Valerie Sullivan is a dedicated professional with a passion for juvenile justice and community service. A 1987 graduate of Wofford College with a BA in Sociology, Valerie has worked with the Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office since 1997, where she currently directs the Juvenile Arbitration Program and manages grants for the Spartanburg County Criminal Justice Youth Institute. She is actively involved in multiple organizations, including serving as Vice President of Ruby Mae’s Attic and as a founding member and Parliamentarian of the Wofford College Black Alumni Association. Valerie also volunteers as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and holds leadership roles with the SC Juvenile Officer’s Association and Cornerstone Baptist Church. With strong skills in public speaking, training, and nonprofit management, Valerie remains committed to fostering positive change in her community.
Roya Fayyazi is a development professional, dedicated to serving her community, but more importantly, she is passionate about creating a sense of belonging in the community where she serves. “As a Board Member at ReGenesis Health Care, I have the opportunity to help my community take ownership of their health and live a healthier life. Further, as a current board director at the ReGenesis Health Care, I understand that a thriving community is one where everyone has access to quality healthcare.”
Since 2009, Roya had aligned her work with her passion for serving the community. She has advanced in leadership roles serving many esteemed organizations, including AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of the Piedmont, Mental Health America, and United Housing Connections.
Roya holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina as well as a certificate in women’s business entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Roya is an avid yogi and enjoys listening to podcasts.
Connect with Roya: Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Mrs. Edwards is a claims specialist with the Social Security Administration with over 18 years of experience. She specializes in rules, regulations and policies relating to social security and supplemental security income. Maria graduated from the University of Guadalajara with a B.A. in Biology.
Maria served as a volunteer for School District 3 for over 13 years. She has been married to her husband Bill for 30 years and they have 3 children.
Catrina is the Founder and CEO of Angelic Services, Inc. located in Gaffney South Carolina. As a lifelong citizen of Cherokee County, she has dedicated twenty-seven years of her nursing career primarily to elderly and disabled citizens. In addition, Catrina is an avid supporter and Advocate of the Alzheimer’s Association, where she currently serves as the Chairperson of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Throughout her career, Catrina served as a geriatric and hospice nurse, CPR Instructor and Dementia Educator. Later in her career, she became a licensed Community Residential Care Administrator. During this time, she was the Executive Director of two Assisted Living Communities responsible for day-to-day operations.
Catrina is a member of Dunton United Methodist Church, were she serves as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. She is also a committee member of Elite Society in Gaffney, S.C., and the Author of “From Bear to Barely There.”
In her free time, Catrina enjoys spending time her two granddaughters MaKalynn and Bradleigh. She is the mother of two adult children Diamond, who helps manage her company and is pursuing her nursing career, and Chadrick, who is a graduate of Wofford College.
Catrina Smith, CEO, CHPLN, IF-P, CRCFA
Cole Alverson serves as County Administrator, having served in such capacity since November 2018. Prior to his current position, Cole served as Interim Assistant County Administrator. Cole has served in multiple financial and operational roles at the County since 2005, including Director of Budget and Finance (2017-2018), Director of Budget Management (2011-2017). Cole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Cole is on the Board of Directors of the Spartanburg Academic Movement and is a Riley Diversity Leadership Institute Fellow.
Cole’s wife Kimberly teaches 4th grade at Jesse Boyd Elementary School and is a graduate of Converse College. Cole and Kimberly have 2 children, Anna Kate (9) and Hampton (2). Cole and Kimberly are life-long Spartanburg County residents and live in the City of Spartanburg.
Omar Chirinos, Director of Innovative Services for the Charles Lea Center, specializes in creating new innovative ways to use Assistive Technology. He has an Associate of Applied Science in Computer and Information Science with a Concentration in Cyber and Information Security Technology. To stay abreast of new technology, he regularly attends technology conferences to implement new technology trends within the Charles Lea Center and partnering agencies. Omar is a strong believer of empowering and enriching people with the use of technology.
Tony L. Thomas is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Northside community in the City of Spartanburg, S.C. Tony is a 31-year resident of the community and an employee of The Northside Development Group. He is also the president of The Northside Voyagers, a community-based advocacy groups whose goal is to work in partnership to improve the physical appearance of the Northside and to assist residents with upward mobility through the many programs that are available. Tony studied architecture at Tuskegee University and served as an Air Traffic Controller in the USAF. He is a graduate of The Spartanburg County Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Institute, The Riley Institute at Furman, The Community Leadership Institute of Sacramento, California, and Spartanburg County Citizens Academy (city and county). Tony is the recipient of the Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award, The Wofford College Alumni Association Distinguished Citizens Award, The Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award, United Way of The Piedmont Vista of The Year (2019), and the Isaac Williams Award for Civic Leadership (State-2021). When at leisure, Tony enjoys playing the piano, singing, and creating visual art. When it comes to his feelings about the re-development of his community, Tony believes “We move forward at the speed of trust!”
Jason Hill is the Vice President of Finance for OneSpartanburg Inc., Jason is responsible for overseeing all financial operations and ensuring the organization's fiscal health. In addition, Jason is also the Founder and CEO of Hill Investment Properties LLC, where he leverages his expertise in finance and accounting to identify profitable investment opportunities in the real estate market and grow the company's portfolio.
Jason graduated from Wofford College with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and went on to earn a Master's degree in Accounting from Gardner Webb University. During his time at Wofford College, Jason was a student-athlete and played football, earning Academic All-Southern Conference honors for four consecutive years.
