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Team Members

OUR STAFF ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO BELIEVE IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN BLOUNT COUNTY.

We’re a collection of like-minded, community members who believe everyone deserves a place to stay, to live, and to call their home. Through our collective resources, abilities, and connections, we’re partnering to address the problem of homelessness in Blount County.

Team Members

OUR STAFF ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO BELIEVE IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN BLOUNT COUNTY.

We’re a collection of like-minded, community members who believe everyone deserves a place to stay, to live, and to call their home. Through our collective resources, abilities, and connections, we’re partnering to address the problem of homelessness in Blount County.

Mandy Proffitt

Executive Director

Mandy is a native of Blount County and a graduate of William Blount High School. She received her bachelor’s in business administration from King University, bachelor’s in social work and Master of Science in Human Services from East Tennessee State University. A proud AmeriCorps alumni, she served as a program coordinator of a career readiness program for S.E.E.E.D (Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development) in East Knoxville for one year and was hired full time upon the end of her service year. Mandy has worked with individuals with disabilities, mental and physical, before joining workforce services under the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) where she assisted individuals experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. She is part of Leadership Blount Class of 2025, Best Class Ever! For fun, Mandy loves hanging with “hubs”, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-babies, Nikka and Poe, in tow. Mandy lives and serves by her favorite quote, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mandy Proffitt

Executive Director

Mandy is a native of Blount County and a graduate of William Blount High School. She received her bachelor’s in business administration from King University, bachelor’s in social work and Master of Science in Human Services from East Tennessee State University. A proud AmeriCorps alumni, she served as a program coordinator of a career readiness program for S.E.E.E.D (Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development) in East Knoxville for one year and was hired full time upon the end of her service year. Mandy has worked with individuals with disabilities, mental and physical, before joining workforce services under the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) where she assisted individuals experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. She is part of Leadership Blount Class of 2025, Best Class Ever! For fun, Mandy loves hanging with “hubs”, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-babies, Nikka and Poe, in tow. Mandy lives and serves by her favorite quote, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mandy Proffitt

Executive Director

Mandy is a native of Blount County and a graduate of William Blount High School. She received her bachelor’s in business administration from King University, bachelor’s in social work and Master of Science in Human Services from East Tennessee State University. A proud AmeriCorps alumni, she served as a program coordinator of a career readiness program for S.E.E.E.D (Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development) in East Knoxville for one year and was hired full time upon the end of her service year. Mandy has worked with individuals with disabilities, mental and physical, before joining workforce services under the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) where she assisted individuals experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act. She is part of Leadership Blount Class of 2025, Best Class Ever! For fun, Mandy loves hanging with “hubs”, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-babies, Nikka and Poe, in tow. Mandy lives and serves by her favorite quote, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Kaitlyn Elliot

Housing Stability Manager

Kaitlyn is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been with us for 2 years. Her background was originally in the medical field, where she graduated from Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Kaitlyn has also served two terms for AmeriCorps, where she gained administrative insight as well as Care Coordination while working closely with our neighbors. She came to A Place to Stay in 2021 after she graduated and has been with us since. Kaitlyn is originally from Loudon, TN (or the “boonies” as she calls it) and enjoys the quiet country life. Kaitlyn’s main purpose in life is to help others and let her light shine to those in darkness, as well as live life joyfully. Kaitlyn spends her free time with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, “Silas” the aussiedoodle and “Cricket” the yorkie. They both enjoy traveling on the weekends or snuggling up for movie nights with their families. Kaitlyn loves to be surrounded by her closest friends and family. She also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!

Kaitlyn Elliot

Housing Stability Manager

Kaitlyn is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been with us for 2 years. Her background was originally in the medical field, where she graduated from Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Kaitlyn has also served two terms for AmeriCorps, where she gained administrative insight as well as Care Coordination while working closely with our neighbors. She came to A Place to Stay in 2021 after she graduated and has been with us since. Kaitlyn is originally from Loudon, TN (or the “boonies” as she calls it) and enjoys the quiet country life. Kaitlyn’s main purpose in life is to help others and let her light shine to those in darkness, as well as live life joyfully. Kaitlyn spends her free time with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, “Silas” the aussiedoodle and “Cricket” the yorkie. They both enjoy traveling on the weekends or snuggling up for movie nights with their families. Kaitlyn loves to be surrounded by her closest friends and family. She also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!

