Our team
Here at Onslow Literacy Council Inc., our board, staff, and committee members work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of our students and tutors are met. We are entirely volunteer-run, and none of our members are paid; instead, all funding is poured into our programs, classrooms, and outreach opportunities. We consist of a Fundraising Committee, Governance Committee, Financial Committee, and Programs and Outreach Committee.
Michelle Smith: President
Michelle is the former President of the Onslow County Farmers Market and the former B.O.L.D. organization, which sought to better our downtown community in Jacksonville. In addition to leading the Onslow Literacy Council Board, she's also helped launch the fledgling Rotary Club of Empowering Our Girls. As well as her nonprofit experience, Michelle also has an extensive business background in both management and ownership and brings those skills to our organization as we navigate the changing landscape of the 21st Century.
Michelle is the former President of the Onslow County Farmers Market and the former B.O.L.D. organization, which sought to better our downtown community in Jacksonville. In addition to leading the Onslow Literacy Council Board, she's also helped launch the fledgling Rotary Club of Empowering Our Girls. As well as her nonprofit experience, Michelle also has an extensive business background in both management and ownership and brings those skills to our organization as we navigate the changing landscape of the 21st Century.
Cathy Clark Grande: Board Secretary, Chair of Fundraising
Cathy is a past President of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcaster's Association Board of Directors and was an active volunteer in her community while working in Pennsylvania. She relocated to Jacksonville 10 years ago after taking ownership of a local radio station. After leaving a decades long career in broadcast journalism, she has become an active member of the Onslow Literacy Council Board.
Cathy is a past President of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcaster's Association Board of Directors and was an active volunteer in her community while working in Pennsylvania. She relocated to Jacksonville 10 years ago after taking ownership of a local radio station. After leaving a decades long career in broadcast journalism, she has become an active member of the Onslow Literacy Council Board.
Theresa (Terry) Vallerand- Treasurer
Terry is a New Englander who moved to North Carolina a decade ago. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and the University of Connecticut. Her career was focused in oncology information management. She received both the Distinguished Member and Volunteer Excellence Awards from the National Cancer Registrars Association. Terry has a long history of volunteerism including the American Cancer Society, Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington and Rotary Club "Empowering Our Girls".
Terry is a New Englander who moved to North Carolina a decade ago. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and the University of Connecticut. Her career was focused in oncology information management. She received both the Distinguished Member and Volunteer Excellence Awards from the National Cancer Registrars Association. Terry has a long history of volunteerism including the American Cancer Society, Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington and Rotary Club "Empowering Our Girls".
Verlando (Lee) Frazier:
PhD Philosophy in Education, Education Committee Chair
Interests: Literacy/reading, verbal/written communications, tutoring adults’ education, reading/writing and critical thinking skills.
Organizations: Retired United States Marine, Volunteer Onslow County soup kitchen, Part time instructor Coastal Carolina Community College, Volunteer Minority Mentor Coastal Carolina Community College and Onslow County Learning center.
Active Committees: Education, Program
PhD Philosophy in Education, Education Committee Chair
Interests: Literacy/reading, verbal/written communications, tutoring adults’ education, reading/writing and critical thinking skills.
Organizations: Retired United States Marine, Volunteer Onslow County soup kitchen, Part time instructor Coastal Carolina Community College, Volunteer Minority Mentor Coastal Carolina Community College and Onslow County Learning center.
Active Committees: Education, Program
Rene Furgeson: Financial Advisor
Rene brings a wealth of experience to the Onslow Literacy Council. She has a rich background in the medical and business fields as well as creative art and computer sciences. She has a passion for education and has served as a continuing education instructor. Her background includes handling financial operations for a durable medical equipment business, so she is well versed in accounting procedures
Rene brings a wealth of experience to the Onslow Literacy Council. She has a rich background in the medical and business fields as well as creative art and computer sciences. She has a passion for education and has served as a continuing education instructor. Her background includes handling financial operations for a durable medical equipment business, so she is well versed in accounting procedures
Nivedita (Mini) Mittal: Former chair of fundraising, past Board Member
With her many talents and passion for literacy, Mini adds so much to Onslow Literacy Council Inc. She believes education is a very powerful tool that can change lives and that literacy in particular is the only way towards a more peaceful and better world.
Activities: Fundraising advisor
With her many talents and passion for literacy, Mini adds so much to Onslow Literacy Council Inc. She believes education is a very powerful tool that can change lives and that literacy in particular is the only way towards a more peaceful and better world.
Activities: Fundraising advisor
Advisory Board
Robert Roupe: Legal Advisor
Robert (Bob) Roupe received his Bachelor's Degree in History from Bob Jones University in 1997 and graduated with his law degree from the University of North Carolina in 2000. He has lived in Jacksonville since 1981 and and considers it home. Robert has worked with the District Attorney's office since 2001. Whenever he is not busy, he enjoys spending time with his wife of eighteen years, Amy, and their two sons.
Robert (Bob) Roupe received his Bachelor's Degree in History from Bob Jones University in 1997 and graduated with his law degree from the University of North Carolina in 2000. He has lived in Jacksonville since 1981 and and considers it home. Robert has worked with the District Attorney's office since 2001. Whenever he is not busy, he enjoys spending time with his wife of eighteen years, Amy, and their two sons.
Carolyn Alford: Founding Member
Carolyn Alford is a former columnist with The Daily News newspaper. She served as director of the literacy program Newspapers in Education for about twenty years working with students and teachers in the schools. Carolyn is also one of the founding members of Onslow Literacy Council Inc.
Carolyn Alford is a former columnist with The Daily News newspaper. She served as director of the literacy program Newspapers in Education for about twenty years working with students and teachers in the schools. Carolyn is also one of the founding members of Onslow Literacy Council Inc.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Turlington: Founding Member
Bob has been a life long resident of Jacksonville, NC. He received his Bachelor's in business administration from Chapel Hill in 1960, his medical degree there in 1969, and went on to complete his residency in Greensboro at the Moses Cone Hospital. From 1972 until 2014, Bob worked as a family physician within Jacksonville. Now retired, he spends his time with family and volunteering with the local community clinic and other nonprofits in town. Bob has been a member of Jacksonville Rotary South for many years and was instrumental in the founding of Onslow Literacy Council Inc.
Active Committees: Governance
Bob has been a life long resident of Jacksonville, NC. He received his Bachelor's in business administration from Chapel Hill in 1960, his medical degree there in 1969, and went on to complete his residency in Greensboro at the Moses Cone Hospital. From 1972 until 2014, Bob worked as a family physician within Jacksonville. Now retired, he spends his time with family and volunteering with the local community clinic and other nonprofits in town. Bob has been a member of Jacksonville Rotary South for many years and was instrumental in the founding of Onslow Literacy Council Inc.
Active Committees: Governance
Lisa Davis:
She is an Early Learning and Literacy Coordinator at Partnership for Children. Lisa believes that unless the parents are literate the kids cannot get full benefit of education.
She is a past OLC Board Member too.
She is an Early Learning and Literacy Coordinator at Partnership for Children. Lisa believes that unless the parents are literate the kids cannot get full benefit of education.
She is a past OLC Board Member too.
Susan Kegley:
Interest: Organizing, budgeting and logistics
Interest: Organizing, budgeting and logistics
Kimberly Rey:
Kimberly has a MSW from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
As a member of the fundraising committee, she has chaired our Galas. She also produces the OLC Newsletter and has served as a tutor.
Kimberly has a MSW from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
As a member of the fundraising committee, she has chaired our Galas. She also produces the OLC Newsletter and has served as a tutor.