Leadership

Lindzey Neely – Executive Director

Lindzey is a native of Spartanburg, graduating from E.P. Todd Elementary School, Carver Junior High School, and Spartanburg High School. She then attended The University of South Carolina and graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education. After graduation, Lindzey completed a Master’s in Special Education at Vanderbilt University. She taught Special Education for 7 years in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lindzey is married to Hudson and they have four children: Wilson (8), Sims and Ruthi (5), and Hal (4). In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, and being outdoors.

Her passion to partner with families who have children with special needs first began while she was teaching near downtown Nashville. Lindzey loved working with families to help them locate needed resources, understand their child’s educational rights, and provide support as needed.

Board of Directors

Mark Johnsen

Mark is a brewer, and founder of RJ Rocker’s. Mark opened RJ Rocker’s in 1997
in an effort to help revitalize downtown Spartanburg. He and his wife, Sue, have two adult children: Lizzy and Jenny and two grandchildren Penny and Teddy.

Karen Phillips

Karen graduated from the College of Charleston Honors College with degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry. She received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical University of South Carolina and practiced as a Family Medicine PA in a rural health clinic outside of Florence for 8 years. Karen and her husband, Thomas, have two children: Coleman and Julia.

Erin Dyer

Erin holds a Bachelors degree in Elementary and Special Education from Vanderbilt University. She has many years of teaching experience in both special education and general education classrooms. Erin is trained in Orton-Gillingham; a direct and explicit reading, writing and spelling curriculum and approach that is often used for individuals with dylexia. Erin and her husband, Alan, have 2 boys: Sam and Jack. You can find her volunteering at Cleveland Academy, Pine Street Elementary, leading Cub Scouts, or watching her boys at their sporting events and activities.

Aqil Surka

Dr. Surka is a practicing Pediatrician at Pediatric Associates. He went to medical school at the University of South Carolina and completed his residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and has been practicing since 1999. In his spare time, you can find him watching soccer, drinking craft beer, camping, being outdoors, attending concerts or studying up on new “Dad jokes.” Dr. Surka has two children: Ameera and Kaif.

Junior Salters

Junior Salters graduated from Wofford College with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and received his Master's in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has over 10 years of experience in sales and operations, working for companies such as Milliken & Company, Michelin North America, and Republic Services. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching sports, hiking, and spending time with his lovely wife, Tanae, and their four daughters.

Molly Jones

Molly received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Davidson College and her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She worked with various non-profits in Spartanburg and Charleston before stepping down to focus on her family's needs. Molly and her husband, Josh, have three teenagers: Ben, Garrett, and Ellie.

Advisory Council

David Lazarus – Orthopedic Surgeon

Andy Bowe – Neonatologist

Danielle Halliday – School Psychologist II, M.S., NCSP

Carlson Clelland – Speech & Language Therapist

Suzy Cole – Attorney

Patrick Jinks – Pediatric Chaplain

Henry Anderson – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist