Board of Directors - Page 2 of 3 - West End Opportunity Partnership

Jennifer Hancock

June 9, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Board Secretary & Board Development & Governance Committee Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
Volunteers of America Mid-States

Jennifer Hancock is the President and CEO of Volunteers of America of Mid-States. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Kentucky and earned her license to practice independently in 2001.

Jennifer has served in many capacities during her more than 25 years of professional leadership in the nonprofit sector and her 17 years advancing the mission of VOA. Under her leadership, VOA has become a nationally recognized expert in providing family-focused and results-oriented solutions for the opioid and addiction crisis. Working closely with a wide range of elected officials and community leaders, the organization has earned consistent recognition for providing best-practice care in more than 30 programs across four states.

Since becoming CEO in 2015, Jennifer has led VOA through unprecedented growth and now oversees a $61MM budget and a team of more than 650 professionals. In addition to addiction recovery services, VOA also delivers solutions in the areas of veteran services, including suicide prevention, housing and homelessness, public health, comprehensive care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a Restorative Justice program that helps to keep youth out of the criminal justice system. Her love for bringing diverse stakeholders together to solve complex social problems and seeing the tangible and many positive outcomes of the mission of VOA is what drives her most.

Jennifer is active in the community, serving on many boards, including as Chair of Impetus for a Better Louisville, University of Louisville Board of Overseers, University of Louisville School of Public Health, Smart on Crime, West End Opportunity Partnership, Louisville Economic Development Alliance, AdventHealth Hospital, 1 Clay County, You Decide, Kentucky!, and as an Advisory Council Member of Young Professionals Association of Louisville. She was recently honored to have her experience in the addictions field featured in Newsweek Magazine. Jennifer received the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Business First Power 50 Awards and the 2022 Enterprising Women Award.

Tammy Hawkins

June 9, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Metro Council District 1

Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins was elected in 2022 and took office in 2023. She has been a business owner and resident in District 1 for more than fifteen years.

In 2024, Councilwoman Hawkins was elected to serve as the Majority Caucus Vice Chair. She also serves as the Chair of the Public Safety Committee and is a member of the Government Oversight/Audit & Appointments Committee and Equity, Community Affairs, Housing, Health & Education Committee.

Hawkins started her journey in the district after working ten years in the healthcare industry as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She took a step forward with faith and began her journey to entrepreneurship by opening several businesses.

She has always had a passion for serving her community and has done so by organizing community coat drives, Thanksgiving food baskets, turkey give-a-ways, and Christmas Over Parkland.

She has created a safe place for kids to learn and grow with her childcare center, Kidz World, located in District 1. She has also tapped into her creative side with the creation of a football and cheerleading program.

Hawkins plans on staying authentic and grounded in her political journey of serving the District 1 community and Louisville as a whole. She is not here to make promises, but to make progress.

During her time canvassing she has heard from constituents from each part of the district about concerns including crime, public safety, infrastructure, sidewalks, streetlights, speed humps, services for our youth and seniors, and affordable housing.

She hopes to pave the way for ultimate change for the greater good of the community. Hawkins is the example of change and second chances and plans to make a broader change for a brighter future in District 1.

Keith L. Jackson

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Office of the Governor of Kentucky

In February 2024, Keith Jackson was appointed Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Immediately prior to stepping into this leadership role, Jackson served as the cabinet’s deputy secretary. He understands the cabinet’s critical role in creating safer communities for all and works to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky communities through an approach centered on protecting citizens, restoring victims, and reforming wrongdoers – all in a focused environment where everything is measured for accountability and performance.

Prior to joining the cabinet, Secretary Jackson served as the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs where he was the Governor’s representative and advisor on all veterans-related matters and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Department’s Benefits Branch, four Veteran Nursing Homes, five State Veteran Cemeteries, Employment Services Program, Homeless Veterans Program and Women Veterans Program.

During his 27-year career in the U.S. Army Reserves, Secretary Jackson served in numerous capacities ranging from platoon leader up to Battalion Command. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at Ft Knox, KY; Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, KS; and the Multifunctional Logistics Course at Ft Lee, VA. He served in Iraq in 2006 as the Operations Officer of the 352nd Combat Service Battalion, which conducted combat logistic patrols. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. In 2008, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and selected as Battalion Commander of the 373rd Quartermaster Battalion.

