Area Director for Field Operations

Russ Garner

Russ Garner started Communities Unlimited (CU) in January 2023 as a Community Facilitator on the Community Sustainability Team and has since been promoted to Area Director for Field Operations. He facilitates community members on projects and funding opportunities to help the communities. He coordinates with strategic partners to implement training and technical assistance to accomplish goals and outcomes for communities. He partners with communities and businesses to find funding opportunities, tools, and resources to achieve needs in the community.

Russ has an M.P.P.A. from Mississippi State University and a research and rural development background. Russ received Professional Economic Developer certification from the Community Development Institute in October 2023. 

Community Resource Manager

Kristy Bice

Kristy Bice, Community Resource Manager (T.L.L. Temple), started Communities Unlimited (CU) in April 2023. Kristy works with East Texas communities and helps bolster civic infrastructure across the area. She develops and maintains relationships with community members and businesses and assists them in finding resources and tools to achieve goals for their community.

She has a background in working for non-profits. Before coming to CU, Kristy worked as Senior Director of People Services at Goodwill. She has a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service. Kristy lives in Lufkin, Texas.

Community Resource Manager

Dawn Parker

Dawn Parker is a Community Resource Manager (T.L.L. Temple) for Communities Unlimited (CU). She is located in Northeast Texas and joined CU in April 2023. Dawn works with East Texas communities and helps bolster civic infrastructure across the area. She develops and maintains relationships with community members and businesses and assists them in finding resources and tools to achieve goals for their community. 

Before coming to CU, she worked as an Operations Manager for Texarkana Radio and maintained seven radio stations. She also owns 7LpStudios (photography). Dawn attended Strayer University-Global Region and studied Sociology.

Community Resource Manager

Timeka Mayfield

Timeka Mayfield started Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Resource Manager (T.L.L. Temple) in April 2023. Timeka works with East Texas communities and helps bolster civic infrastructure across the area. She develops and maintains relationships with community members and businesses and assists them in finding resources and tools to achieve goals for their community.

Before coming to CU, Timeka worked in the medical field as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional at ResCare Community Living and an Administrative Assistant for Common Spirit Health. She also has worked as a substitute teacher and a Foster Care Home Developer. She has a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Studies and Therapeutic Recreation from Grambling State University and a list of certifications, including Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional Training, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Training Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR), Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) Training and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Broadband Technical Assistance Provider

Ali Milligan

Ali Milligan started CU in September 2023 as a Digital Equity Coordinator. Ali is an Amercian Connection Corps/AmeriCorps Member. She serves on the Broadband Team and offers broadband education to community members and stakeholders. Ali gives broadband presentations to elected officials, community stakeholders, and community members. She researches barriers that communities face with broadband and helps identify opportunities. 

Before coming to CU, Ali worked with Mission Texarkana as a Feeding Center Lunch Monitor. Ali is attending Southern Arkansas University, working on a Bachelor of Social Work Degree. Ali lives in Texarkana, Arkansas. 

GIS Specialist

Alex Webb

Alexander Webb started Communities Unlimited (CU) as a GIS Technician in March 2023. He develops a wide array of computerized maps to assist with water and wastewater issues for our customers. Before coming to CU, Alexander worked as a Security Department Manager for the US Army. Alexander has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography/Cartography/Remote Sensing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Alexander works in the Fayetteville office.

GIS Specialist

Harrison Brown

Harrison Brown started CU in March 2023 as a GIS Technician. He works with communities to assist them with their mapping needs. Before coming to CU, Harrison is working on his Bachelor’s in Geology at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Harrison works in the Fayetteville office. 

Community Environmental Management Technician

Christina Hope Hernandez

Christina Hope Hernandez started Communities Unlimited (CU) in April 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Technician. She provides onsite technical assistance services to small communities and/or existing small water/wastewater facilities serving rural areas.

She prepares and submit written project reports, accurately detailing technical assistance activities provided to each project community, and research, develop, and submit to local community or utility decision-makers written reports, recommendations, feasibility studies, rate analyses etc.

Before coming to CU, Christina was a Case Manager for AYUDA, performing assessments on new clients. She attended El Paso Community College and studied Criminal Justice.

Community Environmental Management Advisor

Allen Spradling

Allen Spradling came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in May 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Advisor for the Environmental Team. Allen works with our communities to assist them with their water and wastewater needs. He provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development capacity building assistance and training to small community environmental management systems. 

Before starting Communities Unlimited, Allen worked as a Water/Wastewater Operator for the town of Grubbs, Arkansas. Allen served in the US Air Force from 1988-1991 and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Allen lives in Grubbs, Arkansas and works in the northeast portion of the state.

Community Environmental Management Specialist

Deborah Brown

Deborah R. Brown joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in June 2023 as a Community Environmental Management Specialist. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital. Before starting at CU, Deborah worked as an Education Program Coordinator for Go Forward Pine Bluff. Deborah has a Master of Legal Studies from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Deborah lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Community Environmental Management Technician

Morgan Jones

Morgan Jones joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Environmental Management Technician in June 2023. She provides technical assistance for water and wastewater management and assists municipalities with gaining access to capital. She assists communities with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. Morgan also ensures that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.

