BOB STRICKLAND

Bob is originally from Virginia, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and also received his MBA from UVA’s Darden Business School. 

Bob had a 37 year career with The Coca-Cola Company leading in Sales, Marketing, Brand Management and Business Development positions. His last position was as the Director of The Travel Channel where he led a team that was responsible for the acquisition and growth of the Airline and Travel channels. After retiring from Coca-Cola in 2023 Bob founded Optimal Outcomes a sales and negotiation consulting practice and is a managing partner in Robert Leland Properties. 

When Bob moved to Atlanta he became very involved in First Baptist Church of Atlanta and then at Northpoint Community Church. Leading small groups, mentoring groups and missions teams has been a focus of Bob’s ministry. Bob also served on the Elder Team of Northpoint Community Church. When the family moved from Smyrna to Kennesaw in 2019 Bob and his family began attending North Metro Church. 

Bob is married to Tammie and their daughter Annie just completed her freshman year at UGA, and their son Wes is entering his Senior Year at Harrison High School. Through Wes’s dyslexia Bob and Tammie have been actively involved with Gracepoint School in Marietta. Tammie is currently employed at Gracepoint as the Art Teacher and Bob has served on the Board of Directors and as the Chairmen of the Board of Director of Gracepoint School. 

JENNIFER MARTIN

A native of Marietta, GA, Jennifer Martin is a real estate agent with a deep desire to help others, Jennifer has been a real estate agent for 25 years. She is a graduate of Harrison High School and attended Georgia Southern University, majoring in journalism. 

Passionate about her community and giving back, she is a past Board Member of the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Reconnecting Families, Hope Moms and currently serves on the Administration team at Stonebridge Church. 

She and her husband, Jimmy, live in historic Marietta with their children, Emery and James. They are members of Stonebridge Church. 

DANIEL GADDIS

Daniel Gaddis is an AICP planning professional with a diverse background in public education and local government. With several years of experience in municipal planning, both from the land use and the economic development side, Daniel is currently the Planning Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Leveraging his skills in strategic engagement, data analysis, and public policy experience, Daniel is helping communities across the state with connections to big ideas and instituting best practices for community planning. Outside of work, he spends his time reading, coaching his kids’ sports teams, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

KATHI HINES

Kathi is a Marietta native and loves living in her hometown. She graduated from Marietta High School as did both of her parents, so she has deep roots here and a love for this community and the Marietta City School system. Kathi is the Office Manager and Events Coordinator for Glory Haus as well as a Realtor. She loves her jobs and serving people. Her hope is that all children would have a safe and secure home to grow up in. She is eager to get the Emmanuel's Village project off the ground and start helping families build a better future. 

Kathi is married with two grown children. Her son Cooper is a graduate of Liberty University, and her daughter Parker recently graduated from Ole Miss. She is thrilled that her children grew up in Marietta and love this city as much as she does. 

RUSSELL SMITH

Born and raised in Marietta, I am a graduate of Marietta High School where my wife, Jen, also graduated. Our children, Liam and Audrey, attend Marietta High School and Marietta 6th Grade Academy, and Jen has many years of teaching experience, including six years at Lockheed Elementary. Given my family’s strong ties to Marietta and my desire to bring stability to those who are homeless within our school system, I wanted to use my background in affordable housing and multi-family development to contribute to the Emmanuel’s Village project.

KELSEY THOMPSON-WHITE

Kelsey Thompson-White is the Community Development Manager for the City of Marietta, where she manages and oversees federal funding for affordable housing and community development projects. As a board member of the Cobb Homeless Alliance, she works closely with organizations providing homeless services in Cobb County to help increase the quality and collaboration of the homeless service system as a whole. Prior to her current role, Kelsey worked for Athens Land Trust, a nonprofit affordable housing developer that focused on permanently affordable housing for low income residents. She has also served as a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, providing services for the full range of the housing spectrum- from credit repair to foreclosure prevention. She has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Georgia and a Bachelors of Art in Public and Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech.

JOHN CROOKS

Born in Marietta Georgia 67 years ago John Crooks grew up dedicating his life to helping others.  Dr. Crooks is an executive consultant with more than 40 years of administrative experience solving problems and leading individuals to fulfill their personal and professional goals.  He is known for his ability to identify problematic issues and to deliver successful outcomes.  He is currently consulting at Glory Haus Inc., a Marietta, Georgia gift and home decor company.   John is married to Cheryl Crooks, a father of two children, a grandfather to four grandchildren and a friend to many. He is intensely committed to helping homeless families find affordable housing.   

 

OWEN PRILLAMAN

With over 30 years of experience providing advanced test equipment solutions to the semiconductor industry, I bring a deep understanding of technology, reliability, and customer-focused service. Seventeen years ago, I founded TechConnect, a company dedicated to delivering high-quality, tailored test solutions to a wide range of clients across the industry. Through TechConnect, I’ve had the opportunity to build lasting partnerships and support innovation at every level. 

Beyond my professional work, I’ve always had a heart for community service. I served on the Salvation Army Board in Marietta for 13 years, including two years as Chairman during a critical period of expansion to better serve Cobb County. I was also deeply involved in the early development of Gracepoint School for children with dyslexia, where I served on the board for 10 years—five of those as Board Chair—helping to shape its mission and long-term vision. 

I believe in the power of service—both in business and in the community—and strive to align my work with causes that improve lives and create lasting value. 

MOLLY HOLM

Owner of Glory Haus/ Founder of Emmanuel Village

Founder of Gracepoint School  

 Molly Holm is a native Texan and University of Texas graduate with a degree in Interior design. After college she moved to Marietta and has called it home ever since. She worked for Home Depot Expo the first 10 years of her career designing EXPO stores all across the country. 

In 2008 she started her own faith based company ,Glory Haus, which is a home decor and gift company here in Marietta, Ga. 

She has 3 boys and 1 daughter who are all grown. She happily lives on acreage near Kennesaw Mountain with her two dogs Scooby and Durban.