BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The next Board of Directors meeting will be held January 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the
Workforce Development Center, Building 18 at Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Road. Lumberton NC 28360.

Our Board of Directors comprises of 21 individuals and officials representing the seven counties the agency serves. Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc. Board members are the governing body that provides governance and oversight over all of the agency’s activities and major decisions.

In 2014, the Board took action by developing working Board committees. In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board added a Finance, Programs, Audit, Evaluation, Organizational Management, Personnel, and Research/Planning committees. Each committee meets periodically, between regular Board meetings, to analyze and further discuss pending issues and activities before seeking the entire Board’s review and approval.

The Board meets every other month on the first Tuesday of that month with open and closed sessions. Open session Board meetings are open to the public.

If you are interested in attending the meetings and/or addressing concerns to the Board at the meeting, you may do so during the open session.

Dr. Phoebe Chavis-Harris

CHAIRPERSON

Executive Committee Members

Dr. Phoebe Chavis-Harris, Chairperson

Rodney Hester, Vice Chairperson

Veronica McNeill, Secretary

Lakeisha Jordan, Treasurer

Bladen

Rodney Hester – Commissioner

Keith Graham – Elizabethtown Center

Victor Singletary – Bladen Community College

Brunswick

TBA – Commissioners’ Representative

Valorie Hatten – Brunswick Center

Carl L. Parker, Brunswick NAACP

Columbus

Barbara Featherson – Commissioner

Pamela Young-Jacobs – Columbus Center

Dorene Evans – Dept. of Social Services

Hoke

Shirley Hart – Commissioner

Larry McLean – Hoke Center

Jordyn McCormick – Maggie’s Outreach Community Economic Development Center

Pender

Loretta Schmitzer – Commissioner Representative

Lori Kirkpatrick – Pender Center

Amanda Howard – Dept. of Social Services

Robeson

William Locklear – Commissioner

Gwendolyn Gardner – Lumberton Center

Phoebe Chavis – Harris – Robeson Community College

Scotland

Darrell Gibson, Jr. – Commissioner

Renea Walker – Policy Council Representative

Tony Spaulding – Scotland NAACP

Ericka Jones Whitaker, Ed. D, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Ericka Jones Whitaker assumed the Chief Executive Officer role of Southeastern Community Action Partnership, formerly Southeastern Community & Family Services, Inc. (SCFS), in 2014. SCAP is one of the largest Community Action agencies in North Carolina. Whitaker oversees an annual budget of over $22 million, through several federally-funded programs and leads approximately 250 staff.

Dr. Whitaker is the recipient of the Carl D. Perkins Humanitarian Award by the Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) for her overall community leadership, specifically for bringing resources to the counties she serves after the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Dr. Whitaker is also the recipient of the Roselle Copeland Stewardship Award for her work in community action and has received other leadership awards for her servitude in various communities.

Whitaker previously held management positions with several nonprofit trade associations in Washington, D.C., including the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). She was a former full-time Executive in Residence, Professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke School of Business and often teaches as an adjunct instructor. Dr. Whitaker serves on the Board of Directors for CAPLAW which provides legal and financial resources to Community Action Agencies, the North Carolina Community Action Association, and the Fayetteville NC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc where she has served as the Foundation Chair.

Whitaker holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and Administration from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC; a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) with a focus in Nonprofit Management from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Communications from The University of Maryland, University College in College Park, MD. Dr. Whitaker is a member of Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Dr. Whitaker is the youngest of three, who was raised in a military family. Dr. Whitaker has lived in seven other states and Europe. She continues to have a love for traveling and cultural cuisine. With all of the “hats” she wears, Dr. Whitaker believes nothing precedes her most important role as a mother to her beautiful daughter.

Her favorite quote is by former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela: “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”

Tamara Monroe, MHRM, Chief Operating Officer

With over 10+ years of Human Resource experience in retail, local and federal government, higher education and nonprofit sectors, Tamara Monroe is the Chief Operating Officer of Southeastern Community Action Partnership. Ms. Monroe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management, and a Master’s in Human Resource with a focus in Organizational Management.

Her motto is: “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – First Lady Michelle Obama.

Liying Reeder, MBA Chief Financial Officer

Liying Reeder, MBA, has more than 20 years of progressive experience in accounting and management and holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Reeder’s personal motto is that “One person can make a difference.”

Cynthia Foskey, Director of Executive Administration and Contracts

A servant-leader with a servant’s heart for others, Ms. Cynthia Foskey oversees Executive Administration and Contracts for Southeastern Community Action Partnership. With over 26 years of experience in community and non-profit sector work, Ms. Foskey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.

Tonie Brite, MS, Head Start/Early HS Director

Tonie Brite manages Head Start/Early Head Start activities, including overseeing program operations and program development regulations. Ms. Brite holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s in Human Services.

Tiffany Anthony, Section 8 Program Director

Tiffany Anthony brings over 15 years’ experience in Community Action, case management and advocacy for individuals, children and families that face economic challenges with limited resources
Tiffany holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Communications.

Kathleen Lowe Jacobs, MSW, Community Services Block Grant Program Director

With over nine years in The Community Action network, Mrs. Jacobs has a passion for encouraging and empowering individuals who are seeking change. She received her Master’s in Social Work and also holds a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Her motto is: “All things are possible no matter what gets in your way! You can do it!”