Justin Hembree, Administration

Justin Hembree currently serves as Executive Director of the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. A native of Mitchell County, NC, Hembree has over 20 years of experience in municipal, county, and regional government management. He has previously served as County Manager of Mitchell County, NC, Assistant County Manager of Henderson County, NC, and Town Manager of Taylorsville, NC.

Hembree is active with the NC City and County Management Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Development Organizations, is a Past Chair of the Western NC Managers Association and served a term as President and currently serves as Treasurer of the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association. He holds a BS and an MPA, both from Appalachian State University, and served as a Cavalry Scout in the US Army.

Hembree occasionally competes on the professional barbeque circuit and was on a team that placed 2nd in the Whole Hog Category at the 2017 Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. He is  NC Pork Council Certified Judge and is one of the founders of the Carolina BBQ League.

Samantha Wullenwaber, Administration

Samantha Wullenwaber serves as the Council’s Deputy Executive Director. Wullenwaber began working for the Mid-Carolina Regional Council in 2021. In her role with Mid-Carolina, she assists member governments in Harnett, Cumberland, and Sampson counties with any needs they may have.

Prior to working for the Council, Wullenwaber worked as a Planning Technician and Director in the City of Dunn before being promoted to the Planning & Inspections Director. While in Dunn, Wullenwaber additionally served as the Executive Director of the Dunn Community Development Corporation. She worked as the Planning Director for the Town of Clayton before being named the Interim Town Manager for the Town of Spring Lake.

Wullenwaber received her undergraduate degree from East Carolina University and her Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is also a certified planner through the American Planning Association, AICP, and a Certified Zoning Official, CZO.

Glenda Dye, Administration

Glenda Dye works as the head finance officer for the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Dye has served the Council in multiple roles during her tenure, including the Director of the Aging Department for seven years. She has worked at the Regional Council for over 34 years, serving in her current position as Finance Officer since 2017. She received her BS in Accounting from Fayetteville State University in 2006. Dye was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, loves singing in her church, and walking her dogs.

Mary Beth Bird, Administration

Mary Beth Bird joined the Mid-Carolina Regional Council in September 2023 as the Administrative Coordinator of Workforce & Talent Development. In her current role, she oversees all administrative functions for the Council, working closely with staff and management to support multiple Boards in partnership with the organization.

Mary Beth brings over 15 years of diverse administrative experience, spanning local government and specialized construction industries. A Fayetteville native, she has lived in Cumberland County for most of her life. Known for her strong communication skills, creativity, and exceptional organizational abilities, Mary Beth is an integral part of the Council, providing invaluable support wherever it is needed. When she's not at work, Mary Beth enjoys being a wife, mother and aspiring novelist. 

LaShonda Gough, Aging

LaShonda Gough is the Health Promotions Coordinator for Mid-Carolina Regional Council. She also serves as the Mid-Carolina Senior Games Coordinator. In her role, she helps seniors gain confidence by education on topics such as fall prevention, healthy eating, and exercise. Gough has been passionately serving public health for the last 4 years.

Prior to working for the Council, Gough worked with diverse populations in the Maternal and Child Health sector for the Cumberland County Department of Public Health. During her time there she also assisted with various initiatives and grants including, dental health, local breastfeeding advocacy, healthy & affordable eating, and child safety. Throughout her time in public health, Gough has gained knowledge in community resources, public engagement, and creating close relationships with those around her.

Gough enjoys teaching, networking, and serving her community. She lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two beautiful daughters.

Tamara Hodge, Workforce & Talent Development

Tamara Hodge works as an Adult and Dislocated Worker Program Analyst for the Council. Hodge's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing, training, developing & overseeing policies and procedures, and fiscal and performance programmatic monitoring of the Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program, a federally funded program by the Department of Labor. In this position, she ensures that the program service contractor abides by all federal, state, and local mandates.