In addition to his military service, he began his municipal and public service career in January 1991 with the Lexington Fire Department. His first assignment was as a Firefighter with Engine Company 9. In 1993, he was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic and assigned to Emergency Care 6. Jackson was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, Captain in 2002, and Major in 2010 when he became the Hazardous Material Team leader for the Department. In 2011, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Administration, and then Interim Chief that same year. In June 2012, Chief Jackson made history by becoming the first African American appointed Chief of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services. In this capacity, he managed a 56-million-dollar budget, 540 Firefighters and 23 stations.

Secretary Jackson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and received his commission from the University of Kentucky in 1987.

Sherrif David James

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Office of the Mayor of Louisville

David James is a native of Louisville who has dedicated his life to community service, public safety, and public service.

David has served on LMPD, and US Army Reserves as an Intelligence Specialist, as Commissioner of the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation, and as Metro Councilman for District 6. He was elected President of the Metro Council for 5 consecutive years.

David was appointed Deputy Mayor of Emergency Services in 2022 by Mayor Greenberg.

David married his sweetheart, Michelle on July 9th, 2011.

Darlene Johnson-Jones

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Board Vice Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
Park Hill Neighborhood

Darlene Johnson-Jones retired after a 32-year career in telecommunications. She had a brief period working as a sales associate and bookkeeper at Home Depot. She holds degrees in accounting and computer programming. Since relocating to Louisville in 1985, she has been active with Telephone Pioneers, Clout, and Good Government. She is a trained EMT and is married to a native of Louisville. Her hobbies include gardening, fishing, hiking, and relishing the great outdoors.

Dr. Gaberiel Jones, Jr.

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Community Engagement Committee Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
Russell Neighborhood

Dr. Gabe Jones, Jr. PhD, MPH is a proud resident of the Russell neighborhood and an Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Louisville. Dr. Jones is passionate about community-engaged work and researches the relationship between wealth and health outcomes, economic policy, banking practices, social equity, and structural violence. Dr. Jones enjoys making music, playing chess, trying new food, and spending time with his family and friends.

Dr. Mary Milliner

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Past Board Chair

Business/Organization Represented:
California Neighborhood

Dr. Mary Milliner is a certified teacher with a Doctorate of Education in leadership, a Master of Arts in teaching, specializing in Elementary Education, Instructional Computer Technology Endorsement, and a Master of Arts in School Counseling, with ten-plus years of youth and community service volunteerism, advocacy, and service training/education.

Dr. Milliner volunteered as Shawnee District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner, Day Camp Director, Cub Master – Brandies Elementary School, Program Specialist BOA Center for Women & Families, Policy Council & Advisory Council Member – Head Start Program Carter/DuValle Family Resource Center, National Honor Society Leader Clarksville Middle School, Archery, Rube Goldberg & Chess Team coach, as well as Black History Month Program Coordinator – Bridgepoint Elementary School.

Michael D. Neagle

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Portland Neighborhood

Mike Neagle lives in an 1850s home in the Portland neighborhood with his wife, 2 kids, 2 cats, and an oversized dog.

Lyndon E. Pryor

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Louisville Urban League

‬Lyndon‬‭ Pryor‬‭ is‬‭ the‬‭ President‬‭ and‬‭ CEO‬‭ of‬‭ the‬‭ Louisville‬‭ Urban‬‭ League,‬‭ a‬‭ historic‬‭ civil‬‭ rights‬‭ organization‬‭ part‬‭ of‬‭ the‬‭ National‬‭ Urban‬‭ League‬‭ movement.‬‭ He‬‭ leads‬‭ a‬‭ team‬‭ of‬‭ dynamic‬‭ individuals‬‭ who‬‭ are‬‭ working‬‭ to‬‭ transform‬‭ Louisville‬‭ into‬‭ a‬‭ more‬‭ equitable‬‭ community‬‭ for‬‭ Black‬‭ people‬‭ and‬‭ other‬‭ marginalized‬‭ populations‬‭ through‬‭ intentional‬‭ work‬‭ in‬‭ Jobs,‬‭ Justice,‬‭ Education,‬‭ Health,‬‭ Housing,‬‭ and‬‭ Black‬‭ Business.‬

