ABOUT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Raquel Ramseur
Chair

Raquel Ramseur is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. She is a Nationally ranked Collegiate Track and Field Scholar Athlete, who was inducted to the SOCON 100th Anniversary Women’s Track and Field Team.  Outside of her passion for Track and Field, she specializes in ensuring the safety and efficacy of Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Drugs as Regulatory Affairs Lead.  Known as a “Servant Leader”, she makes it her priority to serve others in a professional and personal capacity. She is a leader among her peers and is generous with her time and talents.  Raquel is a Legacy of the Smithville Community, Charlotte resident and HOA Board member, active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., avid cyclist and travel enthusiast.

Richard Dandurand
Treasurer

Dick Dandurand serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Smithville Community Coalition. His business experience spans several industries and has been President of major divisions and subsidiaries of a Fortune 500 company as well as the CEO of a small publicly traded company and a private equity portfolio company. He is a Board member of 2 black-owned businesses for over 15 years and led a partnership between the companies and Howard University for the National Institute of Health HBCU initiative. Dick has always been active in the community, beginning his career as youth coordinator for the Boston YMCA and leading fundraising for the United Way and the YMCA World Service in Connecticut. He is currently on the Board of the Peninsula Community Foundation. He and his family have lived in Cornelius for almost 20 years.

Ron Potts
Advisory Board Member

Ron Potts serves as the V.P. Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Ronald Lee Potts was born and raised in the Smithville Community of Cornelius. He attended segregated schools in Mecklenburg County graduating  from Torrence-Lytle High School in 1965, graduated from Fisk University in Nashville in 1969. After college, he served in the US Army in Vietnam.  He spent most of his career in Employee Benefits specialists which took him to several places he called home – Omaha, NE, Los Angeles, CA , Houston, TX,  and West Palm Beach, Fl . He returned to Cornelius in 1997 to help his widowed father, Wilson Potts. His father operated a white only barber shop in Cornelius starting in the early 1950’s and later moved to its current location on Catawba Ave in 1960. It was peacefully integrated in 1972. His father and mother were activist when Smithville was outside the Town limit helping to obtain many services for the community.  Ron feels his passion for community came from them. He is retired and now serves as the treasurer for the Smithville Community Coalition.

Ivy Harvell

Ivy Harvell is a member of the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Ivy Harvell was born and raised in the Smithville community. His paternal grandfather was one of the early settlers of Smithville. Both his parents and five siblings were raised in Smithville. Ivy served his country for nearly 10 years in the Army National Guard before receiving an Honorable Discharge at the rank of Sergeant E-5. He spent 32 years with OverNite Transportation Company/UPS Freight serving in various roles, such as Delivery Driver, Driver Trainer, Safety Instructor and Smart Move Trainer. Ivy has dedicated his life to leading his family and serving his church. He is married to Denise Sloan Harvell and is the proud father of four and grandfather of twelve. He has proudly served Union Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church as the Preacher Steward, Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School teacher and Lay Council President. He served as the Chairman of the trustee Board for over 15 years; President and Vice President of the Men’s ministry for 30 years which includes nineteen churches. In retirement, Ivy remained very active. He is the owner of I View You, LLC, a professional photography company. He also serves as a Funeral Director for WH Bryant AE Grier and Sons.  He enjoys spending time with his family and supporting his very active grandchildren.  

Rayford Miller

Clarence “Rayford” Miller is a member of the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Rafford was born in nearby Mooresville, NC and raised in the Smithville community. Rayford continued his education at North Carolina State University, where he began in civil engineering and eventually earned a B.S. Degree in Economics and Business Management in 1979. His career as an engineer tech began with the Department of Transportation, Construction Division in Raleigh. In 1982 he transferred to Charlotte where he continued that career as an integral employee in the construction of I-277, I-77, W.T. Harris Blvd., and I-485. 

He enjoys all types of music, as he has been a musician (double bass) since junior high school and includes performing with orchestras in Raleigh, Charlotte, Davidson College, and Catawba College. He is a lifelong member of Gethsemane Baptist Church where he sings in the choir and is a member of the Senior Usher Board.  He resides in the Smithville Community in Cornelius.  Currently, he is retired and a full-time volunteer at the Neighborhood CARE Center in Smithville as the Warehouse Manager in Cornelius, North Carolina.

Elaine Withers

Elaine Withers is a member of the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Elainie was born and raised in Smithville. She attended North Mecklenburg High School and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) with a focus on business. Her career spanned 44 years from 1972 to 2016 at Citigroup as a senior branch executive working on loan processing. She enjoys gardening, travel, family activities, and music. She is a member of Union Bethel AME Zion Church where she sang in the choir. She resides in the Smithville Community in Cornelius.  Currently, she is enjoying retirement and serving on the SCC board.

ADA ESTHER GIL JIMENEZ

Ada Esther Gil Jimenez is a dynamic entrepreneur and North Carolina–certified general contractor dedicated to building strong communities through inclusive development and small business empowerment. As the CEO of AEGJ Construction LLC, she leads with vision, faith, and a passion for elevating others through opportunity and impact.