Hodge has background experience and education in the Administrative, Banking, Trust & Financial, Human Resources, and Client Service Industries. She was born on the Island of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, and moved to Fayetteville in 2016 after the destruction of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Tracy Honeycutt, Aging

Tracy Honeycutt is the head Aging Director for the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Honeycutt started her career with the City of Dunn Parks and Recreation, then moved on to Cumberland County Parks and Recreation before working with the Council in 2000. In her time with the Council, Honeycutt has served as an Information and Referral Specialist, Local Senior Games Coordinator, Regional Ombudsman, and Health Promotions Coordinator before becoming Area Agency on Aging Director. Honeycutt also serves as Vice-Chair for the North Carolina Senior Games Board of Directors Executive Committee.

Honeycutt was born and raised in rural Sampson County and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she earned a BA in Parks and Recreation Management.

Abby Manning, Local Government Services

Abby Manning is Mid-Carolina’s Planner I. As part of Mid Carolina’s Local Government Services division, Abby assists member governments with planning and zoning needs. Abby received her undergraduate degree from NC State University and later earned her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Urban and Regional Planning from UNC Wilmington. She began her planning career as an intern for Harnett County before moving on to a planner position with the Town of Angier. In her free time, Abby enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her husband and their six cats.

Kimberly Moffett, Local Government Services

Kimberly Moffett works as a part-time Town Clerk Consultant in the Local Government Services division of the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Moffett provides a variety of clerking assistance to Mid-Carolina's local government members including agenda preparation, minute taking, creation of ordinances, creation of resolutions, meeting management, record retention, public records, advisory board appointment, process improvement, office management and more.

Prior to Mid-Carolina, Moffett worked for two local North Carolina municipalities for twelve years as both a town clerk and a deputy town clerk. She additionally worked for 16 years with the Suffolk County Police Department in New York. She also spent 13 years working in the non-profit sector.

Moffett is a certified municipal clerk from the UNC School of Government and holds both IIMC and NCAMC certifications. She is a volunteer for animal rescue groups as well as the North Carolina Special Olympics.

A New York native, Moffett relocated to North Carolina in 1994 and has resided in Willow Spring since that time.

Alyssa Garcia, Local Government Services

Alyssa Garcia joins the team as the RPO Coordinator for Mid-Carolina. Previously, she has held a variety of positions within the Cumberland County Current Planning Division, progressing from Administrative Support Specialist to Planner III, and serving as Interim Current Planning Manager at the time of her departure; most recently, Alyssa served as the Planning Director for the City of Dunn. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's degree in Public Administration.

Alyssa and her husband have lived in Fayetteville for over 10 years. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, running, and spending quality time with her family.

Helen M. Mort, Aging

Helen M. Mort is Mid-Carolina’s SCSEP Coach. She assists seniors aged 55 and older in Cumberland, Richmond, Robeson, Moore, Lee, and Bladen counties to learn or polish work skills as they serve part-time in government or non-profit positions. These citizens then go on to accept non-subsidized employment in the community where they can continue to share their gifts.

Mort has 26 years of teaching experience and served as a Cumberland County middle school teacher for the last 20 of those years. She moved to North Carolina in 2000 when she married a Fort Liberty soldier. Mort has a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

In her leisure time, Mort enjoys spending time with her husband and three dogs, reading, hiking, and traveling.

Vincent Herrera, Aging

Vincent Herrera is Mid-Carolina's SCSEP Coordinator, supporting the SCSEP Coach in guiding seniors aged 55 and older through every step of the Senior Community Service Employment (SCSEP) process. 

With five years experience as a Program Manager for after-school enrichment programs in Silicon Valley, California, Vincent brings a strong background in education and management. He recently relocated to North Carolina and is currently pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity.  

In his free time, Vincent enjoys tinkering with computers, exploring new software, and developing leadership skills through collaborative projects with his intership team.  

