Learn about the board members of COMEC here.
Maurrean Barger
One of the newest board members, I joined because of Len and the kids. Len has vast talents, passion and knowledge – his words are really remarkable, beautiful, nearly poetic, and sometimes gut-wrenchingly frightening. We, as parents, often don’t have access to the information we need to make solid parenting decisions. We, as parents, sometimes don’t know where to turn when our kids are at danger’s edge. Len and his crew are here for us.
The kids – because throughout my life I’ve had the strange pleasure of receiving the ‘the kindness of strangers’. These were people whom I didn’t know, and sometimes never met, but were the keystone to change in my life. This is my turn to pay it forward.
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Toya E. Duffie
I became a proud member of COMEC’s Board in January of 2011. While I had definitely heard of COMEC, I wasn’t all that familiar with all of the things that the organization does. It wasn’t until I received an email asking for volunteers to assist with COMEC’s Annual Golf Tournament, that I had the opportunity to learn more, and boy was I impressed.
I am a graduate of the University of Memphis with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Advertising. I am currently a Sr. Sales Specialist for FedEx’s Inside Sales Planning Team, but in past years have served as a volunteer for Memphis’ Juvenile Courts CASA Team (Court Appointed Special Advocate Team), worked as a substitute teacher for Memphis City Schools and have been employed as the Marketing Coordinator for The Organ Transplant Fund. I am also a member of the Memphis Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. As I parent I can truly respect and admire the work of COMEC and am proud to have the opportunity to serve as a board member and volunteer in any capacity possible.
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Mamie Jones
I joined the COMEC Board of Directors March 2008. I act as designee for the Honorable Curtis S. Person of the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County. I am the acting Deputy Chief Probation Officer in the Children’s Bureau and have been employed at Juvenile Court for ten years. COMEC was formed in 1984 as a collaborative effort among Juvenile Court, the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Since that time, COMEC has become one of this area’s outstanding resources to children and their families seeking help with the issues that affect them. COMEC assists the Court with counseling for troubled youth and their families, free drug testing, and Court tours. The Court is extremely proud of COMEC’s accomplishments under the leadership of the executive director, SGT. Len Edwards, and past and present board members. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board of directors.
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Selena Silvestro
That’s me on the left with my son, and Tran Bui. I first heard about COMEC in the spring of 2007 when I heard Tran Bui speak at a Moms of the Midsouth member social. I knew right away that I wanted to help! I organized the food services at our first COMEC Treasure Hunt at the Pink Palace, and was invited to join the Board of Directors. I’ve been planning COMEC fundraisers for the past three years and it’s been so rewarding to offer family-friendly events that are fun for all ages. We focus on bringing familes together and creating memorable joyous celebrations, while raising much needed funds to support COMEC’s programs. It’s important for me to spread the word about how COMEC protects children in the midsouth by issuing Amber Alerts for 19 counties in West, TN, offering child safety programs, counseling, drug prevention programs and parent seminars about internet safety. As a mom to two small boys, I want to know everything I can about keeping my children safe from predators and learning as much as I can from experts like Sgt. Len Edwards, our Executive Director.
My mother was a troubled teen and she could have used the kind of assistance that COMEC provides. I remember she had struggles with substance abuse when I was a child, and I was fortunate to have wonderful grandparents to depend on. I wish I could say that my story is “unique” but this kind of situation is far too common. I was extremely lucky though, since so many children do not have that kind of family support. COMEC helps all kinds of at-risk children and teens in the mid-south. I recently heard Len Edwards speak at my Mother’s of Preschoolers Group, and he said “You can’t save them all, but you can save one child at a time.” I take this message to heart when I think of how we can all make a difference in our own way.
Kristen Myers Waddell
I was introduced to COMEC through my friend and current board member, Holli Weatherington, in late summer 2011. Hearing the mission and values of the organization, I immediately wanted to learn more. I met with COMEC’s Executive Director Sgt. Len Edwards and joined the board in October 2011. I currently work as a marketing consultant and freelance writer/editor, I have a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and I am a new mother. My experience, degree and love for children all make COMEC a perfect fit for me. I joined the board to help promote this deserving organization to corporations, organizations and individuals in our community who may need, or know someone who needs its help someday.
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Ron Wong
I’m very fortunate to have several passions of which community service is one of them. I was asked about 5 years ago to join the board of COMEC, which I did not hesitate to accept. I did this because I believed in the mission of the organization and believe deeply that our children are our future! With my experience as a board member for various organizations over the past 15 years, I also felt like I could help grow the professionalism of the COMEC board. As a current board member, I feel my responsibilities are to help establish and grow meaningful fundraisers, govern the organization to performance excellence and provide resources for the success of the all the programs. About me, retired from FedEx after 34 years of service, Viet Nam veteran, member of Leadership Memphis class of 2003. I have also bass fished professionally for over 20 years, but now retired from that also.