First In Families of NC is governed by a Board of Directors from across the state of North Carolina. A majority of the Board must, by Bylaw requirement, be comprised of people with developmental disabilities or their family members.
If you are interested in learning more about membership on the Board of FIFNC:
Please postal mail the completed to the address provided. [Note: The link to the application is a PDF formatted document and requires a free software, such as Adobe Reader, to open.]
Save a copy of the Word file and email it to our State director, Betsy MacMichael.
Meet some of our board members.
Erica Ferranti, Board President, is an attorney with Armor Trust Attorneys and specializes in estate planning.
Greg McGrew, Vice President of the FIFNC Board, is an attorney with Nortel and parent of a son with autism.
Robin McDuffie, Treasurer of the FIFNC Board, is a principal with Blackman & Sloop, CPAs, P.A. in Chapel Hill.
Melanie Mattingly, is owner of Preferred Living Solutions, a private care management company serving people with disabilities and seniors in Wake and surrounding counties.
Gwen McArthur.
"The potential for strength, endurance, courage, inventiveness and creativity exist in every human being God created." (Michelle Wallace)
Cindy Parkey
works for East Coast Migrant Head Start Project and has long been involved in advocacy for people with disabilities and inclusive communities.
Pat Reid is a self advocate from Statesville, NC, and has been a board member since 2002. Pat is very active in promoting self-determination for persons with disabilities.
Eboni Blake is the Coordinator of the Lifetime Connections program of FIFNC and the Central Carolina FIF Chapter Director. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to be a fully participating member of their community. Her career has been dedicated to the full inclusion of all people recognizing that communities are richer when everyone's gifts are utilized.
Karen Carlton is a Program Development Program Coordinator for Chapter Support and the Lifeline Project of FIFNC. Her favorite quote, from Betsy MacMichael, is "Being at the table is not the same as having helped cook the meal." Karen is excited about the opportunity she has at FIFNC to get people in the kitchen!
Krysta Gougler is the Coordinator of the Time Banks program of FIFNC and the Five County FIF Chapter Director. She believes that fully embracing the talents, weaknesses and strengths of each other leads to a vibrant and caring community where everyone has something valuable to share with others and everyone has something to learn.
Betsy MacMichael is State Director of FIFNC. She believes that if we are helpful, work hard, stay positive, and have the right supports, we can all strive to build our dream lives.
First In Families of North Carolina | 3109 University Drive | Durham, NC 27707
919-251-8368 | email