Meet Our team

Barbara E. Rumore

Barbara E. Rumore

Board President
Barbara grew up in Oil City, PA. and after a rewarding and interesting career in nursing she retired from public health nursing administration and moved to Vieques, PR where she lived for 13 years. Settling in Franklin upon her return to NW PA, she was asked to shift her avocation for fitness to yet another rewarding career teaching fitness at the Franklin YM. Barbara is also a poet with poems in several additions of the Bridge Literary Arts Journal. Barbara has spent much of her life-giving back to the communities where she has lived. She currently sits on the boards of the Oil Region Astronomical Society and newly formed Together We Can of Venango Co. One of her greatest loves is teaching swimming to the kids at the Franklin YM.
Kay E. Gordon Brewster

Kay E. Gordon Brewster

1st Vice-President
The Civil Rights movement and the War on Poverty captured Kay’s interest in racial and social justice and motivated her decision to pursue a career in social work. That and her marriage is interracial and her extended family, blended, has caused even greater concern because, in Kay’s opinion, our society has become more openly racist and places people of color at even greater risk. As a founding member of Together We Can, now retired, she is committed to making Venango County a more inviting and accepting community where marginalized and minority individuals can live comfortably and experience successful lives. A “transplant” from another rural area in PA, she resides with her husband in Oil City and is a mother and grandmother.
Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones

2nd Vice President
Michelle Jones is a charismatic, compassionate, influential leader raised in Franklin, PA. With a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University in Business Marketing, she decided to return to school after 12 years to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology and Coaching. In 2007, Michelle began her career in modeling and marketing by working for the Mahoning Valley Thunders, an arena football team in Youngstown, Ohio. Over the years, she has marketed for numerous brands including Google, and Mercedes-Benz, and served as a tour manager for Coca-Cola’s Peace Tea and Reebok. Her modeling led to her appearing in the music video “Stuck on You”. Even though Michelle loves marketing, she has been driven to focus on social justice. At the height of the pivot shift in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, she led a rally in her hometown to promote awareness and compassion. A former political organizer, Michelle currently runs a diversity club at local the high schools. Alongside her work, Michelle enjoys traveling internationally and nationally. Additionally, she competed in Natural Bodybuilding at the Nationals level, placing in the top 5 in the bikini division. A few years later, she transitioned from bikini to wellness and placed first in her division. She has now moved on to studying jiu jitsu and yoga. She is Reiki level 1 certified and on a journey to reach her highest potential.
Beverly W. Lawrence

Beverly W. Lawrence

Board Treasurer
Beverly is a happily retired person, a mother and a grandmother and currently a resident of Franklin, PA. She was born and raised in Oil City and moved to Oakland, CA after working locally for 30 years. When her father passed away, she returned to the area to assist her sisters as caregivers to their mother. She relocated to Philadelphia and when the pandemic changed lives, she again retired and moved back home. It is her pleasure to be the current Treasurer of the Together We Can of V.C. and to serve this community through this board position.
Denise W. Jones

Denise W. Jones

Board Secretary
Denise was born and raised in Oil City, PA and has been a lifelong resident of Venango County. She is married with two adult children and was employed with the County of Venango for 40 years, retiring in 2016. She held many positions at the County, finally being promoted to Chief Clerk/County Administrator, working directly for the Board of County Commissioners. During her tenure there, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, using that knowledge to bring professionalism and organization to local county government. She served on many governing boards while employed, and since her retirement continues to serve on the Child Development Centers Board, Family Service and Children’s Aid Society Board, the Northwest Hospital Foundation, and the Bridge Builders Foundation. She is the Financial Secretary for her church, the New Life Family Worship Center located in Franklin, PA, and volunteers as an Honorable Knight at the Franklin Middle and High School. She chose to be a founding member of this board because she wants to be instrumental in bringing about an understanding and acceptance of persons of diverse backgrounds and races here in Venango County. To do so, she feels we must meet together with people that don’t look like us to begin discussions that will educate and expose them to perspectives to which they are not familiar.
Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith

