Meet the Clinch-Powell Team! To best serve our customers and communities, we use full-time and part-time employment, AppalachiaCARES / AmeriCorps members, community volunteers, and contracted services at any given time to carry out the programs of the organization.
Lindy played a central role in the formation of CP back in 1989 and served in a partnership role as a USDA representative until she retired from the federal government and accepted the position of Executive Director in 2011. She is responsible for leading the organization in pursuit of our mission and overseeing the effectiveness and operations and relations with the Board of Directors.
Sara has worked with CP since 1996. She began as our independent auditor but became our financial manager in 2003 before moving up to Financial Officer in 2017. Sara is a licensed CPA in the state of Tennessee and has a degree in Business Administration from Transylvania University.
Laura has been involved with Clinch-Powell since 2002 when she served as an AmeriCorps member. She began at Clinch-Powell full time in 2017 as Financial Manager after 5 years of non-profit experience in Georgia. Laura holds a degree in Business Administration from King University, has training in Federal Financial Grant Management, and is responsible for the accounting operations and financial grant reporting for the organization.
appalachiacares@clinchpowell.net
Trenna served 2 terms with the Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps program at Clinch-Powell before joining the staff as the Program Director in 1997. She directs this large statewide program in partnership with a network of community based organizations as well as the recruitment and oversight of members.
Stephani has been involved with CP since 2005, full-time since 2010. An Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps alum herself, she now assists with the management of the program. She has a B.A. in Visual Communication from Maryville College and manages branding and graphic design for CP.
Valerie serves as Construction Coordinator and Team Leader with the Construction Crew. She oversees and coordinates new construction, home repair, acquisition and rehab projects.
Jeff served as an Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps member for four years before becoming a volunteer project manager. He joined the staff in 2021 as a member of the Construction Crew in property management and rental.
Jeffery has been a part of CP since 2008 when he served two Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps terms. He became a full-time employee in 2010 as the assistant manager of River Place on the Clinch. He now works full time with the Construction Crew focusing on new construction, home repair and rehab. He has a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from LMU.
Jay is an AppalachiaCARES AmeriCorps member serving his second term of service. He serves on our property management and construction crew.
Gary Karge joined our team in 2023 as an Appalachia CARES AmeriCorps member focused on energy savings and home modifications/home repair education and outreach in our Upper Cumberland territory.
Suzie has been with CP since 2008 when she came “home” after living out West for 28 years. She served two terms as an Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps member and became a full time CP employee in 2011. She holds housing certifications in Homeownership Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Pre-Purchase Education, and Post-Purchase Education.
Elizabeth has been with CP since 2012 when she served her first Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps term. She served four terms before becoming a full time employee in 2016. In addition to community outreach, she is the primary High-Cost Mortgage counselor. She graduated from LMU in 2012 with a B.S.S.W. and holds housing certifications in Foreclosure Prevention Counseling and Pre-Purchase Education.
Tina Layman joined the Clinch-Powell team as an intake specialist for home repair in 2024 after completing two terms as an Appalachia CARES/AmeriCorps member since 2022. She is originally from Jenkins, KY, but has been a Grainger County resident for 26 years. She is active in the community and serves on the Grainger County Health Council. Contact Tina for information on our home repair programs and for help with applications.
Stace Karge is a USDA Certified loan packager, and housing loan specialist. Stace came to Clinch Powell in June of 2022, and is one of the top loan packagers in the nation.
Stace holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Strategic Leadership from Tennessee Tech (Wings UP!) and is in the process of obtaining her Doctorate from the University of the Cumberlands.
Samantha has been with CP since 2019 as a student intern from Lincoln Memorial University and Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps member. She graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in 2020 with her Bachelors of Science in Social Work (BSSW). She is the intake specialist and primary data manager for the Loan Services Team and the Lakeway Financial Opportunity Center.
rlambert@tnc.org
Ronald has been involved with CP since 1993. Upon graduating from LMU with a B.S. in Environmental Science in 1996, Ronald was hired full time as a joint employee of CP and the Nature Conservancy. He currently oversees agricultural conservation issues for the Clinch and Powell Rivers from VA to the Norris Lake Headwaters in TN.
Aslan joined Clinch-Powell in September 2023 as an ApalachiaCARES AmeriCorps Member. A graduate of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology with a diploma in Graphic Design, Aslan specializes in social media marketing, graphic design, and coordinating outreach events to help spread awareness of Clinch-Powell’s mission.
Tennessee has been with Clinch-Powell since 2001 when he served as an Appalachia CARES / AmeriCorps member before becoming an employee in 2012. He developed, maintains, and manages the websites of all Clinch-Powell programs and maintains our IT networks. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from ETSU.
Sierra Finley joined Clinch-Powell in January 2025 as a Master’s Level Social Work Intern. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from ETUS and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. With seven years of experience in case management and over two years in mental health counseling. Sierra brings valuable expertise in supporting individuals and families. Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and making memories with her family.
