Mr. Siler, Group Effort Foundation’s executive director, founded the company in 2005. His duties include recruiting and retention, budgeting, expansion, and overseeing operations. He is proud of Group Effort’s impressive growth, outstanding reputation and committed, caring staff. With experience as director of staff, he is especially dedicated to the implementation of the performance quality improvement (PQI) program. This program has significantly enhanced staff satisfaction and performance, in turn enhancing the experience and development of Group Effort’s residents.

Mr. Siler’s prior work experience combined with his education in public administration and criminal justice enable him to handle Group Effort’s business affairs from a uniquely well-rounded point of view.

Mr. Siler was program director at Turnaround Center in Gallatin, TN,  and from 2001–2005, he was a case manager for the Department of Children’s Services, working with adolescents through the juvenile justice probation office.

Mr. Siler received his master’s degree in public administration from the Cumberland University, TN, in 2010.  He also received a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Bluefield College, VA, in 2001.

Lisa has been fortunate to spend the past 15 years working with families and children. She worked for Group Effort Foundation on a contract basis for five years, going full time as the company’s treatment director in 2008 — a position she finds rewarding and fulfilling. She enjoys the challenge of working with both the mental health and behavioral aspects of the residents, commenting that “Even on the worst days, something good always comes out of it.”

Lisa worked from 2002–2006 at Youth Villages in Nashville, TN, as an in-home family counselor, and then as a supervisor for its burgeoning crisis program. She was instrumental in helping launch the crisis program in the Nashville area.

From 1998–2002, Lisa worked for Volunteers of America, a nonprofit program, where she was a case manager for homeless families with children. Additionally, she worked from 1997–1999 at The Simon House, a shelter for homeless women with children. Both companies benefited immensely from her combination of strength, competency, and heart — as does Group Effort Foundation today.

Lisa received a bachelor of arts in social work from the Kentucky State University and went on to earn her master’s degree in social work from Spalding University in Louisville, KY, in 2001. She is licensed as an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) in Tennessee.

Born and raised in Frankfurt, KY, Lisa is married with two grown children and a 2-year-old granddaughter.

Melanie has been Group Effort’s charge nurse for nearly four years. She finds it to be very rewarding to work with the young men there and hopes that she can help them make changes and have a positive impact in their lives.

After graduating high school, she went to cosmetology school and opened and ran her own beauty salon for 15 years. With a constant desire to be a nurse, she made the decision to return to college to get her nursing degree, while continuing to run her salon and raise her small children, now ages 19, 15, 13 and 10. After graduating from nursing school, she worked at the local hospital in the maturity unit for two years, until the unit closed and the family moved to Nashville, TN. Once in Tennessee, she was offered her current position as the charge nurse. She is currently going back to college to further her nursing education.

Melanie was born and raised in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY, called Springville. One of seven children, she has five brothers and a sister.

Marilyn graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977 with a master's degree in special education and did postgraduate at the University of Virginia, the University of Alabama, the University of Tennessee at Martin and Tennessee State University. She taught school for 35 years in Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama.

Marilyn has two grown children, Lauren and Macon, who have each blessed her with a grandchild. She loves to play poker, travel, eat, read and garden.

Denise is responsible for human resources and oversees the functions of the office manager. She joined Group Effort Foundation in January 2010, bringing extensive experience in human resources, administration, banking, accounting, bookkeeping and customer service. She graduated from Pellissippi Community College with an associate degree in paralegal studies in 2006.

Denise has a 20-year-old son named Joshua. She enjoys playing softball, gardening and walking.

Erin joined the Group Effort team in July 2009. As a clinical case manager, she conducts weekly individual and group therapy sessions. Erin graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and family studies in 2002 and a Master of Arts degree in professional counseling in 2009.

Erin Grooms was born in Michigan and moved several times before making Tennessee her home in 2007. She now lives north of Nashville with her husband and their 16-month-old son. For fun, she likes spending time with friends and family, travelling, watching football, playing board games and baking.

Rebecca has a master’s degree in professional counseling from Argosy University and is in the final stages of obtaining licensure. She has been with the company for more than three years. Rebecca began working at Group Effort Foundation to make a difference in the lives of youth. She believes that while every day can be a challenge, with that challenge comes the joy of seeing the difference Group Effort makes in young men’s lives.

Rebecca has always enjoyed working with others and being part of a team. She played rugby for more than four years and was an assistant coach for high school rugby teams. This experience has enhanced her ability to provide effective treatment to the young men at Group Effort.

