2019 Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Business & Industry Awards Gala
From left to right - Top Row: Kelli Billups, Rosa Almerico, Paige Lundgren, Jeannie McKnight, Linda Davis, Victoria Mathias, Kelly Kowalski, Lisa Campbell, Jane Stock, Darrian Sutherlin, Amy Bush. Bottom Row: Cathy Pitalo, Bobbi Jo Gilbert, Mickey Gaudin, Rhonda Rhodes, Bryan Taylor, Amy Marquar.
From left to right - Top Row: Kelli Billups, Rosa Almerico, Paige Lundgren, Jeannie McKnight, Linda Davis, Victoria Mathias, Kelly Kowalski, Lisa Campbell, Jane Stock, Darrian Sutherlin, Amy Bush. Bottom Row: Cathy Pitalo, Bobbi Jo Gilbert, Mickey Gaudin, Rhonda Rhodes, Bryan Taylor, Amy Marquar.
Hancock Resource Center Staff
Rhonda Rhodes has served as the President of the Hancock Resource Center since it incorporated as a non-profit in November of 2008. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and a Master’s of Arts in Management. She is nationally certified in home ownership counseling, homebuyer and post-purchase education, and is a Housing Counseling Executive with a professional certificate in home ownership and community lending. Rhonda is a registered nurse with a background in healthcare administration. After Katrina, Rhonda went to work for the Hancock Chamber of Commerce. Under the direction of the Chamber, she created and managed the Hancock Community Development Foundation. She currently serves on the Boards for the Hancock Community Development Foundation, St. Stanislaus Booster Club and the American Red Cross of Southeast Mississippi Advisory Board. Rhonda is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Hancock County and a 2014 graduate of Leadership Mississippi. Rhonda lives in Bay St. Louis, is married to Rocky Rhodes and has three children. Rhonda enjoys cooking, reading, painting and watching her youngest son play baseball and football.
Bryan Taylor has been our Finance Manager since 2008. He has a business degree and 35 years of accounting experience in financial institutions, non-profit organizations and manufacturing. He has lived in Mississippi for the past 23 years. Bryan has been married to a photographer for thirty years and has three daughters and five grandchildren. Bryan enjoys many sports, such as basketball, golf and tennis.
Kelly Kowalski is the Program Manager and has been employed with the Hancock Resource Center since 2008. She has completed training through NeighborWorks in Public Speaking, Human Resource, Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling, Home Ownership Counseling, Financial Counseling/Coaching and Credit Counseling. She is NCHEC certified in Home Ownership Counseling for Program Managers and Executive Directors, Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling and Financial Capability. She has also received training in domestic violence, suicide prevention and Critical Time Intervention. Kelly is a graduate of the 2013-2014 Hancock County Leadership Class through the Hancock Chamber. Her background is in finance. She has lived in Hancock County for 22 years and has two daughters and a grand-daughter.
Jane Stock is Hancock Resource Center’s Construction Coordinator, which includes involves overseeing the Rehab program as well as serving as our Volunteer Coordinator. She holds NCHEC Certification in Housing Counseling and is also a BPI Certified Building Analyst and Envelope and Infiltration and Duct leakage professional. Before coming to the Hancock Resource Center, she worked 10 years at 84 Lumber and was a project coordinator for a general contractor for two years. Jane is married to her husband, Eric, with whom she shares two children. Jane enjoys reading, crafts, and camping whenever she can get away.
Lisa Campbell has been with the Hancock Resource Center since February of 2009. She is NCHEC certified in Housing Counseling, Foreclosure Intervention and Default
Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, and Financial Capability. Initially, she worked on
programs focusing on Hurricane Katrina, but as the Hancock Resource Center evolved,
she took on counseling roles in various other programs including rental assistance,
home repair for the elderly and disabled, and foreclosure intervention programs. She
also assisted in getting the Hancock County Family Advocacy Collaborative off the
ground, which works with parents whose children are in CPS custody. She holds a
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, an
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development, and is certified to teach pre-school
nationwide. Lisa has been a resident of Hancock County for 30 years and is the mother
of three. She enjoys listening to music, being outdoors, and watching sporting events,
particularly when her children are players on the field.
Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, and Financial Capability. Initially, she worked on
programs focusing on Hurricane Katrina, but as the Hancock Resource Center evolved,
she took on counseling roles in various other programs including rental assistance,
home repair for the elderly and disabled, and foreclosure intervention programs. She
also assisted in getting the Hancock County Family Advocacy Collaborative off the
ground, which works with parents whose children are in CPS custody. She holds a
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, an
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development, and is certified to teach pre-school
nationwide. Lisa has been a resident of Hancock County for 30 years and is the mother
of three. She enjoys listening to music, being outdoors, and watching sporting events,
particularly when her children are players on the field.
Kelli Billups has worked at Hancock Resource Center since November of 2010 and is currently our Office Manager. She holds a Bachelor Degree in History and a Masters Degree in Education. She came to the Hancock Resource Center after teaching History and Religion at Our Lady Academy. She was born and raised in Bay St. Louis and is a mother to one son.
Linda Davis returned to the Hancock Resource Center in the role of Housing Counselor at the beginning of 2018. Linda graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Elementary Education. She has worked in the local school systems since July of 1990. Throughout her career, Linda has received Employee of the Month and Teacher of the Month recognitions numerous times. She has also received the Parent of the Year award for her many years of service to the school and various booster clubs. Linda is a lifelong resident of Hancock County and she enjoys spending time with her husband of 32 years, Scott, and her 3 children, Kayleigh, Rainee and Dustin.
