Senior Leadership
Cellie Scoggin
Co-Founder
Christ Follower, Family Focused, Purposefully Driven, Motivated to Empower Others
Chuck Poer
Co-Founder
Original, Caring, Creative, Expressive and Flexible
Jennifer Weeks
Vice President of Educational Services
Growing, Grateful, Goal-oriented
Kristie Ezzell
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Passionate about Education and Kids, Multitasker, Boy Momma, Family Oriented, HGTV Junkie
Sales and Marketing Leadership
Shannon Uptain
Director of Sales, AL Division
Resourceful, Analytical, Traveler, Life-long learner, Converted lover of Broadway musicals
Sue Anne Boatman
Director of Sales, MS Division
Spreader of Kindness, Motivational Networker, Christ-Centered, Family-Focused, Fashionista!
Norma Gerrell
Norma Gerrell Director of Sales, TN Division
Principled leader, Practical academic "pracademic", Christ-centered, Family Focused, Doodle Mom to Molly & Max
Sales and Marketing Specialists
Cassandra Williams
Major Accounts Specialist
Organized, Analytical Multi-Tasker who Loves Shoes and Watching Westerns
Jared Myracle
State Departments’ Partnership Director
Student-Focused Leader, Mountain Climber, Girl Dad
Reeda Betts
Regional Partnership Specialist
Problem Solver, Word Nerd, Distance Runner, Reader, Seinfeld Fanatic
Katy Boyd
Regional Partnership Specialist
Math minded motivator, fitness instructor, mother of boys, sunshine seeking bird lover
Phyllis Hicks
Regional Partnership Specialist
Avid Competitor, Passionate Educator, Nerdy athlete, Completely devoted to faith and family
Stephanie Allen
Area Sales
Ambitious, Analytical thinker, World traveler, Dedicated mother, Lover of murder mystery shows
Misty Hanna
Area Sales
Highly Motivated, Detail Oriented, Loves Jesus, Family Focused, Girl Mom, SMTTT, Traveler
Mary Ruth Wright
Area Sales
Honest Advocate for ALL students, Family Oriented, MSU loving dog and horse fanatic
Academic Leadership
Renee Carter
Director of Educational Services, AL Division
inspiring, committed, family centered, morally driven, rodeo enthusiast, all things BAMA!
Kat Bir
Director of Educational Services, AR Division
Spreadsheet obsessed, Christian, Wife and Mom, Avid shopper
Marvin Lishman
Director of Educational Services, Independent Schools
Focused, Life-Long Learner, Pop to AW and Gaines, MSU Bulldog Fan, Lover of High School Sports
Shawnese Herrington
Director of Educational Services, MS Division
Ambitious, Passionate Educator, Family-Oriented, Beach Bum, Lover of Shoes and Handbags
Carol Smith
Chief Academic Officer, TN Division
Intentional, purposeful educator, Faith, family, friends, Love traditions, mysteries, and MSU Bulldogs
Academic Specialists
Amber Palmer
Math Content Manager
World Traveler, Trivia Fanatic, Organization and Label Lover
Michele Parker
English/Language Arts Content Manager
Resilient and intentional, traveler, family-focused
Kayla Calcote
Project Support Specialist
Thoroughly Meticulous, Family Obsessed, Sudoku Puzzler
Rachel Wooten
Area Coordinator
Organization wizard, reader of westerns, writer of all the feels, ice cream connoisseur, goat and chicken mama
Cynthia Gabbert
Area Coordinator
Goal oriented, creative problem solver, compassionate educator; Avid traveler, soccer aficionado, devoted wife and mother of two; Food and coffee lover, HGTV junkie, and music enthusiast
Penny Allen
Content Specialist
Energetic educator, Doting mother, Master trout fisherman
Natalie Breithaupt
Content Specialist
Enthusiastic Collaborator, Dedicated Aunt, Random Fact Fanatic
Stephanie Brewer
Content Specialist
Energetic, Fiercely Positive, People Lover
Ebonee Brown
Content Specialist
Passionate educator, Christ follower, family-oriented, fashion fanatic, movie lover, seafood lover, boy mom
Jamie Burton
Content Specialist
Heart-centered leader, lifelong learner, EdTech enthusiast, podcast fanatic, board game buff
Karen Carr
Content Specialist
Enthusiastic motivator, hopeful encourager, grower of vegetables, quilt-maker, lover of all things Auburn Tigers!
Tamara Cerrito
Content Specialist
Encouraging educator, Family-focused, Lover of lists and cooking
Tiffani Chandler
Content Specialist
Family-Focused, Motivated and Purpose-Driven, Bug-Hating Nature Lover
Becca Chism
Content Specialist
Schedule Follower, Dedicated to Family, Nature Lover, Baker, & Competitive!