‭ Prior‬‭ to‬‭ his‬‭ current‬‭ role,‬‭ Pryor‬‭ spent‬‭ eight‬‭ years‬‭ with‬‭ the‬‭ organization‬‭ in‬‭ various‬‭ capacities,‬‭ including‬‭ as‬‭ the‬‭ Chief‬‭ Engagement‬‭ Officer,‬‭ where‬‭ he‬‭ helped‬‭ to‬‭ spearhead‬‭ special‬‭ projects‬‭ like‬‭ A‬‭ Path‬‭ Forward‬‭ for‬‭ Louisville,‬‭ oversaw‬‭ all‬‭ communications‬‭ areas‬‭ for‬‭ the‬‭ organization,‬‭ and‬‭ enhanced‬‭ the‬‭ smooth‬‭ and‬‭ efficient‬‭ integration‬‭ of‬‭ services‬‭ to‬‭ maximize‬‭ the‬‭ potential‬‭ outcomes‬‭ for‬‭ every‬‭ League‬‭ participant.‬‭ Mr.‬‭ Pryor‬‭ also‬‭ created‬‭ and‬‭ led‬‭ the‬‭ League’s‬‭ community‬‭ health‬‭ program,‬‭“It‬‭ starts‬‭ with‬‭ me!”‬‭ and‬‭ helped‬‭ to‬‭ build‬‭ and‬‭ grow‬‭ Louisville’s‬‭ network‬‭ of‬‭ community‬‭ health‬‭ workers.‬‭ Since‬‭ then,‬‭ he‬‭ has‬‭ helped‬‭ to‬‭ establish‬‭ policy‬‭ positions,‬‭ internal‬‭ data‬‭ systems,‬‭ and‬‭ key‬‭ infrastructure‬‭ support‬‭ for‬‭ the‬‭ League’s‬‭ work.‬

‭ Before‬‭ arriving‬‭ in‬‭ Louisville,‬‭ Lyndon‬‭ was‬‭ a‬‭ Student‬‭ Development‬‭ Specialist‬‭ at‬‭ Texas‬‭ A&M‬‭ University,‬‭ where‬‭ he‬‭ worked‬‭ to‬‭ assist‬‭ students‬‭ in‬‭ their‬‭ personal‬‭ growth‬‭ and‬‭ build‬‭ their‬‭ professional‬‭ competencies‬‭ and‬‭ leadership‬‭ skills.‬‭ Mr.‬‭ Pryor‬‭ provided‬‭ critical‬‭ leadership,‬‭ supporting‬‭ students‬‭ by‬‭ creating‬‭ programs‬‭ that‬‭ effectively‬‭ merge‬‭ academic‬‭ and‬‭ practical‬‭ experiences.‬

‭ Mr.‬‭ Pryor‬‭ is‬‭ a‬‭ proud‬‭ former‬‭ student‬‭ of‬‭ Texas‬‭ A&M‬‭ University,‬‭ where‬‭ he‬‭ received‬‭ his‬‭ B.S.‬‭ in‬‭ Political‬‭ Science.‬‭ He‬‭ also‬‭ received‬‭ his‬‭ M.A.‬‭ in‬‭ Education‬‭ and‬‭ Human‬‭ Development‬‭ from‬‭ GWU.‬‭ He‬‭ is‬‭ a‬‭ husband,‬‭ father,‬‭ and‬‭ an‬‭ avid‬‭ believer‬‭ in‬‭ the‬‭ potential‬‭ of‬‭ all,‬‭ and‬‭ that‬‭ communal‬‭ knowledge‬‭ enhances‬‭ individual‬‭ growth.‬

Christopher K. Romaine

August 5, 2024/by West End Opportunity Partnership

Business/Organization Represented:
Park DuValle Neighborhood

Khris Romaine is a lifelong Louisville’s West End resident, deeply rooted in the community’s heart and committed to its growth and prosperity.

A proud graduate of Louisville Central High and the University of Louisville, Khris has leveraged education and experience to become a vocal advocate for positive change. His passion for uplifting the community is evident in his active involvement on multiple boards dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families in the West End.

Throughout his adult life, Khris has demonstrated a profound understanding of the community’s needs and aspirations. He is committed to fostering collaboration between residents, businesses, and organizations to create a thriving and equitable neighborhood for all. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of community, Khris is dedicated to building a brighter future for the West End.

Khris grew up in the Shawnee neighborhood and after graduation, built his home in the Park DuValle neighborhood where he is active in the homeowners association. His personal experiences have shaped his perspective and fueled his desire to create a stronger, more supportive community.

Khris has been on the Board of Directors for St. George’s Scholar Institute for many years in many roles ensuring that our youth are getting quality, out-of-school time programming for social, emotional, and academic learning.

Khris is also a member of the Community Advisory Board of West Louisville. Their mission is to collaborate with the community, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to improve health outcomes in the neighborhoods throughout the West End and beyond.

Khris is a steadfast believer in the potential of the West End and is inspired by the resilience and spirit of its residents. He is committed to working tirelessly to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. He believes that the West End Opportunity Partnership has the potential to have a positive impact on the current residents of the West End neighborhoods for generations to come.