Ida Thornton, a retired educator, taught in public schools in Charleston, South Carolina for 30 years. For a few years during that time she was the Activities Director at the Charleston YWCA organizing and overseeing arts and sports programs for at risk youth. During Ida’s final years at Burke High School she taught special needs high school juniors and seniors food preparation and food service skills and assisted them in finding jobs in Charleston area restaurants. Ida earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics at South Carolina State College. She furthered her education taking courses at Savannah State College, the College of Charleston and the Citadel, earning her a master’s degree equivalent certificate. Ms. Thornton has served on numerous community and youth boards, in many capacities, throughout her years as an educator. Upon retiring Ida moved to Germany with her family to become an exclusive clothing designer for Melanie.

Born in Spartanburg, SC, Willie J. Beatty graduated from South Carolina State College with a BA in Accounting and Management. He has retired after 30 years in manufacturing; GE, Hersey, Clark Equipment, Ingersoll Rand, Dana Corporation. He is also a retiree of the Board of Directors of Statesville, NC Housing Authority, in which he served as chairman for 18 of his 22 years there. Additionally, Willie has served on a number of boards including: the United Way, Communi-Care, Mitchell College Advisory Board, Iredell-Statesville County Schools Advisory Board, Davis Hospital Board of Directors, IPAC (Chairman 5 years), IMPACT, NASCAR Diversity Task Force, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and Iredell/Statesville YMCA – Secretary/Treasurer. He is a mnagement consultant for Westmoreland Group where he specializes in human resources, strategic planning and financial management. He is also one of the two owners of 2 Willie's Restaurant and Bar in Lawrenceville, GA.

Steven Canady currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Asset Management, a diverse global corporate services firm that specializes in providing financial solutions to companies in various industries at all stages of the business cycle. He has worked on financing transactions for industry participants as diverse as life sciences to energy. Mr. Canady has over 10 years of experience in developing biotech, healthcare, and informatics companies and has been directly responsible for strategic financial planning, operations, equity and debt structuring, M&A skills, analysis, investor and lender relations, financial reporting, acquisitions and divestitures. Mr. Canady studied medicine in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom where he earned his Scientific Medical Doctorate degree in the area of Neurological Science. Mr. Canady founded a biotechnology company in January 2000 that focused on creating artificial intelligence drug delivery and diagnostic systems as well as pharmacological agents for the treatment of neurological and metabolic diseases and disorders. As an active member of his community and committed to reaching beyond his own circumstances and needs, he has participated on several boards and committees of nonprofit organizations and was awarded with the Recognition for Outstanding Service honor by the Honorable Donna Christensen, the Delegate to Congress for the United States Virgin Islands.

Ruben D. Martinez is the CEO and owner of Nene Musik Talent Agency, which was established in September of 2000. While working as an agent at Pyramid Entertainment Group under the guidance of CEO Sal Michaels, Ruben D. Martinez was responsible for the touring success of gold and platinum superstars: Elvis Crespo, Quad City DJ’s, Jocelyn Enriquez, La Bouche and Melanie Thornton to name a few. Ruben is also known in the industry for his production and remix discography which includes the likes of Diana Ross, Brandy, MC Lyte and many more.

Tamaiko Chappell is an educator at North Gwinnett High School in Sugar Hill, GA. As lead teacher in the mathematics department Tamaiko teaches Integrated Algebra 1 and Honors and College Prep Algebra 2. Tamaiko earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Kennesaw State University, her master’s degree in math education at the University of Georgia and her specialist certificate in teaching and learning from Piedmont College. Her extra curricular activities include being the coach of the North Gwinnett High School Step Team, an SAT test administrator and a tutor for Georgia Tech’s Prep Enrichment Program for at risk youth.

Carol Fisher is the Director of Shadowbrook Baptist Weekday School in Suwanee, Georgia. Graduating from the University of Georgia with a BS Ed. in math education, she also received a M.A.T. from Georgia State University. For over 20 years, she was a high school math teacher and tutor in DeKalb County. Married to Carey Fisher, Chief Technical Officer of NCS, Inc., she is the proud mother of three; she has a daughter who is an elementary teacher/high school swimming assistant coach, a son who is a Police Officer in DeKalb County, and another daughter who is a sophomore at Auburn University. She is also a proud grandmother of one granddaughter. Since children have always been her passion, she strives to ensure that they have a loving and nurturing environment to learn and grow physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Ramona Roman is co-owner of R Construction, Inc., a small construction company certified with the States of Georgia, North and South Carolina. For the past 10 years Ramona has been a member of various high school sports team’s boards holding the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. She also planned, scheduled and coordinated various school activities while she served. In her spare time Ramona is also a successful event planner. Over the past twenty years she has organized numerous events from elaborate parties and lucrative fundraisers to lavish weddings.

