Staff

Jenal joined the Rural Center in April 2020 and oversees the Center’s funding partnerships with governments, corporations, foundations, and individuals. Born and raised in a small rural town in Southern California, Jenal grew up enjoying the many animals on her family’s pet resort-style farm and exploring the nearby mountains. Her parents each had their own very successful small businesses; her mom ran a local accounting firm and her dad installed and maintained water wells for rural people who were not connected to urban water systems.

Jenal’s life quickly became one of city living when she attended high school and college in San Diego. To satisfy her itch for travel, she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and ended up staying for almost two years to take classes, volunteer, and teach English. She then moved to Boston, where she worked for various public and nonprofit organizations, including a community college, a large university, and a health and human services agency. She obtained her MBA in Public and Nonprofit Management from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. After graduate school, she moved to North Carolina where she had the opportunity to manage corporate and foundation partnerships for the Girl Scouts and do some consulting work for a nonprofit fundraising firm called moss+ross.

Jenal is passionate about supporting underserved communities and is thrilled to be part of an organization that empowers North Carolina’s rural people and places. When she’s not building partnerships, she loves to hike with her sweet black lab, cycle the back roads of Orange County, grow fruits and veggies in her novice backyard garden, and do front porch yoga in the sunshine.

Dalton Bailey is a data manager for the NC Rural Center. He conducts research and data analysis for the Rural Center. Dalton was born and raised in a small rural town in Northern Indiana. He completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice at Manchester University, a small college in rural Indiana, in 2020. He graduated cum laude and won several research conference awards while enrolled. During this time, Dalton participated in a handful of research and data projects at Manchester and in the surrounding rural counties. These projects included evaluating a local county’s drug court program, general community development, and programs at Manchester. He also served as a student board member for the peace studies program, played collegiate tennis, and worked in the university’s first year student experience department.

Dalton then attended Western Kentucky University and completed his master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in psychological science in 2022. This research focused program allowed him to continue to develop his research skills and provided several opportunities to use them in applied contexts. While enrolled, Dalton completed his thesis on political information evaluation and selective political memory. He also managed the program’s social cognition research lab and taught a research methods lab. Dalton also worked as an intern and subcontracted consultant for Elevate Consulting, an evaluation and consulting firm based in Nashville that predominantly serves local non-profit organizations.

Coming from a rural background, Dalton is passionate about using his knowledge to benefit rural communities. He believes these communities are often underserved, and wants to do what he can to improve this in his chosen home of North Carolina. In his free time Dalton enjoys playing with his dog, staying active, and trying new food.

Michael Barton is an award-winning information technology leader with over 30 years of experience. From his first exposure to computers in 1976, he was hooked on a lifelong career in information technology. Mike graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA in marketing. Since then, he has cultivated a broad background in IT ranging from application development, architecture, implementation, and support to IT strategy/direction. Mike has held IT leadership positions across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, consulting, healthcare, and finance.

In his free time, Mike has spent over 25 years volunteering at Habitat for Humanity strengthening families, neighborhoods, and communities through affordable housing. He is also an avid NFL fan with a goal of going to every NFL stadium.

Elizabeth joined the Rural Center in January 2024 as the data administrator.

In her role, she collects data to facilitate the financial and impact reporting. Before joining the Rural Center, she worked as a financial analyst and accountant in various industries, including banking, radio, veterinary medicine, and new home construction.

Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in history. She is a New Jersey native and relocated to North Carolina in 2019. She is an avid reader, baker and also crochets. She loves to spend time with her family, specifically her husband and daughter. She has a dog named Freya, who she rescued from Wake County SPCA.

Juan is responsible for financial and impact reporting for the NC Rural Center’s small business capital division and CornerSquare Community Capital. Some of his responsibilities include preparing and submitting financial reports to stakeholders, making financial projections and analysis and helping with compliance for the different lending programs. Prior to joining the NC Rural Center, he was vice president of financial management at the Latino Community Credit Union, where he saw the credit union grow from $100 million to over $750 million in assets.

Juan has 20 years of experience in the financial and nonprofit sectors. A native from Colombia, he first came to North Carolina to get an MBA with a concentration in social entrepreneurship at Duke University. His plans were to graduate and go back to his native country, but after graduation his wife and him decided to stay for a bit longer in Durham, and that bit was 13 years (and counting). Juan currently serves as treasurer for the board of Book Harvest in Durham and still doesn’t understand how that happened.

