Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains against the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is where we call home
Staff
DEBBIE CHESNEY, Executive Director
After being blessed with five biological children, Debbie and her husband Gary adopted their sixth child, a daughter, from Vietnam in 1995. The process birthed the idea and partnership that would later become Homes of Love. Now, Debbie's passion for children who need a home is the heart of our Homes of Love team. When she isn't working at Homes of Love, she enjoys time spent with her family and relaxing at the beach with her feet in the sand. See how Homes of Love started. debbie@homesoflove.org
MORGAN GOINS, U.S. Operations
Morgan grew up in sunny Florida where she earned a marketing degree and MBA from the University of Central Florida. After honing her fundraising skills on the staff of University of Tennessee Knoxville Athletics Department and later at a local nonprofit, Morgan joined Homes of Love. She is excited to connect others with the meaningful opportunity to support children in families. At home, she and her husband Brett are enjoying their growing family. morgan@homesoflove.org
SUSAN HAGEMEYER, Comptroller
Susan brings over two decades of experience in financial administration to Homes of Love, as well as a history of care for Vietnam and children in need. She grew up in East Tenneessee and she earned an undergraduate degree in English and and a master's degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water with her ever expanding family. susan@homesoflove.org
AMANDA HAYS, Cambodia Programs
Amanda's love for children has grown through her years as an elementary teacher and many trips to Cambodia and Vietnam with Homes of Love. Born in Knoxville, she graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Elementary Education. After serving on Homes of Love board for many years, she joined the staff to oversee ministry growth in Cambodia. She and her husband Tyler enjoy traveling with their growing family. amanda@homesoflove.org
Olinka Jefferson, Development
Olinka grew up in Knoxville and graduated from UT. From a young age, Olinka served in Vietnam with her family. Her love for Vietnam continued into her young adult life studying abroad and teaching there. As an adult, Olinka, her husband, and their two children have traveled to serve with HOL many times. She cares deeply about HOL's work and the sacred vision that every child grow up in a loving home and is eager to spread the word! At home, Olinka never passes up an opportunity to exuberantly cheer for her children on the pool deck and sideline. olinka@homesoflove.org
DEB SMITH, Child & Family Records
Deb's heart was stirred for Vietnam through the interest of one of her daughters and later a personal trip to the country. After 22 years managing her home and raising three daughters, Deb now uses her God-given gifts to keep us organized. Her passion for Homes of Love is contagious, and if she isn't hard at work on behalf of our children, you'll find her with her husband Jeff and their grandchildren. deb.smith@homesoflove.org
Board
GARY CHESNEY, DDS, President
Gary is a dentist and owner of Chesney Dentistry in Knoxville, Tennessee. Gary and his wife Debbie founded Homes of Love in 2001, and Gary has served as the Board's president since inception. The two have six children and a growing number of grandchildren. Born and raised in Knoxville, Gary earned his degrees
from the University of Tennessee.
from the University of Tennessee.
BILL PARK, PhD, Secretary/Treasurer
Bill has spent more than 30 years as a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee. Additionally, Bill is Director of the Baker Scholars Program. He has led three Homes of Love trips to Vietnam and serves as the Board's treasurer. Bill and his wife Anne have four children and are blessed with many grandchildren. Originally from Indiana, Bill earned his PhD from Virginia Tech.
JANET ENGLAND, Prayer Coordinator
Janet is a teacher at Cedar Springs Weekday School. She also faithfully volunteers as Homes of Love's Prayer Coordinator, bringing her love and compassion for orphans and street children to the role. Janet is married to Gary England and the two have one daughter and a son, who was adopted from Vietnam.
VERONICA DOUGLASS, Board Member
Veronica is a homemaker and mother of three. She also works part-time with her husband Andy Douglass, Medical Director at East Tennessee Vein Clinic. They have sponsored a Homes of Love child for over 10 years and have traveled to Vietnam. Veronica has been involved with many organizations that serve children and Hispanic families and is an advocate for the HOL concept of creating families for children. Born and raised in Venezuela, Veronica studied architecture before moving to the United States.
MATTHEW LOY, Board Member
Matthew works for EmeraChem, LCC as Technical Services Coordinator. He is married to Karen Loy, principal of Knox County's Northwest Middle School. Together they have provided short-term residential care in their home to more than 50 teenage boys and continue to maintain ongoing relationships with many. Matthew has also participated in several overseas mission trips, including two to Vietnam. He is a native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Chemical Engineering.
JOYCE BELL, Board Member
Joyce is married to Lee, and is mother to her two daughters, and grandmother to her eight grandchildren. Her love for children has found expression in both her professional life as well as her service to the church. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in elementary education and teaching in Knox County for over 20 years, she retired in order to devote more time to her family. She has participated in a number of mission trips, including ones to Vietnam and Cambodia with Homes of Love.
AMY DENNING, Board Member
(Bio coming soon.)
STACY HICKS MD, Board Member
Stacy and his wife Ruth have four children. They have sponsored a HOL child for 10 years and have traveled to Vietnam. Stacy is a family doctor, serving at FamilyCare Specialists for 25 years. He is originally from South Carolina, received his training at Wake Forest University, Medical University of South Carolina and Naval Hospital Charleston. He enjoys water sports and mentoring.
