Our Staff
Administrative Staff
(205) 664-9313
Karen Stokes
Executive Director
Karen graduated from Auburn University with a B. S. degree in Family and Child Services. After many years of serving individuals with developmental disabilities and their families at several nonprofit organizations, she joined The Arc of Shelby County as Executive Director in 2002.
Angie Clark
Office Manager
Angie has been with The Arc of Shelby since December of 2002. She enjoys working at The Arc and counts it as a blessing to work with such a great staff of professionals. In 2008 she was honored to receive the Employee of the Year Award. Angie brings with her 15 years of Account Payabale and Human Resource experience. When not at the office she enjoys spending time with her husband, Bill and sons, Will and Matt at their home in Jemison, AL.
Kristin Webb
Director of Development
Kristin has 8 years’ experience working in the non-profit field. She holds Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Kristin joined The Arc of Shelby in February of 2011; before joining the team she worked as Executive Director for Saving Grace Home for Women in South Alabama. She was chosen and served as National Task Force Committee Member for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2008. She is a member of Reel Life Adventures. For fun, she enjoys off shore fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Kristin resides in the Vestavia Hills area with her husband and son.
Tampia Anderson
Chief Financial Officer
Debra Partain
Administrative Assistant
Debra started work with The Arc in February 2007 as an administrative assistant. She grew up on several farms in Ohio and Kentucky and moved to Alabama in 1984. Prior to coming to work with The Arc, Debra was an office manager for a State farm agent for 10 years and then worked with BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama for 10 years as a customer service rep and senior analyst. Debra lives in Chilton County with her husband and several pets. She enjoys camping/traveling, reading and most things outdoors.
Katy Johnson
Administrative Assistant
Katy graduated from Thompson High School in 2007. She began working at The Arc of Shelby County in 2009 as an administrative assistant. She also works at First United Methodist of Alabaster in the nursery and Verizon Wireless Music Center as a parking attendant. She is an active member of our local People First chapter. She enjoys watching movies, spending time with family and friends, and listening to music.
Early Intervention Staff
June Romero
KidsFirst Program Coordinator
June holds Bachelors of Science Degrees in Psychology/Sociology, BS in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education. She is also a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and is one of 55 Certified Trainers in the nation in Routines Bases Interviews. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. June also has a current teaching certificate for the State of Alabama. She worked for Birmingham City Schools in Preschool Special Education Classes for 5 years before joining The Arc of Shelby County as the Kidsfirst Early Intervention Coordinator. She supervises the Kidsfirst staff of 13.
Cathy Burke, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Cathy is a master's level speech/language pathologist with over 25 years of experience providing early intervention services to infants, toddlers and their families. Throughout her career she has also worked with individuals with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings, including early intervention programs, preschools, public schools, and university programs. Cathy is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Early intervention, augmentative communication, family advocacy and support, and outreach education/training are special interest areas for her.
Sandee Coker
Occupational Therapist
Gina Davies, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gina has worked for The Arc of Shelby County since 2006. She received her Masters of Science degree from the University of Montevallo in 1987. Gina is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Gina resides in North Shelby County with her husband and daughter.
Martha Castaneda Elkins
Translator
Marta has worked as an interpreter and a translator for Shelby County Schools since 2006. She joined The Arc’s team in 2009 to help better serve our Hispanic population. Marta has been translating for over 20 years and is excited to help those in need.
Jenny Epperson, BSW
Service Coordinator
Jenny received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from The University of Montevallo in 2006. She received her Alabama state license to practice Social Work in 2007. Jenny worked with families and children in Shelby County for 2 years before joining The Arc of Shelby County in 2009.
Arricka Gilliard, BSW
Service Coordinator
Arricka is a graduate of Troy State University with a dual degree in Social Work and Psychology. She spent 11 years in South Carolina serving as a Service Coordinator with Anderson County Special Needs and Disabilities Board. As a service coordinator, she worked diligently with families to identify, access, and implement services to make their lives better. Arricka is very excited to work just as hard with you and your family.
Michele C. Kilgore, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Michele has been a licensed speech-language pathologist since 1992, and has been serving families at the Arc of Shelby County since moving to Alabama in 2000. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from James Madison University in Virginia. She is married and has two boys, ages 6 and 10, and lives in Hoover. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team at the Arc, and strongly believes in the “team” approach for serving children and their families.
