Our Staff

Jim Adams,  Executive Director

Jim Adams is a retired banker from SunTrust, where he served for 35 years. In his last 20 years with SunTrust, he founded and managed a non-profit banking department that consulted with 501c3 organizations. After retirement in 2000, Jim worked with the Arthritis Foundation as a fundraiser and Interim President. In the fall of 2005, Jim joined the Lighthouse to help develop a foundational giving program.  His efforts have significantly contributed to the three-fold growth of the Lighthouse’s programs and funding. Jim holds a Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from Emory University.  He earned a BBA\Finance at Georgia State University, where he played scholarship basketball.

Victoria Jordan, Associate Director

Victoria Jordan joined the Lighthouse in 1998. She serves as the Associate Director.  In this role she leads the eye surgery program and manages the operations of the Lighthouse facility.  She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Religion, and completed her post-graduate studies in Visual Disabilities, at Florida State University. Victoria has formed strong relationships with the Lighthouse’s medical partners, leading to increased support and a reduction in the average surgery cost.   

Shamae Crosswhite, Vision and Finance Director

As Eye Clinic Coordinator, Shamae Crosswhite became part of our team in the fall of 2007. In 2008, her role was expanded to Vision Services and Finance Coordinator, making her manager of the Lighthouse's statewide vision clinic program. She works with over 100 volunteer physicians and 28 clinic sites. Shamae holds a BA in Accounting and a Masters in Health Services Administration, from Georgia Southern University.

Sarah Epting Gardner, Partnership Director

Sarah Epting Gardner brought her varied talents to the Lighthouse in 2006, as Marketing Coordinator.  She now serves as Partnership Director and manages the Americorps VISTA program, annual campaign fundraising, and information technology.  Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Journalism–Publication Management. She is currently working on an MPA in Nonprofit Management, at Georgia State University.

 

Anna Knippel, Hearing Services Program Manager

Anna Knippel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Florida State University and a Master’s in Theology from Mercer University in Atlanta. Anna joined the Lighthouse Foundation in October 2011 as an AmeriCorps service member in the vision clinic before becoming the Hearing Services Program     Manager in June 2012.

Sarah Liz Buckley, Development Manager

Sarah Buckley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication/Public Relations from Georgia College & State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia. Sarah joined the Lighthouse in 2011 through the AmeriCorps VISTA program and is happy to be a part of the team.

Tiffany Ellerbee, Clinic Manager

Tiffany Ellerbee became part of the Lighthouse in July 2009, as Volunteer Coordinator through Americorps VISTA.  After she completed her year of VISTA service, we weren’t about to let her go.  Tiffany remained part of the Lighthouse team, as Clinic Coordinator, traveling with mobile clinic vans to help provide eye exams throughout Georgia. She has a BA in Social Work from North Carolina A&T State University.

Caren Kaplan,  Clinic Manager

Caren Kaplan became a valued part of the Lighthouse in 2010, as a Clinic Coordinator, after graduating with an MPH from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. She also holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas-Austin. Caren loves animals and the outdoors.

James Brooks, Licensed Dispensing Optician, Lab Manager

James Brooks LDO, ABOC, NCLE,  brings over 25 years of optical experience to the Lighthouse Foundation. As our Optician, James cuts and prepares the glasses that the Lighthouse ships out (over 4,000 in 2011). After owning his own optical shop in Cherry Hill NJ, serving as an ophthalmic lab instructor at CCSN, and managing several eye care centers all over the country, James and his family have settled in the Peach State. The Lighthouse is excited to have James on board, and  look forward to seeing how he grows the optical program in the coming years.

Judith Kerr, Specialty Clinic Manager

Judith Kerr joined the Lighthouse Foundation through the AmeriCorps VISTA program in 2011 and has stayed on as part of the vision clinic team.  Judith holds a master’s in Public Health from Georgia State University.

AmeriCorps workers and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers