Board Member Spotlight: John Spytek

Board Member Spotlight: John Spytek

Author: John Spytek

Tell us about your professional background.

I’ve spent the last 15 years working in the scouting/personnel departments of the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos & currently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What makes the National CMV Foundation’s mission powerful for you? 

My daughter & first-born child, Evelyn Grace Spytek, was diagnosed with congenital CMV on the first day of her life. Before that diagnosis & despite CMV’s high rate of occurrence, not one of our doctors ever mentioned CMV or it’s devastating potential to us. Both my wife & I feel that if they had, Evelyn would still be with us today. I think there is an incredible amount of power in educating future parents with the information that we wish we had so that we can decrease the rate of occurrence & eventually eradicate this devastating virus.

What does success look like to you? 

Success at NCMVF will start with an increase in the rate of awareness of cCMV, followed by a decrease in the occurrence of cCMV & finally the eradication of cCMV for the next generation.

What motivates you? 

Evelyn motivates me each and every day in just about everything I do.Specifically, we hope to carry her story, grace, & strength forward in an effort to reach as many soon-to-be mothers & fathers, so they are armed with what questions to ask and what to demand from their own doctors. When this conversation starts happening more frequently, we WILL see a decrease in children born with cCMV.

What does true leadership mean to you? 

Selflessly inspiring people to keep fighting through both good and hard times.

What book did you read last? 

The Cubs Way: The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball

What is an ability you wish you had? 

I’ll give two: 1) To hit a golf ball like Tiger Woods and 2) To read faster.

What do you like most about living in Florida? 

The constant sunshine & proximity to water. Both have a calming & yet uplifting power to them.

Where would you most like to travel to? 

Alaska

What’s your favorite 90’s jam? 

Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band

You’re happiest when? 

I’m chasing my two boys around, having a cup of coffee or glass of wine with my wife, or on the golf course.