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 alumna, 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.
For fun, Mandy loves hanging with her husband, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-baby, Nikka, in tow. She is blessed with a bonus son and two bonus daughters, grand-loves, and spouses.
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 alumna, 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.
For fun, Mandy loves hanging with her husband, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-baby, Nikka, in tow. She is blessed with a bonus son and two bonus daughters, grand-loves, and spouses.
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 alumna, 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.
For fun, Mandy loves hanging with her husband, Rob, and their family and friends, road trips, and being one with nature in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with fur-baby, Nikka, in tow. She is blessed with a bonus son and two bonus daughters, grand-loves, and spouses.
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
Brittney Wayman
Community Outreach Coordinator
Brittney Wayman is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, earning her bachelor’s in social work. She is a Blount County native, where she graduated from William Blount High School. Brittney previously worked at DCS and volunteered with KARM. She has an entrepreneurial heart and helped launch the family business. Well-rounded, Brittney trained as a doula and has experience in teaching. She and her husband, Michael, have three wonderful children. Brittney enjoys the outdoors, hiking and camping, and learning more about nature and how to survive with what Mother Earth provides.
Brittney Wayman
Community Outreach Coordinator
Brittney Wayman is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, earning her bachelor’s in social work. She is a Blount County native, where she graduated from William Blount High School. Brittney previously worked at DCS and volunteered with KARM. She has an entrepreneurial heart and helped launch the family business. Well-rounded, Brittney trained as a doula and has experience in teaching. She and her husband, Michael, have three wonderful children. Brittney enjoys the outdoors, hiking and camping, and learning more about nature and how to survive with what Mother Earth provides.
Brittney Wayman
Community Outreach Coordinator
Brittney Wayman is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, earning her bachelor’s in social work. She is a Blount County native, where she graduated from William Blount High School. Brittney previously worked at DCS and volunteered with KARM. She has an entrepreneurial heart and helped launch the family business. Well-rounded, Brittney trained as a doula and has experience in teaching. She and her husband, Michael, have three wonderful children. Brittney enjoys the outdoors, hiking and camping, and learning more about nature and how to survive with what Mother Earth provides.
Kaitlyn Booth
Care Coordinator
Kaitlyn Booth is a care coordinator for A Place to Stay who is dedicated to serving her neighbors to the best of her ability and ending homelessness. She is originally from Loudon, Tennessee and doesn’t mind the 1 hr. drive to get to work every day. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology as a Clinical Medical Assistant. During her time attending school, she worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility. Kaitlyn has a heart for serving others and has future plans to go back to school to further her career. She has also served in Americorps where she gained experience in administration, as well as worked personally with neighbors where she was able to gain insight as to what it’s like to be homeless, fueling her desire to serve others and strive to end homelessness. Kaitlyn loves being surrounded by her closest friends and family, as well as her “fur-babies”, an Aussiedoodle named “Silas” and a Yorkie named “Cricket”. Kaitlyn also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!
Kaitlyn Booth
Care Coordinator
Kaitlyn Booth is a care coordinator for A Place to Stay who is dedicated to serving her neighbors to the best of her ability and ending homelessness. She is originally from Loudon, Tennessee and doesn’t mind the 1 hr. drive to get to work every day. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology as a Clinical Medical Assistant. During her time attending school, she worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility. Kaitlyn has a heart for serving others and has future plans to go back to school to further her career. She has also served in Americorps where she gained experience in administration, as well as worked personally with neighbors where she was able to gain insight as to what it’s like to be homeless, fueling her desire to serve others and strive to end homelessness. Kaitlyn loves being surrounded by her closest friends and family, as well as her “fur-babies”, an Aussiedoodle named “Silas” and a Yorkie named “Cricket”. Kaitlyn also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!
Kaitlyn Booth
Care Coordinator
Kaitlyn Booth is a care coordinator for A Place to Stay who is dedicated to serving her neighbors to the best of her ability and ending homelessness. She is originally from Loudon, Tennessee and doesn’t mind the 1 hr. drive to get to work every day. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology as a Clinical Medical Assistant. During her time attending school, she worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility. Kaitlyn has a heart for serving others and has future plans to go back to school to further her career. She has also served in Americorps where she gained experience in administration, as well as worked personally with neighbors where she was able to gain insight as to what it’s like to be homeless, fueling her desire to serve others and strive to end homelessness. Kaitlyn loves being surrounded by her closest friends and family, as well as her “fur-babies”, an Aussiedoodle named “Silas” and a Yorkie named “Cricket”. Kaitlyn also loves to do photography on the side and loves to “Capture the moment”!
Cary Loud
Events Coordinator
Cary 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
Events Coordinator
Cary 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
Events Coordinator
Cary 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.
Our Board of Directors
Are Community Members Who Believe in Ending Homelessness in Blount County
Kathi is returning to acting board membership after serving as APTS transitional Executive Director. Born and raised in Indiana, she received bachelors degrees in criminal justice & sociology from Indiana State University & a master's degree in special education from the University of Tennessee. Kathi and her family moved to Daytona, TN in 1984 where she assumed the role of children's coordinator at First United Methodist Church. She also taught special education in the Rhea County School system & was adjunct faculty at Bryan College. She has enjoyed many career opportunities since moving to Maryville in 1991. All her work has been with the most vulnerable: special needs adults & children, the elderly, foster children & the homeless. She has served on the Board of Directors for The Gate and APTS. She is a graduate of Leadership Blount Class of 2012. She received the Athena Leadership Award in 2017. Kathi & her husband, Chuck, have 3 children & 3 grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, helping her husband in his food truck, & teaching Sunday School.
Kathi Parkins
Bertha enjoys traveling with her husband and they have traveled extensively over the past fifty-one years. She also enjoys Bible Study, reading and writing devotionals. She enjoys puzzles, both word and jigsaw, which captures her time and attention as well. She is an Early Childhood Ed. Administrator/Curriculum specialist (ret.), H.O.M.E., Inc. volunteer, Smiles Driver volunteer, BMH Auxiliary volunteer, Rest Haven Missionary Baptist Church Christian Ed. worker, and Blount Co NAACP.
Bertha Sparks
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.
