Executive Director
Sarah Rae St. Marie grew up in Cambridge, ON, Canada, and moved to Brevard, NC in August of 2011. Sarah received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Sarah started with The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club in April of 2013 as a part-time Program Specialist, and has since served in many roles. In addition to her time at the Club, Sarah also spent a year and a half in Orlando, FL working for the YMCA of Central Florida in Youth Development. She is thrilled to be back at the Club where she can work alongside an incredible staff team, and serve an exceptional community.
Sarah lives in Brevard with her husband, Kiffer St. Marie, and their daughters Sawyer and Madelyn. Together they enjoy traveling, visiting National Parks, and spending time with family.
Email: sstmarie@bgctransylvania.org
Assistant Executive Director
Jamie Atkinson grew up in Spartanburg, SC. She attended Brevard College and received her bachelor's degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in secondary education. She was a student athlete in college and says that being a student athlete was one of the most valuable experiences she has ever had. She obtained a masters degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida, and believes that working in nonprofits is where she is meant to be. She began working at the Club in November of 2018, after a five year career in higher education. Since working at the Club, Jamie says that it has changed her life. "These kids push me everyday to be the best version of myself. From our tiniest kindergarteners to our longest attending high schoolers, these kids are the reason I wake up and love coming to work every day."
In her free time she loves to cook and spend time with her family and her loyal pups, Lola & Frankie. Her favorite quote is, "Whether you think you can or you cannot, you are exactly right." This philosophy follows her everywhere in life and she believes that a positive mindset is contagious.
Email: jatkinson@bgctransylvania.org
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
LeeAnn McKinney has lived in Brevard for most of her life moving from California at the age of 10. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Elementary education and loves working with our kids! She enjoys exploring the beautiful mountains and cool weather of Western North Carolina and Transylvania County with her two amazing children and husband.
Email: lmckinney@bgctransylvania.org
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Kent Parent is a retired school administrator that has a passion for helping youth discover their potential. He Has a BA in History from Worcester State University and a Masters Degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University. Kent Parent retired from public education in July 2022 and joined our team in April of 2023. Over the course of his career, Kent was a teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal. He also coached football and softball! Prior to this, he served 8 years in the U.S. Army in the Military Police Corps. Kent and his wife, Darlene, have been married for 37 years and have four daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandboys. Kent enjoys kayaking, riding horses, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Email: kparent@bgctransylvania.org
ASSISTANT OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
AnaBelle Eidson grew up in South Florida and moved to Brevard after she received her Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Professional Writing from Pensacola Christian College. She came to Brevard to work at a camp for youth and adults, but after a year there, she transitioned to the classroom as a fifth and sixth grade teacher. While teaching, she was able to see up close the value of coming alongside her students, not only to teach them academically, but also to help shape their view of learning, the world, and themselves through intentional conversations and actions. She hopes to continue to serve young people at the Club by providing academic and relational support to its members.
Email: aeidson@bgctransylvania.org
TEEN SERVICES DIRECTOR
Devon Holmes grew up in Conyers, Ga, 20 minutes east of Atlanta. He landed in Brevard on a football scholarship to Brevard College. Majoring in Political Science & Education (with a minor in Business & Organizational Leadership), he received his Bachelor's Degree in 2014. He began working at the Club during the second semester of his senior year as a Program Specialist after football ended. Devon quickly found his niche in the gym, leading Triple Play and encouraging our kids to get active. He has also worked at Brevard High School and currently works for Family Preservation Services, as a Vocational Counselor on an Assertive Community Treatment Team. He enjoys spending time with family & friends, shopping, and traveling. He has a passion for coaching flag football and empowering our youth to reach their fullest potential.
Email: dholmes@bgctransylvania.org
Health and Wellness Director
Autumn Lollis is from Simpsonville, South Carolina. She is currently attending Brevard College to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Health Science. She has worked at the club since August of 2021 and has found her passion in working to serve the youth in our community. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and her dog, Georgia.
Email: alollis@bgctransylvania.org
art DIRECTOR
Jessica Ramirez grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and moved to North Carolina in 2003. She joined the Club in 2016 as a Program Specialist and worked primarily with our Kindergarten groups. Very early on during her time with the Club, she noticed we lacked an intentional art program for our members, and desired to develop one. She started working hard at making changes towards creating an art program that aligned with our mission, and in 2021 took on the role as Art Director!
Jessica has expressed that, “It's amazing that I get to come to work and do what I love doing, while serving the children who need us most! Serving our members here is truly my passion. I have for sure found my calling!”
Email: jramirez@bgctransylvania.org
Education DIRECTOR
Jessica Chatfield moved to Asheville, North Carolina in the Summer of 2023 solely because she loved the area so much. Before Asheville, she lived in Tampa, Florida where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education from the University of South Florida. Following graduation, she taught 8th grade English/Language Arts and nannied/babysat for families. She loves forming relationships with her students and supporting them in their goals. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, reading, spending time with her family and friends, and snuggling with her two cats Emmy and Chia.
