MEET THE BOARD
DEACON JOHN "Zeke" PANZICA
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Board Chair
Passion for ministry and connection brings Deacon Zeke to House of Mercy. Having managed as many as 140 people in 16 different cities around the globe in his role with Morgan Stanley for 27 years, he knows how to get things done and how to successfully engage others to aid in our efforts. As Deacon at Queen of Apostles, he is the key liaison to several dozen agencies giving him insight into how many agencies are interconnected and more importantly, can be interconnected.
NICOLE FITZ
Board Vice Chair
An opportunity to build a house for a Veteran living with AIDS connected Nicole to the mission at House of Mercy. She brings over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, project management and process improvement. A Naval Academy graduate, she served 5 years active duty including two aircraft carrier deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf broadening her cultural experiences. She also leads a Veterans employee resource group for her employer Ally Financial.
JUDY DOBIES
Board Secretary
As an AVP for AT&T National Business, Judy Dobies led an
organization responsible for sales strategy and execution delivering a
full range of technology solutions.
Throughout her 20 years in the telecommunications industry,
she has held leadership positions in technical
support, coaching and sales management. Judy has volunteered time on various councils to bring awareness and drive execution for
segment initiatives.
Harry Mack
Treasurer
SISTER CAROLYN COLL, RSM
Board Member
As a Sister of Mercy and clinical social worker, Carolyn Coll, brings over 50 years of experience to the Board of House of Mercy. She joined the Board in 2022 and looks forward to helping develop our life skills programs and charism of Mercy.
CINDY TILLEY
Board Member
A Human Resources Executive with over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Cindy started as volunteer sitting with our residents on a monthly basis. Through the relationships she formed and lessons she learned, Cindy felt called to join to the Board and to help develop our organizational culture.
DR. ELIZABETH McCARTY
Board Member
Dr. McCarty graduated from the NC School of Science and Math, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Brody School of Medicine at ECU. She is a Board Certified Emergency Physician who has been practicing in Urgent Care
since 2001. She is currently the Medical Director for Mercy Urgent Care, Mercy Occupational Medicine
and Mercy Mindful in Western NC. She lives with her husband Greg and her dog Tony and has two sons
in college.
JESSICA EASON
Board Member
Losing a family member to health challenges is hard on its own, but living in under-resourced communities complicates those challenges even more. The health disparities and inequities that prevent people form gaining access to the resources they need compels Jessica to serve. She brings years of experience in nursing, education and marketing to House of Mercy.
SUSAN DOLPHIN
Board Member
From dedicating over 30 years to a fulfilling career in social work, Sue has gained a diverse experience working with various communities and clients. Her roles have included coordinating federal grant renewals for Ryan White funds in Iowa and addressing barriers for vulnerable individuals. She's served as a therapist in both North and South Carolina. This includes notably at the Veterans Administration clinic, and actively contributed to the field as a co-chairperson for the National Association of Social Workers-North Carolina (NASW-NC). For nearly three decades, Sue has identified as LGBTQ and found support in Catholic communities. Sue looks forward to bringing her wealth of experience and perspective.
STEVE EPPERSON
Board Member
A self-described semi-retired Certified Public Accountant, Steve has experience in management, consulting, small business ownership, and income, estate, and trust taxation. He initially worked with a large international public accounting firm in the audit and system consulting areas and then
moved on to be the controller and operations manager for a mid-sized local corporation. Following that he was a self-employed CPA practicing locally for over 35 years, and most recently merged that organization with a larger local firm, Collis and Associates CPA's for whom he is currently employed. Steve was active in the Gastonia Civitan Club, serving as its treasurer for several years, and was on the Board of Partners Behavioral Health Management
(and its predecessor organizations) for over fifteen years serving in various officer positions and committee assignments. In addition to the House of Mercy he also currently serves on two other local non-profit boards which deal with affordable housing and the provision of food to those in need.
FREDERICK ABRAM
Board Member
Frederick Abram is a driven and accomplished professional with a diverse background in banking and hospitality. Currently an Operations Manager for First Horizon in Charlotte, North Carolina, Frederick excels in overseeing daily operations and managing a team, consistently exceeding goals and prioritizing customer satisfaction. Beyond his professional success, Frederick is a well-rounded individual with a passion for travel and music.
He enjoys exploring new destinations, immersing himself in different cultures, and finding solace and expression through his natural talent for singing. As an active member of the LGBTQ community, specifically the "House of Mizrahi," Frederick showcases his unique style and personality on runways and actively participates in events promoting inclusivity and equality. However, his unwavering commitment to family, especially his niece Lauryn, truly sets him apart. As a devoted uncle, Frederick prioritizes Lauryn's well-being and education, reflecting his passion for making a positive impact in every aspect of his life.
LATOYA GARDNER
Ex-Officio
Latoya joined House of Mercy in October 2020 as our President & CEO to lead the organizational change that will position us for growth and opportunity for the next 30 years.