Staff

	Darrell Allison, President Darrell brings significant experience to PEFNC where he previously worked in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and served as a national coalition co-director on Capitol Hill leading a successful grassroots lobbying effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a board member of multiple innovative non-profit organizations, Darrell has provided assistance, training and overall development to nearly 350 non-profit and community-based organizations in the southeast region of the country specializing in the areas of developing and building strong community collaborations, legislative advocacy and fundraising. Mr. Allison is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University.
	Alexander Crafts, State Outreach Director Alex brings significant experience to PEFNC with a background in research and outreach. Prior to PEFNC, Alex worked with a Washington DC-based think tank working directly with state-based grassroots organizations throughout the country. While in college, Alex interned at the Fox News Networks and the Emmy-award winning Hedrick Smith Productions. He is a graduate of the St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor's degree in Journalism & Mass Communications.
	Traci Brown, Director of Communications Traci has substantial experience in education and communications. She has managed a newspaper division and worked in the fields of advertising and legal administration. Traci graduated cum laude from Meredith College with a B.A. in English and certification to teach grades 9-12. As a former educator and North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Traci continues to take great interest in improving education in our state through fundamental reform.
	Jill Burke, Special Projects Manager Jill has ten plus years in the technology services industry working for EDS, serving as a Technical Leader for the Department of Defense for four of those years. She was a core member of a Quality Assurance team responsible for internal audits to ensure accurate adherences to documented procedures. She also served as Team Leader for a customer service call center contracted by AT&T. Jill is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B. S. in Business Administration; major in Accounting and minor in Economics.

Board of Directors

	Rene M. Jones, Chairman Rene is the founder and CEO of Wingspan, Inc., a tax-exempt public charity in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Wingspan also offers a tutoring service to help children in reading and math, provides educational scholarships and educates parents about emerging trends and initiatives regarding parental choice. Ms. Jones received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and a masters degree in education from Oral Roberts University. She is a former elementary and middle school teacher and principal. Ms. Jones is also an education consultant for Mastermind Prep, a state-certified supplemental education service that provides educational options for parents and their children.
	Linda Reich, Secretary Linda is a Registered Nurse and has attained her degree from Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing and Franklin and Marshall College. She has managed and owned retail shoe stores and worked in the pharmaceutical industry. She is presently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary. Linda serves in the following roles: Call to Courage Ministry Board, Volunteer Charlotte Rescue Mission, Volunteer Board of Directors, Agape Parents Fellowship (Children with Disabilities), Pontiac Rescue Mission, Motivational Speaker, and Fundraiser for Buffalo City Rescue Mission. Linda is married and has three children.
	A. John Bryson, Treasurer John is a career banker who has worked twenty-nine years in the banking industry with Wachovia and RBC Centura. Currently coordinates RBC Centura Banks community development lending activity for their five state footprint. John has served and currently serves as a board member and in an advisory council position for several local and state-wide organizations, including North Carolina Housing Coalition, Durham Community Land Trustees, Inc., Minority Business Consulting Program at Duke Fuqua School of Business, Community Affordable Housing Corporation (CAHEC), Dispute Settlement Center of Durham, Child and Parent Support Services, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Good Works, and Durham Companions. John and his wife have owned and operated Bryson Christian Montessori Schools, Inc. for the past 18 years, a multicultural private school dedicated to educating children from all social backgrounds. John graduated with a degree in business from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC.
	Cecilia Ramirez, Board Member Cecilia has thirty years of knowledge managing the finances of small to medium sized companies culminating in her current position as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NOVA Digital Systems, Inc., in Charlotte, NC. She also serves as Vice President of Operations for the Caribbean and Latin America. Cecilia serves on many civic and professional boards such as Vice Chair of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and was recently elected the next Chair of the Chamber which begins June 2007; Children Scholarship Fund (Charlotte) – Board member; Society of American Military Engineers-Member; Mayor's International Cabinet – Executive Member; Latin American Women's Association of Charlotte – Past President Latin American Council-Charlotte. Cecilia holds degrees from Innca University, Bogota, Colombia, Gran Colombia University, Bogota, Colombia and the University of North Carolina Charlotte.