CEO
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
Senior Director of internal Operations
Devon Holmes grew up in Conyers, GA, just east of Atlanta, and landed in Brevard on a football scholarship to Brevard College. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Education with a minor in Business & Organizational Leadership in 2014 and went on to earn a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance from Brevard College in 2024.
Devon started working at the Club in 2014 during the second semester of his senior year as a Youth Development Professional, quickly finding his niche in the gym by leading Triple Play and inspiring kids to stay active.
In 2020, Devon was recognized as the National Coach of the Year by the Positive Coaching Alliance - a testament to his dedication to helping young athletes grow both on and off the field.
Devon continues to serve youth in the community, coaching defensive backs at Brevard High School, where he brings the same energy and encouragement he shares at the Club. Most recently in 2025, he led our high school girls team to two consecutive tournament wins and guided our 10U boys to a second place NFL Flag national ranking. He is passionate about coaching, supporting his staff at the Club, mentoring young people, and empowering them to reach their fullest potential. For the past decade, Devon has also worked as a Vocational Counselor on an Assertive Community Treatment Team for Clarvida in Hendersonville. Outside of work, Devon enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, traveling, and running with his dog, Makaveli.
Email: dholmes@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 in 2020. Caitlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and eating good food! She began at the Club as a Program Specialist shortly after returning to Brevard with her undergraduate degree in May 2018. In 2019 she became the Club's Education Director and then transitioned to the Grant Writer & Outcomes Manager position in 2023. She feels honored to be making an impact in the lives of young people and is thrilled for the opportunity to support the Club's growth and give back to a community for which she cares deeply.
Email: cmurray@bgctransylvania.org
Human Resources Manager
Patty Wagner and her husband moved to Brevard in 2022. Originally from Wisconsin, they previously lived in Shelby and often spent weekends exploring the mountains, shops, and restaurants of WNC.
Patty has dedicated her entire career to serving in the nonprofit sector, through educational programming, exhibits, and operations, as well as serving as the executive director of a public library. She is excited to serve the community as the Boys & Girls Club’s HR Manager, where she is committed to partnering with staff to help the team thrive.
Outside of work, Patty enjoys walking her dogs, browsing at Highlands Books, spending time with friends, and traveling to visit her children in Chattanooga, Wisconsin, and Japan.
Email: pwagner@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
Main Clubhouse DIRECTOR (K-5)
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 Clubhouse Director
Jon Hendricks is a native of Brevard, NC. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Planning from Western Carolina University in 2019. Jon began working at the Club in 2016 during the summers when he would come home from college, and quickly found his passion. He returned in 2020 as a Program Specialist after obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree. In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching sports, and managing his investment portfolio. Jon has a passion for supporting the youth in his community, and encouraging the next generation.
His favorite quote is “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
Email: jhendricks@bgctransylvania.org
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
LeeAnn McKinney has lived in Brevard for most of her life, moving from California at the age of 10. She attended Grand Canyon University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Educational Studies in 2024. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management. LeeAnn began working at the Club in September of 2020 as the front desk associate before moving into the position of Membership Director. Her position not only allows her to spend time with and get to know the Club members, but also the families. Working at the Club has had a tremendous impact on LeeAnn's life. "It’s all about the kids. I love my job and the kids make my job fun. I wake up excited to go to work everyday and spend time with all our Club kids. I am extremely blessed to be able to work at the Club with our youth."
LeeAnn also enjoys exploring the beautiful mountains and cool weather of Western North Carolina and Transylvania County with her two amazing children and two dogs (Alba & Luke). In her spare time her hobbies include reading, traveling, cooking, fishing, hiking and making memories with her children.
Email: lmckinney@bgctransylvania.org
Mental Health professional
Gracie Howell grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, where she first discovered her passion for working with kids while volunteering in after-school programs, these experiences sparked her interest in supporting mental health in the community. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Columbia International University in 2017 and gained hands-on experience working with children and teens, with a focus on children on the autism spectrum. These opportunities nurtured her love for creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can build resilience and thrive.
Gracie is now working toward her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her LCPC licensure. She joined the Club in 2025 as the Mental Health Resiliency Coordinator, bringing her experience as a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Gracie says, “The most valuable tool I learned in college was a quote my professor shared: ‘When you change your self-talk you can change your life.’ This philosophy guides me every day at the Club as I help young people discover their own strength, navigate life, and learn resiliency in day-to-day living.”
Outside of the Club, Gracie loves gardening, cooking, backpacking with her pup Hank, and cruising around on her motorcycle.
Email: ghowell@bgctransylvania.org
Program Director (K-2)
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. Jessica’s roles have included Art Director, Assistant Operations Director and, in 2025, was named Program Director for the K-2 unit.
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
Program Director (3-5)
Brooklyn Owen grew up in Brevard, NC, and pursued her passion for art at Western Carolina University. She started with the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club in 2016 and has taken on many different roles within the organization. Brooklyn has a deep commitment to creating a fun and supportive environment for the youth in our community by focusing on helping kids explore their creativity, build confidence, and enjoy the freedom of being a kid. Outside of work, Brooklyn enjoys cooking, painting, spending time with loved ones, and exploring the outdoors with her dog Sutton.
Email: bowen@bgctransylvania.org
Education DIRECTOR
Sara Barnes moved to Brevard four years ago to attend Brevard College where she studied history and education. During her time at the college, she fell in love with the town and has lived here since! Sara started as a Youth Development Professional at the Club, moving into the interim Health and Wellness Director position during the summer of 2024. Knowing her love for education and her passion for seeing growth in all of our members, Sara moved into the Education Director position in 2025. Sara loves storytelling, writing, being creative, and most of all getting to serve and love our community.
Email: sbarnes@bgctransylvania.org
health & Wellness Director
Tyler Miranda grew up in Valley City, Ohio, about 45 minutes outside of Cleveland, OH. He came to Brevard, NC to attend Brevard College and race for the cycling team there. During his undergraduate studies he dual majored in Mathematics and Exercise Science. He is currently in his final semester of graduate school in Health and Human Performance. Along with his graduate course work, Tyler has been able to work as the Assistant Cycling coach for the team at Brevard College for the past two years. After volunteering to lead a bike clinic at the club over spring break with a few students from the BC cycling team, Tyler decided to work as a part-time staff over the summer and complete his internship by leading a summer bike program for kids in grades 3-5. After the summer Tyler was brought on as our Health and Wellness Director. Tyler says, "the opportunity to help these kids find the healthiest version of themselves is invaluable in my continued development professionally and personally."
Email: tmiranda@bgctransylvania.org
21st CCLC Grant Coordinator & Front Desk Assistant
Claire Sikes-Clark grew up in Montgomery, Alabama while spending her summers at Rockbrook Camp for Girls. When searching for the right college, Brevard College instantly felt right. While at BC, she fell in love with the area and graduated in 2018 with a degree in integrated studies with an emphasis in early childhood education. Shortly after graduating, she joined The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County team as a Program Specialist. Since then, she has worked at the Club on and off, mainly in the summers while teaching Pre-k during the school year. In the fall of 2024, she returned to us as one of our Front Desk Assistants where she supports our Youth Development Professionals in working hands-on with the kids.
When Claire isn’t at the Club, she’s exploring the outdoors with her husband and hanging out with her friends.
Email: csikesclark@bgctransylvania.org
Assistant Membership Director
Ari Young is originally from Southern California. After moving to the area in 1999, Ari entered the field of early childhood education where she’s happily worked ever since. Ari holds Credentials 1 and 2 in Early Childhood Education, her CDA, and some continued education courses in early childhood education. The Boys & Girls Club has always been a large part of her life as all of her children have come through the Club over the past 20 years. As a family they have been involved in some of the Club’s sports programs such as flag football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. When given an opportunity to change careers, Ari immediately looked towards the Boys & Girls Club.
She feels that environment that the Club provides is like a home away from home: “I love the families, kids, and staff I get to be involved with everyday. Serving the community and the families in it is an important aspect of the Boys and Girls Club. I hope to be a part of this amazing team and family for years to come.”
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Director
Karen Phillips and her family moved from Albany, Georgia to Brevard in 2017, and by 2019 she was a part of the Boys & Girls Club team. 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 career history includes: 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. And now that focal point includes making connections with the donors that make all of this possible! In her downtime, Karen enjoys spending an afternoon with her husband hiking or biking and then ending the day in front of a fire with the 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 at Highland Books or enjoying local bakeries with her daughter!
Email: ccoffey@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
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tracy Rothwell and her husband, Mark, along with their dog, Finn, recently relocated to Brevard from Wisconsin. Drawn by their love of hiking, biking, and the beauty of the mountains, they knew Brevard was the perfect place to call home. They also moved Tracy’s mother from Florida, bringing their family even closer together. Tracy and Mark have three grown children and two wonderful grandsons, whom they love spending time with.
Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science, a master’s degree in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her diverse career spans classroom teaching, hospital nursing, and care coordination for neurosurgery cancer patients. Most recently, she led a team of nurses in a large neurology and neurosurgery specialty group. Now, she’s excited to embrace this new chapter and be a part of the Boys & Girls Club serving kids and the community.
Email: trothwell@bgctransylvania.org