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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

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Kevin Smith

President & CEO

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Wiley Faw

Chief Financial Officer

Fiscal Oversight
Planning
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Brian Hutchinson

Chief Development Officer

Fundraising
Policy
Marketing
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Shawn Burns

Chief Data Officer

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Brenda Weaver

President, Lending / President, Western Kentucky Disaster Recovery

Lending
Disaster Relief
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Milt Sharp, Jr.

President, eHome Network

eHome Leadership
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Marita Willis

President, Community Engagement

Engagement
Advocacy
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Shane Darrisaw

President of mPact Pro Client Management System

mPact Pro Leadership
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Mark Johnson

President, Artistic Operations

Art Inc.
Leadership
Sales
Gallery
Homes
Microlending
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Tom Murro

President of Chef Space

Chef Space Leadership
Microlending
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Dan Heffernan

President, New Markets Tax Credits

NMTC
Consulting
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Shirie Hawkins

President, Everything Equity

Small Business Expansion Lending
Equity Boost
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Victoria Benson

President, Mustard Seed Hill

Mustard Seed Hill
Weddings
Events
Millersburg
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Jeff Poe

President of Housing

Housing
Construction
CHDO

Staff

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Bryan Almand

Business Development Specialist

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Michael Berryman

Vice President, eHome Network

eHome Maintenance
Product Enhancement
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Krista Buckel

Director of Brand Strategy

Brand
Marketing
Communications
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Ron Burkins

Vice President, Western Kentucky Region

Lending
Technical Assistance
Microlending
Western Kentucky
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Tricia Carpenter

Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
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Phillip Cave

Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
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Gretchen Conner

Assistant Vice President, Loan Servicing

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Greg Doyle

Vice President of Commercial Lending

Small Business Lending
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Robin Ferrell

Loan Servicing Specialist

Service
Loans
Internal Controls
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Patrick Frederick

Customer Support Specialist

Customer Service
eHome
Homebuyer Education
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Stephen Furnish

Director of Hospitality

Millersburg
BnB
Mustard Seed Hill
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Zachary Hacker

Certified Housing Specialist

Housing Counseling
Virtual Counseling
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Lisa Hart

Executive Assistant

Executive Support
CV Board
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Justin Helvey

Director, Information Technology

IT
Reporting
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Jennifer Herring

Customer Care Specialist, eHome America

Customer Support
eHome
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Darrelldrika Jackson

Member Services Specialist

Chef Space
Member Support
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Greg James

Member Support Specialist, Chef Space

Chef Space
Member Support
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Christina King

Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategist

Marketing
Communications
Social Media
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Devanny King

Director of the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky

Women's Business
Technical Assistance
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Lynn Littrell

Senior VP Commercial Lending

SBA 504 Lending
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Susan Lugo

Vice President of Customer Relations, eHome America

eHome
Customer Support
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Darcy McDaniel

Reception, Art Inc. Support Specialist

Art Inc.
Artist Support
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Kimberly Mondelli

Assistant Controller

Fiscal Support
Accounts Payable
Internal Controls
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Leann Lacy Patel

Grants and Contracts Manager

Reporting
Grant Management
Data
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Alan Rietze

Business Development Specialist

Microlending
Louisville
Women's Business
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Pam Russell

Assistant Vice President, Campbellsville

Microlending
Technical Assistance
Western Kentucky
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Otis Singleton

Director of Finance

Fiscal Services
Leadership
Internal Controls
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Miller Slaughter

Business Development Specialist, Western KY

Microlending
Technical Assistance
Western Kentucky
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Sandra Slone

Product Development, eHome America

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Emily Smith

Housing Development Specialist

Housing Counseling
Virtual Counseling
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Joshua Smith

Housing and Lending Specialist

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Michelle Smock

Women's Business Center of Kentucky Business Coach

Women's Business
Lexington
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Tracey Spann

Business Development Specialist

Microlending
Louisville
Women's Business
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Scotty True

Director of Maintenance

Buildings
Grounds
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Lew Whalen

Vice President, Lending

Microlending
Housing Counseling
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Rodney Williams

Vice President of Lending and New Markets Tax Credits

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Brad Wolfe

Customer Care Specialist, eHome America

Customer Support
eHome America

Contractors

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Xavier Edwards

Customer Care Manager

mPact Pro
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Barbara Harper

Loan Operations Specialist

Mortgage Lending
Closing
Underwriting
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Tammy Nesler

Disaster Recovery Specialist/Consultant

Western Kentucky
Disaster Recovery
Lending
Housing
Technical Assistance
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Andrew Taylor

Solutions Architect- mPact Pro

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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