Laura Carlson joined the NC Rural Center in October 2020 as the executive assistant to the president. In this role, she also supports the management team and the Board of Directors.

Growing up in Readlyn, Iowa (a town of 857 people and 1 old grump), Laura understands the importance of providing valuable resources to rural community leaders and small business owners.

Laura graduated from Hawkeye Community College in 1990 with an associate degree as an executive secretary. She began working full-time the day after she graduated. She has worked in an array of business settings supporting top executives from insurance, banking, medical information technology, retail, education, and now economic development. 

Laura and her family moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina in 2004 and stayed until November 2005. In 2008, her husband was transferred back to North Carolina and they chose Raleigh as their new home. She and her husband, John, have two daughters, Alicia and Alayna. 

In her spare time, Laura serves as a Stephen’s Minister. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends either on the golf course, by the fire or just taking walks. You might also find her by the pool cheering on her swimmers.

After 12 years of full time, pastoral ministry, Darren has most recently transitioned to the NC Rural Center as the program manager of Faith in Rural Communities (FIRC). A graduate of REDI 29 and a participant in FIRC in 2018, his passion is found in community building in the name of Christ.

He has a wonderful wife of 24 years, and 4 beautiful children ages 23, 20, 16, and 2. His oldest, Lyndsay, is a Registered ICU Nurse. His second youngest daughter, Payton, is currently enrolled at Western Carolina University and is seeking her Elementary Education Degree to one-day become a kindergarten teacher. His son, Nathan, is in 11th grade at Davie County High School. His youngest, 2 yr. old Sophie, has most recently began preschool. 

Darren has been a full-time clergy member of the WNCC of the UMC since 2010 and was ordained as an Elder in full connection in 2016. He has a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UNCC, Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry from Duke Divinity School with emphasis upon Rural Church Ministries. He is so thankful for the opportunities to serve God in rural North Carolina.

Justin serves as the Financial analyst at the Rural Center. He works with many vendors to make sure the bills are paid and handles payments that the center receives as well.

Justin has lived in North Carolina the majority of his life and enjoys exploring the hidden wonders and relaxing environment that the rural counties in the state offer. He obtained a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from East Carolina University. He previously worked for Carolina Family Health Centers, LLC, a non-profit rural health center, in accounts payable as well as having worked for multiple small businesses in the state previously.

Justin and his fiancée currently reside in Spring Hope, NC with their 5 dogs, 3 cats and many fish where there is never a boring day. In their free time they enjoy making trips to Raleigh to enjoy the many restaurants and activities that are available as well as shopping at local businesses and spending time with friends and family on the weekend.

Olaunda is the director of leadership training for the NC Rural Center. In this role, Olaunda oversees the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) and Homegrown Leaders programs. With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Olaunda has worked with local communities, nonprofit organizations, and state government entities by providing training, facilitation, and technical assistance.

Olaunda was born and raised in Bunnlevel, a small township in rural Harnett County, about 20 miles north of Fayetteville.  She received her bachelor’s degree in health education at North Carolina Central University and her master’s degree in human services counseling with a life coaching cognate from Liberty University.

In her spare time, Olaunda enjoys volunteering at her church, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Misty is the chief program officer at the Rural Center, and prior to her current role, she served 16 years in various programs across the Center. Currently, she oversees the Center’s leadership and engagement, research, policy and advocacy, strategic partnerships, and communications teams. Misty is a graduate of REDI XIX and Leadership NC. Prior to working at the Rural Center, she held positions in educational research and social work. She received her bachelor’s in social work and her master’s in public administration from North Carolina State University. In her leisure time, Misty enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and trying a variety of new foods and restaurants.

Jasper joined the NC Rural Center in July 2021 and currently holds the position of relationship manager for the Small Business Capital team. In his role, he provides critical support to the NC Rural Center and its small business capital programs. At the core of his work he specializes in partner relationship management and project management across a suite of small-business lending and support programs. 

Previously, Jasper worked for Public Allies of Baltimore where he was responsible for program operations and management, prior to that he worked for Cara Collective in Chicago where he worked in community and workforce development. 

Jasper is excited to be working for the NC Rural Center because he believes in the power of CDFI’s and small businesses to impact communities and change lives. He looks forward to strengthening current relationships and creating new ones. 

