Smithville was.

Smithville is.

Smithville will be.

ABOUT

our TEAM

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Lisa Mayhew-Jones
Executive Director

Lisa Mayhew-Jones currently serves as the Executive Director and Emeritus Advisor on the Board of Directors for the Smithville Community Coalition. Lisa has led the grassroots efforts of the organization since 2011. Lisa is responsible for the oversight of residential services. She manages the program’s execution, hires, and supervises the employees, and ensures excellent treatment of the program members. She is a direct contact for all residents of the Smithville community for any issues or concerns. She partners with other non-profit organizations in the area. Lisa manages phases of rehab of existing homes and the building and construction of the revitalization plan. Lisa received her Associate Degree in Business from National Business College, Roanoke, VA, and Duke University Certification Non-Profit Management. She is continuing her education by becoming a HUD Certified Counseling Agent and is on track for graduating from Southern New Hampshire in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with Non-Profits. Lisa spent most of her career in executive administration and office management. Lisa led the development and articulation of a multi-year strategy that has mobilized the town government and neighborhoods in the East Catawba area on improving neighborhood infrastructure, delivering community services for groups in need, aiding economic development and job creation, and spurring housing revitalization. Lisa was a member of the Board of Directors of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity and Lake Norman YMCA. She is still actively involved with both organizations. She led the Smithville efforts for the creation of the Jazz Festival, Community Garden, and annual neighborhood cleanups. Her community activism inspired community improvements in safety and drainage and motivated the local Kiwanis Club to sponsor a new Splash Park at Smithville Park. Lisa was born and raised in Smithville until the sixth grade. She still has family that lives in Smithville. She cannot wait to move back into the community once homes are built with the revitalization plan. Lisa currently lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband.

Email at nmayhew.jones@scc-nc.org

Morgan Hinton

Natasha Witherspoon
Philanthropy Manager

Email at natasha.witherspoon@scc-nc.org

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Fredricka Allen
Executive Director Assistant/Community Advocate

Fredricka (Freddie) Thomas-Allen is the Community Advocate and Operations Professional supporting the Executive Director at Smithville Community Coalition. A retired 20-year civil servant with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, she brings a strong foundation in compliance, public service, and detail-driven execution. She is also an entrepreneur and owner of Sign Here Services, providing professional mobile notary services with a focus on accuracy, convenience, and client care.

Email at fredricka.allen@scc-nc.org

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Paula Allison
Office Administrative Assistant

Paula Allison is the Office Administrative Assistant for the Smithville Community Coalition. A retired New York native, she brings over 40 years of professional experience, including a 30-year career in the gas and electric utility industry and 10 years as a paralegal at a law firm. She concluded her corporate career as Director of Consumer Outreach and Community Relations, leading initiatives that supported vulnerable families experiencing financial hardship or needing special assistance. In this role, she partnered with state and local government agencies as well as nonprofit organizations to expand access to critical resources.

Paula is recognized for her strong communication skills, organizational expertise, and dedication to community service. She is also the owner of Allison Notary Agency, where she provides professional mobile notary services with a focus on convenience, accuracy, and exceptional customer service.

Email at paula.allison@scc-nc.org

In MEMORIAL of Willie Jones – Inauguaral Executive Director

Willie Jones was the inaugural  Executive Director for the Smithville Community Coalition. Willie retired and moved to the Charlotte area in 2014. He has been a social justice activist for over 50 years. Professionally, Willie has worked in community development, focusing on redeveloping formerly segregated, distressed, and redlined urban neighborhoods. He led the production of over 5,000 units of affordable or mixed-income housing valued at more than $500,000,000. 

Willie was inducted into the Affordable Housing Finance magazine’s Hall of Fame for his contributions to affordable housing and urban development. Until his retirement, he regularly spoke at graduate planning schools, served on foundation advisory boards, taught graduate real estate and planning courses, and consulted with cities on redeveloping distressed, low-income neighborhoods. Since his retirement, Willie has earned a Master of Theological Studies from Hood Theological Seminary in 2016. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2018. Since he graduated from Hood, Willie has helped churches restructure their debt in order to free up resources to support active ministries. He has assisted churches in developing 112-unit and 72-unit affordable housing initiatives in Charlotte. Willie served as the board chair at the Zachariah Alexander CDC, an affiliate of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Willie earned the Mayor’s Award of Excellence from the Town of Cornelius, Mayor Woody Washam, in December 2022.