Ada brings a powerful blend of technical skill, business acumen, and heart. Under her leadership, AEGJ Construction has earned certifications including NCHUB MBE, NCSBE, and City of Charlotte MBE, positioning her company as a champion for supplier diversity and readiness in the construction industry. Her commitment to quality and preparation is rooted in a deep belief in community stewardship.

Her recent completion of the LISC Charlotte Real Estate Development Program reflects her growth as a developer and leader, where she was recognized for delivering a compelling “Shark Tank-style” pitch. Through every project and partnership, Ada demonstrates a commitment to collaboration, accountability, and transformation.

A proud Christian, bilingual professional, and mother, Ada’s life is anchored in faith, family, and service. She actively mentors emerging entrepreneurs and speaks boldly about the importance of certifications, training, and community support in sustainable business growth.

Ada is also an advocate for education, celebrating her daughter’s achievements and continually investing in her own learning—from industry innovation to cutting-edge technology like generative AI.

Rooted in purpose and guided by service, Ada Esther Gil Jimenez is building more than structures—she is building legacy, access, and lasting change.

TEMPESS SWINTON

Tempess Swinton is a dedicated leader with a passion for developing people, building strong teams, and driving meaningful results. She currently serves as Director of the Customer Interaction Center at AAA – The Auto Club Group, where she leads high-performing teams and delivers strategies focused on customer experience and operational excellence.

Tempess is known for her inclusive leadership style, focus on culture, and commitment to continuous improvement. She brings years of experience leading through change and inspiring others to grow, both professionally and personally.

An active member of Hunters Chapel United Methodist Church, Tempess grew up in Davidson, North Carolina, and comes from a long line of family members rooted in the Smithville community. She is proud to give back through service and leadership that uplifts and strengthens others.

Tempess is also a wife, mom of three, and MBA student who believes in servant leadership and living with purpose.

Sammie Knox
Advisory Board Member

Sammie Knox serves as an Emeritus Advisor on the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Sammie was raised in Smithville. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War. Sammie moved to the Washington, D.C area and worked in the Justice Department. Sammie attended the University of District of Columbia on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1981. He spent his career as a Cooperative Education Student at NASA, as a Project Expediter for the Bechtel Power Company and then a Senior Buyer in Maryland before moving to Michigan.  Sammie worked for Electronics Data Systems (EDS) Corporation as Contract Administrator and then Program Coordinator.  Sammie retired from EDS and then became a Real Estate Sales Associate before retiring from the workforce. Sammie moved back to Smithville where he enjoys retirement and snow skiing.

PHYLLIS GOLDEN MOREY
Advisory Board Member

Phyllis Golden Morey is a seasoned legal executive with a career spanning more than 30 years in corporate law, compliance, and litigation strategy. Most recently serving as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Trane Technologies (formerly Ingersoll Rand), Phyllis has led global legal teams through corporate transitions, high-stakes litigation, and complex compliance challenges.

Known for her strategic mindset and calm leadership under pressure, Phyllis brings deep experience across a range of industries, including automotive, industrial manufacturing, and telecommunications. She has served in key legal roles at companies such as Lear Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and AT&T, where she was trusted to oversee critical legal operations and shape internal governance policies.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Phyllis earned her B.A. from the University of Memphis and her J.D. from the University of Tennessee. She now resides in the Cornelius, North Carolina area and remains active in mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

A retired executive and very proud grandmother, Phyllis continues to be passionate about helping organizations uphold their values through principled leadership and strong legal foundations. She is currently open to serving on nonprofit and corporate boards where her insight can support transformation and accountability.

John Quinn
Advisory Board Member

John Quinn is a member of the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. John is a semi-retired global business leader.  His expertise includes leading large organizations focused on improving customer and employee experience while driving down operating and service costs. He is currently a partner with CE3 Solutions, LLC – a consulting firm. Outside of work, John is involved his community serving on the Town of Davidson Affordable Housing and Equity (Advisory) Board.  He is a Board of Directors Member of the North Mecklenburg (County) Economic Mobility Collaborative and the Wakami Foundation.  He is the Co-founder and President of The Sinapi Foundation that promotes and sponsors integrated village transformation methodologies in Guatemala.  John is a founding member of the Smithville Community Coalition Board of Directors.   He is actively involved with Unity in Community and Race Matters for Juvenile Justice.  John is a past board member of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (9 yrs.) and of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity (4 yrs.). John graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering.  He received his MBA from the University of Memphis.  John has been married for 44 years to his wife Beth. They have three grown children and four grandkids.  They have lived in the North Mecklenburg since 2002- 12 years in Cornelius and now in Davidson.  

Justin Miller
Community Partner

Justin Miller is a dedicated community partner of the Smithville Community Coalition, generously volunteering his time and resources to support the Coalitions mission. He previously served as a community organizer, playing a key role in engaging residents and advancing local initiatives.

Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree from St. Augustine’s University and went on to receive his Master’s degree from North Carolina Central University. His passion for community impact began early in Chicago, where he developed a strong commitment to supporting underserved communities.

Since relocating to North Carolina, Justin has collaborated with various organizations to promote economic development and expand access to affordable housing. He remains deeply committed to creating positive change and helping ensure a high quality of life for all.