He is happy to be back home in NC, where he was born and raised, to help the people who have helped him.

Hamid, a native of Eden, is an accomplished academic and community leader. He holds a
bachelor of arts in Chemistry from Fayetteville State University and a master’s in curriculum
and instruction with a minor in STEM from Concordia University. Currently, he is pursuing a
doctorate of ministry degree at Virginia University of Lynchburg. Hamid also serves as the
senior pastor of Bluestone Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham.

With a decade of experience in education, Hamid has now joined the NC Rural Center as the
program manager of Faith in Rural Communities. He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc.

Hamid is married to LaToya R. Bost, and together they have four children: Ayden, Amelia, Aaron
(deceased), and Asher.

Torie Keeton is the policy and government affairs manager at the NC Rural Center. In this role she works with state and federal lawmakers to advance the Rural Counts advocacy agenda, a set of innovative nonpartisan policy solutions to rural North Carolina’s biggest economic development challenges.

Before this position, Torie worked in similar roles focusing on mental health and addiction issues, conducting policy analysis, developing legislation, and leading advocacy efforts at both the state and federal level for equitable access to behavioral health coverage and treatment.

Torie graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health, focusing her studies in health policy. It was at Potsdam she learned to appreciate the importance of rural consideration in policy formation and was introduced to Health in All Policies – a public health approach she fully devotes herself to today.

When not reading policy, tracking politics, or walking the halls of the General Assembly, Torie is appeasing her 5 year old shih tzu Emmett, listening to podcasts, or singing Broadway hits in her car. 

Michael serves as the Director of Collaborative Broadband & Innovation with the North Carolina Rural Center, where he works with local governments and the Rural Center’s many partners on Broadband deployment. He was previously the Director of Regional Planning and Economic Development for 6 1/2 years at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, a five county region, where he oversaw the administration of various federal and state grants, transportation initiatives, infrastructure improvements, drafted local zoning ordinances, and addressed food insecurity needs. Prior to working at a Regional Council of Governments, he worked as a Planner in Orange County assisting residents comply with the County’s newly adopted Development Ordinance, with a particular emphasis placed on land use and environmental regulations. Prior to his tenure in local government, he served in an administrative capacity with the State of North Carolina.

Michael is a graduate of North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University. He is a Certified Planner, through the American Institute of Certified Planners and Certified Zoning Official, through the North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials. He remains active in the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association and Association of Zoning Officials.

Michael is proud to call North Carolina home, enjoying experiencing the state’s Southern charm and great bar-b-que. When not in the office, he enjoys taking scenic photos of our state from the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Mountain regions.

Armeer Kenchen leads the Rural Center’s small business credit initiatives, which includes Corner Square Community Capital. Prior to joining the Rural Center, he was a member of Self-Help’s executive team where he was responsible for developing strategic partnerships and leading implementation of strategic priorities that drove growth and expansion. He has significant experience working with CDFIs, having previously served as Executive Vice President at Self-Help, Chief Executive Officer of Generations Community Credit Union, and board chair at the Carolina Small Business Development Fund.      

Armeer has more than twenty-five years of experience working with community development finance institutions, non-profit and community development organizations. Some additional highlights of his career include experience as a public school teacher, business consultant, child-care center operator, and affordable housing developer.  

Armeer is active in the community, serving on several boards throughout North Carolina. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Durham City/County Planning Commission and treasurer of Durham Community Land Trustees.

Dr. Heather Kilbourne is the director of Faith in Rural Communities. She grew up surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Marion, North Carolina. She previously pastored United Methodist Churches in rural towns and communities including Hamptonville, Morganton, and Statesville, NC. Prior to becoming a minister, she worked as a non-profit administrator for Family Services Center and Teach For America. 

Dr. Kilbourne has always felt a calling to serve marginalized families and communities. She assisted in starting three Circles communities, a program to help families out of poverty through building relationships across class barriers and increasing individual social capital.  She is a former Bridges Out of Poverty trainer.  

She holds her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Asheville, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor in Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and walking her dog, Hanna.

Sheridan serves as the Senior Financial Analyst at the Rural Center. In her role, she assists with a variety of financial and accounting tasks and stays up to date on the latest accounting standards and guidance affecting the Center.  

Sheridan grew up in North Carolina and joined the Rural Center with a passion to give back to the state she has been proud to call home since she was born. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the Center, she worked at an international public accounting firm for four years and subsequently spent a year at a lending institution.

