Director of Community Sustainability

Russ Garner

Russ Garner started Communities Unlimited (CU) in January 2023 as a Community Facilitator on the Community Sustainability Team, promoted to Area Director for Field Operations and is now Director of Community Sustainability. 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 and 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. 

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. 

Area Director for Field Operations

Deanna O’Malley

Deanna O’Malley is the Area Director for Field Operations for Communities Unlimited (CU). She has a strong background in building relationships and working with communities. In her role, Deanna coordinates and facilitates with community members on projects and funding opportunities to help the communities. She coordinates with Communities Unlimited and other strategic partners to implement training and technical assistance to accomplish goals and outcomes for communities. She partners with communities and businesses to find funding opportunities, tools, and resources to achieve needs in the community.

Before coming to Communities Unlimited, Deanna worked for the Arkansas Department of Health, where she aided with community grants and provided guidance and technical assistance for the community. Deanna attended Kaplan University and Texarkana College. She resides in Texarkana, Arkansas.

Healthy Foods Coordinator

Brenda Williams

Brenda Williams is the Healthy Foods Coordinator for Communities Unlimited (CU).  Brenda is responsible for managing the Food LINC program, a value chain initiative focused on increasing access to and availability of healthy foods for residents of food deserts in the Memphis Mid-south region. 

This initiative also includes outreach to minority and small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs to encourage their participation in local food production. She also coordinated the Farm to Food Pantry Program, which purchased food from small-grow farmers through a grant from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and donated it to local food pantries.  Previously, Brenda was the manager of graduate programs for The University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business of Economics.

Brenda received her B.S. from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and her Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Brenda lives in Olive Branch, MS.

Senior Community Facilitator

Kelle Menogan, Jr.

Kelle Menogan started Communities Unlimited (CU) in December of 2022 as a Community Facilitator and was promoted to Senior Community Facilitator in March of 2025. He works with communities to assist them in developing improvements. He builds relationships with community members and businesses to assist them find funding opportunities, tools and resources to help accomplish their goals and be more sustainable.

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.

Senior Community Facilitator

Kristy Bice

Kristy Bice, Senior Community Facilitator (T.L.L. Temple), joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in April 2023. She organizes communities for action through stakeholder engagement, resource mapping, and connecting local leaders with regional, state, and national opportunities across sectors like broadband, water, healthy foods, and small businesses. Kristy collaborates with CU staff to track progress, report outcomes, and celebrate successes while guiding communities toward prosperity. She also develops peer learning opportunities, provides one-on-one support to East Texas team members, and fosters strong networks to drive sustainable community growth.

Kristy started out at CU as a Community Resource Manager and was promoted to Senior Community Facilitator in 2025. 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 Facilitator

William Thrasher

William Thrasher came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in October of 2021 as a Community Facilitator for the Community Sustainability team. William works with low-income and underserved communities to assist them with outreach and planning. He leverages and closely coordinates with other Communities Unlimited and other strategic partners to implement training and technical assistance to accomplish strategic goals and desired community sustainability outcomes.

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 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

Community Facilitator

Chantel Poor

Chantel Poor first came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2020 as a Contractor. She joined Communities Unlimited in December of 2021 as a Communities Facilitator. In her role, Chantel coordinates and facilitates with community members on projects and funding opportunities to help the communities. She coordinates with Communities Unlimited and other strategic partners to implement training and technical assistance to accomplish goals and outcomes for communities. She partners with communities and businesses to find funding opportunities, tools, and resources to achieve needs in the community.

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.

Community Facilitator

Amanda McBride

Amanda McBride, Community Facilitator, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in June 2024. In her role, Amanda coordinates and facilitates projects and funding opportunities with community members to help their communities. She collaborates with CU and other strategic partners to implement training and technical assistance, aiming to achieve community goals and outcomes. She also partners with communities and businesses to find funding opportunities, tools, and resources to meet community needs.

Before joining CU, Amanda worked for the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce in Ackerman, Mississippi. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi State University. Amanda lives in Mathiston, Mississippi.

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).

Community Resource Manager

Yolanda Martin

Yolanda Martin is a Community Resource Manager for Communities Unlimited (CU). She is located in Southeast Texas and joined CU in February 2024. Yolanda works with Southeast 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 joining CU, she worked as a Community Success Manager for Communities for Better Health. Yolanda attended Texas Woman’s University and earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Business Administration.

Community Resource Manager

Yadira Hernandez

Yadira Hernandez started with Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Community Resource Manager in March 2024. Yadira works with Southeast 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 joining CU, Yadira was a Workforce Development Counselor and Grant Case Manager for Lamar State College – Port Arthur. She attends Lamar University working towards her Bachelor of Applied Arts & Science. Yadira lives in Port Arthur, TX.