ATHENS REACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Rick Dunn
Mr. Rick Dunn is the Clarke County School District’s Graduation Coach Coordinator and Liaison to the Ombudsman Alternative Program. Prior to coming to the school district he operated his own dropout prevention program, Project SAVE (Students in Athens Valuing Education).. A graduate of the University of Georgia’s School of Journalism, he is the host and producer of the longest running radio talk show in Athens, Community Forum which airs Thursday from 4-5 on WXAG- 1470 AM. He is also the Executive Producer of Education Matters, a teen lead talk show that also airs on WXAG each Wednesday from 4:30 – 6:00., Mr. Dunn has a long history of public and civic service in Athens-Clarke County and the State of Georgia. He worked for the Georgia Department of Public Health where he coordinated the statewide creation of teen pregnancy prevention programs focusing on males. He worked for the Georgia Department of Labor where he helped recently released prison inmates find employment; and at the Department of Family and Children Services where he helped families get the training and jobs needed to get off welfare. He has provided service to numerous organizations including the Athens-Clarke Literacy Council, the Red Cross, Community Connection, and the Clarke County Board of Elections. In 1996, he was recognized as a Community Hero and given the honor of carrying the flame that signified the opening of the Olympic Games held in Atlanta.. A native of Washington D.C., he and his wife, Mary, have 12 children (3 adopted) and 13 grandchildren. Mr. Dunn operates off a simple philosophy – “There are no Excuses.”
Sarah McKinney
Sarah McKinney began serving the Athens Area Community Foundation as President | CEO in March 2017. When she accepted the position, she was the Director of Development for the Georgia 4-H Foundation at the University of Georgia. Prior to her work with Georgia 4-H, Sarah served the Athens Community Council on Aging for fifteen years, beginning as intern in college, and leaving having successfully created and filled the first position of Director of Development. Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She continued her education with a Certificate of Gerontology from Kennesaw State University, a Certificate of Leadership from the University of Dayton, and Certificates of Basic and Advanced Nonprofit Financial Management from Duquesne University’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute.
Sarah is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Athens and graduate of the 2017-2018 LEAD Athens class. In her personal time, Sarah serves the Jackson County School System on the Empower College and Career Academy’s Strategic Partner committee.
Today, as a professional working in philanthropy, Sarah’s role is centered on helping convene the interest of donors, nonprofits, and community institutions to build, distribute and preserve philanthropic assets that will enhance quality of life in the Athens area for generations to come. Authentic relationships, a firm hand shake, a hearty thank you, and a handwritten note are critical components to Sarah’s work in philanthropy. When she isn’t smiling at work, Sarah is hanging out with her husband of 15 years, John, and their kids Nate and Anna.
Sarah is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Athens and graduate of the 2017-2018 LEAD Athens class. In her personal time, Sarah serves the Jackson County School System on the Empower College and Career Academy’s Strategic Partner committee.
Today, as a professional working in philanthropy, Sarah’s role is centered on helping convene the interest of donors, nonprofits, and community institutions to build, distribute and preserve philanthropic assets that will enhance quality of life in the Athens area for generations to come. Authentic relationships, a firm hand shake, a hearty thank you, and a handwritten note are critical components to Sarah’s work in philanthropy. When she isn’t smiling at work, Sarah is hanging out with her husband of 15 years, John, and their kids Nate and Anna.
Charlie Maddox
(Coming Soon)
Jeremy Daniel
Mr. Daniel resides in the community with his best friend, Grace, and their son and daughter. Mr. Daniel is active in a variety of civic organizations including the Athens Area Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Chosen for Life Ministries, Clarke County Mentor Program, University Optimist Club, and United Way of Northeast Georgia. Currently, he serves as the Senior Coordinator for Student Conduct at the University of Georgia and as an adjunct instructor at Athens Technical College. Additionally, he is pursuing an Ed.D. in Workforce Education with his research interest focusing on advancing the career development of foster children throughout Georgia via dual enrollment and postsecondary education.
Walker Keadle
Walker Keadle serves as the Market President for BB&T in the Athens Georgia market. Walker originally joined BB&T in 2008 through the Leadership Development Program upon his graduation from the University of Georgia with a double major of Real Estate and Finance. After completion of the LDP program, Walker returned to Athens as a BSO-PM with the Athens Commercial team. Walker has served in various & very successful roles since that time including BSO-PM in Gainesville, Downtown Athens Market Leader, Athens Mortgage Loan Originator and most recently Small Business Specialist covering NE GA.
Walker is very active in his community and church, serving on various charitable and civic organizations including Hands on Northeast GA, Northeast Ga Foodbank, Reach Scholarship Committee, and is a mentor through the Terry college of Business at the University of Georgia. He has served as a community group leader for a number of years with Athens Church and has helped with their children’s ministry, UpStreet. Walker is an avid outdoorsman and UGA fan and is a fixture on game days in Athens cheering on his beloved “Dawgs”. Walker and his wife reside in Athens, and have two children (Sheppard and Brogen).
Walker is very active in his community and church, serving on various charitable and civic organizations including Hands on Northeast GA, Northeast Ga Foodbank, Reach Scholarship Committee, and is a mentor through the Terry college of Business at the University of Georgia. He has served as a community group leader for a number of years with Athens Church and has helped with their children’s ministry, UpStreet. Walker is an avid outdoorsman and UGA fan and is a fixture on game days in Athens cheering on his beloved “Dawgs”. Walker and his wife reside in Athens, and have two children (Sheppard and Brogen).
Colleen Pruitt
Colleen Pruitt is honored to serve as the Clarke County Mentor Program's first full-time Executive Director. She joined the mentor program in 2017 after spending the last nineteen years in secondary and post-secondary school settings. She firmly believes in the power of connection and the life-changing impact that mentoring can have on a child.
Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hollins College and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the L.E.A.D. Athens Class of 2016 and Oconee Street United Methodist Church. Colleen and her husband, Matt, have three young boys.
When not at CCMP, you can likely find her watching her boys’ on the soccer and baseball fields at Holland Park, spending time with family and friends, or exploring the great outdoors.
Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hollins College and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the L.E.A.D. Athens Class of 2016 and Oconee Street United Methodist Church. Colleen and her husband, Matt, have three young boys.
When not at CCMP, you can likely find her watching her boys’ on the soccer and baseball fields at Holland Park, spending time with family and friends, or exploring the great outdoors.
