Founders
The American Pregnancy Association was founded by Phillip B. Imler and J. Michael Sheaffer when they came together to envision a national health organization that would resolve reproductive, pregnancy and sexual health concerns.
Philip B. Imler, Ph.D., is Co-Founder and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Pregnancy Association (APA).
Dr. Imler joined America’s Pregnancy Helpline (APH) in 1997 as the President and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2002. Practicing social work since 1990, Dr. Imler has committed his efforts to community health issues. Whether through the Texas Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Family Services, Irving HealthCare System or direct practice, Dr. Imler has helped resolve health issues for the community through client advocacy, community awareness, and mental health counseling.
Pregnancy and reproductive matters have been a part of Dr. Imler's entire life. In 1964, he was adopted into the home of Robert and Bess Imler, where he experienced the blessing of being given parents. As a young adult, he experienced the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy when contraceptive methods failed. Later in life, additional trials occurred when he and his wife discovered the struggles of infertility. However this struggle opened the door to the joy they would experience through the adoption of two wonderful children.
Dr. Imler obtained a Ph.D. in psychology and counseling to compliment the Masters of Science in Social Work degree he obtained from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is licensed in the state of Texas as a Master Social Worker-Advanced Clinical Practitioner. He lives in Irving, Texas, with his wonderful wife Lynn and they are proud parents of Grant and Lauren. He currently enjoys golf, tennis, photography, and escape into the great outdoors.
J. Michael Sheaffer, is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the American Pregnancy Association. Because of his dedication to women and families with pregnancy and reproductive needs, Mr. Sheaffer commits the talents and financial resources of his corporation to advance the educational endeavors of the organization.
Mr. Sheaffer is the Chairman of the Board of America’s Pregnancy Helpline (APH), which he founded in 1995. His initial commitment to pregnancy health developed after he and his wife used a unique billboard advertisement in an attempt to grow their family through adoption. The billboards and subsequent media frenzy resulted in over 1,000 phone calls of which many were from women and families who needed access to pregnancy information and resources. The Sheaffer’s story is detailed in the book, The Ultimate Gift.
Mr. Sheaffer is the President of Hi-Line, Inc., Dallas, Texas, a national distributor of electrical and mechanical maintenance products. Mr. Sheaffer joined Hi-Line, Inc. in 1975 and served in several capacities within the company prior to being appointed President and to the Board of Directors in 1987.
Mr. Sheaffer obtained a BBA degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and formerly instructed and competed as a Martial Arts professional. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wonderful wife Annie and their three children Jack, Travis and Hannah. He currently enjoys golf and tennis.