Board of Directors
The Novus Foundation Board of Directors is composed of dedicated individuals committed to advancing the foundation’s mission. Below are the current board members and their respective positions:
Founding Member (Non-Voting)
Allen Charles Smith:
Allen is the visionary Founder and CEO of Novus Medical Services and the driving force behind the Novus ACS Foundation. His career in healthcare began in the late 1980s, at a time when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was ravaging communities and the virus was not yet fully understood. During those early years, HIV/AIDS was a death sentence, and the stigma surrounding it was immense. But Allen approached this crisis with compassion and tenacity, advocating for his patients’ rights and dignity when few others would.
Allen’s experience working on the front lines of the HIV/AIDS epidemic forged his unwavering commitment to healthcare equality. He learned to see each patient as an individual deserving of respect, empathy, and tireless care. His early work in some of the nation’s hardest-hit areas, from Houston to Philadelphia, shaped his personal and professional ethos: to always do whatever it takes to ensure his patients receive the best possible care and to fight fiercely for their equality, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
In 2013, Allen returned to his roots in the Lehigh Valley to establish Novus Medical Services. What began as a local clinic with a focus on STI testing, PrEP for HIV prevention, and comprehensive HIV care has since grown into a thriving network of six offices, providing care throughout eastern Pennsylvania and beyond via telehealth services. Under Allen’s leadership, Novus Medical Services has become a vital healthcare provider, breaking down barriers to care and offering accessible, compassionate services to those who need it most.
Allen’s legacy is not just in the clinics he has built, but in the lives he continues to change. His work is a testament to the power of resilience, advocacy, and compassion in the fight for healthcare equality.
President
Douglas Adams:
Douglas brings extensive experience in nonprofit governance and leadership. As President, he is responsible for overseeing board meetings, guiding the foundation’s strategic direction, and ensuring alignment with the mission and vision of the organization.
Douglas is an Assistant Vice President in Commercial Operations for a leading Fortune 500 property and casualty global insurance company, where he has worked for over 35 years. He has been an active participant in the company’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group/Business Round Table for much of his tenure, having served as a past Chair and Co-Chair of the group. He is currently serving as a Committee Co-Lead.
Douglas has focused much of his time on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and benefits in the workplace. He has worked to ensure a corporate culture recognized as top-scoring by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Douglas has attended the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit for over 15 years, where companies from across the globe come together to share best practices in promoting LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Douglas is also a strong advocate for organ donation, having donated a kidney to his brother in 2002. He has participated in countless donor awareness events both in the workplace and in public.
Douglas currently resides in Palmer, PA. He has two sons and five grandchildren. He enjoys weekly family dinner nights, spending time with friends, traveling, shopping, biking, walking, and participating in numerous annual PRIDE events.
Vice President
Lou James:
Louis James is a 1985 graduate of DeSales University with a BA in English. He later attended the former Mary Immaculate Major Seminary, leaving in 1989. In 1996, he graduated from Northampton Community College with an AAS degree in Funeral Service.
Lou worked in the social service field for 8 years as a children and youth caseworker for Pinebrook Services for Children & Youth and later for Northampton County DHS – CYF Division. In 1997, he received his funeral director license and has worked in the funeral service field for over 25 years. He currently owns the James Funeral Home in Bethlehem.
Lou has served in various capacities on local area boards, including a brief term on the board of Catholic Charities, the Board of Eastern PA Funeral Directors Association (serving as president from 2005-2006), and the board of Fighting AIDS Continuously Together (FACT) for over 30 years. He has served as past vice president, secretary, general board member, and editor of the FACT newsletter for several years. He also has fundraising experience through FACT and has served for over 10 years as chairperson of the annual Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Lehigh County Division 1 Children’s Charity Raffle.
Lou currently resides in Bethlehem and enjoys spending time with friends, traveling to Europe, and visiting Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, when time permits.
Treasurer (Non-voting)
Joe Mannino, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Novus Medical Services, plays a vital role in managing the financial operations of the Novus ACS Foundation. His responsibilities include overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and ensuring that the foundation adheres to strict nonprofit accounting standards. While Joe serves as a non-voting member of the board, his financial expertise is indispensable, providing the board with invaluable insights to drive sound decision-making and fiscal responsibility.
With an extensive background in finance, Joe has a knack for navigating the complexities of nonprofit accounting while keeping an eye on the foundation’s long-term sustainability. He brings creativity and forward-thinking strategies to financial management, ensuring the foundation not only stays compliant but also thrives. Outside the boardroom, Joe is known for his passion for supporting meaningful causes, and he’s dedicated to using his financial acumen to empower the foundation’s mission.
