Board
Meet the Team
Family Promise is a national organization. Each affiliate gathers a formational team to organize and launch the new affiliate. The persons below are that team.
Chair
Rev. Joel L. Tolbert
Pastor, Presbyterian Church of Chestertown
Joel is Mechanical Engineer by degree who served corporations as an engineer, market manager, then sales professional. He went to seminary for his Masters of Divinity, and has served three Presbyterian congregations as Pastor since 2005. Joel came to Chestertown as one of the pastors of the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown in February 2020. Joel's wife Jill teaches math at Kent County High School. They have three grown children.
Treasurer
Robert (Bob) Miller
Cedar Chase Consulting
Bob is a Certified Public Accountant in Maryland and has worked for over 25 years in national and international non-profit organizations in senior financial positions. Working for World Vision, Bob saw the devastating effects of poverty and homelessness in several third World countries. Bob started consulting in 2007 to assist smaller organizations as interim CFO and to provide tax services. Bob has multiple graduate degrees that include genetics, tax, legal studies, and apologetics. For fun times, Bob is a cyclist, pilot, and drummer.
Member
Michelle Matthews
Clinical Social Worker, Kent Shore Community Outreach Team, UM Shore Regional Health
Michelle is a medical social worker with over twenty years of healthcare experience, including case management with Shore Regional Health, Luminis Health AAMC, Talbot Hospice, and Compass Regional Hospice. She has advanced certifications through the National Association of Social Workers: Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager and The Commission for Case Manager Certification: Certified Case Manager.
Member
CeceWilson
Title, Organization
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Member
Leon Frison
Title, Organization
Bishop Frison is a retired teacher, with twenty-five years in Kent County. Bishop Frison and his family moved to the Chestertown area in 1991. He has been an active volunteer, mentor, and leader in the community, and has served on boards at the county and state levels. He has been a champion for the underprivileged and disenfranchised of Kent County. He is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. He has been the Kent County Detention Center Chaplain for 23 years and is entering year 11 of Chaplaincy for the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company. Bishop Frison is still active as a musician, writing and arranging music for a number of gospel artists and churches. Bishop Frison and his beautiful wife, Karen, have been married for 42 years, and have three adult children.
Member
Julie Handzo
Assistant Director, Kent County Department of Social Services
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Member
Hope Clark
Recidivism Reduction Project Manager, Kent County Comprehensive Recidivism Reduction Project
Hope was a modern dancer for 10 years with the NY based Dance Company Streb, performing nationally and internationally while being the Associate Artistic and Kid Action Director. She received her Masters of Arts in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management from the School For International Training. She’s been working as an artist, administrator and case worker on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and most recently as the Director of the United Way of Kent County before presently working out of the States Attorneys office to reduce recidivism.
Member
Nathan Shroyer
Title, Organization
Nathan life has been defined by deep commitment to community engagement. His family chose to move to Chestertown, Maryland, after having their first childand he lives in Quaker Neck. Nathan is drawn to the principles of the Civil Rights and Quaker faith, which emphasize peace, equality, and social justice. After his education, Nathan delved into Urban and Regional Planning. He's recognized the pressing need for affordable housing in various communities and has sought to develop affordable housing projects that not only met the residents' needs but also integrated seamlessly into the existing communities.
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Outside of work, Nathan cherishes his role as a husband to his loving wife, Brittany, and a devoted father to their two children, Twain and Whipple. In addition to his professional endeavors, Nathan Shroyer actively engaged in numerous social justice initiatives and organizations, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to addressing systemic racism and promoting inclusivity.