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Upcoming board and executive committee meetings can be found at the bottom of this page.

Staff

Click on staff members names to email them directly.  For staff photos, click here.

Aimee Allen – Parents as Teachers Educator
Alanna Holmes – Finance Associate
Beth Bowen – Positive Parenting Coordinator
Channing Huggins – Positive Parenting Educator
Dayla Mendez – Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist
Debbie Harrell – Finance Director
Elizaida Velez-Olan – Parents as Teachers Educator
Gardner Foster – Parents as Teachers Educator
Jane Morrow – Executive Director
Jennifer Gallo – Family and Community Educator
Kelly Purvine – Receptionist/Support Services Associate
Kelly Puzon – Behavior and Inclusion Support Consultant
Krista Green – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant
Krista Turner – Program & Evaluation Director
LaKeasha Glaspie – Physical Activity & Nutrition Consultant
Lisa Burriss – Family Services Manager
Matt Schaeffer – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant
Mindy Davis – Early Care and Education Manager
Natalie Pond – Child Care Resource and Referral Consultant
Sarah Donnelly – Behavior and Inclusion Support Consultant
Stephanie Harris – Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
 

Board of Directors

Officers
Justin Lewis, President, Community Member, Ward and Smith, P.A.
Meredith Jones, Vice-President, Community Member, UNCW – Watson School of Education
Betty Clark, Treasurer, Community Member, Noah’s Ark Children’s Center
Michelle Winstead, Secretary, Director, New Hanover County Department of Social Services
 
Board Members

Anka Roberto, Community Member, UNCW – School of Nursing
Ashlye Hernandez, Community Member, NHRMC
Bernadette Baker, Community Member, Retired DCDEE Child Care Consultant
Beth Schrader, Appointed Designee for the County Manager
Betty Clark, Community Member, Noah’s Ark Children’s Center
Brittany Fountain, Community Member, Live Oak Bank
Cheryl Aguilar, Community Member, Family Childcare Home Provider
Claire Corbett, Parent Representative, NHRMC
Clayton Roberts, Municipal Representative, City of Wilmington
Cliff Barnett, Faith Community, AME Warner Temple
Craig Kelly, Community Member, Youth Violence Intervention Specialist
Diane Pappayliou, Community Member, Butler Snow, LLP
Jennifer Varella, Community Member, Kids & Company
Justin Lewis, Community Member, Ward and Smith, P.A.
Karen Weaver, Business Leader, PNC
Kenneth Sarvis, Community Member, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
LaChawn Smith, Appointed Designee for the NHC Superintendent of Schools
Laura Nelson, Child Care Center Representative, Childcare Network 127
Lisa Trotta, Community Member, PPD
Mary Cato, Community Member, Chubby Cheeks Child Care
Meredith Jones, Community Member, UNCW – Watson School of Education
Michelle Winstead, Director, New Hanover County Department of Social Services
Phillip Tarte, Director, New Hanover County Health Department
Marie Burgh-Cook, Appointed Designee for the Cape Fear Community College President
Rob Zapple, Appointed Designee for the Board of County Commissioners
Shannon Smiles, Appointed Designee for Head Start Representative
Susan DeMarco, Appointed Designee for the Public Library Director, New Hanover County Library
Tammy Orr, Community Member, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

Board of Directors Meeting Dates for  Fiscal Year 2019-2020

(Meetings are at 6:00 pm at the Smart Start Office unless otherwise noted)

  • September 24, 2019
  • December 5, 2019 – Board Retreat – McNeill Hall UNCW
  • January 28, 2020
  • March 17, 2020
  • June 23, 2020
Executive Committee Meeting Dates

(Meetings are at 12:30 pm at the Smart Start Office)

3rd Wednesday of each month (exception: November & March – 2nd Wednesday)

  • 2019: 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, 10/16, 11/13, 12/18
  • 2020: 1/15, 2/19, 3/11, 4/15, 5/20, 6/17
Finance Committee Meeting Dates

(Meetings are at 12:00 pm at the Smart Start Office)

  • 2019: 9/10
  • 2020: 1/14, 3/10, 6/9

(Meetings posted as they are scheduled.  Meetings are held at the Smart Start Office unless otherwise noted.)

  • Advocacy Committee
    • Meetings TBD
  • Development Committee
    • 9-24-19 5:00 pm
    • 11-5-19 9:30 am
    • 1-28-20 5:00 pm
  • Planning & Oversight Committee
    • 9-9-19 11:30 am
    • 9-30-19 9:00 am
    • 10-22-19 8:30 am
    • 11-6-19 1:00 pm
  • Allocation Committee
    • 3-4-20 2:00 pm
    • 3-11-20 2:00 pm
  • Nominating Committee
    • Meetings TBD