fbpx

About

We create conditions that enable communities to thrive.

Comprehensive Community Development

​Everyone has a dream. Whether it’s creating a new business, working on a large-scale community project, or buying a home, Community Ventures believes in your dream and we want to help you make it a reality.

Join in Our Journey to Impact

Strengthening communities by helping people achieve their dreams of greater economic opportunity.

The Why.

To build strong communities, people need access to opportunities and hope for a better future. Regardless of race, income, or social status, we all need someone to believe in us and our dreams.

We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for Kentuckians who lack access to the resources they need to accomplish their goals. Home and business owners are the lifeblood of strong communities, and Community Ventures empowers them to succeed.

The What.

Community Ventures helps people own homes and start businesses because we believe in the power of dreams. Whether it’s access to financing, education, or neighborhood revitalization, our areas of focus dramatically improve the quality of life for Kentuckians.

Vibrant communities start with people. Community Ventures equips our clients with knowledge and skills they can use for the rest of their lives, creating positive impact for generations to come.

 

Since 1982, Community Ventures has evolved in capacity and knowledge, but our mission has remained the same – to strengthen our communities by empowering individuals.


Meet the Team

Management

Read Bio

Kevin Smith

President & CEO

Read Bio

Wiley Faw

Chief Financial Officer

Fiscal Oversight
Planning
Read Bio

Brian Hutchinson

Chief Development Officer

Fundraising
Policy
Marketing
Read Bio

Shawn Burns

Chief Data Officer

Read Bio

Brenda Weaver

President, Lending / President, Western Kentucky Disaster Recovery

Lending
Disaster Relief
Read Bio

Milt Sharp, Jr.