Kaitlyn Elliot

Housing Stability Manager

Kaitlyn is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been with us for 2 years. Her background was originally in the medical field, where she graduated from Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Kaitlyn has also served two terms for AmeriCorps, where she gained administrative insight as well as Care Coordination while working closely with our neighbors. She came to A Place to Stay in 2021 after she graduated and has been with us since. Kaitlyn is originally from Loudon, TN (or the “boonies” as she calls it) and enjoys the quiet country life. Kaitlyn’s main purpose in life is to help others and let her light shine to those in darkness, as well as live life joyfully. Kaitlyn spends her free time with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, “Silas” the aussiedoodle and “Cricket” the yorkie. They both enjoy traveling on the weekends or snuggling up for movie nights with their families. Kaitlyn loves to be surrounded by her closest friends and family. She also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!

Cary Loud

SOS Event Coordinator

Cary is the SOS Event Coordinator. She is a native of Minnesota, raised her sons in Florida, and moved to Maryville in 1993, which she now calls “home”. She attended college at the University of MN-Duluth and the University of Central FL-Orlando. Although most of her years were a stay-at-home Mom, her professional background always revolved around customer service, secretarial skills, and direct sales. The skills she learned by working with the public have equipped her for the position she holds with A Place to Stay. After a divorce, Cary was misplaced and situationally homeless for four years. During this time, she was loved and supported by family and church friends. Looking to be self-sufficient, she built a Habitat for Humanity home with the support of many loving hands in Blount County, which gave her a peaceful home. The time of homelessness has given her a heart to help the homeless in any way she can. As the SOS Event Coordinator, she has found joy in seeing the needs of A Place to Stay’s Neighbors met as APTS partners with our many organizations. Cary’s free time is centered around her family. They are the love of her life! She is also involved in serving at Foothills Church where her spiritual gifts are utilized. Cary’s life verses are Ephesians 3:14-21. “….and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21.

Cary Loud

SOS Event Coordinator

Cary is the SOS Event Coordinator. She is a native of Minnesota, raised her sons in Florida, and moved to Maryville in 1993, which she now calls “home”. She attended college at the University of MN-Duluth and the University of Central FL-Orlando. Although most of her years were a stay-at-home Mom, her professional background always revolved around customer service, secretarial skills, and direct sales. The skills she learned by working with the public have equipped her for the position she holds with A Place to Stay. After a divorce, Cary was misplaced and situationally homeless for four years. During this time, she was loved and supported by family and church friends. Looking to be self-sufficient, she built a Habitat for Humanity home with the support of many loving hands in Blount County, which gave her a peaceful home. The time of homelessness has given her a heart to help the homeless in any way she can. As the SOS Event Coordinator, she has found joy in seeing the needs of A Place to Stay’s Neighbors met as APTS partners with our many organizations. Cary’s free time is centered around her family. They are the love of her life! She is also involved in serving at Foothills Church where her spiritual gifts are utilized. Cary’s life verses are Ephesians 3:14-21. “….and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21.

Cary Loud

SOS Event Coordinator

Cary is the SOS Event Coordinator. She is a native of Minnesota, raised her sons in Florida, and moved to Maryville in 1993, which she now calls “home”. She attended college at the University of MN-Duluth and the University of Central FL-Orlando. Although most of her years were a stay-at-home Mom, her professional background always revolved around customer service, secretarial skills, and direct sales. The skills she learned by working with the public have equipped her for the position she holds with A Place to Stay. After a divorce, Cary was misplaced and situationally homeless for four years. During this time, she was loved and supported by family and church friends. Looking to be self-sufficient, she built a Habitat for Humanity home with the support of many loving hands in Blount County, which gave her a peaceful home. The time of homelessness has given her a heart to help the homeless in any way she can. As the SOS Event Coordinator, she has found joy in seeing the needs of A Place to Stay’s Neighbors met as APTS partners with our many organizations. Cary’s free time is centered around her family. They are the love of her life! She is also involved in serving at Foothills Church where her spiritual gifts are utilized. Cary’s life verses are Ephesians 3:14-21. “….and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21.

Heather Mayhew

Community Outreach Manager

Heather is the Community Outreach Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been living in Maryville with her husband and 3 children since 2006 when they decided to leave Maryland and make East Tennessee their new home. She wanted to raise her family in a better atmosphere, with kind people and the Smokey Mountain atmosphere. She is a local artist taking on a new venture creating beautiful art and custom pour art, which she shows at local events. She has many hats she has worn to bring her to the present, including marketing, managing, completed customer service management training and personality handling, opening restaurants and auto shops. Heather feels her “save the world outlook” will help her to excel at A Place to Stay. All these experiences have brought her to this point, and she is so excited about her new adventure!

Heather Mayhew

Community Outreach Manager

Heather is the Community Outreach Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been living in Maryville with her husband and 3 children since 2006 when they decided to leave Maryland and make East Tennessee their new home. She wanted to raise her family in a better atmosphere, with kind people and the Smokey Mountain atmosphere. She is a local artist taking on a new venture creating beautiful art and custom pour art, which she shows at local events. She has many hats she has worn to bring her to the present, including marketing, managing, completed customer service management training and personality handling, opening restaurants and auto shops. Heather feels her “save the world outlook” will help her to excel at A Place to Stay. All these experiences have brought her to this point, and she is so excited about her new adventure!