Doug Muessle, Workforce & Talent Development

Doug Muessle started work with Mid-Carolina Regional Council in September 2023 as the Fiscal Coordinator. Prior to working for the Council, Doug supported the U.S. Army in various capacities in Intelligence and Finance. Doug enjoys golfing and following the adventures of his wife, Kathi. 

Tony Porter, Local Government Services

Veronica Rozier, Workforce & Talent Development

Veronica Rozier began her employment as a Business Services Representative with Mid-Carolina Council, Division of Workforce and Talent Development, in September of 2023. She is the military spouse of a retired US Air Force Veteran with an impressive 26-year career. Veronica is a proud graduate of Campbell University and brings a wealth of experience from her years in mortgage banking. Her professional journey has seamlessly transitioned into the realm of Business Services. With years of experience within the NCWorks Career Centers, where she served as a crucial component of the North Carolina Department of Commerce under the Division of Workforce Solutions, Veronica now shares her expertise with Mid- Carolina Regional Council. Serving her community is more than just a job; it's her passion. Her most significant accomplishments are the achievements of others, and she tirelessly works toward the betterment of her community and the success of its members.

Carla Smith, Aging

Carla Smith serves as the Aging Program Specialist for the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Smith serves as the Regional Options Counselor, providing educational and community resources to residents in skilled nursing facilities which will enable them to transition back into the community. She serves as the contracts manager, provides information and assistance to the community, and conducts the programmatic and fiscal monitoring for the agency’s programs.

Smith obtained her undergraduate degree at Methodist University and completed her Master of Social Work at Fayetteville State University.

Paula Stewart, Local Government Services

Paula Stewart works as a part-time Management Consultant in the Local Government Services division of the Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Stewart provides a variety of technical assistance to Mid-Carolina's local government members including staffing support, grant management and oversight, formation of policies and procedures, assistance with information technology needs, training, and more. Prior to Mid-Carolina, Stewart worked for Harnett County for twenty-five years, including service as Harnett County manager, deputy county manager, and information technology director. She additionally worked for North Carolina State University for nine years as a budget analyst and an applications analyst.

Stewart holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a certified government chief information officer with the UNC School of Government. Stewart was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award for her significant contributions to the state and her community following her retirement. She also earned the credentialed manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and currently serves as treasurer of the Angier Area Buddy Backpack Program, as a Community Advisory Board Member for the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees' Association (NCRGEA), and as a Leadership Harnett Board of Directors member.

A native and longtime resident of Harnett County, Stewart currently resides in Angier.

Melissa Simmons, Aging

Melissa Simmons is the ARPA Chores/Enhanced Chores and Transportation Program Coordinator at Mid-Carolina, where she brings passion and dedication to helping the aging population access essential services.

Before joining Mid-Carolina, Melissa wore many hats, excelling in roles such as Client Engagement Specialist, Employee Engagement Specialist, and Executive Secretary. Her diverse experience has shaped her ability to connect with people and make a meaningful impact.

An Air Force veteran, Melissa thrives on service and commitment. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, further fueling her drive to support and advocate for those in need.

When she’s not advocating community programs, you can find Melissa spending time with her family, crafting, assisting my church with various ministries or tackling DIY projects around the house—because she’s always up for a challenge, whether it's in the office or with a glue gun!

Kareem Strong, Aging

Mr. Kareem R. Strong, MPA, CDP, CF-L1

Kareem R. Strong is the Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman for the Mid-Carolina Area Agency on Aging, serving Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson Counties. Strong has been serving in his position for 10 years, and in his position, provides advocacy for residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Adult Care Homes (Assisted Living), and Family Care Homes. In addition to his position with the Council, Strong serves on the Board of Directors for Restoring Dynamic Lives Therapeutic Outpatient Therapy, as the Executive Slate for the North Carolina LTC Ombudsman Association, and as President of Cumberland & Sampson P.E.A.C.E (Partnership for Education, Access, and Choice at End of Life). He also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Health Care Management (MPA), and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), while undergoing the dissertation phase of his Doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Health Care Administration. Outside of the office, Strong is the primary caregiver for both of his parents and is a Crossfit Level One Trainer.

