Founders
Cellie Scoggin
Co-Founder
Christ Follower, Family Focused, Purposefully Driven, Motivated to Empower Others
Chuck Poer
Co-Founder
Original, Caring, Creative, Expressive and Flexible
Senior Leadership
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
Patrick Scoggin
Vice President of Operations
Christian, Husband, Father, Runner, Outdoorsman
State Initiatives and Comprehensive Support
Jared Myracle
Regional Executive Director of State Initiatives & Comprehensive Support
Student-Focused Leader, Mountain Climber, Girl Dad
Dori Hansen
RFP Manager
A tireless and passionate educator, wife, mother, and proud Grammy of 3, Gardener, expert shopper, dedicated Golden Eagle
Ken Byars
Accountability Manager
Hard Working, Servant Leader, Quiet Sports Junkie
Shannon Fleming
Mental Health Manager
Relationally Collaborative Problem Solver and Counselor; Christian Wife and Mother; Avid Science Fiction Reader
Sales and Marketing
Phyllis Hicks
Executive Director of Sales
Avid Competitor, Passionate Educator, Nerdy athlete, Completely devoted to faith and family
Sue Anne Boatman
Executive Director of Field Marketing and Partnerships
Spreader of Kindness, Motivational Networker, Christ-Centered, Family-Focused, Fashionista!
Erin Scoggin
Director of Marketing Operations and Digital Strategy
Redeemed, runner, wife, mom of both, thankful for the beauty in everyday moments
Shannon Uptain
Regional Sales Coordinator
Resourceful, Analytical, Traveler, Life-long learner, Converted lover of Broadway musicals
Cassandra Williams
Major Accounts Specialist
Organized, Analytical Multi-Tasker who Loves Shoes and Watching Westerns
Renee Carter
Major Accounts Specialist
inspiring, committed, family centered, morally driven, rodeo enthusiast, all things BAMA!
Kimberly Britton
Major Accounts Specialist
Solution-oriented, Avid reader, Murder mystery lover!
Reeda Betts
Regional Partnership Specialist
Problem Solver, Word Nerd, Distance Runner, Reader, Seinfeld Fanatic
Stephanie Allen Edwards
Regional Partnership Specialist
Ambitious, Analytical thinker, World traveler, Dedicated mother, Lover of murder mystery shows
Mark Head
Area Sales
Fiercely Dedicated, Family first, Pop Culture Expert, Obsessive Prince fan
Misty Hanna
Area Sales
Highly Motivated, Detail Oriented, Loves Jesus, Family Focused, Girl Mom, SMTTT, Traveler
Jennifer Warhurst
Area Sales
Seasoned Educator, Forward-Thinker, Blessed Mother & Grandmother, Saved by Grace, Avid Water Skier
Mary Ruth Wright
Area Sales
Honest Advocate for ALL students, Family Oriented, MSU loving dog and horse fanatic
Academic Leadership
Shawnese Herrington
Regional Executive Director of Educational Services
Ambitious, Passionate Educator, Family-Oriented, Beach Bum, Lover of Shoes and Handbags
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
Tamara Cerrito
Regional Area Coordinator
Encouraging educator, Family-focused, Lover of lists and cooking
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
Karen Carr
Area Coordinator
Enthusiastic motivator, hopeful encourager, grower of vegetables, quilt-maker, lover of all things Auburn Tigers!
Shondra Whitaker
Area Coordinator
Creative collaborator, obsessive organizer, faithful Jesus follower, family-oriented, barre enthusiast, true crime junkie
Academic Specialists
Kayla Calcote
Project Support Specialist
Thoroughly Meticulous, Family Obsessed, Sudoku Puzzler
Michele Parker
English/Language Arts Content Manager
Resilient and intentional, traveler, family-focused
Amber Palmer
Math Content Manager
World Traveler, Trivia Fanatic, Organization and Label Lover
Nicole Cooley
Content Specialist
Avid Reader, Deep-Sea Fisher, Visual Learner
Carol Smith
Content Specialist
Intentional, purposeful educator, Faith, family, friends, Love traditions, mysteries, and MSU Bulldogs
Norma Gerrell
Content Specialist
Principled leader, Practical academic "pracademic", Christ-centered, Family Focused, Doodle Mom to Molly & Max
Penny Allen
Content Specialist
Energetic educator, Doting mother, Master trout fisherman
Michael South
Content Specialist
Hope-centered realist, obsessively punctual, people-builder, Jesus follower, wellness-focused, and coffee-powered
Natalie Breithaupt
Content Specialist
Enthusiastic Collaborator, Dedicated Aunt, Random Fact Fanatic
Rachael Ross
Content Specialist
Empathetic leader, optimistic teammate, Mom of two, Wannabe tennis pro
Katy Boyd
Content Specialist
Math minded motivator, fitness instructor, mother of boys, sunshine seeking bird lover
Stephanie Brewer
Content Specialist
Energetic, Fiercely Positive, People Lover
Leigh Ann McLaughlin
Content Specialist
Empowering collaborator, early learning advocate, lifetime learner, music lover, and boy mom
Erika Clark
Content Specialist
Leads with purpose, Family first, Thrift-store junkie
La'Kesha Banks
Content Specialist
Passionate Educator, Data-Driven, Loving Mother and Wife, Christ-centered
Jamie Burton
Content Specialist
Heart-centered leader, lifelong learner, EdTech enthusiast, podcast fanatic, board game buff
Andy Dotson
Content Specialist
Papaw , Faith, Family, Blessed!
Jerry Collins
Content Specialist
Goal-oriented, passionate about education, sports enthusiast, and world traveler
Tiffani Chandler
Content Specialist
Family-Focused, Motivated and Purpose-Driven, Bug-Hating Nature Lover
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
Lillian Johnson
Content Specialist
Dependable team-player, Enthusiastic self-starter, Purpose-driven, Kingdom Worker, Boy mom
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!
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!
Gidget Morton
Content Specialist
Data Driven, Forgiven, Family Vacation Coordinator
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
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
Shea Wallace
Content Specialist
Extremely resourceful; believer in orderly chaos
Travel guru; dedicated wife and mother
Fan of first responder drama series
Maddy Barker
Content Specialist
Loves a challenge; Mom, wife, reader, hiker; Yoga instructor
Operations Specialists
Randi Fortenberry
Accounting Manager
Ambitious Dreamer, Motivational Leader, Lover of God, Family, and Travel
Penny Broom
Human Resources Manager
Extremely organized, Self-motivated, Christian, Creative, Foodie!
Cory Sanders
Accounting Associate
Detail oriented, Family focused, Baseball/dirt bike dad, camper, boater
Hope Morgan
Support Services Associate
Goal-Oriented, Dependable Team Player, Follower of Jesus, Wife and Tough Boy Mom, Lives off of Pizza and chocolate
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’