August 16, 2024

Meet the RLS Foundation's Newest Board Members!

The RLS Foundation is excited to introduce the newest members of the Board of Directors! As the Foundation’s reach expands in the public and medical realms, so does its leadership.

Jim Flaniken

Indianapolis, IN

As a retired senior executive in the food sector, Flaniken has extensive experience in business strategy and strategic planning, marketing and brand management, process reengineering, budget administration and cost control. Flaniken has RLS, noting that the Foundation has served as a “lifeline” of invaluable information and support for him in managing the disease. He was attracted to the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of those with RLS, as he shares a passion for increasing awareness and expanding the Foundation’s impact by helping others who are also coping with RLS.

Kunal Agarwal, MD

Sarasota, FL

Agarwal is board-certified in family medicine, obesity medicine and sleep medicine. He received his bachelor’s degree with honors in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and a member of the Obesity Medical Association. As a practicing physician, Agarwal is committed to advocating for RLS patients, as well as educating providers and patients about the disease and proper management. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and eating good food.

Bill Wendt

Portland, OR

Wendt manages a small construction group that provides a range of services for technology companies. Wendt grew up in central Illinois and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign. After graduating, he was hired by Intel Corporation and moved with his family to Portland, where he spent the next 35 years working in the wafer fabrication facilities at Intel. Wendt has suffered with RLS since his teenage years and credits the Foundation with helping him find a doctor who correctly diagnosed his augmentation. Wendt serves as an active Foundation volunteer leading monthly RLS Virtual Support Group meetings.

Avinash Aggarwal, MD

Pittsburgh, PA

With over 28 years of experience in neurology, Aggarwal is a distinguished physician specializing in neuromuscular and sleep disorders. As the founder and director of the Restless Leg Syndrome Quality Care Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Aggarwal is dedicated to providing exceptional care for patients with RLS and related conditions. Her clinical interests include the treatment of RLS and other sleep and neuromuscular disorders, as well as specializing in the use of Botox in the treatment of headaches and other neurological conditions.

Donnie Kee

Diboll, TX

Kee is retired after more than 30 years in the telecommunications industry with Consolidated Communications where he held positions of Central Office Engineer, Separations Traffic Engineer, Rates and Cost Supervisor, Manager-Financial Analyst, and Product Manager. He also spent 9 years in the insurance industry with Farmers Insurance where he managed a successful agency and provided securities investing for his clients. Kee’s passion lies in giving back to the community. He lives with RLS and joined the Foundation many years ago. After seeing the benefits that the Foundation provided to those seeking help, he knew that he wanted to be a part of this organization so that he could help others in some way.