Board of Directors
Jennie Wenger
Board President - Project Director, Center for Naval Analyses
Jennie Wenger is a senior analyst and project director of CNAC, the Center for Naval Analyses, a nonprofit research organization. Wenger received her B.A. from Rice University and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. Much of her research focuses on education and earnings. Her papers on economics ha... Read more
Leslie Petch Lee
Board Vice President - MCG/UGA Medical Partnership
Leslie Lee received her PhD in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and was Associate Director of UNC's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Virology Core Laboratory for six years prior to moving to Athens. As Assistant to the Provost at the University of Georgia, Leslie was responsible f... Read more
Lori Tiller
Board Secretary - Fanning Institute Nonprofit Engagement Coordinator
Lori earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education from UGA’s School of Music in 2001, and her MA in Nonprofit management from UGA’s Nonprofit Institute in spring of 2007. Lori comes to the Fanning Institute with a background in nonprofit event management, volunteer management, and community outreach aft... Read more
Tracy Mathews
Board Treasurer - Certified Public Accountant, Turner and Patat, P.C.
Tracy Mathews holds an M.B.A. and has worked with the accounting firm Turner and Patat, P.C. since 1998. In addition to income tax compliance, Mathews specializes in nonprofit audits and accounting software consulting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the S... Read more
Ruth Bettandorff
EC Member at Large - Office of Academic Affairs, University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus
Ruth Bettandorff is Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus in Lawrenceville, GA. She has been with UGA for 5 years and has held administrative positions at several other universities in Georgia, Kentucky, and Mississippi. She has a Ph.D. in S... Read more
Juniper Burrows
Office Manager, Change Partners, LLC
Juniper Burrows is the office manager of Change Partners, L.L.C., a national and international consulting firm specializing in total work culture and organizational change within large industry. Burrows has participated in L.E.A.D. Athens and has experience with planning, management, marketing, and financial ad... Read more
Courtney Davis
Attorney, Harris & Liken LLP
Courtney Davis is an Attorney with Harris & Liken, LLP. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology, her M.P.A., and her J.D. from the University of Georgia. Prior to becoming an attorney, Courtney spent more than ten years in nonprofit management, most recently as the Executive Director of the Athens Ar... Read more
Ray Donovan
Chief Operating Officer, Health Plan Select
Ray has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. He earned his MBA at Loyola College in Maryland and served as an adjunct professor at Piedmont College. In addition to serving on JRF's board, Ray is also an active member of the local Rotary Club. Read more
Kristine Groft
PR and Marketing Consultant
Kristine earned her bachelor's degree in Communications, Broadcast and Public Relations from Millersville University in Pennsylvania. She has more than 10 years experience in public relations and marketing. Read more
Larry Hill
Community Volunteer
A theatre aficionado, Larry earned his Ph.D. with an emphasis in Theatre History, serves as treasurer for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and shares his knowledge as an adjunct professor of theatre at UGA. Outside of his passion for theatre, Larry also works with Athens Area Habita... Read more
Carol Kurtz
Retired educator, Community Volunteer
Carol earned her B.S. degree from George Peabody College for Teachers, (now school of education of Vanderbilt University), and her M.Ed. at Boston College. She taught for 26 years in the areas of special education, elementary education, math and science. Carol has volunteered and/or held leadership and board po... Read more
Jim Langlois
Co-Owner, Interglo Stone Inc and Owl Scooters
Jim Langlois holds an undergraduate degree from Auburn University and a Master of Science degree from Florida State University. He is the co-owner of two Athens-based companies -- Interglo Stone, which imports and distributes stone cemetery products, and Owl Scooters, an importer-distributor of motor scooters.... Read more
Dean Mannheimer
Vice President, AFB&T
Dean Mannheimer is a Vice President and commercial lender with AFB&T. He started his banking career in 2003 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Finance and Economics. Dean is a graduate of L.E.A.D. Athens. He is also an active member of the Athens Rotary Club, Board Member of the Athen... Read more
Michele Pearson
Business Development Representative, Gwinnett Federal Credit Union
Michele earned her Master's in Business Administration from Piedmont College and maintains an active Real Estate License. In May 2008, Michele helped open Phaze 1 Cosmetology Institute and serves as the Director. Michele began her career in the credit union industry in 2003 and is currently the Business Develop... Read more
Michael Purser
Owner, Rosebud Co.
Michael Purser earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. He is the owner of Rosebud Co., which specializes in wood floor restoration, and is a frequent writer and speaker for trade and restoration groups and publications. Purser appreciates the value of ad... Read more
