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.
Debby Torres lives in Chapel Hill with her husband Gus, and young son, Peter who has an infectious laugh, a penchant for Jimmy Buffet music, and Autism. Her professional background is in public relations, community outreach and development in the non-profit sector. She is active in her community as an advocate for individuals who are "differently-abled". She writes about her family's experiences with autism at www.everybodysboy.com
Kelly Calegar is the Bookkeeper / Business Office Assistant for FIFNC.
Karen Carlton is a Program Development Coordinator for 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!
Manisha Devasthali, Consultant to Lifetime Connections.
Cathi Drinkard is Program Development Coordinator for FIFNC. 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.
Betsy MacMichael is State Director of FIFNC. She has two daughters, and believes everyone should be able to create his or her own good life.
First In Families of North Carolina | 524 S. Duke Street | Durham, NC 27701
919-251-8368 | email