Lisa Abbott:  A KFTC organizer in Eastern Kentucky for five years, Lisa became the Leadership Development coordinator in 1997.  She received a Master’s Degree in Public Policy with an emphasis in Leadership Development from the University of Maryland in 2001.  Lisa returned to KFTC in 2002 as the Director of Organizing and Leadership Development. She lives in Berea with her husband Justin and two boys, Myles and Hollis.

Teri Blanton: A long-time KFTC leader, Teri became the first KFTC Fellow in August 2007. Her work focuses on building a strong Canary Project Leadership Network on the range of KFTC coal and energy issues. Teri is from Harlan County and has served in numerous KFTC leadership positions, including chairperson in 2003-04. She is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of two. She lives in Berea.

Morgan Brown: Morgan was hired in July 2009 as our first full-time Administrative Assistant. She was born, raised, and still lives in Barbourville, surrounded by her extended family.  Morgan spends her free time with her daughter Kerigan, and husband David. She works out of our London office.

Tim Buckingham:  Tim joined the staff in March of 2007, filling the position of Communications associate.  He lives in Lexington with Amy, his wife, two dogs Ellie Mae and Michael, his daughter Joleigh, and twins on the way.  He is bicycle advocacy nut, a homebrew brewmeister, and a tri-athlete.  Tim has a MA in critical media studies from the University of Kentucky and works out of the Lexington office.

Robin Daugherty:  Robin was welcomed to the KFTC staff team in June 2006 as office manager.  Originally from East Tennessee, Robin has lived in Kentucky for 10 years, currently just outside of London with a very special weimaraner named Lucy and five cats.  Robin has a Bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee and brings more than 20 years of experience and training in office management, specialized administrative skills and community service.

Joe Gallenstein, Northern Kentucky Organizer: I am excited to work for KFTC because I believe in the strength of democracy and through KFTC I can help keep that democracy strong and healthy.

Jessica George:  Jessica is our Development Director and is responsible for organizing our grassroots fundraising efforts.  A native of Louisville, she received a degree in sociology from Antioch College.  Jess has a background in non-profit housing issues and social justice organizing.

Jerry Hardt:  As the communications director, Jerry coordinates our media and publicity work, all of our publications, including balancing the scales, brochures, annual reports, and web site.  He has a degree from the University of Dayton and has been with KFTC from its beginning. He works in the Louisville office.

Jessica Hays Lucas:  Jessica became KFTC's Tax and Economic Justice Organizer in  September 2006.  She grew up in south-central Kentucky, graduated from the University of Kentucky, and moved away for a time to do some graduate work.  She's now happily back in Lexington with her husband, Shawn, and a number of animals.  Jessica's work is to help build statewide support for fair and adequate tax reform and to encourage Kentuckians to reclaim government as a tool of people working together to make the Commonwealth a better place.

Colette Henderson: Colette joined KFTC's staff in June 2008 as our Jefferson County Organizer.  Originally from Washington State, she received her undergraduate degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana and has lived in Louisville for seven years while completing her graduate degree at the University of Louisville.  In her free time, Colette enjoys preparing lavish meals with local foods, camping, canoeing, gardening, and indulging in playful mischief. She shares her home with a spoiled dog-named Gracie.

Amy Hogg: Amy joined KFTC’s staff team in early April 2008, filling the position of Program Associate. As a Program Associate, Amy assists the Executive Director and other staff members in maintaining consistent and effective communication with leaders, allies, and funders. Among other writing projects, Amy plays a major role in grant writing and reporting.  Amy is originally from Letcher County and now lives in Berea with her husband, Mike, and their two daughters—Ellie who is 12 and Claire who is 9. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys cooking, reading, camping, raising a garden, and watching her daughters perform in a local children’s theater group.

Erik Hungerbuhler:  Erik is our Website Manager/E-Organizer.  He grew up in Corbin and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.  He has worked with KFTC in a number of different positions in the last several years and is excited about integrating the website into our organizing strategy.  He currently lives in Lexington where he spends some of his free time helping at his wife's yarn store, Rebelle.  He is an accomplished knitter and always willing to teach others.

