Our Team
Our Operations team also supports the staff of our two affiliates, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust & Kentucky Policy, and our fiscal sponsorships.

Alexandria Knipp
Client Success Coordinator

Alexandria Knipp
Client Success Coordinator

Ariel Fugate
Communications Manager

Ariel Fugate
Communications Manager

Betsy Whaley
Director of Strategic Initiatives

Betsy Whaley
Director of Strategic Initiatives

Cameron Mott
Energy Associate

Cameron Mott
Energy Associate

Carrie Ray
Director of Energy Programs

Carrie Ray
Director of Energy Programs

Chris Woolery
Energy Projects Coordinator

Chris Woolery
Energy Projects Coordinator

Christa Stiner
Accounting Manager

Christa Stiner
Accounting Manager

Corey Sparkman
Technology Associate

Corey Sparkman
Technology Associate

Dayzaughn Graves
Business Support Associate

Dayzaughn Graves
Business Support Associate

Debbie Reardon
Loan Fund Administrator

Debbie Reardon
Loan Fund Administrator

Elizabeth Almanza
Staff Accountant

Elizabeth Almanza
Staff Accountant
[she, her]
Elizabeth Almanza joined the Mountain Association in October 2021. She grew up in Richmond, Kentucky, and graduated from Berea College in 2018. She holds a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. While at Berea College, she participated in the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs which offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Elizabeth has worked as Financial Advisor for White House Clinics, and most recently worked for Eastern Kentucky University as a Student Accounting Services Supervisor. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her partner and daughter.
Emily LaDouceur
Business Support Specialist

Emily LaDouceur
Business Support Specialist

Hope Broecker
Energy Associate

Hope Broecker
Energy Associate

Jason Coomes
Chief Operating Officer

Jason Coomes
Chief Operating Officer

Jeni Meyer
Lending Specialist

Jeni Meyer
Lending Specialist

Jennifer Martin
Lending Specialist

Jennifer Martin
Lending Specialist
[she, her]
Jennifer joined the Lending Team in August 2022 with nearly 10 years of experience in mortgage lending and title work. She previously worked at a small title company and at local community banks. Since graduating from Morehead State University in 2007, she has always hoped to work for a nonprofit like Mountain Association. Jennifer is passionate about chronic health issues, mental health advocacy, and women’s issues. She loves Thai/Indian/Cajun dining, all things coffee, but most of all mom’s home cooking. A lifelong resident of Winchester, Kentucky, Jennifer enjoys a comfy life at home with her 13 year old cat, Max, spending time with her amazing partner, relaxing, and meeting up with friends. Jennifer's favorite spot in Eastern Kentucky is sitting with her parents on their front porch at their home in London.
Jimmy Owsley
Business Support Specialist

Jimmy Owsley
Business Support Specialist

Joe Sheehan
Data & Technology Manager

Joe Sheehan
Data & Technology Manager

José Socarras Ramos
Development Associate

José Socarras Ramos
Development Associate
[he, him]
José Socarras Ramos joined the Mountain Association in September of 2021 as a Development Associate. In his role he works to research grants, contribute to proposals, and support overall fundraising efforts for the organization. José is a change-maker with experience in socially driven work as the Communications Associate and Program Manager for Entrepreneurship for the Public Good at Berea College. He is a graduate of Berea College and holds a degree in Studio Art. José is an Entrepreneurship for the Public Good Fellow, as well. He enjoys hiking Berea's Pinnacles, eating at local food spots, and going to farmers markets. José’s favorite place to visit in Eastern Kentucky is Natural Bridge State Park for its breathtaking views.
Josh Bills
Senior Energy Analyst

Josh Bills
Senior Energy Analyst

Kacie Zechman
Chief Financial Officer

Kacie Zechman
Chief Financial Officer
[she, her]
Kacie joined the Mountain Association in 2019, having recently moved to Kentucky from Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Public Accountant with 10 years of experience in governmental and nonprofit accounting. Kacie is responsible for the Mountain Association’s financial planning, risk management and financial accountability, while also overseeing the administrative and collection sides of our lending program. At home Kacie enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons and growing their goat ranch. Kacie's favorite thing to do in Eastern Kentucky is grabbing a bite at the Back Porch Smokehouse while overlooking or boating on Lake Linville.
Ketaki Bhattacharyya
Director of Business Support Services

Ketaki Bhattacharyya
Director of Business Support Services
[she, her]
Ketaki joined the Mountain Association in 2015 and directs the Business Support Program, which works to connect small businesses and nonprofits with experts to help them grow their impact. The expert services can range from QuickBooks training to strategic planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Warren Wilson College focusing on Social Ecology and a Master of Health Sciences degree focusing on Behavior and Community Intervention from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Ketaki has centered her career on supporting low-income people and directly-impacted communities around the world. She has worked on international projects with Save the Children, John Snow, Inc., and Johns Hopkins University in the areas of finance, operations, and communications. She currently serves on the board for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. Ketaki's favorite spot in Eastern Kentucky is Creech Overlook in Kingdom Come State Park.
Kortney Hendrix
Lending Specialist

Kortney Hendrix
Lending Specialist

Les Roll
Special Projects Manager

Les Roll
Special Projects Manager

Leslie Ferguson-Oles
Chief Advancement Officer

Leslie Ferguson-Oles
Chief Advancement Officer
[she, her]
Leslie serves as the Chief Advancement Officer for the Mountain Association, working across the organization to ensure our funding, communications, and policy work aligns with and advances the organization’s strategic goals. She started at the Mountain Association in 2016 as a Research Associate, tasked with studying economic trends and opportunities in Eastern Kentucky in order to develop and implement strategic projects for the organization. Talk to her anytime about community wealth building strategies or sustainable tourism. Leslie holds a Master's in English Composition and Rhetoric from Western Carolina University and a Bachelor's in English-Writing from Berea College with a minor in Sustainability and Environmental Studies. Originally from Western North Carolina, Leslie is happy to call Berea home. Leslie's favorite activities in Eastern Kentucky are waterfall hikes in the Big South Fork, visits to the Pine Mountain Settlement school, and book browsing at the Fuzzy Duck in Morehead.
Peter Hille
President

Peter Hille
President

Regina Becknell
Lending Analyst


Rhonda Stapleton
Executive Assistant

Rhonda Stapleton
Executive Assistant

Robert Allen
Director of Lending

Robert Allen
Director of Lending

Toni Wells
Human Resources Manager

Toni Wells
Human Resources Manager

Yvonne Burchett
Lending Associate

Yvonne Burchett
Lending Associate

Zuojay Johnson
Organizational Development Manager

Zuojay Johnson
Organizational Development Manager