Barbara White, Aging

Barbara White works at the Mid-Carolina Regional Council as a Family Caregiver Specialist. Prior to her current position, White was a contract Social Worker for the Council’s Area Agency on Aging Care Management Program. She has previously worked as a Medical Social Worker for Amedisys Home Health and Advantage Hospice and Home Care, a Bereavement Coordinator for Healthkeeperz Home Care and Hospice, a Community Support and Intensive In-Home Manager for Evergreen Behavioral Management, Inc., and an Administrative Specialist for the United States Army and Army Reserve.

White has received numerous degrees in the field of social work, including, an Associate of General Education from Fayetteville Technical Community College, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a Master of Arts from Webster University- Counseling, Pope Air Force Base (Saint Louis Missouri), and a Master of Social Work Administration/Supervision Practice from Texas State University-San-Marcos.

Regina Smith, Aging

Regina Smith is the Kinship Care Opioid & Substance Abuse Coordinator at Mid-Carolina Regional Council, where she is dedicated to supporting families impacted by opioid and substance abuse. Her career spans a range of roles in healthcare, military service, and education, reflecting her deep commitment to service and community well-being.  
Regina served as a Medic in the United States Army, gaining invaluable experience in emergency medical care and leadership. After her military service, she pursued a career in healthcare, working as a Medical Assistant at Village Surgical Associates in Fayetteville, a Phlebotomist with Peterson Laboratory in Manhattan KS, and a Registered Nurse at Cape Fear Valley Hospital and the Blood and Cancer Center of Fayetteville North Carolina, offering compassionate care to patients and their families as they battled serious illness. She further advanced her career by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and worked as a Wellness Nurse with Peak Health Inc, of Wilson NC, where she continued to provide high quality care.  
In addition to her healthcare career, Regina shared her knowledge and expertise in the Health Science department at South View High School in the Cumberland County School District, helping to inspire and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.  
Now, as the Kinship Care Opioid & Substance Abuse Coordinator, Regina leverages her extensive healthcare background, military experience, and teaching experience to support kinship caregivers navigating the challenges that are caused by opioid and substance abuse. Her passion for helping others and her multifaceted expertise enable her to make a lasting impact on families and communities.   

Lisa DeCandia, Aging

Lisa DeCandia holds the position of Home Services Coordinator within the Department of Aging, where she is instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for residents of Cumberland County. Her role entails overseeing In-Home Aide Services and managing Consumer Directed Services, both of which are critical to ensuring that vulnerable populations receive essential care and support necessary for independent living. 

In addition to her primary responsibilities, Lisa also acts as a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIIP) Counselor in Sampson County. As an ordained minister and chaplain, Lisa offers a unique blend of compassion and understanding in her approach, fostering an environment where individuals feel supported and valued. With over 12 years of exprience in the healthcare sector, she has demonstrated leadership and innovation within community health initiatives founding the Community Grief Coalition and serving on the board and chairing the Congregations of CARE Committee at the CARE clinic, reflecting her dedication to addressing the pressing health and wellness needs of the community. 

Through her diverse roles and unwaviering commitment to service, Lisa DeCandia continues to make significant contributions to the well-being of individuals in her care, ensuring that they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. 

Andrew White, Local Government Services

Andrew White comes to the Mid-Carolina Council of Government as the Engineering Project Manager. He brings a 17-year background in the US Arm and diverse experience in water and wastewater management. Andrew attended NC State University, and draws on lessons learned from both his personal and professional life to the pivotal role of utility project management. 

Married to Taylor and the father of four energetic boys, Andrew enjoys his time away from work by embracing family life on the baseball field, where he enjoys coaching and cheering on his sons.