Board of Directors

Our Working Board

All community action agencies (CAA) are governed by a tri-partite Board of Directors, meaning 1/3 must consist of elected public officials or their representatives, not less than 1/3 of members must be chosen democratically and represent low-income individuals/families, and the remaining 1/3 of members must represent the community (business, labor, industry, religious, law enforcement, education, other major groups, and interests).  CAA boards are governing boards which means the board of directors is the community action agency and is legally responsible for its actions.  The board provides oversight and sets policy, while the Executive Director and the employees of STEP perform the day-to-day operations. STEP board members are all volunteers.

The STEP Board of Directors utilizes its committees to carry out the functions and operations of the board.  STEP has eight committees.  They are the:  Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Planning & Evaluation Committee, Fundraising Committee, Audit Committee, Personnel Committee and Property and Safety Committee. The STEP Board of Directors meets monthly, usually on the third Thursday of the month.  These meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. 

The STEP board of directors works very closely with the Head Start policy council, fulfilling the Head Start Performance Standards requiring that certain governance functions be shared jointly by the STEP board of directors and the Head Start policy council.

2024 – 2025 Board of Directors

  • Angela Phillips
    • Director, FC Family Resource Center
  • Douglas Perry
    • Deputy, Patrick County Sheriffs Office
  • Cooper Brown
    • Commonwealth’s Attorney
  • Sherri Perez
    • Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Virginia Department of Corrections
  • Michael Ferguson
    • Food Services Director, Ferrum College
  • Rita Murphy
    • Educator, Retired
  • Patti O’Neal
    • Day Care Provider, Retired
  • Betty Kingery
    • Re/Max Mountain to Lake Realty, Owner
  • Heather Kesterson
    • Program Manager, Franklin County Children’s Services Act
  • Michael Smith
    • Farm Equipment Sales/Contractor
  • Ami DeCaprio
    • FAPT & MHI Specialist, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health
  • Renee McAdams
    • Parent Representative, Head Start Policy Council
  • Hannah Woods
    • Assistant VP/Branch Manager, Carter Bank & Trust
  • Ben Mullins
    • Educator & Rocky Mount Council Member