As an athlete, I utilized my competitive appetite for winning as a catalyst for change and got to work rebuilding the organization’s reputation, strengthening its relationships, seeking out new opportunities, funding, partnerships, and most importantly getting the “right” team in place. Today, the organization is flourishing, having reached its highest level of sustainability in history. It has a reserve account (which increased 240% even through the pandemic), raised enough support to build a brand new youth enrichment center and owns two facilities, completely debt-free. More importantly, it has enhanced its programs and services and touches the lives of over 15,000 individuals in the community annually at 100% free of cost. I am so incredibly honored and blessed to be a part of it, but what I am proud of most, is that our team achieves through integrity while honoring our mission, community partners and the people who we serve. After graduating from Methodist College in 1999 and initially starting out as a volunteer, I have now been with the agency for more than 26 years and the CEO for half of those.
Just a few accolades during my time I have been humbled to receive:
• Recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Methodist University
• Received The Key to the City of Fayetteville, NC • Recipient of the Chamber’s Breece Legacy Award
• Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations