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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 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

Brad loves spending time with family and being in the great outdoors, especially in the mountains. He also has a passion for helping others. He is the Director of North American Transportation & Logistics at Alcoa Inc. and a community volunteer.

Brad Carraway

Board Treasurer

Bobby serves as Executive Director for Foothills Community Development Corp. He believes that housing is a right which should be attainable for all people, this belief is what brought him to also serve on the A Place to Stay board. In addition to these positions, Bobby serves on committees for FAHE, United Way, Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, and the Blount Partnership. He also attends worship services for First United Methodist Church of Maryville with his wife and two children. Bobby was recently nominated for a Spirit of Good Neighbors Award as a “Professional Neighbor” and was nominated for the Young Professional award in the Best of Blount awards ceremony. Bobby is currently in the Leadership Blount class of 2024.

Bobby Eason

Mark is the Manufacturing Director for DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee and a community volunteer.

Mark Moses

Board Chair

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

Kim professionally is involved in Banking and Financial Planning. She volunteers with the juvenile court system, CASA, Neighbors Serving Neighbors, Blount Co Sheriff's Dept., East TN Financial Planning Assoc., and East TN military Affairs Council.

Kim Spencer

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

Mindy is the Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President at CBBC Bank. She volunteers with Junior Achievement and United Way of Blount County. She is also a member of the Leadership Blount Class of 2023. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, two dogs & cat.

Mindy Stooksbury

Madeline graduated cum laude from the University of Tennessee College of Law in May 2022. She was sworn in and officially admitted to the Tennessee Bar in November 2022. Madeline clerked for Kizer & Black, Attorneys, PLLC (Maryville, Tennessee) during law school prior to joining the firm as an Associate Attorney in September 2022. She is a transactional attorney practicing in the areas of estate planning, wills, trusts, estate administration, and elder law. Madeline is a member of the Blount County, Knoxville, and Tennessee Bar Associations. She serves on the membership committee of the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women. Madeline is a member of the Blount County Community Impact Committee for Girls Inc. of the Tennessee Valley. She is also a member of the Leadership Blount Class of 2024.

Madeline F. Leonard

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

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

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

Past A Place to Stay Board Members

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: info@aplacetostaybc.org

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

A Place to Stay

Monte Vista Baptist Church
1735 Old Niles Ferry Road
Maryville, TN 37803

APTS Community Outreach Center

Blount County Public Library
508 N Cusick St, Maryville, TN 37804

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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