Director of Entrepreneurship

Cynthia Terry

Cynthia Terry, Director of Entrepreneurship, has managed Tennessee entrepreneurship programs for Communities Unlimited since June 2004.

Her work includes management consulting with business clients and managing the entrepreneurship team. They serve small business owners onsite and virtually in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas. She also leads the development of new partner relationships, programs responsive to entrepreneur and local community needs (e.g. MEMShops) , and funding development.

Cynthia is an entrepreneur herself, having started her own successful business. She has a master’s in business administration and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Area Director

Brian Wells

Brian Wells, Area Director for Communities Unlimited (CU) works with rural communities, small businesses and entrepreneurs to solve problems and grow their business with in-depth consulting and innovative lending programs. He started his career as a command pilot in the United States Air Force. He then transitioned to being the Chief Financial Officer of a small firm with multiple business lines. Brian’s years of experience in different fields make him especially adept at finding solutions that fit his client’s needs. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Indiana University Bloomington.

Area Director

Dale Rutherford

Dale Rutherford is based in Little Rock, Arkansas. He started as Senior Management Consultant for Communities Unlimited (CU) position in March 2021. He then started working as a Special Projects Coordinator and in 2023 was promoted to Area Director. Dale works with clients to develop financial models and budgets for their existing or conceptual business ideas. Dale conducts assessments with clients to scope the type of their needs and helps them identify problems and develop plans to achieve their goals and objectives. Aside from being a published author, Dale holds several certifications, including the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Dale also has an MBA and a BS in Management from Henderson State University.

Area Director

Marnell Love

Marnell Love, Area Director based in Memphis, Tennessee, began working with Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2020. He works daily to provide one-on-one assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs to guide them in building, growing, and sustaining their businesses.

In addition to assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs, Marnell serves as a chaplain for the Sardis Fire Department in Sardis, Mississippi, providing care and counseling to firefighters, their families and victims of fires or accidents. He is a member of The Federation of Fire Chaplains. He also serves as a chaplain for hospital patients and those in palliative care. His education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management, a Master of Business Administration in Finance, a Master of Science in Industrial Management and a Doctor of Education in Management and Employee Training Practices internationally.

Senior Management Consultant

Rhett Douglas

Rhett Douglas, a Senior Management Consultant located in Memphis, Tennessee, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in October 2020. He works with small businesses and entrepreneurs to prepare financial and operational plans for clients, conduct webinars on digital marketing and corporate structure, and assess small businesses for loan readiness. He comes from a business background, having successfully launched, and promoted two new franchise concepts in Collierville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Concentration with a minor in Business from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. He has a Master of Business Administration in Sales-Marketing from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee.

Management Consultant

Tracy Cook

Tracy Cook came to Communities Unlimited (CU) in May of 2022 as a Management Consultant. He works with small businesses to identify business problems and assists clients with the best course of action to guide their business in the right direction. He builds relationships with community leaders and other members of the community to educate them about the tools CU offers. He guides existing and potential business owners with funding and training opportunities to maintain their businesses and helps them to identify potential business problems and determine the best course of action. 

Tracy has a Master of Business Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Management Consultant

Trent Thomason

Trent Thomason, MBA, joined the Communities Unlimited (CU) team in January 2023 as a Management Consultant. Trent helps small businesses identify potential issues and determine the best course of action. He builds relationships with clients, community leaders, and other community members to educate them on the tools CU offers. He helps businesses with funding and training opportunities.

He has more than a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, successfully launching Fit Camp Austin and the Enlightened Eating seminars, featured on NBC, Mind Body Green, and UT television. Trent is well traveled, versed in Mandarin, and able to provide clients of all backgrounds with robust, transformational consulting services, training, and technical assistance. Before starting CU, Trent worked as an Event Logistics and Tour Manager for Aardvark Mobile Tours, Lime Media. Trent has a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas.

Training Coordinator

Latoyia Morgan

Latoyia Morgan, Training Coordinator, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in September of 2021. Latoyia works alongside business management consultants to develop course content. She also coordinates and facilitates training and other events and assists in providing advice and services to business clients.

Latoyia has a previous background in training. Latoyia received her MBA in Human Resources from the University of Phoenix-online. Before coming to CU, she served as a Training Coordinator for Agape Child and Family Services in Memphis.

Management Consultant

LaKetter Cannon

LaKetter Cannon started Communities Unlimited (CU) as a Management Consultant in November of 2022. She assists aspiring and existing business owners in starting and growing their business. LaKetter helps them with business plans and financial forecasts.  

LaKetter has been a Diversion and Inclusion Specialist for the United States Army Joint Forces in Jackson, Mississippi, since 2021. She has an MBA from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

Project Coordinator/Management Consultant

Katy Parrish

Katy Parrish, Management Consultant for Entrepreneurship in Amarillo, Texas, joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in August 2020. She comes from a background in marketing and community outreach. At Communities Unlimited, she provides technical assistance in business financials, bookkeeping, strategic management, growth management, turnaround, and digital marketing.

She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration concentrating in International Business from Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Management Consultant

Baretta Robinson

Barretta Robinson started Communities Unlimited (CU) in November 2022. She works as a Management Consultant, serving aspiring and existing business owners in starting and growing their business. She assists them with financial forecasts and business plans. Before coming to CU, Barretta worked as a Purchasing Specialist for the University of Arkansas Community College in Batesville, Arkansas.

Barretta holds a Master of Science for Organizational Leadership from John Brown University in Siloam Springs.

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.

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.

Senior 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.