Before coming to CU, Morgan worked for the City of Jackson Police Department, where she was responsible for analyzing and submitting results for illegal substances. Morgan has a Master’s in Pharmacy from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Jackson State University. Morgan will be working in the Jackson, Mississippi, area.

Accounts Receivable & Loan Fund Liason

Liz Holland

Elizabeth (Liz) Holland started Communities Unlimited (CU) in May 2023 as an Accounts Receivable and Loan Fund Liaison for the Finance Department. She works with the Finance Team on multiple tasks, including processing loan disbursement checks and recording loan fund payments into the software. She prepares bank files to draft customer payments four times a month and monitors and prepares reports.

Before coming to CU, Liz worked for Holland Electric NWA in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, as an Office Manager. She also worked for George’s Inc. as a Payroll Clerk. Liz has a strong background in accounting and payroll. Liz studied Accounting at Des Moines Area Community College (Youth Consortium) in Ankeny, Iowa. Liz lives in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and works in the Fayetteville office.

Management Consultant

Sierra Polk

Sierra Polk joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in May 2023. She is a Management Consultant for the Entrepreneurship Team. Sierra works with business owners to develop relationships and work with them in areas that they need extra assistance. She develops relationships with potential clients and assists them in needs such as finance and business skills. She delivers one-on-one management consulting to help businesses with their goals.

Before coming to CU, Sierra was the Chief of Events, Engagement, & Programs for Precipice IP, PLLC Technology Law Firm. Sierra has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Sierra lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, and will work in the NWA area.

Community Environmental Management Technician

Cami Cullom

Lora “Cami” Cullom joined Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Environmental Management Technician in July 2023. She provides onsite technical assistance to rural communities with water and wastewater issues and assists them with project planning, financing, and utility management and administration. She makes sure that systems are meeting federal and state environmental regulations.

She has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Community & Regional Environmental Planning from American Public University. She has a strong background in Forestry Planning and residential irrigation. Cami carries an Irrigator License from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Cami works out of the South Texas Region.

Community Environmental Management Advisor

Jessica Hester

Jessica Hester joins Communities Unlimited (CU) Environmental Services Team as a Community Environmental Management Advisor based in Trinity, Texas. She conducts research, prepares reports, and provides advice for meeting regulatory requirements and standards. Jessica conducts risk assessments and site inspections that help prepare regulatory approvals and environmental screenings. 

Jessica was a Water/Wastewater Operator for the City of Trinity, Texas, before coming to CU. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Everett University and has a Class C Certified Groundwater Treatment Operator and Class D Certified Wastewater Operator certificates. Jessica provides onsite technical, managerial, financial, and infrastructure development training to small community environmental management systems.

MBDA Center Lead

Pamela Reed

Pamela Reed started Communities Unlimited (CU) in August 2023. She is the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Center Lead for the Entrepreneurship Department. The MBDA provides growth of minority-owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.

Pamela is also a Management Consultant for Communities Unlimited and provides direct one-on-one business technical assistance to potential and existing small business owners and communities throughout CU’s seven-state service area.

Pamela has a Master of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as well as a master’s Thesis. She also has a master’s in business administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Before coming to CU, she worked as a Managing Director for the Venture Center.

Pamela resides in Sherwood, Arkansas.

Housing Counseling Technician

Denika Smith Scott

Denika Smith Scott joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in September 2023 as a Housing Counseling Technician. Denika works with the community to help close the gap between urban and rural housing. She works one-on-one with clients to coach and motivate them to achieve their goals for stable housing and financial opportunity. Denika helps clients with money management, credit, home ownership, and other home related counseling. 

Before starting at CU, Denika worked as a Leasing Agent for Sunset Village Apartments. She also worked for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as an Office Manager and Grant Manager. 

Denika resides in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 

Small Business Lender

Candence Brooks

Candence Brooks started Communities Unlimited (CU) in September 2023 as an Economic Development Loan Officer (Small Business Development Lender). Candence meets with borrowers to develop relationships, helps them get all accurate documents, and makes sure they are properly prepared for the loan process. She guides clients through the loan process and works with the loan committee to ensure that everything is ready for loan closing.

Before coming to CU, Candence worked as a Business Consultant for the A-State Small Business and Technology Development Center. Candence has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Jonesboro. Candence lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Loan Assistant

Yessie Hernandez

Yessie Hernandez started CU in September 2023 as a Program Assistant (Loan). Yessie assists the lending team by accepting and reviewing new loan applications, answering client questions, filing paperwork, and other administrative duties. 

Yessie has an MBA in Business Administration and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Before coming to CU, Yessie worked as the owner and operator at her Mobile Notary Services business. Yessie assists the Lending Team with loan documents and loan closings. 

Management Consultant

James Custer

James Custer joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in November 2023. He is a Management Consultant for the Entrepreneurship Team. James works with business owners to develop relationships and assist them in areas where they need extra support. He helps potential clients with needs such as finance and business skills, delivering one-on-one management consulting to help businesses achieve their goals. 

Before joining CU, James was the Owner and Manager of Custer Construction Services. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. James lives in Amarillo, Texas.