Board Member
Ashley Smith, a Franklin native, is the Be Here program manager for the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. She is passionate about community involvement and public service. In addition to her work at the chamber, Smith volunteers her time and expertise on several boards of directors including the Franklin Fine Arts Council, the Franklin Historic and Architectural Review Board, Franklin Meals on Wheels, and the Northwest Hospital Foundation Board. Smith is the vice-chair for the Venango County Democratic Committee and maintains active memberships in Oil Region Rising and the FLEX Young Professionals group. Smith is a Leadership Venango alumna; and has taken the Be Here ambassador training multiple times. She coaches the Franklin High School Marching Band Silks and volunteers with the Franklin Middle School cheerleaders. Smith is also the owner and inspector of Zaccari Home Inspections LLC. She is a member of the InterNACHI Western PA and Young Professional Inspector Chapters and has earned the title of PA Certified Professional Inspector. Smith brings to the community a wealth of experience as well as a positive vision for our region grounded around including everyone.
Angie Wofford

Angie Wofford

Board Member
Angie Wofford is an emotional support teacher at Clarion Psychiatric Hospital. She has been working in the mental health field for 20+ years. Empowering and advocating for youth is one of her true passions. She is the ministry leader for the youth group at her church and also volunteers for the Venango County Prison Ministry. She is the recent author of the devotional Learning to Listen to God: A Journey That is Never Quite Fully Achieved. Angie grew up in a multiracial family and wants to work on creating an environment that fosters more positive experiences than many of her family members encountered growing up in Venango County.
Wesley Gadsden

Wesley Gadsden

Board Member
Wesley Gadsden has spent the past two decades fighting for social, economic and racial justice. When there is a fight for justice, you will always find Wesley on the front lines and behind the scenes strategizing the best plan to make positive change and protect the values of community members. Wesley has ran some of the biggest statewide civic engagement efforts in Pennsylvania. Over the past 2 decades he has trained over 1000 community members and has given them the tools to be leaders in their community and to lift the voices of their communities. Wesley has been recognized by presidents for his hard work and dedication on non partisan issues. Wesley currently is the owner of a consulting firm which supports organizations fighting for justice.
Jim Brewster

Jim Brewster

Board Member
Jim retired from Penelec, and has been the Vice Chairman & Chairman of the diversity committee at Penelec. He was a bull steward at IBEW, chief senior meterman at Penelec, and past board member for the Oil City YMCA. Jim has also worked as a CASA volunteer in Venango county and is a Navy veteran. He is married and is a grandfather and great-grandfather.
Amariliz Sanchez

Amariliz Sanchez

Board Member
Amariliz Sanchez is a Puerto Rican native and grew up in the Bronx, NY. In 2014, she moved from New York City to Seneca, PA and later settled in Oil City. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Sciences with double minors in Speech Communication and Sociology. Currently, she is a full time graduate student with a 4.0 GPA in Conflict Resolution. She has worked for Higher Education for over 16 years in administration. Currently, she works for PennWest Clarion-Venango. At the campus, she serves as the point person for the Venango Campus Viability Focus Group, is a Presidential Diversity member, Secretary for Venango Forums and the Campus Advisory Council alongside several other advisory panels. Amariliz is a Leadership Venango class of 2022 graduate. She has been a Diverse Thinking speaker in the current Leadership program and for FLEX Speaker Series on Diversity Equity and Inclusion. She truly believes that a positive attitude attracts good energy and that food and music brings people together. She finds ways to get others to step out of their comfort zone and learn about new cultures. She does this through hosting International Food Mixers and Latin Dance Tutorial Sessions. She received the FLEX 2021 Volunteer of the Year award and volunteers throughout the year for various local events. She serves on several boards including Youth Connection, Acceptance Now 365, and is a Be Here Ambassador.
Major Smith

Major Smith

Board Member
Major is a retired prison administrator and one of the original TWC leadership members. He is a well known experienced activists.
Dr. Joseph Croskey

Dr. Joseph Croskey

Advisor
Dr. Crosby, Activist for Human Flourishing, Ph.D. Clarion University. Chair of Clarion University Department of Student Achievement and Success.
Sara Haupt

Sara Haupt

Advisor
Sara is a lifelong resident of Venango County with a passion for education. She graduated from Clarion University with a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English. She eventually received her master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and her PA K-12 principal certification. She currently works for the Oil City Area School District where she hopes to encourage positive student and family relations, focusing on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her membership in Together We Can of Venango County will help her to keep up-to-date on community efforts that encourage positive relationships between all members of our area while also allowing her to make connections that will help her students to feel at home in their school. Outside of her work, she is a mother of three children and wife to an amazing cook.

TOGETHER WE CAN

Of Venango County

 Email: TheBoard@twc-2023.org
Phone: 814-208-5650
Instagram: TWCofVC

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