Meet our leadership
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard Tango
President
Las Vegas resident since 2008 | Joined CCC in 2018
Favorite CCC Mission
As a pediatric cancer survivor, Richard is passionate about the CCC Survivors’ Scholarship. He’s dedicated to helping every low-income cancer survivor reach their education goals.
About Richard
At age 12, Richard was dying from an unknown illness until a brilliant doctor diagnosed him with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and began aggressive chemotherapy treatment. The next two years of treatment were difficult for Richard and his low-income family, yet he found frequent joy in comic books and video games to keep his mind off the pain and nausea that came with bi-weekly chemo. After surviving childhood cancer, he pursued his passion for making movies and received a B.A. in Film & Electronic Media from Cal State Long Beach in 2005. In 2018, Richard was fortunate to meet Critical Care Comics at a convention and it was love at first sight. After joining, he immediately brought with him a passion for live events, quickly becoming a Volunteer Event Manager and soon after that, Vice President. Today, Richard is President of the organization, as well as managing a career in live event production sales, and is proud to have created the annual Heroes & Villains Ball and Cancer Hero Scholarship. While he may not read as many comics as he used to, he enjoys seeing the joy comic books bring to every child they visit.
Michael Mutzhaus
Vice-President
Lifetime Las Vegas resident | Joined CCC in 2014
Favorite CCC Mission
The Hospital Visits. As CCC’s longest-serving member, Michael has seen the exponential growth the non-profit has experienced in nearly a decade, however the original core mission – providing kids in hospitals an escape… if only for 28 pages (the length of an average comic book) – will always be the main focus for him.
About Michael
Michael was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV – a rare origin story in such a transient town. His parents were from humble beginnings, but they quickly instilled the values of education and helping others. A value he took to heart becoming a teacher after receiving his B.A. in Secondary Education from UNLV, and continuing on to receive his M.A. in Political Science as well as a M.S. from Walden in Education. The values Michael’s parents instilled in him quickly drew him to Spider-Man comics and the motto “with great power comes great responsibility.” As Michael got older, he saw more and more parallels to Peter Parker, and he decided to bring the character to life one Halloween in college. This choice, like a radioactive spider bite, led to a chance encounter with Critical Care Comics at the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival, and his life was forever changed. He joined simply to bring his favorite character to life for kids in hospitals, and he eventually moved up the ranks – first as Director of Hospital Relations, and then as Vice President of the organization. Michael is the longest-serving volunteer in the organization, and he has seen it through many eras of growth and change. He’s proud to see it become such a staple in the Las Vegas community and he’s even prouder to lead something that helps make his hometown a better place – if only for 28 pages at a time.
Dylan West
Las Vegas resident 2018 - 2020 | Joined CCC in 2018
Favorite CCC Mission
As a business owner, having the ability to partner with a popular YouTuber to create a campaign that’s raised well over $500,000 for Critical Care has been an incredible experience.
About Dylan
Dylan West, the founder of Pixel Empire and a dynamic force in the world of art and business development, is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. His journey began in a dorm room less than a decade ago, where he managed to transform his small-scale operations into a thriving empire. Dylan's big break came in 2014, courtesy of a shoutout from YouTuber VSauce3, which catapulted his Titanfall poster to overnight success. This pivotal moment led him to quit his waiter job and pursue his art full-time.
His artistic style, rooted in graphic design and influenced by minimalism, focuses on conveying complex ideas with simplicity and elegance. Dylan's designs often feature silhouettes, a testament to his ability to communicate more with less. His most successful designs include the "Original Trilogy Set" and the glow-in-the-dark "Would You Kindly" poster.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Dylan is deeply committed to charitable work. He is a leader for Critical Care Comics, a charity where cosplayers visit hospitals and bring joy to children. As a board member, he has used his unique skills to help the charity grow through his campaigns partnering with famous YouTube personalities such as Scott The Woz.
Dylan's role as the Director of Business Development at Critical Care Comics is marked by his innovative approach and dedication to making a positive impact. His vision extends to attending every comic, video game, and anime convention in the US, collaborating with YouTube stars, and creating a platform for artists to thrive. His mantra, "Want it All," perfectly encapsulates his drive to explore diverse projects and make a difference in the world through his art and business acumen.
Casey Keene
Las Vegas resident since 2015 | Joined CCC in 2020
Favorite CCC Mission
I love seeing kid’s faces light up when we hand them a stack of comics. One of my favorite things is for them to tell us they’ve never owned a comic before.
About Casey
Originally from South Carolina, CCC’s Director of Operations combines a unique flair for business administration with a heartfelt dedication to community service. Known for her delightful appearances as Squirrel Girl, Casey has become a symbol of joy and resilience for children in hospitals throughout Las Vegas. Her visits are not just about donning a costume; they represent her deep commitment to bringing comfort and smiles to young patients and their families.
With a robust background in business operations, Casey is the driving force behind the seamless coordination of our numerous hospital visits and community activities. Her expertise ensures that Critical Care's initiatives are effectively executed, maximizing our impact in the community. Casey's passion for helping kids extends beyond her superhero alter-ego; she is instrumental in developing strategies that enhance our outreach and support to families in need.
At the core of Casey's work is a belief that a strong operational foundation is essential for meaningful community engagement. Her combination of operational savvy and compassionate outreach makes her an invaluable asset to Critical Care Comics and an inspiring figure in the Las Vegas community.
Minh Tran
Las Vegas resident since 2001 | Joined CCC in 2016
Favorite CCC Mission
Bringing joy to kids and adults.
Since he could remember, Minh has always wanted to be a superhero. He had dreams of being Batman, a Power Ranger, or even a Jedi. Instead, he became the “Merc with a Mouth”, Deadpool. So, how did a character like Deadpool end up in a children’s charity? A young girl had requested Deadpool for a special visit after a major surgery. Critical Care Comics had contacted Minh, and it also served as an audition to join the organization. After two hours in the hospital room, he was a full fledged volunteer. Since then, Minh was the first recipient of the Cosplay Volunteer of the Year award (now Hero of the Year), and has four characters he can use to visit kids. Today, he is the head of Recruitment and Retention for Critical Care when he isn’t working on his career preventing fraud for Las Vegas resorts. Whether he’s Deadpool, Hawkeye, Shang-Chi or Wong, Minh always brings “Maximum Effort” to ensure a smile is brought to whoever he meets.