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Meet our Board of Directors
The GPG Community Development, Inc.’s governing board is comprised of individuals who volunteer their time and energy to create a fiscally and managerially strong organization for the purpose of improving the status to The GPG Community Development, Inc. community. One-third of the members of the board must be people who are served by GPGCD and who as a group, represent the community of individuals being served. Board Members are listed below:
Mr. Julius Derico, Jr.
Board Chair
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Mrs. Janet Manning
Board Vice-Chair
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Mr. Charlie Robinson
Board Treasurer
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Mrs. Carlotta Harrell
Board Secretary
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Mr. Art Brown
General Member
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Mr. Willis London
General Member
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Mr. Edward McNease
General Member
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Ms. India Pullin
General Member
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Mr. J. Morris Cooper
General Member
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Ms. Pauline Pituk
General Member
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Mr. Willis London
General Member
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Rev. William Francis
General Member
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Mr. Robert Murrell, Jr.
General Member
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Staff
Rev. Chianti M. Harris
Executive Director
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Board Officer Profile
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Mr. Julius Derico, Jr. – Board Chair: Mr. Derico is a retired Deputy Chief of Police from Atlanta Police Department. He also served his country in the U.S. Army. Presently, he serves as the Board Chair of The Greater Piney Grove Community Development, Inc., as well as the Secretary of the Board of Deacons for The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. Prior to serving as Board Chair, he served as Chair of the Promised Land Commission, the development auxiliary of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. He is married to Judy and they have three children.
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Mrs. Janet Manning – Board Vice- Chair: Mrs. Manning is a retired Social Worker for the State of Georgia. She has served on the Board in various capacities since its inception in 1994. She was instrumental in the development and strategic planning of the organization. In addition, Mrs. Manning currently serves in numerous community organizations as well as in auxiliaries of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. In addition to serving at Vice-Chair of the Board, Mrs. Manning is the chair of the Higher Plains Commission. She is married to Henry and they have two children.
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Mrs. Carlotta Harrell – Board Secretary: Mrs. Harrell is a nonprofit professional who have been instrumental with The Grove CDC since its inception in 1994. She has 10+ years of experience working as a consultant for non-profit organizations, local municipalities, and country governmental entities in the field of Economic Development in all levels. In addition to serving as Board Secretary, Mrs. Harrell serves as chair of the CHDO Development Committee and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee. She is married to Retired Lithonia Police Chief Kennis Harrell and they have three children.
Mr. Charlie Robinson – Board Treasurer: Mr. Robinson is a retired Pressman from the Western Printing company, located in Wisconsin. Prior to relocating to Georgia, Mr. Robinson served faithfully at his home church as the Chair of the Deacon’s Board. Presently, he serves as the Board Treasurer of The Greater Piney Grove Community Development, Inc., as well as the Treasurer of the Board of Deacons for The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. Prior to serving at Board Treasurer, he served on the Promised Land Commission, the development auxiliary of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. He is married to Caroline and they have three children.
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