Email: jchatfield@bgctransylvania.org
FACILITY DIRECTOR
A resident of Brevard since 2013, Glenn Boyer and his lovely wife Jan moved from Michigan where Glenn worked in the printing industry for over 25 years. Prior to joining the Club family, Glenn served in facilities at Brevard College. In addition to keeping our facility, grounds and equipment in tip-top shape, Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, riding his motorcycle and golfing some more. If he isn't at the Club enjoying his work with so many wonderful people, you can definitely find him on a golf course.
Email: gboyer@bgctransylvania.org
Finance DIRECTOR
Willow Walker grew up in Hendersonville, NC. After getting started at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, she attended and graduated from UNC-Asheville with a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a minor in economics. She has lived in Western NC her entire life aside from a few years spent in the San Francisco, CA Bay Area, and she moved to Brevard four years ago. She has a wide range of professional experience including financial management, and although she has worked in several industries, her main focus over the years has been in service to nonprofits and community-oriented organizations. She is thrilled to put her expertise to good use supporting the youth of Transylvania County through the Club. In her free time, Willow enjoys gardening, hiking, spending time with friends and her four-legged “kids,” riding motorcycles, and reading.
Email: wwalker@bgctransylvania.org
Grant Writer & Outcomes manager
Caitlyn Murray is a native of Brevard, NC. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University in 2018 and completed her Master's Degree in Social Work through East Tennessee State University. Caitlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and eating good food! She is passionate about serving others and feels her strengths lie in encouraging others and engaging in meaningful personal interactions with individuals and families. She began at the Club as a Program Specialist shortly after returning to Brevard with her undergraduate degree in May 2018 and feels honored to be making an impact in the lives of young people. She is thrilled for the opportunity to continue to build relationships with members, support their academic success, and give back to a community for which she cares deeply.
Email: cmurray@bgctransylvania.org
Assistant Health & wellness Director
George Wells is from Columbia, South Carolina. He is currently attending Brevard College pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in environmental studies. He had worked at the club since December of 2022. He loves hiking, fishing, and most importantly being outdoors. During his time at The Club, George has taken the lead on one of our more popular clubs, Outdoor Club. This opportunity has allowed him to share his passions of being outdoors with our members!
Email: gwells@bgctransylvania.org
Assistant Education Director
Sherri Owen grew up in Brevard. She spent 29 years teaching in North Carolina with one year in Cabarrus County and the rest in Transylvania. She has worked at Brevard Elementary, Rosman Elementary, Pisgah Forest Elementary, and finished her career at Brevard Middle. Most of her years were spent teaching math and science in fourth and fifth grade. She is excited to return to helping kids learn and grow at the Boys and Girls Club. In her free time she enjoys exploring the beautiful area we live in and going on adventures with her daughters and dog.
Email: sowen@bgctransylvania.org
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Director
Karen Phillips grew up in Southwest Georgia in the town of Albany. For years her family longed for a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. They eventually found that home in the friendly town of Brevard and moved here permanently in June of 2017. Karen received her Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education and Early Childhood and then her Master’s in Instructional Technology from Georgia Southern University. Her many career hats she has worn include classroom teacher, media specialist, computer/technology specialist, and grant writer. Her focal point in the workplace has always been helping children discover their unique path of happiness and success. She joined our team here at the Club in March of 2019. She is thrilled to be involved with an organization so devoted to helping local children reach their full potential. In her down time Karen enjoys hitting a local trail, cycling a hillside, or fishing a waterway with her husband Paul and their three boys AND ending the day in front of a fire with a family dog or cat on her lap.
Email: kphillips@bgctransylvania.org
ASSISTANT Resource Development Director
Caitlin Coffey has been living in Brevard since 2007 and previously worked at The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club 2011-2014 before stepping away to focus on family. Caitlin is thrilled to be back at the Club and assisting with Resource Development. Caitlin has spent most of the past 15 years working in residential programs, schools, and summer programs. As a mom, she is passionate about the Boys & Girls Club mission and recognizes the essential need of the Club to our community. When she’s not at the Club, you can find Caitlin baking or exploring in her camper van with her family!
Email: ccoffey@bgctransylvania.org
Resource Development Coordinator
Christina Furr grew up in Front Royal, VA. She moved to Brevard to attend Brevard College where she got her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Wilderness Leadership & Experiential Education. She spent her summers and sometime after college working at summer and year-round camps and then found herself back in Brevard working in admissions and philanthropic development at her alma mater. She is thrilled to be putting her passions for event planning and building connections to use at The Club to support the youth of Transylvania Country. Aside from the club, you can find her chatting up customers at Oskar Blues as well as planning community-focused events.
In her free time, you can find her at a thrift store. coffee shop, or spending time with her two pets: her dog, Mirra, and horse, Zane.
Email: cfurr@bgctransylvania.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
Gina Malefyt loves coordinating and implementing events - navigating all of the big and small details. Gina is thrilled to be working with the Club helping plan and implement our annual Bent River Farm Benefit Dinner and whatever else we dream up! She and her husband, Joel have lived in Brevard for several years having relocated from Colorado. They have two daughters, Ruby and Rowan, and enjoy taking trips and making memories together as a family.
Email: gmalefyt@bgctransylvania.org