Jeannie McKnight is Hancock Resource Center's Program Support and Intake Coordinator. Originally from Poplarville, Jeannie moved to Hancock County where she has been a resident since 2009. She enjoys spending time with her Children and Grandchildren, reading and giving back to her community.
Charles J. Gilliam Jr. “CJ” is a member of the Veteran Services Staff supporting the Homeless Veteran Reintegration and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families programs. Charles graduated from the University of Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Associates of Arts in Digital Illustration, along with a Tulane Certification in Management and New Venture. Charles has lived in Mississippi most of his life and now lives in Diamondhead with his wife Akemi and two children, Alan and Jordan, who both attend school in Hancock County. Charles enjoys all sports: basketball, football, baseball, tennis and golf. Charles created a youth travel basketball club here on the Gulf Coast which he coaches and oversees as the Director. He is the head Director of his small business “Sir Charles Basketball Academy” and the President of the East Hancock Youth Basketball League.
Mitch Bauman is one of our Veteran Workforce Development Coordinators for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). Mitch graduated from Midwestern State University. He taught elementary and middle school through 2010 before transitioning to teach Adult Education (GED, HiSet, Basic Computer Skills, Retail Skills and Fundamentals, Customer Service and more), prior to joining the HRC Staff in 2020. Mitch is married to Ronya Bauman, a retired USAF Nurse, and has two canine children at home. A native of North Texas, he was thrilled to come to the Gulf Coast 20 years ago to be near the water and real fishing.
Charlotte Jackson is our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Healthcare Navigator. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Social Rehabilitation and Services. Charlotte has been a resident of Picayune for most of her life and lives there with her mother and daughter. She enjoys teaching Pound Fitness, spending time with family and friends and helping others.
Taylor Ladner is the Community Outreach Coordinator and Youth Services Coordinator for Hancock Resource Center. She is a graduate of William Carey University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. She provides social media, external communications, and outreach services for Hancock Resource Center along with being the Program Coordinator of the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy. Taylor was born and raised in Waveland and graduated from Hancock High School in 2017. In her free time, she enjoys going on adventures with her husband, and spending time with family and friends.
Alan Johnson is one of our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Housing Counselors. Alan graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California Baptist University. He enjoys music, art, history, and cooking. Alan has an extensive background in assisting the public threw vocational and social services, for the past 24 years. In his spare time, Alan likes to visit the historic districts in New Orleans, the ocean, and car shows.
Kali Falnes is the Data Entry Specialist for Hancock Resource Center. She makes initial contacts with prospective clients in need of housing and rental assistance. She graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi with a Bachelor's Degree in psychology. She has lived in Mississippi, Indiana, and Missouri. Kali moved to Bay St. Louis in January of 2021. Enjoying being back on the Gulf Coast again, she is excited to help her community members In her free time, she enjoys reading sci-fi short stories, doing crafts, and taking car of her plants and her dog, Tank.
Rebecca Ellis is a Case Manager for Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing at Hancock Resource Center. She attended the University of Phoenix where she majored in Human Services Management. Rebecca is the mother of six children and a lifelong resident of Gulfport, MS but currently resides in Waveland with her family. Rebecca has a passion to work with foster children and their families. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, watching football, and spending time with her family.
Dineshia Johnson is one of Hancock Resource Center's SSVF Housing Counselors. She graduated from The University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s in Correctional Programming & Support Services and shortly after a Master’s in Public Administration. At the Hancock Resource Center, she provides case management to Veterans who are literally homeless or imminently homeless. She was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. She then moved to the Gulf Coast in 2012 and has been a resident of Hancock County since. She has a fiancé and is a mother of 2 daughters and 1 son. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, shopping, and traveling. She also dedicates a lot of time to the development of her nonprofit organization “Operation Turn Around”.
Sylvia Brown is the Family Advocate and Navigator Counselor for Hancock Resource Center. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2015 and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is a native of Gulfport, MS where she currently resides with her son, Asher. In 2015, Sylvia founded Pelvic Pain Sisters and Supporters United, an international support group dedicated to raising awareness, advocating, and providing education and resources for women suffering from pelvic pain conditions and disorders. In her spare time, Sylvia enjoys cooking, traveling, community theatre, and spending time with her son and loved ones.
Chana Brewer is the HVRP Employment Counselor. She has been with the Hancock Resource Center since April of 2023. Chana provides homeless Veterans with assistance finding meaningful employment opportunities within the labor force. Chana was born in a small town in Michigan and has been a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 2014. She is the mother of one son.
Charlotte Nealey is one of Hancock Resource Center’s Veteran Workforce Coordinators for the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program. (HVRP) Charlotte is an alumni of The University Of Southern Mississippi and Mountain State University. She is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and raised in Long Beach, MS. She is a proud mother to one daughter and two grandchildren.
Susan Thigpen is one of Hancock Resource Center's HUD Certified Housing Counselors and works with the HUD Counseling Programs in Foreclosure Prevention. Susan graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Social and Rehabilitation Services. Susan lives in Pass Christian with her husband Doug and their two children, Rachel and Allie. Susan enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Valerie Wyatt is an intern for the Hancock Resource Center and assists staff while achieving her Master's Degree in Social Work at Tulane University. She graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor's in Psychology and Sociology in 2022 and aims to participate in relief programs around the world. Valerie graduated from Hancock High in 2015 and enjoys reading, thrift shopping, and traveling in her free time.
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