Excellent) from AM Best Company. MICA’s balance sheet has grown to nearly $1.2 billion and $800 million in statutory surplus during his tenure. Since its inception, MICA has issued $700 million in policyholder dividends.

Prior to joining MICA, he served as Vice President at The Doctors Company and at SCPIE Holdings Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for a professional liability carrier insuring CPAs. He is active within the Medical Professional Liability Association, having been past Chair and current member of its Technology, Human Resources, and Finance Committee and a member of the Committee on Rating Agency Relations. He earned an MBA from the University of San Francisco and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dennis Mullen served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. from August 2005 to September 2010. He has served as a Corporate Executive in the restaurant industry and served as Chief Executive Officer for several restaurant chains. Mr. Mullen also served as a Trustee of Janus Funds from 1971 to 2011. He is currently director of the Arizona Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and a Partner at Mull Capital, LLC. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Northern Iowa University, where he continues to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Linda Surdakowski is a community philanthropist with deep connections and a long history of raising funds for non-profits in the Valley. She was formerly involved with John C. Lincoln Foundation, and sat on their board and chaired their gala for many years prior to John C. Lincoln’s merger that resulted in the creation of Honor Health. Linda has a vast depth of experience in managing and executing fundraising events. She is CO-Chair of St. Joseph’s Signature Event for 2023, and has already brought donations, vision and energy to our planning. Linda’s husband is a retired cardiologist and will also be supporting St. Joseph’s Foundation.