President, eHome Network

eHome Leadership
Read Bio

Marita Willis

President, Community Engagement

Engagement
Advocacy
Read Bio

Shane Darrisaw

President of mPact Pro Client Management System

mPact Pro Leadership
Read Bio

Mark Johnson

President, Artistic Operations

Art Inc.
Leadership
Sales
Gallery
Homes
Microlending
Read Bio

Tom Murro

President of Chef Space

Chef Space Leadership
Microlending
Read Bio

Dan Heffernan

President, New Markets Tax Credits

NMTC
Consulting
Read Bio

Shirie Hawkins

President, Everything Equity

Small Business Expansion Lending
Equity Boost
Read Bio

Victoria Benson

President, Mustard Seed Hill

Mustard Seed Hill
Weddings
Events
Millersburg
Read Bio

Jeff Poe

President of Housing

Housing
Construction
CHDO

Staff

Read Bio

Bryan Almand

Business Development Specialist

Read Bio

Todd Anders

VCC Manager & Certified Housing Specialist

Housing Counseling
Leadership
Virtual Counseling
Read Bio

Michael Berryman

Vice President, eHome Network

eHome Maintenance
Product Enhancement
Read Bio

Krista Buckel

Director of Brand Strategy

Brand
Marketing
Communications
Read Bio

Ron Burkins

Vice President, Western Kentucky Region

Lending
Technical Assistance
Microlending
Western Kentucky
Read Bio

Tricia Carpenter

Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
Read Bio

Phillip Cave

Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
Read Bio

Debbie Conkwright

Human Resources

HR
Benefits
Insurance
Read Bio

Gretchen Conner

Assistant Vice President, Loan Servicing

Read Bio

Bill DelChiaro

Business Development Specialist

Microlending
Lexington
Read Bio

Greg Doyle

Vice President of Commercial Lending

Small Business Lending
Read Bio

Jackie Faris

Housing Specialist, Reception

CHDO
Housing Support
Read Bio

Robin Ferrell

Loan Servicing Specialist

Service
Loans
Internal Controls
Read Bio

Patrick Frederick

Customer Support Specialist

Customer Service
eHome
Homebuyer Education
Read Bio

Stephen Furnish

Director of Hospitality

Millersburg
BnB
Mustard Seed Hill
Read Bio

Francia Gonzalez

Certified Housing Specialist

Housing
Counseling
Read Bio

Zachary Hacker

Certified Housing Specialist

Housing Counseling
Virtual Counseling
Read Bio

Lisa Hart

Executive Assistant

Executive Support
CV Board
Read Bio

Justin Helvey

Director, Information Technology

IT
Reporting
Read Bio

Jennifer Herring

Customer Care Specialist, eHome America

Customer Support
eHome
Read Bio

Darrelldrika Jackson

Member Services Specialist

Chef Space
Member Support
Read Bio

Greg James

Member Support Specialist, Chef Space

Chef Space
Member Support
Read Bio

Christina King

Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategist

Marketing
Communications
Social Media
Read Bio

Devanny King

Director of the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky

Women's Business
Technical Assistance
Read Bio

Lynn Littrell

Senior VP Commercial Lending

SBA 504 Lending
Read Bio

Susan Lugo

Vice President of Customer Relations, eHome America

eHome
Customer Support
Read Bio

Darcy McDaniel

Reception, Art Inc. Support Specialist

Art Inc.
Artist Support
Read Bio

Kimberly Mondelli

Assistant Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
Read Bio

Leann Lacy Patel

Grants and Contracts Manager

Reporting
Grant Management
Data
Read Bio

Alan Rietze

Business Development Specialist

Microlending
Louisville
Women's Business
Read Bio

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Certified Bilingual Housing Specialist

Housing
Counseling
Spanish-speaking
Read Bio

Pam Russell

Assistant Vice President, Campbellsville

Microlending
Technical Assistance
Western Kentucky
Read Bio

Otis Singleton

Director of Finance

Fiscal Services
Leadership
Internal Controls
Read Bio

Miller Slaughter

Business Development Specialist, Western KY

Microlending
Technical Assistance
Western Kentucky
Read Bio

Sandra Slone

Product Development, eHome America

Read Bio

Emily Smith

Housing Development Specialist

Housing Counseling
Virtual Counseling
Read Bio

Joshua Smith

Housing and Lending Specialist

Read Bio

Michelle Smock

Women's Business Center of Kentucky Business Coach

Women's Business
Lexington
Read Bio

Tracey Spann

Business Development Specialist

Microlending
Louisville
Women's Business
Read Bio

Scotty True

Director of Maintenance

Buildings
Grounds
Read Bio

Lew Whalen

Vice President, Lending

Microlending
Housing Counseling
Read Bio

Rodney Williams

Vice President of Lending and New Markets Tax Credits

Read Bio

Brad Wolfe

Customer Care Specialist, eHome America

Customer Support
eHome America

Contractors

Read Bio

Xavier Edwards

Customer Care Manager

mPact Pro
Read Bio

Barbara Harper

Loan Operations Specialist

Mortgage Lending
Closing
Underwriting
Read Bio

Tammy Nesler

Disaster Recovery Specialist/Consultant

Western Kentucky
Disaster Recovery
Lending
Housing
Technical Assistance
Read Bio

Andrew Taylor

Solutions Architect- mPact Pro

Read Bio

Garry Throckmorton

Business Development, eHome America


Meet Our Board of Directors

Executive Committee

John Watz

Henry Watz, Raine, & Marino, PLLC

Chairman of the Board

JoJuana Leavell-Greene

Retired

Co-Chairman of the Board

Rev. Fred Mitchell

Russell Cave Church of Christ

Secretary of the Board

Robert “Bo” Henry

Central Bank

Jeff Koonce

Community Trust Bank

Board Members

Arthur Salomon

Salomon & Co.

Charles Duke

Kentucky Finance & Administration Cabinet

Deborah Williams

PNC Bank

Jerry Johnston

M&T Bank

John Douglas

Old National Bank

Board Members

Larry Johnson

Community Collaboration Initiatives

Todd Ziegler

Republic Bank

Ray Daniels

Transylvania University

Lorraine Smoot

Millersburg resident

Mark Welch

Fulton-Hickman Counties Economic Development Partnership