Our Board of Directors
The PASS Board members serve a 3-year term and are made up of members of the Carroll County Community. We strive to place individuals representing every aspect of life including education, business, charitable, faith, and government to name a few.
Meet our Board
Donna Armstrong-Lackey
Vice President of Economic Development at SCTC
Donna Armstrong Lackey serves as Past Chairperson of PASS and has served on the PASS Board of Directors since 2012.
Professionally, she is Executive Director and County Clerk for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. In this role, she supports the County Commission Chairman in day-to-day administrative duties and maintains all records as may be required by the Commission, local ordinance, or state law. She serves as a liaison to county department heads, elected officials, and employees for the Chairman. Prior to joining the county government, Donna served in leadership roles with the University of West Georgia, Carroll Tomorrow Economic Development Foundation, and regional and local government.
She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of West Georgia; a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations from Shorter University; and, a professional certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma. Donna was appointed in 2020 by Governor Brian Kemp as the 3rd Congressional District board member of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. She is very active in local organizations including UWG Alumni Association and Carrollton Rotary.
Past Chairman
Jerome Johnston
Chief Operating Officer of Carroll EMC
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Chairman
Jerome Johnston, a licensed professional engineer, serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Carroll EMC.
A native of Carroll County, he graduated from Bowdon High School, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia. During undergraduate school, he worked for Carroll EMC as an engineering co-op student and once he graduated from Georgia Tech, he began his Carroll EMC career, starting with the engineering department.
Jerome is an active member and a past president of the Carrollton Lions Club, a graduate of the Carroll Leadership Academy, and a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. He is also a past president of the Georgia EMC Engineering Association.
He is married to Jennifer and they have two children, Julianna and Jake. The Johnstons are members of Roopville Road Baptist Church. Jerome is honored to serve on the board and help support the mission of PASS.
Carol M. Reid
Executive Vice President of Administrative Service, WGTC
Carol M. Reid is the Vice President of Administrative Services at West Georgia Technical College. In this role, she is responsible for Financial Services, Financial Aid, Facilities, Auxiliary Services, Human Resources and the Police Department. She joined West Georgia Technical College in 2001 shortly after moving to Georgia from New York.
She holds an Associate’s degree in Accounting from Niagara County Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Studies from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She has a Certificate in State Financial Management from the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government and a Certificate in Banking from the American Institute of Banking.
Carol lives in Carrollton with her husband Stanley. They have four sons and three grandchildren. They are active members of Frist Christian Church of Carrollton.
Carol is committed to helping others understand that through education anything is possible.
Board Member
Cynthia Langley
Executive Director of PASS
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Cynthia Langley has been serving as Executive Director of PASS since its incorporation in 2012. She has had over 35 years of experience serving at-risk youth in various capacities in Carroll County. These include working for the Carroll Co. Juvenile Court, Dept. of Juvenile Justice, and Carroll Co. Juvenile Wellness Court. Cynthia has served on boards of directors for Alice's House, Kidspeace, Georgia Sheriff Youth Homes Pineland Campus, and Live Oaks Children's Shelter. Cynthia has also been a trainer for Juvenile Justice and a certified parent educator.
Cynthia received her Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. She also received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Auburn University.
Cynthia is married to Sheriff Terry E. Langley, they have two adult daughters, a son-in-law, and a beautiful grandson.
Executive Director
Emily Talley
Vice President of HR for Tanner Health Systems
Emily Talley, CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, serves as Vice President of Human Resources (HR) for Tanner Health System. Ms. Talley is responsible for all aspects of human resources management for Tanner’s workforce of over 3,400 dedicated professionals serving the needs of our patients and communities. She brings almost two decades of HR experience and has served as a board member for HR and benefits professional organizations.
She has had the opportunity to share her experience through presentations at national conferences as well as through teaching Human Resources Management courses at the University of West Georgia. A graduate of Carrollton High School, Ms. Talley completed her undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary and her M.B.A. at the University of West Georgia.
