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.
Cathy Pitalo, a lifetime resident of Hancock County, is employed as The Drug Free Community Project Coordinator. Before joining the Hancock Resource Center team, she was an educator in the Hancock County and Bay-Waveland School Districts and retired after 26 years. Cathy is married to David Pitalo and has three children. She enjoys traveling and fishing.
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.
Paige Lundgren has been with the Hancock Resource Center since April of 2012 and has worked as the Program Coordinator of the Hancock Youth Leadership Academy for the past five years. She is a native of New Orleans and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance at the University of New Orleans. She has spent the past two decades in Hancock County, where she and her husband, David, have raised their three children.
Bobbi Jo Gilbert is one of our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Housing Counselors. She was an Administrative Assistant for 8 years at The Better Communication Clinic before coming to us in 2012 as a receptionist. Bobbi Jo graduated from South University in October of 2014 with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Bobbi Jo completed the Homeownership Counseling Certification by Neighborhood Works in August of 2015. She was also a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (CAOHC) and conducted hearing tests for the military. Bobbi Jo has lived in Mississippi most of her life and now lives in Diamondhead with her husband, Tom. They have a son who attends Hancock High School. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, fishing and hunting.
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 the Veteran Workforce Coordinator for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. He works closely with the Veteran Employment Counselor, Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist (WIN Job Center and VA programs to identify potential resources and employment opportunities for Veterans. 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.
Jennifer DeWitt is Hancock Resource Center’s Navigator Case Manager for Family Services. Jennifer provides case management counseling and navigation assistance to clients with CPS service plans. Before joining Hancock Resource Center, she was a medical assistant for fourteen years. Jennifer has an educational background in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a lifetime resident of the Gulf Coast. Jennifer is also part of the Hancock County MAP (Multi Disciplinary Assessment & Planning) team.
Patrick McRaney is a member of the Veteran Services Staff, supporting the Homeless Veteran Reintegration and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families programs. Patrick graduated from Millsaps College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance. He enjoys spending time with friends and family and watching soccer and football.
Amber Antoine is a Veteran Workforce Development Coordinator for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). She provides case management to Veterans seeking stability with housing and employment. Amber has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from University of Southern Mississippi. Amber, a big WHO DAT fan, is originally from Gulfport and now lives in Bay St. Louis with her husband Donte’ (a big Roll Tide fan) and four children Jaylen, Ian, Taylor and Tyler. Amber enjoys spending time with family and supporting her boys in their extracurricular activities, which include band, football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Amber Antoine is a Veteran Workforce Development Coordinator for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). She provides case management to Veterans seeking stability with housing and employment. Amber has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from University of Southern Mississippi. Amber, a big WHO DAT fan, is originally from Gulfport and now lives in Bay St. Louis with her husband Donte’ (a big Roll Tide fan) and four children Jaylen, Ian, Taylor and Tyler. Amber enjoys spending time with family and supporting her boys in their extracurricular activities, which include band, football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Keli Brokmeier is one of Hancock Resource Center’s Housing Counselors. Born and raised in Bay St. Louis, he has one son. Keli’s family is from New Orleans and he loves visiting the city; as well as crawfish boils, recreational sports, fishing, football, and spending time with friends. Keli is proud to work as a counselor because he finds helping clients very satisfying.
Keli Brokmeier is one of Hancock Resource Center’s Housing Counselors. Born and raised in Bay St. Louis, he has one son. Keli’s family is from New Orleans and he loves visiting the city; as well as crawfish boils, recreational sports, fishing, football, and spending time with friends. Keli is proud to work as a counselor because he finds helping clients very satisfying.
Dawn Cook is our Veteran Services VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).
Originally from Maryland, she has been a resident of Hancock County for ten
years. Dawn has two daughters and a son. She enjoys spending time with her
children and grandchildren.
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.
Chloe Foreman is one of our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Housing Counselors. Chloe graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her concentrations are in Marketing and Foreign Language. She has completed the Stewards of Children training and the Mental Health First Aid training. Chloe is a Hancock County native and enjoys giving back to her community. She also enjoys jiu jitsu, weightlifting, teaching dance, photography, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Colby DiMento is the Outreach Coordinator for the Hancock Resource Center. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration, with a focus in Marketing and Corporate Relations. She has worked for both the University of Mississippi and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, most recently acting as a Digital Strategy Consultant for an advertising agency prior to arriving at HRC. She provides marketing, internal and external communication, and outreach services for the Hancock Resource Center as a whole; with an emphasis on the Drug Free Communities program and Hancock Youth for Positive Efforts. She is a graduate of the 2019 class of Leadership Hancock County, and a member of Hancock Young Professionals.
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