Heather Mayhew

Community Outreach Manager

Heather is the Community Outreach Manager for A Place to Stay. She has been living in Maryville with her husband and 3 children since 2006 when they decided to leave Maryland and make East Tennessee their new home. She wanted to raise her family in a better atmosphere, with kind people and the Smokey Mountain atmosphere. She is a local artist taking on a new venture creating beautiful art and custom pour art, which she shows at local events. She has many hats she has worn to bring her to the present, including marketing, managing, completed customer service management training and personality handling, opening restaurants and auto shops. Heather feels her “save the world outlook” will help her to excel at A Place to Stay. All these experiences have brought her to this point, and she is so excited about her new adventure!

Marge Meredith

Community Resource Navigator

Marge is the Community Resource Navigator. She is that kind and compassionate voice on the other end of the line listening patiently to our neighbors’ needs and helping them navigate a labyrinth of services. After running her own business for many years and working various jobs, she retired and has been doing volunteer work in Blount County for the past 10 years. As the Navigator, Marge is delighted to be able to work with our partners and neighbors to help in homelessness in Blount county.

Marge Meredith

Community Resource Navigator

Marge is the Community Resource Navigator. She is that kind and compassionate voice on the other end of the line listening patiently to our neighbors’ needs and helping them navigate a labyrinth of services. After running her own business for many years and working various jobs, she retired and has been doing volunteer work in Blount County for the past 10 years. As the Navigator, Marge is delighted to be able to work with our partners and neighbors to help in homelessness in Blount county.

Marge Meredith

Community Resource Navigator

Marge is the Community Resource Navigator. She is that kind and compassionate voice on the other end of the line listening patiently to our neighbors’ needs and helping them navigate a labyrinth of services. After running her own business for many years and working various jobs, she retired and has been doing volunteer work in Blount County for the past 10 years. As the Navigator, Marge is delighted to be able to work with our partners and neighbors to help in homelessness in Blount county.

Abhilasha Ghosh

Maryville College Bonner Scholar

Abhilasha Ghosh

Maryville College Bonner Scholar

Abhilasha Ghosh

Maryville College Bonner Scholar

Our Board of Directors

Are Community Members Who Believe in Ending Homelessness in Blount County

Cindy is a Nurse Practitioner and Chief of Operations at Senior Care Partners of East Tennessee. She is also an Alzheimer's Tennessee volunteer. She enjoys gardening, cooking, yoga, and spending time with her husband and five kids.

Cindy Canfield

Treasurer

Dale came to Blount County with Denso 27 years ago where he is a Production and Plant Safety Manager. He and his wife have a daughter who is a freshman at Samford University majoring in nursing. Their son is a junior at Maryville Christian School. Dale has been involved with United Way for 26 years and has been Champion for 4 years. He has been a part-time fire fighter with Blount County for the past 17 years. His passion is serving others, and in his spare time he enjoys Dirt Therapy in his large vegetable garden.

Dale Cunningham

Amanda is a Senior Financial Advisor with Rather & Kittrell Wealth Management.  She grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, TX and met her husband Neil while working in Atlanta, GA, and in 2011, they moved to Maryville to raise their family near grandparents and extended family.  Amanda and Neil have two daughters, Grace & Amelia. Amanda is active with Junior Achievement of East Tennessee and her church Maryville Vineyard. Amanda stays busy following the girls’ activities in the Maryville city school bands (Grace), Blount United Soccer & Parks & Rec sports (Amelia) and walking/jogging the wonderful greenbelts when possible.

Amanda Howerton

Kevin Ross is co-owner of DeLozier Realty & Auction and McCarter Auction and has been helping his clients achieve their real estate goals for over 20 years. He holds a Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation, Certified Estate Specialist (CES) and Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) designations. Ross has also served as Chairman of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program. He enjoys giving back to the community by donating his auctioneering services to local charity events and Christian organizations as well as serving in numerous community non-profit organizations. He also served as the President of Family Promise Blount County. He is also on the board of Senior Citizens Home ASSISTANCE SERVICE, He is absolutely committed to providing his customers with the highest level of professionalism and expertise. He realizes that people do business with people they trust and he always looks out for the best interests of his clients and is committed to establishing a relationship based on trust.

Kevin Ross

Emma manages a mental health clinic in Maryville. She has a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. She has always loved volunteering and helping others in her community. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, playing with her three pups and reading a good book.