She lives in Carrollton with her husband, Alan Talley, who is an educator and author.
Secretary
Alan Martinez
President of My Financial Services
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Board Member
Ashley Bush
Director of Communications and Employee Engagement at Southwire
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Board Member
Ashley Bush is native of Carrollton, Georgia and a graduate of Central High School and the University of West Georgia. Ashley and Kevin reside in Carrollton with the most adorable little boy, Andrew.
Ashley began her career at Southwire in 2010 and has held a variety of responsibilities over the last decade including visual production, brand management, strategic planning, crisis communication, and media relations. In her current role, she leads Southwire’s Corporate Communication team.
In addition to serving on the PASS board, she is also involved in the both the local, state and broader industry community in a variety of organizations and groups including Southwire’s Project GIFT, Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary, UWG Alumni Board, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Georgia Manufacturing Alliance, Women in Manufacturing, and more. Ashley and her husband, Kevin, are also graduates of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2019 (Best Class Ever!)
Ashleigh Paulk
Student Support Coordinator for Carrollton City Schools
Ashleigh Paulk is a Student Support Coordinator for the Carrollton City School System. Previously serving as a counselor at Carrollton High School, she has been fortunate to be able to help 9th through 12th-grade students with their varying needs. In her new role, Ashleigh is now able to serve students across the school system.
Ashleigh is passionate about ensuring that critical barriers are removed to ensure that each student is able to be successful. Serving on the Carroll County Mental Health Advocates Board, she is passionate about the mental and emotional well-being of her students. Additionally, she places a consistent emphasis on celebrating the successes of each student, no matter how big or small.
Ashleigh is married to David Paulk and has two young sons: Jack and Fletcher.
Board Member
Amy Brown
President of Amy Brown Financial and Insurance
Amy Brown is the CEO of Amy L. Brown Insurance and Financial Service, Inc. and operates a local State Farm Agency in Villa Rica. Amy was raised in Montezuma, Ga., where both of her parents were school administrators.
Her husband is a middle school teacher in Carroll County Schools. Throughout her life, Amy has seen first-hand the struggles and issues faced by teachers, administrators and students in local public schools. She believes that Partners Advancing Student Success fills a crucial role in connecting schools with the wonderful people and incredible resources in our community.
Amy has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of West Georgia. She and husband Jason have three children. Amy's passion for improving Carroll County extends through involvement in Bowdon Baptist Church, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Villa Rica Rise-n-Shine, and other school and community activities.
Vice Chair
Heather North
Graduation Coach for Carroll County Schools
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Board Member
Dawn Adair
Vice President/Branch Manager for Southern States Bank
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Dawn Adair is a customer oriented banking professional with over 30 years of experience in various organizations. She has been with Southern States Bank for 5.5 years as VP/Branch Manager. Being a mother to four children and a grandmother to three grandchildren has helped her to understand what it takes to nurture and develop relationships and build networks in order to deliver a successful future. Dawn is thankful and excited to serve and contribute her experiences to the future of this organization as a board member.
Board Member
Gary Kinard
Chief Finanial Officer for Southeast Trans
Gary Kinard is the chief financial officer at Southeast Trans Inc., a non-emergencytransportation service firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.
A UWG alumnus, Gary graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1991. He worked in various capacities with the Grady Health System in Atlanta from 1991 to 2008. Gary also served as co-coordinator of the Georgia 3 Disaster Medical Assistance Team from 1991 to
1996.
He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Villa Rica, Georgia, and served as the chairman of the Finance Committee for the assembly from 2010 to 2013. Gary and his wife, Heather, a UWG alumna, live in Villa Rica, Georgia, and are the parents of two young children.
Treasurer
Cade Parian
Attorney at Parian Law Firm ,LLC
Cade Parian is a civil trial attorney specializing in representing clients who have suffered serious injuries or death due to the carelessness or neglect of others. Mr. Parian has tried many civil jury trials, and he is admitted to all federal and state courts in Georgia and Alabama.