Joe’s multifaceted expertise doesn’t stop at numbers; he’s also a strong advocate for strategic planning, helping align financial goals with the foundation’s broader vision. His contributions are integral to the foundation’s ability to grow, serve more individuals, and make a lasting impact in the community.
Secretary (Non-voting)
John Cunningham:
John Cunningham serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Novus Medical Services, where he plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between patients and clinical staff through healthcare technology. He oversees key systems including the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) platform, the organization’s internet presence, and various tech infrastructures that contribute to the seamless operation of the medical services. In addition to his technological duties, John is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), assisting with clinical outreach and providing clinical hours in the office.
John earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Penn State University, graduating in 2000. Prior to his healthcare career, he spent 11 years as a General Manager at Best Buy, where he thrived in the fast-paced retail environment of the 2000s—a time of rapid growth and innovation. His experience managing large teams taught him valuable lessons in leadership, customer engagement, and achieving ambitious sales goals.
For the past nine years, John has been making a significant impact in healthcare, including six and a half years with Novus Medical Services. His decision to transition from retail to healthcare was driven by a desire to have a more direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives. Among his proudest achievements is his work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in the Northeastern United States, where he has contributed to both individual patient care and large-scale outreach efforts.
Outside of work, John enjoys hobbies that include Microsoft Flight Simulator, model trains, and outdoor activities like camping and hiking. He and his husband are avid travelers, making annual trips to Key West and other warm destinations. Notably, John and his husband were among the approximately 18,000 same-sex couples legally married in California during the historic four-month period in 2008 when it was first legalized.
John’s diverse background in both retail and healthcare, paired with his deep commitment to patient care and technological innovation, makes him an invaluable asset to both Novus Medical Services and the Novus Foundation. His work continues to drive the organization’s success, ensuring that it remains a leader in healthcare excellence and patient-focused care.
Other Board Members:
Jack Steltzer – Member at Large
Meeting and Voting Procedures
The Novus Foundation Board of Directors follows structured procedures to ensure effective governance and decision-making. Below are the detailed procedures for meetings and voting:
Regular Meetings
The Board holds regular meetings at times and places designated by a resolution of the Board. Regular meetings are essential for discussing the foundation’s strategic direction, reviewing progress, and making necessary decisions. If a regular meeting date falls on a legal holiday, the meeting will be held on the next succeeding business day.
Annual Meeting
An annual meeting is held for the election of directors and officers, appointment of standing committees, and transaction of other business. The time and place of the annual meeting are designated by a resolution of the Board. This meeting ensures the foundation’s leadership is aligned and all major policies are reviewed.
Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President or any two directors. Notice of a special meeting must be given to each director at least five days in advance, either in writing or by telephone. The notice must state the time, place, and purpose of the special meeting.
Quorum and Participation
A majority of directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. Directors can participate in meetings via conference telephone or similar communications equipment, allowing all participants to hear each other. Participation in this manner constitutes presence in person at the meeting. This flexibility ensures that directors can contribute to discussions and decisions regardless of their location.
Voting Rights and Procedures
Each director has one vote. Decisions are made by a majority vote of the directors present at a meeting where a quorum is established. Directors with conflicts of interest must disclose them and abstain from voting on related matters to maintain the integrity of the board’s decisions.
Conducting Business Without a Meeting
In certain circumstances, the Board may take action without a meeting if all directors provide written consent. This consent must outline the action to be taken and be signed by all directors. This procedure allows the Board to make timely decisions when gathering in person or virtually is not feasible.
Email Voting
Boards of directors may use email or other electronic means to vote on matters. Each director must receive an announcement describing what is being voted upon and have at least 48 hours to cast their email vote. This ensures all directors have adequate time to consider and discuss the proposed action before voting. The email vote and related discussions are documented and preserved for transparency.
Record-Keeping and Minutes
The Secretary is responsible for recording all votes and minutes of board meetings. These records are maintained in a book kept for that purpose, ensuring transparency and accountability in the foundation’s governance. Minutes must include the names of directors who disclosed conflicts of interest, the nature of the discussions, and the outcome of votes.
Policy on Non-Voting Members
The foundation has a policy that employees of NovusACS, who are involved in the foundation, should not hold voting rights. This policy helps prevent conflicts of interest and ensures that decisions are made independently of the day-to-day operations of NovusACS. Non-voting members can still participate in discussions and provide their expertise, which is crucial for informed decision-making.
By adhering to these comprehensive meeting and voting procedures and including non-voting members, the Novus Foundation ensures effective governance, maintains transparency, and upholds the integrity of its decision-making processes.