Brooke LeGrand
Occupational Therapist
Brooke joined the Shelby County Early Intervention team in May 2006 and has a total of 10 years Early Intervention/Pediatric experience. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Special Education from Auburn University and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is registered and licensed by the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy and National Board of Occupational Therapy. Brooke and her husband are also the parents of 2 active boys!
Jeannine Lyons
Service Coordinator
Jeannine has worked as a service coordinator in Alabama’s Early Intervention System for the last 14 years. She received her degree from Louisiana Tech University in Child Life/ Family Studies. Jeannine joined The Arc of Shelby Co. in 2002; before joining the team she worked as a District Early Intervention Coordinator for Jefferson / Shelby Co. She was chosen and served as a Service Coordinator Mentor through the Alabama’s Early Intervention Mentor Program. Jeannine also received the “Dream Team” Award from the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Jeannine enjoys living in Shelby Co. with her husband and their two children. Jeannine is very thankful for the opportunity to serve so many wonderful families!
Tania Melendez, M.S., CCC-SLP
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist
Special Instructor
Tania graduated from Carlos Albizu University in 2008 earning a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Tania is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She enjoys working with children and their families and spending time with her husband. Tania is thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
Amy Shirley
Special Instructor
Amy graduated from The University of Montevallo in 2002 earning a degree in Family and Child Studies. In 2006 she earned her Early Intervention Academic Certificate to become a Special Instructor through a joint program with Auburn University and Alabama's Early Intervention System. Amy has worked with pre-school aged children for the past 12 years. She started as a Service Coordinator at The Arc of Shelby County in 2007 and in 2008 became a Special Instructor. She currently lives in Shelby County with her husband and two daughters.
Julie Slanovits
Service Coordinator
Julie received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Auburn University in 2006. She has been a Service Coordinator with The Arc of Shelby County since September 2008. She previously was a case worker working with families and children for two years before coming to The Arc of Shelby County.
Community Living & Supported Employment Staff
Susan Ellis
Community Living & Supported Employment Coordinator/Family Advocacy
Susan received her degree from the University of Houston in Political Science and secondary education. She joined The Arc of Shelby County staff in 1999 and developed The Arc’s first adult service, Right Jobs Supported Employment program. Susan graduated Partners in Policymaking Alabama in 1991 and was appointed to the Alabama Individual and Family Support Council. She has served as a board member for numerous state agencies and advocacy organizations in Alabama over the past twenty years. She has had a diverse career that includes employment as a public school teacher, an underground coalminer, market research specialist, and disability advocate. Susan and her husband are the parents of three adult children, the oldest of whom has a developmental disability. Her passion is helping families and individuals with disabilities solve complex problems in order to live full lives in their community. Her favorite quote: “Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing!”---Helen Keller.
Karen Driver, LGSW
Social Work/Transition Services/Family Advocacy
Karen Driver graduated magna cum laude from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Minor in Business. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama and is currently a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. Karen graduated from Partners in Policy Making in 1995 and was appointed by Governor Bob Riley to the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities in 2010. Prior to joining The Arc, Karen worked for 20 years at a Fortune 500 Company in accounting while at the same time maintaining the accounting portion of her family’s business. Due to having several family members with disabilities, including her son, Karen decided to join The Arc part-time to support, and join with, other families in advocating for disability related issues while maintaining her position as Vice-President of her family’s business. Karen’s strongest belief, and what she wants most for families being served by The Arc to realize, is that, ““Continuous effort not strength or intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential.” (Black Elk [Hehaka Sapa] (1863-1950); Lakota Chief).
Heather Bell-Lawing
Employment Specialist
Heather graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Child & Family Development. She began working at The Arc of Shelby County in 2009 as an Employment Specialist. She enjoys working with adults with disabilities and their families. Helping individuals reach their goals and live a successful life in the community is top priority. She also enjoys spending time with her daughter, the beach, and boating.
Jennifer Thomas
Employment Specialist
Jennifer has worked as an Employment Specialist for The Arc of Shelby County since the summer of 2010. In 2010, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montevallo in Speech-Language Pathology. Jennifer facilitates weekly social groups for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. In her spare time Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends. Jennifer is so thankful for the opportunity to help individuals with disabilities be a part of the community through supported employment.
Jennifer Reynolds
Personal Care/Community Living
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