Meet Our Team
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Sometimes you choose your job, other times your job chooses you.
Laura Whitaker began volunteering with ESP as a special ed college student in 2003. She was named Camp Director at just 19-years-old after the sudden passing of our founder, Martha. Over the last 17+ years, Laura has led ESP to growth and the expansion of our mission. She is passionate about leadership and uses her management strengths to manage staff, oversee multiple year-round programs, and raise funds to run programs. Her favorite part of the job is getting to hug the many children who walk through the ESP doors.
Laura’s most important roles include wife to husband Joseph and mother to Owen, Finley, and Tate.
For more about Laura, visit her site:
Executive Team
Laura Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer, laura@espyouandme.org
Ashley Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, ashley@espyouandme.org
Nicole Andrews, Executive Coordinator, nicole@espyouandme.org
Amy Spayd, Executive Assistant, ami@espyouandme.org
Valerie Beeson, Executive Project Manager, valerie@espyouandme.org
Programs Team
Our programs team is responsible for planning and executing all of ESP’s programs and events that directly serve our participants of all abilities and their families!
Erin Thompson Podvin, Director of Community Programs, erin@espyouandme.org
Hunter Pugh, Community Programs Manager, hunter@espyouandme.org
Matt Waring, Athens Programs Manager, matt@espyouandme.org
Sarah Farriba, Rome Programs Coordinator, sarah@espyouandme.org
Anna Bostwick, Atlanta Programs Coordinator, anna@espyouandme.org
Addison King, Volunteer Coordinator, addison@espyouandme.org
Alex Bruggeman, Statewide Family Support Coordinator, alexb@espyouandme.org
Katie Hill, Athens Family Support Coordinator, katie@espyouandme.org
Operations Team
Our operations team keeps ESP running – safely and effectively!
Scott Williams, Director of Operations, scott@espyouandme.org
Grant Colquitt, Operations Coordinator, karen@espyouandme.org
Shellie Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator, shellie@espyouandme.org
Gina Elliot, Director of Finance, gina@espyouandme.org
Karen Lee, Bookkeeper, karen@espyouandme.org
Development & Marketing Team
Our development & marketing team is focused on finding ways for our community to connect with the mission of ESP!
Alex Perry, Director of Development & Marketing, alex@espyouandme.org
Steve Argo, Leadership Annual Giving Officer, steve@espyouandme.org
Devon Smyth, Rome Leadership Annual Gift Officer, devon@espyouandme.org
Sarah Kennedy, Marketing Manager, sarahk@espyouandme.org
Brittney Butler, Marketing Coordinator, brittney@espyouandme.org
Mariharden McElheny, Stewardship & Events Coordinator, mariharden@espyouandme.org
Sydney Laughlin, Annual Giving Associate, sydney@espyouandme.org
Colleen Pruitt, Special Events Coordinator, colleen@espyouandme.org
Java Joy
Our Java Joy team keeps our adult participants employed - while spreading moments of engagement with the community!
Madison McCrorey, Java Joy Athens Coordinator, madison@espyouandme.org
Emma Barton, Java Joy Athens AmeriCorps, ebarton@espyouandme.org
Laura Cavalenes, Java Joy Athens AmeriCorps, lcavalenes@espyouandme.org
Anna Bostwick, Java Joy Atlanta Programs Coordinator, anna@espyouandme.org
Kidron Bullock, Java Joy Rome AmeriCorps, kbullock@espyouandme.org
Anne Lownes, Java Joy Rome AmeriCorps, alownes@espyouandme.org
Ashley Vanzant, Java Joy Rome AmeriCorps, avanzant@espyouandme.org
AmeriCorps Team
Meet the AmeriCorps Team that supports the programs at ESP each day! Learn more about each member here.
Laura Cavalenes, Employment-Focused, Athens
Ashley Vanzant, Employment-Focused, Rome
Anne Lownes, Employment-Focused, Rome
Kidron Bullock, Employment-Focused, Rome
Tiernan Fox, Family-Focused, Athens
Alex Bruggerman, Family-Focused, Athens
Brandon Marshall, Family-Focused, Athens
Mollie McGee, Family-Focused, Athens
Hunter Reynolds, Family-Focused, Athens
Bradley Thomas, Family-Focused, Athens
189 VFW Drive
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Office Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 6pm
Fri. Limited, Contact Us
Copyright © The ESP logo is a registered trademark of Extra Special People, Inc. ®
Copyright © The ESP logo is a registered trademark of Extra Special People, Inc. ®