In her free time, Sheridan enjoys spending as much time as she can outside, serving at her church and playing board games with family and friends. Although not near as fast as she was when she ran track in high school and college, she is still an avid runner and lets out her competitive side by running in obstacle course races.  

Daniel serves as the controller for the Rural Center. He is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and graduated from North Carolina State University’s masters of accounting program. He worked previously with the N.C. Office of State Auditor. Prior to obtaining his degree in accounting and his C.P.A. license, Daniel worked a variety of jobs at grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants in Raleigh and Austin, Texas.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Becca and daughter, Hattie, tinkering on old cars, trucks, campers, listening to real country music, and exploring new places.

Kristin joined the Rural Center in June 2022, as the loan production manager. She is responsible for managing the application portals for CornerSquare and the Loan Participation Program (LPP), from loan intake to underwriting. She has a background in lending/banking which allows her to efficiently serve as the liaison between our lending partners and the Rural Center.

Kristin was born in a small town that borders both West Virginia/Virginia. She is very community oriented, and has served on the board of directors and on numerous committees at her hometown chamber of commerce.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, but most importantly making memories with her husband and daughter. She and her family are new to North Carolina and she looks forward to learning more about the Raleigh area and getting involved in the community. 

Kailey brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to her role as office manager at the NC Rural Center. Prior to joining the Rural Center, she served as director of operations at a North Carolina children’s museum. Under her leadership, she earned the organization recognition as an inclusive employer and made strides in workplace diversity and accessibility. With a passion for sharing industry knowledge, Kailey participated as a session presenter at the annual Children’s Museum Interactivity Conference for two consecutive years, focusing on topics related to managing data and volunteer programs. She also recently earned a certificate from the Nonprofit Management Institute hosted by the NC Center for Nonprofits.

Kailey’s professional journey is deeply rooted in her early experiences as a vocational specialist and job coach for adults with disabilities. This background reflects her commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and strengthening community connections. She is a creative problem solver who is passionate about fostering community and collaboration, thrives on helping others succeed, and brings a solution-oriented mindset to every challenge she encounters.

Beyond her professional life, Kailey enjoys expressing her creativity as a macrame artist and regularly participates in local pop-up markets. She is also an active community volunteer and enjoys spending time with her family and friends during game nights. When not volunteering or crafting, Kailey can be found listening to comedy podcasts, caring for her growing collection of houseplants, and enjoying time with her cat.

Saquoia is a lifelong resident of Charlotte. She graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor’s in psychology and went on to get a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. 

Saquoia has over 16 years of experience financing and processing loans. She began working with mortgage loans during the 2007 mortgage crisis. This was her introduction to the lending and finance industry. Saquoia processed loans for a notable non-profit company, whose goals were to eliminate predatory lending. Through this company, Saquoia protested and traveled to various cities to help homeowners modify their loans to affordable interest rates and payments. There she was able to combine her love for helping people and processing loans as a home save counselor. 

In 2012, Saquoia took time to focus on being a mother. She also opened and operated a behavior outpatient company for four years, which gave her a perspective of a small business owner.

Saquoia is a Christian and loves being in a peaceful atmosphere. She enjoys challenging herself to learn new information.

Bill is a 40-year veteran of the financial services industry and brings a diverse lending and credit background to support the NC Rural Center’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Thread Capital and CornerSquare Community Capital.

Stallings is a native of New Orleans, where he began his banking career in 1984. He joined the NC Rural Center in September 2023 as Chief Revenue Officer for the Small Business Capital Division. Previously he was with BB&T for 22 years and Wells Fargo for five years. Prior to the NC Rural Center, Bill was North Carolina market president for Blue Ridge Bank, N.A.

Bill is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, where he served on the Board of Trustees and has been a member of the faculty since 2012. Bill received a Certified Commercial Investment Member designation – a professional commercial real estate credential – in 2009.

Bill is a proud parent of three children with four grandchildren. He is a huge New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers fan. During his spare time, Bill enjoys spending time at the lake with his family and friends.

Norma serves as director of operations and servicing for the NC Rural Center. She previously worked at Self Help Credit Union as Branch Manager of the Windsor Branch. She began her career at St. Luke Credit Union in June 2003 where she started as a Member Service Representative and then Collections Manager. Other positions throughout her career included Regional Director through merger at Generations Community Credit Union.