Lois E. Chisolm brings significant teaching and management experience in the arts to this position. Immediately before starting The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation, Inc., Chisolm owned and operated United Dance World, LLC, a mobile arts studio. Through United Dance World, LLC. Chisolm and her staff provided instruction in dance, martial arts, music, theater and art to students at daycare centers, private schools and community centers all over Gwinnett County. Prior to that Chisolm owned and operated a dance studio in Buford, Georgia where she provided dance instruction and fine arts summer camps. Most significantly Chisolm managed the careers of several well known performing artists which earned her gold and platinum sales awards in twenty five countries. Ms. Chisolm is highly experienced in creating a brand and building the name and goodwill of the brand to have lasting power and positive impact.

Todd Chisolm has over twenty combined years of experience in finance management, business management, tour management, bookkeeping, sales, marketing, advertising, branding, music management, music production, song writing, and video filming and production. Having been the financial manager for United Dance World, the foundation’s outreach program, for the past seven years, he already has experience working with the organization’s financial management, marketing, branding, advertisement, sales, and program development operations.

Monika Eimert has over fifteen years of experience in performing arts marketing, management, advertising, public relations, and financial operations. Monika was a vital member of the Melanie Thornton and LaBouche management teams at Thor Enterprises from 1996 through 2001. Having worked personally with Melanie, Monika is dedicated to building a successful foundation branch in Germany that will ensure the integrity and trust in the name Melanie Thornton. Monika has been serving her community as a music and English teacher since Melanie’s death in 2001 and knows first hand the needs of the youth she will serve in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Scott Thornton has over 14 years in the finance management, investment brokerage and insurance industry working for companies such as Merrill Lynch, Salomon Smith Barney, and Metropolitan Insurance. His skills in investment portfolio management and knowledge of the capital markets are great assets. Scott’s civic appointments that bring invaluable knowledge, experience and contacts to this organization include Vice President of the St. Monica's Development Corporation in Hartford, Ct. Formerly, Vice President of the Ct. River Valley Chapter of Hampton University Alumni, member of Rotary International's Selection Committee for the Group Study Exchange Program, and member of the Greater Hartford Property Owners Association.

Hugh Delaney brings a wide range of experiences, over 15 years, in business, property, and management development to include:

• Developing businesses from ground up to $2,000,000 gross annual income
• Managing projects ranging in value $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
• Reducing annual budget spending by $2,000,000
• 15 years experience in project/construction management
• Experience in all aspects of land development, utility installation, ground up construction, and project planning
• Proficiency in developing proven market approaches through contract negotiations
• Sound Management of budgets, project schedules, design process, consultants, and cost controls
• Developing detailed Pro formas that included cash flow analyses, sales projections, and resource driven budgets
• Managing site acquisition, architectural, and engineering firms

His experience as a father and working with youth services organizations gives him keen insight on the importance of our programs.

Catherine Oliver has over fifteen years experience as a marketing executive and social worker with proven results in branding products and services, training, motivating staff, turning around operations, tripling revenues, building strong referral bases, care planning and counseling.

Anthony Genovese has over 25 combined years experience as a children and youth program manager and coordinator, performing artist, musician, play director, teacher, vocal coach, writer, actor, and song writer. Anthony’s unique ability to plan, develop and execute professional performance and non-performance children and youth programs with benefit the foundation in helping to secure its brand from the very first program presented to the public.

Gina Edwards has twenty years experience in all facets of human resources to include: General Human Resources ~ Payroll ~ Corporate Recruitment ~ Customer Service ~ Relationship Building ~ Diversity ~ Training ~ Management and Leadership ~ Excellent Oral and Written Communications ~ Highly Organized. Edward’s knowledge, skills and abilities will be vital to develop a strong working team of employees for the foundation.

Dr. Campbell earned one of the first Doctorate of Martial Arts Philosophy & Martial Arts Science degrees available through the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies. In 2005, Dr. Campbell received international recognition as Founder and Style Head of Kokoro-Bushi-Do through Karate for Christ International. In 2006 Dr. Campbell was honored with the Instructor of the Year Award for Gwinnett County and in 2007 was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Dr. Campbell is passionate about instilling faith, confidence, self-control, and concentration in today’s youth to help them build a solid foundation for a responsible and prosperous future. In 2009 appointed as Director of Martial Arts Program, Ages 10-25 for the Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation.