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. 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. 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. 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

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!

Gena Cimaroli

Housing Stability Manager

Gena is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay in Blount County. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work with an emphasis in psychology. She has been of service to individuals of diverse abilities, ages, cultures, and challenges. It is Gena’s focus to strengthen the lives of others by encouraging independence and promoting stability, by collaborating with the community, while being of genuine support along the way. Gena spends her free time with her loving son, Ethan, and their silly dog, Louie. She enjoys photography, exploring, being in nature and taking road trips. Her future goals include traveling to new places and taking joy in new, adventurous experiences. Gena strongly believes that the bravest thing that anyone can do, is to ask for help – and accept it.

Gena Cimaroli

Housing Stability Manager

Gena is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay in Blount County. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work with an emphasis in psychology. She has been of service to individuals of diverse abilities, ages, cultures, and challenges. It is Gena’s focus to strengthen the lives of others by encouraging independence and promoting stability, by collaborating with the community, while being of genuine support along the way. Gena spends her free time with her loving son, Ethan, and their silly dog, Louie. She enjoys photography, exploring, being in nature and taking road trips. Her future goals include traveling to new places and taking joy in new, adventurous experiences. Gena strongly believes that the bravest thing that anyone can do, is to ask for help – and accept it.

Gena Cimaroli

Housing Stability Manager

Gena is the Housing Stability Manager for A Place to Stay in Blount County. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work with an emphasis in psychology. She has been of service to individuals of diverse abilities, ages, cultures, and challenges. It is Gena’s focus to strengthen the lives of others by encouraging independence and promoting stability, by collaborating with the community, while being of genuine support along the way. Gena spends her free time with her loving son, Ethan, and their silly dog, Louie. She enjoys photography, exploring, being in nature and taking road trips. Her future goals include traveling to new places and taking joy in new, adventurous experiences. Gena strongly believes that the bravest thing that anyone can do, is to ask for help – and accept it.

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

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