BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven A. Sunday, Chair
Steve Sunday has worked in the field of adoption for more than 35 years as a caseworker, supervisor and administrator. He is the founder and executive director of Forever Bound Adoption and is the founder of and adviser to United For Adoption, the national adoption advocacy support organization. After graduating with his MSW in 1981 from Arizona State University, he has worked professionally in Arizona, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Utah. Steve was the project lead on the award winning Adoption, It’s About Love television and radio commercials in partnership with Bonneville Communications. He is a passionate advocate for the needs of children world-wide. In 2009 he was appointed to the board of directors for the National Council for Adoption. In addition, Steve served on the board of directors for the Foster Care Foundation for the State of Utah between 2009 – 2017. Steve was named the adoption “Professional of the Year” for 2013 by the Utah Adoption Council. Reflecting on his life’s work, Steve commented that it has been one of the choicest blessings in his life to be associated with the great work of caring for children and building families. Steve and his wife Karen have seven children and many grandchildren.
Stephen Thompson, Treasurer
Stephen Thompson has worked in finance and accounting since he graduated from the University of Utah in 1992 in accounting and then earned his Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) certification. He has worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Welfare Department, where he worked closely with Steve Sunday in LDS Family Services. During that time, he developed an appreciation and awareness to mental health issues and the adoption world. He enjoyed working to develop innovative and creative adoption policies and processes. Stephen has since transferred to the Meetinghouse Facilities Department where he is serving as a finance manager. Stephen is married to the former Christine Wright and they have four children and five grandchildren that they love spending time with.
Erik Paul, Finance Manager
Since 2007, Erik has worked for a major brokerage firm, he has been involved in transaction processing with brokerage and annuities, written correspondence; and most recently, risk analysis for clients dealing with diminished capacity. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, and is series 7, 63, and Insurance licensed. Erik and his wife Kami are proud parents of two beautiful children, who they adopted with the help of Forever Bound Adoption, and of course two incredible birth mothers, who they and their children have a special relationship with. They have a deep admiration for the selflessness, courage and pure love of birth mothers.
David Hardy, Attorney
David is an attorney with expertise in adoption and litigation related to adoption. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of law. He has practiced law for private law firms and as general counsel for a corporation, and he has created, licensed, and run an adoption agency. He has served on the Board of Directors of Utah Foster Care, as President of the Utah Adoption Council, and as a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. He has represented birth parents, adoptive parents, agencies, and professionals involved in adoption. He has lectured to various groups regarding adoption and child welfare and is well-versed on the multiplicity of issues related to adoption and child welfare.
Sharyn Riley
Sharyn Riley is the wife of Fred M. Riley, who passed away in 2016. Sharyn has always been passionate about the causes of women and children, so supported Fred wholeheartedly in ventures involving adoption, foster care and preventing child abuse. Together, Fred and Sharyn are the parents of five and the grandparents of fifteen, who Sharyn loves to call her heathens. Sharyn has a background in secretarial work in elementary schools and doctors’ offices, teaching computer science in the schools, also, and is now attempting to follow her dream of watercolor painting. She wants to stay up to date with mothers and children in need, thus her involvement in the Fred M. Riley Foundation.
S. Brent Scharman
Brent Scharman received bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. from Brigham Young University. He is a licensed psychologist. Brent was employed by LDS Family Services for 36 years where he provided clinical services but also worked in a variety of administrative positions including assistant commissioner. Brent is a former president of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists and the Utah Psychological Association. In retirement, Brent has provided volunteer services to the Missionary Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to the Maliheh Free Clinic. Brent is married to the former Janet Samuelson who recently retired as Vice President of Student Life at Brigham Young University. Brent and Jan are the parents/stepparents of 10 children and 37 grandchildren.
David Ferris
David is relatively new to the world of adoption. He and his wife adopted their beautiful daughter in 2016. David loves being part of an open adoption and has seen first hand some of the challenges that birth parents can face. He graduated with a BS in Global Studies from BYU in 2011. He was in the Army Reserves for 12 years, including deployments to Afghanistan and the Philippines. David co-owns Honors Graduation, an online graduation supply store and Customization House, a local screen printing and embroidery business. He enjoys playing with his 4 kids, and hiking and going to plays with the love of his life, Sadie. He also enjoys planning vacations almost as much as going on them, especially Disney trips.
Travis P. Riley
Travis has more than twenty-nine years working in the Financial Benefits industry educating and assisting people save for their retirement. He is married to Teresa and they have two wonderful daughters. Travis has been around adoption his whole life. As young child, Travis’s family often shared their home with newborn babies who were awaiting adoption. He has nieces and a nephew and many friends who have been blessed by being adopted. An advocate for adoption, Travis feels privileged to work with Forever Bound Adoption, the Fred M. Riley Foundation, in support of both children and families searching to be blessed by adoption.