Adding value to underserved rural communities by supporting them in capacity building
Community Sustainability

What We Do
Community Sustainability uses a community-based, regional approach to work in rural areas that are striving to find resources and solutions for the problems impacting businesses, communities, and lives.
How We Do It
We partner with local communities to create vibrant, sustainable local economies by growing community assets. We believe local ownership and investment builds wealth that sticks.


Who We Work With
We work with diverse leadership teams to create strategies and identify new opportunities. We believe in leveraging local assets for long-term growth and assist in bringing resources and identifying partners.
Let's talk!Get in contact with the Community Sustainability team to learn more
The Process
The process begins with a community assessment that provides important business and market data. Communities Unlimited facilitates the formation of a diverse leadership team bringing together pillars of the community. The leadership team is instrumental in the creation, development and implementation of the change strategies for the community.
Our Resources
WealthWorks ™ tools develop value chains that create economic drivers
Community assessments provide business and market data
Small business consultants provide one-on-one support
Water and wastewater experts provide technical assistance
Loans for small businesses, water and wastewater systems and community facilities
Growing Local Leaders
We work with the community to build diverse leadership teams motivated to develop their skills and benefit the community as a whole through:
Identifying personal strengths & unique community assets
Learning about entrepreneurial ecosystems to grow business
Connect local resources to activate a community's power to change

Community Sustainability Stories
Mulberry, AR Participates In Rewarding Program
Mulberry, Arkansas, is in the Arkansas River Valley. The city settled around the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The…
Dermott Challenged in Quest for Community Sustainability
DERMOTT, AR — Dermott, Arkansas, had a lot of potential, with good job sources nearby, a large younger population and…
Sardis Provides Cascade of Products for CU
SARDIS, MS — Sardis is a town with big hearts and a strong sense of community. But like many rural towns, it has…
The Cake Lady of Warren
Growing up, many little girls played with miniature ovens, turning out small cakes that parents pretended to…
Bogata Enlist Aid From CU on Many Issues
BOGATA, TX – Often, the work Communities Unlimited performs in one community leads to assistance for another,…
Safe Driving
Safe Driving Norman and Marietha Timmerman own Safe Drive Non-Emergency Transportation, LLC, or Safe Drive NEMT. They…
Quapaw on Route 66
Quapaw on Route 66 Travelers along Route 66 pass from Kansas into a small town in Oklahoma called Quapaw. Communities…
Healthy Communities, Healthy Businesses, Healthy Families
Communities Unlimited, Inc., resides in the space of solutions. We take a community-based — yet regional — approach…
New Tech Aids Cherry Tree Rural Water District
New Tech Aids Cherry Tree Rural Water District Cherry Tree Rural Water District (RWD) expects a 40% reduction in…
Farmers, With CU’s Assistance, Find New Clients
Farmers, With CU’s Assistance, Find New Clients By Brenda Williams MID-SOUTH DELTA — The biggest impact seen in the…
Communities Unlimited Responds to COVID-19 Crisis – Side-by-Side with Small Businesses
Side-by-Side with Small Businesses The news has focused on the current impact of COVID-19, including closed schools…
A Place for Kids, a Path to Succeed
For Codney Washington, it’s all about giving back to his community. Codney is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, born…
Community Sustainability Team

Martha Claire Bullen

Michelle Viney

Mark Pearson

William Thrasher

Kelle Menogan, Jr.

Deanna O’Malley

Russ Garner

Chantel Poor

Director of Community Sustainability
Martha Claire Bullen
Martha Clare Bullen is the Director of Community Sustainability.
She has a strong history of working with communities. She is skilled in strategic planning, public speaking and research. Martha has a Master’s Degree that is focused in Educational Leadership and Administration from Mississippi College and is the previous Community Development Director for the Foundation for the Mid-South.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@erialc.ahtram
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 253

Area Director of Program Operations
Michelle Viney
Michelle Viney, Area Director of Program Operations, joined Communities Unlimited in 2018 after previously working for the organization from 2003-2007 as a Community Education and Outreach Specialist responsible for the production of the Community Water Bulletin and CRG Small System Guides.
Today, Michelle works with rural communities in Arkansas to develop strategies for community and economic development. She is a certified NPDES Stormwater Inspector and is a licensed Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator and Class 1B Solid Waste Management Facility Operator in Arkansas.
She has a bachelor of arts degree from Hendrix College in Environmental Ethics and a master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@yeniv.ellehcim
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 129

Community Facilitator
Mark Pearson
Mark Pearson, Community Facilitator, is based out of Austin, Texas, and joined Communities Unlimited in 2004.
Mark works in community outreach, and strategic planning in low-income and underserved communities, while collaborating with community leaders. He has worked with infrastructure finance community management for water and wastewater for more than 17 years. He currently supervises two staff members assisting more than 30 community water and wastewater systems throughout West Texas. He leveraged more than $4 million in community infrastructure financing last year. He regularly participates in the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (TWICC) with state and federal agency partners.
He received a bachelor of arts University Scholar/Liberal Arts degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and a master of science degree in Economics from Baylor.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@nosraep.kram
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 229

Community Facilitator
William Thrasher
William Thrasher came to Communities Unlimited in October of 2021.
He works in Community Sustainability for the Environmental team. William works with low-income and underserved communities to assist them with outreach and planning. William has experience working as a leader and has a background in public speaking and building relationships.
William received his B.S. in Sociology & History – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Email:gro.useitinummoc@rehsarht.mailliw
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 123

Community Facilitator
Kelle Menogan, Jr.
Kelle Menogan, Jr. started CU in December of 2022 as a Community Facilitator. He works with communities to assist them in developing improvements. He assists them with broadband, water and wastewater treatment, and small business loans. Before coming to CU, Kelle worked as a Career Transition Specialist and Recruiter for the Mississippi Job Corps.
Kelle has a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Communications from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi
Email:gro.useitinummoc@nagonem.ellek
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 111

Community Facilitator
Deanna O’Malley
Deanna O’Malley is a Community Facilitator for CU.
She has s strong background in building relationships and working with communities. Before coming to CU, Deanna worked for the Arkansas Department of Health where she provided assistance with community grants and provided guidance and technical assistance for the community. Deanna attended Kaplan University and Texarkana College. She resides in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@yellamo.annaed
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 259

Community Facilitator
Russ Garner
Russ Garner started CU in January 2023 as a Community Facilitator on the Community Sustainability Team. Russ has an M.P.P.A. from Mississippi State University and has a background in research and Rural Development.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@renrag.ssur
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 147

Community Facilitator
Chantel Poor
Chantel Poor joined Communities Unlimited in December of 2021 as a Communities Facilitator.
She lives in Almyra, Arkansas. Chantel works in community outreach, and strategic planning in low-income and underserved communities, while collaborating with community leaders. Chantel has several years of office experience, including all Microsoft programs. She is very skilled in Customer Service and working with the public.
Email:gro.useitinummoc@roop.letnahc
Phone:(479) 443-2700 ext. 141