Emma Rothery

Adrienne R. Schwarte is a Professor of Design and Coordinator of the Sustainability Studies Minor at Maryville College. She holds an M.F.A. in Multimedia Design with an emphasis in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities, MN) and a B.A. in Communication and Art from Buena Vista University (Storm Lake, IA) and a Professional Certificate in Campus Sustainability Leadership from the Institute for Global Sustainability from the University of Vermont (Burlington, VT). She’s worked as a graphic designer, photographer, consultant and communications consultant for over twenty years for companies and non-profit organizations all across the United States. She has served as a Board Member for the Little River Watershed Association (LRWA), a Board Member and Past President of Keep Blount Beautiful (KBB), a Board member for Mane Support and is an alum of Leadership Blount, Class of 2023.

Adrienne R. Schwarte

Dr. Bruce W. Spangler has been pivotal in addressing homelessness in Knoxville, TN, dedicating over 22 years to the cause through his leadership of Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) and the Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC). Under his visionary leadership, VMC transformed its mission to combat homelessness as he championed a “housing first” philosophy, passionately advocating that stable, secure housing is not just a luxury but a crucial cornerstone for recovery and achieving self-sufficiency. Before his roles at KARM and VMC, he held pastoral positions in multiple congregations affiliated with the United Methodist Church in the Holston Conference. His approach to service is anchored in recognizing each individual’s inherent dignity by meeting people precisely where they are. He continues to steer and inspire innovative initiatives to eradicate homelessness in Blount County.

Bruce Spangler

President

Cyndi Sweet is a full-time real estate broker and lifelong Tennessean passionate about making home buying and selling a fun, seamless experience. She is an active leader in the real estate industry, serving on multiple real estate boards including the East TN REALTORS Association and the TN REALTORS Association. Beyond real estate, Cyndi is deeply involved in community service, supporting local nonprofits and housing initiatives. When she’s not working, she enjoys cycling, exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, and spending time with her wife, Angela, and their beloved pets.

Cyndi Sweet

Recording Secretary

Steve Wildsmith is a veteran journalist, having spent 31 years at newspapers in Tennessee and South Carolina, 20 of those with The Daily Times newspaper of Maryville, where he's lived for two decades. He continues to serve as a freelance writer for BLANK Newspaper of Knoxville and is the assistant director of Marketing & Communications at Maryville College, where he's also an adjunct instructor of journalism and the faculty advisor for the college newspaper. As someone in long-term recovery from addiction who's written extensively about the issues and his personal journey, he's a passionate advocate of awareness about and healing from substance use disorder. He has three children and is married to Tessa Bright Wildsmith, a content operations director for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Steve Wildsmith

Adam is the Lay Associate Minister at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and a Master of Social Work student at East Tennessee State University. He also serves on the board of directors of or the Blount County Ecumenical Action Council and The Salvation Army Maryville Corp, interns at Good Neighbors of Blount County, and serves various roles in the Great Smoky Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Adam Wilson

Vice President

Past A Place to Stay Board Members

2024

Cindy Canfield

Brad Carraway

Dale Cunningham

Bobby Eason

Madeline F. Leonard

Mark Moses

Kevin Ross

Adrienne R. Schwarte

Kim Spencer

Mindy Stooksbury

Steve Wildsmith

Adam Wilson

2023

Jared Anderson

Cindy Canfield

Brad Carraway

Tracy Carico

Dale Cunningham

Jean Davidson

Bobby Eason

Mary Martin

Mark Moses

Kathi Parkins

Bertha Sparks

Kim Spencer

2022

Jared Anderson

Tracy Carico

Brad Carraway

Donnelle Curran

Jean Davidson

Vicki Johnson

Mark Moses

Al North

Kathi Parkins

Bertha Sparks

Kim Spencer

Sue Wyatt

2021

Jarad Anderson

Tom Coulter

Jean Davidson

Vicki Johnson

Judy Knight

Bob Lambert

Mollie Nicholson

Al North

Kathi Parkins

Kim Spencer

Sue Wyatt

2020

Sue Wyatt, Board Chair

Kim Spencer, Secretary

Vicki Johnson, Treasurer

Thomas Coulter

Jean Davidson

Mollie Nicholson

Phone: 865-606-0714

Email: Navigator@aplacetostaybc.org

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6185
Maryville, TN 37802

A Place to Stay

St. Andrews Parish Hall
314 W Broadway, Room 105
Maryville, TN 37801

APTS Community Outreach Center

St. Andrews Parish Hall
314 W Broadway, Room 109
Maryville, TN 37801

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A Place to Stay is a United Way 501c3 Agency serving Blount County, Tennessee 84-3644615

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A Place to Stay is a United Way 501c3 Agency serving Blount County, Tennessee 84-3644615