Willa Johnson, Eastern Kentucky Chapter Organizer: Willa was born and raised in McRoberts, KY. She is the daughter of a coal truck driver and school teacher. In recent years she has worked closely with the Appalachian Media Institute at Appalshop co-producing a short documentary called The True Cost of Coal. She has also worked on projects encouraging young people to be proud of their Appalachian identity through the Stay Project and the My Story to Tell Art Project. Willa is looking forward to working with the Letcher and Pike County Chapters in moving forward with all their ideas on how to make Kentucky better for all.

Burt Lauderdale:  Burt is our Executive Director.  He is a graduate of Auburn University and has been with KFTC since 1983.  His responsibilities include leadership identification and development, campaign development, organizer training, strategy development and fundraising.

Carissa Lenfert:  Carissa is our Deputy Organizing Director for Chapter Development.  She joined our staff in 2008 and works out of our Berea office.  She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Ball State University and a Master's degree from George Mason University.  She has also spent time as a grassroots organizer in Iowa, working with family farmers and rural residents to support sustainable family farms.  When she is not organizing, Carissa enjoys spending time at home in Berea with her husband, Alan, and their dog, Guiness.

Heather Roe Mahoney:  Heather joined our staff in June 2005 as Deputy Director.  Her responsibilities include assisting the executive director with fundraising and other efforts, providing assistance to the Kentucky Economic Justice Alliance and assisting with administrative oversight for the organization.  She previously worked with Democracy Resource Center for seven years, first as project coordinator, then as co-director.  She is a graduate of the University of Louisville.

Dave Newton:  Dave is the organizer for our Voter Empowerment campaign and works out of our Lexington office.  He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in History and Political Science.  He has extensive grassroots and campus organizing experience and is a former field organizer with the Kentucky Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

Sara Pennington: Sara joined KFTC's staff in April 2009 as a New Power Campaign Organizer, working to reform Kentucky's rural electric cooperatives and move them toward more energy efficiency and clean energy. Originally from West Virginia, she now lives in Berea. Sara holds a Ph.D. in creative writing from Florida State University and is working on publishing her first book of poetry.

Kevin Pentz:  Kevin is the Canary Project organizer.  After working as an organizing intern with KFTC in 1996, he moved west to work with an organizing group in Montana.  He returned to KFTC as an organizer in 1999.  He has a degree in Environmental Science from Saint Lawrence University.

Ondine Quinn:  Ondine joined our staff in June 2008 as the Central Kentucky organizer.  Ondine grew up in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in political science, international studies, and women’s studies. She moved to Lexington in 2005 to work as a community organizer with BUILD.   She lives with her partner Jack and together they have a cat named Dodie and a dog-named Diego.  In her free time, Ondine enjoys painting, reading, and performing in two local bands — the Spooky Q’s and Jack Cofer.

Nancy Reinhart: Nancy first fell in love with KFTC in 1998 while living in Leslie County, KY. She gets lots of support from her husband Dave and daughter Maitreya. Nancy's working background is in housing, public health and women's studies.

John Malloy: John joined the staff in June of 2010 as our Development Associate, focusing on how strategic use of data can aid and propel forward KFTC's organizing efforts.  A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Political Science, John has a background in politics and social justice, having worked for several Democratic and nonpartisan campaigns and organizations as well as consulting for various social justice nonprofit organizations in the areas of organizing, management, communications and data.  He's super excited to blend his political and data experience with his passion for issues-based organizing to help Kentucky move forward.  In his free time, John enjoys reading, cooking and local music.

Tanya Turner, Eastern Kentucky Organizer: "The southeast Kentucky hills called me back home shortly after college and I am honored to join this A team of revolutionaries working to make my home a better place for all. I love rocking chairs and front porches and would love to sit a spell with all of you."