I have been with Embrace since October 2016. I received my Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Eastern Kentucky University in 1997 and my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) in 2000. I have spent the last 17 years working with children who have been victims of child abuse and neglect. I spent 5 years as the Program Director for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in Portsmouth, Va. I have spent the last 10 years at another private TFC agency in the Hampton Roads area, first as a foster parent trainer and home study writer, and the last 6 years as a supervisor of the program, focusing primarily on the recruitment, training, and retention of foster parents. My wife and I live in Virginia Beach, where I grew up, with our 14-year old son and a 4-year daughter, and so most of our free time is spent with family. I am a huge sports fan, and have season tickets to Old Dominion University's football and basketball team. I am looking forward to this opportunity at Embrace to really build and mold the program and make it the TFC provider of choice for both foster families, and referral sources. I am also active with TFC at the state level, serving on the Board for the Virginia Association of Licensed Child Placing Agencies (VALCPA) and an member of the Board for the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA), where I chair the Child Placing Special Interest Group.

I am the Foster Parent Recruitment Coordinator serving the Richmond area. I am originally from Southern Florida and have a Bachelor's degree in Intercultural Communications from Florida Atlantic University. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, traveling, visiting the James River with my dog as well as spending time with my friends and family. I am very excited to work Embrace TFC to make an impact in the RVA community.