He received a B.B.A. degree from the University of West Georgia in 2000. Mr. Parian earned his J.D. Degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2006.
Professionally, Cade Parian serves on the executive committee of the National Trial Lawyers in addition to serving on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice. He also serves on the executive committee of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
In addition to serving on the board of Partners Advancing Student Success, Mr. Parian served as President of the University of West Georgia Athletic Foundation. A third generation Carroll County native, he lives in Carrollton with his wife, Kasin, and their two children
Board Member
Joel Richards
Police Chief for Carrollton PD
Joel Richards joined the Carrollton Police Department in 1992. He has served in various capacities ranging from Patrol Officer to his current position as Chief of Police. He serves on the board of directors for PASS, the Carroll County Emergency Shelter, West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and 911 User Board. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Shorter University.
Board Member
Amber Boyd
Nurse Practioner, 3:16 Healthcare
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Board Member
Kimberly Culver
Business Manager for Oak Mountain Academy
Kim Culver has deep roots in Carroll County. Kim grew up in the Sand Hill Community and graduated Valedictorian from Villa Rica High School and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from The University of West Georgia.
Kim believes in giving back to her community and has a passion for helping others. Kim became a partner with P.A.S.S. by teaching financial education to students within our local schools. This allows our students an opportunity to understand credit and banking basics and hopefully begin adult life with a more financially sound start.
Board Member
Nick Martin
Area Manager for Georgia Power
Board Member
Nick Martin has over 20 years’ experience in the utility field, all but 4 of those years were with Georgia Power. He spent 4 years at Gulf Power, formerly a subsidiary of Southern Company. Nick’s career began in Gainesville, GA where he was hired as an apprentice lineman. His 20 years of experience includes construction, engineering, training, and area management.
Before joining Georgia Power, Nick attended East Hall High School where he participated in multiple sports and was a strong advocate for the schools’ FCA program. Nick currently serves on the chamber board of directors for Carroll, Polk and Haralson counties. Nick’s civic duties also include serving on the Tanner Health Foundation Board and the P.A.S.S. board of directors. Nick has participated in various county Leadership Programs such as Leadership Hall, Leadership Stephens/Toccoa, Leadership Carroll and Leadership Santa Rosa (FL). Nick has also completed the Georgia Academy for Economic Development for regions 1 and 2. Nick is a graduate of North Georgia College and State University where received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
He is married to Mrs. Shavon Martin and they have three beautiful children: Aliyah, Nicholas Jr. and Jordan.
Micah Hamrick
Executive Pastor, Villa Rica First Baptist Church
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Micah Hamrick has served as the Executive Pastor of Villa Rica First Baptist Church since August of 2016. Prior to being called to serve in this role, Micah had a 30+ year career with the State of Georgia, retiring in July of 2016 as Deputy Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Georgia Office of Homeland Security where he was responsible for the Homeland Security Directorate. In addition to serving on the PASS board, Micah also serves as an Executive Member on the Board of Trustees of Truett McConnell University. Micah lives in Villa Rica with his wife Jody. They have one daughter, a son-in-law and two amazing grandchildren.
Board Member
Lauren Yates
Broker Associate for Metro West Realty
Aside from her time at the University of Georgia, Lauren is a lifelong resident of Carrollton. She attended Central High School and graduated from UGA in 2001 with a Finance degree. After moving back home, she decided to pursue real estate and got her real estate license in January 2002. She began her career at Real Estate West, which later merged and formed Metro West Realty, and has been there for 18 years and currently serves as Associate Broker.
Lauren is a past president of the West Metro Board of Realtors, is a board member for the Central Elementary School PTO, and serves as a board member for Carrollton Main Street. She is passionate about Carroll County and helping meet the needs of the community.
She loves to play tennis and watch Jonah (11) fish in tournaments and Finn (9) play baseball. Lauren is married to Jeremiah Yates, who currently serves as Assistant Principal at Central Middle School. They attend Midway Church in Villa Rica.
Board Member