LaSonya joined Group Effort as a unit manager a year ago, coming from Nashville’s Development Learning Center where she was director of staff. Prior to DLC she was director of food service for the Davidson County Sherriff Department from 2002–2005. With her experience in customer relations and her affinity for young people, she is a natural fit for her position at Group Effort: “I love it! It does the heart good to see the kids be successful!”

Originally from Memphis, TN, LaSonya enjoys cooking, watching movies, shopping and spending time with family and friends. She is married with two boys, ages 13 and 11.

LaSonya is currently working towards a degree in human relations at the University of Phoenix.

Reggie started his journey in this field in 2002 at a level-four facility in Memphis, TN. He was promoted to his first managerial position after nine months, overseeing 10 employees and 40 residents. After two years with the level-four facility, he was hired by Behavioral Health Hospital in Olive Branch, MS, where he began working with acute patients with dual diagnosis. He learned a great deal about the mental and behavioral health field during this time, and the knowledge he gained has continued to help him advance his career.

Reggie moved to Nashville in 2009 to finish working on his degree at Middle Tennessee State University and began working at a sex offender program. After seven months, however, he applied for a job at Group Effort Foundation and was hired on as the unit manager for the Mt. Juliet ranch facility. He brings with him eight years of experience in this field and a lifetime of empathy for each resident at Group Effort.

Working for Group Effort Foundation feels right for Theresa because she is making a difference in children’s lives, which makes her own life more complete.

Theresa feels that all children are capable of learning and being loved, regardless of their race, creed or color. She has always had a special love for all children. In everyday life, her love for people is like the unconditional love God has for her — regardless of past and present mistakes.

Theresa was born in Clarksdale, MS. She is the mother of three: Carlos (age 18); Kenneth Jr. (age 11); and Destiny (age 10).

As assistant unit manager, Tim has many duties: day-to-day operations; ensuring that the curriculum is followed and helping with homework; providing guidance and advice; and evaluating and improving residents’ behaviors. Behaviors that are developed include respectfulness, hygiene, and the ability to follow directions and complete chores.

Prior to joining Group Effort Foundation, Tim was a correctional officer at the Tennessee Department of Corrections in Nashville, TN. Prior to that he was the house manager and director of admissions for the Quinn Home Care Group in Brownsville, KY (2003–2008). Among his diverse duties at Quinn, Tim supervised an effective program of care while developing supportive relationships with residents, and acted as a liaison between program and community resources. Additionally, he trained child care workers in dealing with resident behaviors. At the Allen County Scottsville Board of Education (Scottsville, KY; 2002–2003), Tim tutored children with behavioral disorders.

Tim received his Bachelor of Science in education with a concentration in sport administration from the University of Louisville, KY, in 2000. He is also certified in CPR.
In his spare time, Tim likes to go boating, build solar panels, sell real estate, read and entertain his daughter.

James studied at the University of Alabama where he received his master’s degree in education in 2008 and two Bachelor of Arts degrees — in history and political science — in 2007. He worked as a youth pastor for the youth ministry of Flatwoods Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL, for several years before moving to Nashville, TN. He spent a year working for Metro Nashville as geography and reading teacher for seventh graders before joining Group Effort Foundation in 2009 as a teacher and administrator.

James enjoys the flexibility and challenge of teaching a wide range of subjects to a wide age range of young men. His compassion — born of his own personal experiences — comes through in his work with the youth. James teaches not only English language, science, math, social studies and art, but also life skills.

His interests include freelance writing, videography, drumming and playing guitar.

Phyllis obtained a bachelor of science degree in education to teach K–5 through the eighth grade from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. Upon graduation, she accepted her first teaching job in Bethpage, TN, as their first kindergarten teacher. The following year she accepted a teaching position in Chattanooga, TN, teaching third graders for two years. She then moved to South Carolina and taught for 18 years, giving her the opportunity to teach boys and girls from the first grade to the twelfth grade.

During her years in South Carolina, Phyllis was able to teach special needs children with attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia, as well as children with diverse learning disabilities. She attended several workshops and took an additional course from a local university in Greenville, SC. In Texas, she worked as a tutor and started a home school to help the children of three Hispanic families catch up to their grade levels. While in Texas, Phyllis enrolled in a class entitled “Bilingual Education” at a local college. This gave her a better understanding of the Hispanic population and of other languages around the world. Majoring in business in high school gave Phyllis valuable business skills — skills she has been able to put to good use ever since. Phyllis has been the office manager at Group Effort Foundation for the past four years.

Phyllis has a passion for teaching children of all ages and for contributing to their personal growth and development.