Lisa Comer
Content Specialist
Analytical Problem Solver, Goal-Oriented Strategic Planner, Family-Oriented, Christ Follower, Exuberant Christmas Lover, Avid Beach Explorer
Carl Michael Day
Content Specialist
Intentional Altruist, International Voyager, Professional Biscuit Maker
Lynn Faulk
Content Specialist
Dedicated, Goal-Oriented, Nature-Lover, Nostalgic Videographer
Melissa Fayard
Content Specialist
Compassionate Collaborator, Enthusiastic Educator, Devoted to Jesus, Dedicated Mom and Wife, Lover of all things Mississippi State, Great Dane Momma
Jessica Flynt
Content Specialist
Driven, problem-solver, Jesus follower, wife/mom, addicted to black coffee, & terrified of heights
Adrienne Graham
Content Specialist
Resource Sharer, Binge Watcher, Lover of Football
Donna Harper
Content Specialist
Organized, Punctual, Avid Reader, World Traveler, Grandmother, Lover of all things Purple!
Mark Head
Content Specialist
Fiercely Dedicated, Family first; extremely loyal; Pop Culture Expert, Obsessive Prince fan
Aaron Hightower
Content Specialist
Personable, Motivator, Believer in Servanthood, Very Family Oriented, Avid Pickleball Player
Riki Jackson
Content Specialist
Goal-oriented, Student-centered, Family-focused, Asian food obsessed, Lake girl
Corey Kelly
Content Specialist
Consistent, Compassionate, Courageous, Kelly-Clan Centered, Dallas Cowboys Fan
Cindy Klages
Content Specialist
Christian, lifelong learner, research nerd, wife and mom, lover of chocolate and coffee, beach goer
Katie McDonald
Content Specialist
Empowering others, Motivational leader, Christ follower, Girl mom, Avid Bulldog fan!
Gabe McPhearson
Content Specialist
Versatile, Christian, Family Oriented, Outdoor Enthusiast, Cuisine Connoisseur, Information Junkie
Gidget Morton
Content Specialist
Data Driven, Forgiven, Family Vacation Coordinator
Jennifer Murrell
Content Specialist
Goal Oriented, Intentional Educator, Christian, Wife, and busy Mom of 3, Arkansas Club Volleyball Coach, Fashion Lover
Shanna Nesser
Content Specialist
Effective Communicator, Strong Critical Thinker, Indoor Cycling Enthusiast, Devoted Mama, Loves to Binge Watch Twilight Series
LeDonnis Norwood
Content Specialist
Reflective leader, versatile, family-oriented, lover of God, Dallas Cowboys fanatic
Lenora Patterson
Content Specialist
Curious and reflective leader, Proud mom, Avid reader
Tobie Pillstrom
Content Specialist
Optimistic, Baseball mom, Jeopardy fanatic
Jamie Rowland
Content Specialist
extremely organized, super meticulous, hesitant hiker, faithful walker, hot yoga fanatic
Denese Sutton
Content Specialist
Focused and supportive team builder, Christian wife, doting mother, and the best Nana around! Loves Atlanta Braves and playing softball
Andi Terry
Content Specialist
Big picture, goal driven
Avid reader
Live life at the Lake.
Shemeka Ware
Content Specialist
Consummate Problem-solver, Kingdom Focused, Performing Arts lover
Casey Wilberding
Content Specialist
Wife, Mother, Beach Lover, Shopper, Christmas Obsessed, Seminole Fan, Loves to Help People Grow
Shondra Whitaker
Content Specialist
Creative collaborator, obsessive organizer, faithful Jesus follower, family-oriented, barre enthusiast, true crime junkie
Research, Development, and Publication
Nicole Cooley
Research, Development, & Publication Manager
Avid Reader, Deep-Sea Fisher, Visual Learner
Dori Hansen
RFP Manager
A tireless and passionate educator, wife, mother, and proud Grammy of 3, Gardener, expert shopper, dedicated Golden Eagle
Operations Specialists
Patrick Scoggin
Director of Operations
Christian, Husband, Father, Runner, Outdoorsman
Randi Fortenberry
Accounting Manager
Ambitious Dreamer, Motivational Leader, Lover of God, Family, and Travel
Cory Sanders
Accounting Associate
Detail oriented, Family focused, Baseball/dirt bike dad, camper, boater"Operations Specialists
Penny Broom
Human Resources Manager
Extremely organized, Self-motivated, Christian, Creative, Foodie!
Erin Scoggin
Digital Media Manager
Christ-Centered, Tenacious, Family-Focused, Devoted Wife and Mother"Operations Specialists
Names have power! Names tell a story!! Our name, Kids First, has power, because it speaks to our purpose… Our heart… Kids First comes with our stories, our experiences, and our history of improving learning and outcomes for kids!
Chuck Poer, Co-Founder
70+
Employees
500+
Contractors
800+
High-Impact Projects in Public and Independent Schools
20+
High-Impact Projects already awarded for 25’-26’
10+
High-Impact Project already awarded for 26’-27’ and 27’-28’