2026 Officer Election — Meet the Candidates

Beaufort Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission Inc.

Beaufort, SC

James is a results-driven executive and proud retired United States Marine whose career spans more than four decades of distinguished service in military operations, corporate leadership, and community development. He brings a rare combination of discipline, strategic vision, and hands-on management expertise to every role. Since 2017, James has served the Beaufort-Jasper community through the EOC, first as Assistant Executive Director and, since 2018, as Executive Director — providing high-level leadership, supervising senior staff, overseeing fiscal management, and serving as a prominent advocate for anti-poverty programs throughout the region. Grounded in faith, driven by purpose, and shaped by service, James is dedicated to creating opportunity, building strong organizations, and leaving every institution better than he found it.

Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, Inc. (WAGES)

Goldsboro, NC

Patricia is the CEO and Head Start/Early Head Start Director for WAGES, one of the largest community action agencies in North Carolina, which also operates the second-largest single-county HS/EHS program in the state. She holds leadership roles with the NC Head Start Association, the NC Community Action Association, and other boards, and provides technical assistance to programs and agencies across the state and region. As the current SEACAA Vice-President, she is focused on building capacity — visibility, sustainability, and financial, professional, organizational, and community development — for member agencies and the association.

Mobile Community Action, Inc.

Mobile, AL

Brenda is a United States Army veteran with more than 17 years of service in Community Action. Her journey began as a Head Start volunteer, moving to part-time and then full-time work following her military retirement. She has extensive experience administering programs that help individuals and families achieve greater self-sufficiency, and currently serves as Secretary of the Alabama Weatherization Association (AWA). Her military background has reinforced her leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills, and her commitment to the values of service, integrity, and compassion.

Community Action Agency of TCRCC

Talladega, AL

Stephanie has more than three decades of experience in community action and social services, serving as Executive Director of a Community Action Agency since January 2016. She has held roles including Director of Programs and Site Director / Mental Health / Health Coordinator for the Head Start Program, beginning her career as a Head Start Teacher. Her career is marked by a strong commitment to enhancing work culture, collaborative team leadership, and delivering effective programs, alongside a passion for supporting her community and fostering an inclusive environment for employees and program participants.

Community Service Programs of West Alabama

West Alabama

Tashia supports executive leadership, board governance, strategic planning, organizational compliance, grant administration, and community engagement across a ten-county service area. She has led major initiatives including Community Action Day and a regional Community Connections Tour. She is actively pursuing her Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) credential and engages in state, regional, and national Community Action learning. She is a Chamber Ambassador with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, a member of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa, the United Way of West Alabama Young Leaders Society, and a participant in the Young Tuscaloosa leadership program — grounded in a belief in servant leadership and collaboration.

Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Inc. (SCAP)

Lumberton, NC

Dr. Ericka Jones Whitaker has served as CEO of SCAP since 2014, leading one of the largest Community Action Agencies in North Carolina — serving 11 counties and nearly 3,500 individuals and families. She oversees an approximately $30M annual budget across five federally funded programs, roughly 200 staff, and a capital portfolio including a $1.5M Head Start school in Maxton and a $12M affordable housing development in Laurinburg. She is also President and CEO of The Whitaker Management Group and has taught Business Management at UNC Pembroke for over 20 years. A CCAP, she holds an Ed.D. from Fayetteville State, an MSA from Trinity Washington, and a BA from UMGC, and serves on boards with CAPLAW, the NC Community Action Association, and SEACAA (current Treasurer).

KCEOC Community Action Partnership

Barbourville, KY

Paul has led KCEOC Community Action Partnership as Director for forty-six years, with the agency recognized many times — including as an NCAP Agency of Excellence. He has served two terms as SEACAA President and two terms as Treasurer, in addition to many years as a Board member. On the national stage he has served two terms as Chair of the NCAP Board, one term as 1st Vice Chair, and currently serves as Region IV NCAP Representative — twenty-eight years advancing Region IV in the National Community Action Movement. He helped create the NCAP Excellence Commission and program, and has assisted many local agencies across Region IV in navigating national issues.

The Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority, Inc. (FACAA)

Atlanta, GA

Dr. Howard W. Grant is President/CEO of FACAA, which has served more than one million residents through social services, advocacy, and community education. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Governmental & External Affairs and Human Development at Atlanta Housing, and as Executive Director of the Atlanta Board of Education for 15 years. A scholar-practitioner in urban policy, governance, and administration, he has taught at Atlanta Metropolitan College and Clark Atlanta University, and holds doctorate and master's degrees from Clark Atlanta and a bachelor's from Morehouse. His specializations are governmental and community affairs, international relations, urban planning, and public administration, with a career-long emphasis on equity in public planning. He is a native of Brooklyn, NY and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.