CCS Board of Directors

 NICHOLAS TRIPLETT, CHAIR
Nick grew up in the Carolinas.  As a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in U.S. History and a Masters degree in Teaching at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  
After graduate school, Nick and his wife Susan settled in Charlotte, where he taught social studies at Providence High School for six years.  Nick became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2006.  Since 2007, he has been a stay-at-home-dad with his son, Owen.
 
Nick has served as co-coordinator for the Charlotte Area Green Party since 2003 and as vice-chair of the North Carolina Green Party since 2007.  During this time he has been a community activist, working on issues of social justice, grassroots democracy, education and the environment.

CHARLES THOMAS, CO-CHAIR
Charles is the owner of Sankofa Creative Management, LLC, Sankofa Photography and Sankofa Journeys Charles Thomas is an artist, educator and entrepreneur.  Mr. Thomas is currently the director of education of The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film.
 
Mr. Thomas is a native of Charlotte and has been a photographer and educator in the region for over 10 years. Mr. Thomas graduated from Duke University with a degree in Economics and has received his photography training from Central Piedmont Community College. He has been trained as a teaching artist through the Arts and Science Council, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, The Kennedy Center and the Afro-American Cultural Center.
 
In addition to being a professional photographer, Mr. Thomas is an African Drummer, Origami Artist and student of men’s studies and rights of passage programming. His international travels include: India, South Africa, Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico and most recently China.
           
ELBERT TOLSON, TREASURER

Elbert Tolson taught computer technology and applications programming in several different languages including systems analysis and database applications at the Pace College in New York.  He was an adjunct instructor on loan from a finance institution to a major University in New York City. His work was focused on how to implement office automation systems.  He served as a senior advisor to large banking institutions in New York and the New York City Financial Service Agency, ushering them out of financial crisis.  He was the Director of Information Technology for a Japanese auto parts manufacturer, working on implementing education and cost containment methodologies and processes.

He has served as Board President with two Charlotte home owners associations and now serves as treasurer to another home owners association where we manage our own community.  He currently serves as treasurer for CCS.  He has two grandchildren that attend CCS.


KATHY GREENE, SECRETARY
Kathy is the parent of a former first grader at Community Charter School. She spends time each day volunteering at the school and has assisted with grant writing.  She supports the mission and the philosophy of the school.  She currently does legislative research and grant writing for a national non-profit. In addition to this, she taught elementary school in Croward County, Florida and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District for fifteen years. She has a BA from App State. She has seven children.


AMY CREW SUTTON
 Amy has been a CCS parent since the 2005-06 school year. She currently has two children enrolled at CCS, Jamie and Nikolis. She has a deep affection for and commitment to Community Charter School.
 
Amy is the office manager (aka assistant administrator) at Open Door School, which was one of the “mother” schools of CCS’s inception. Amy has had the opportunity to participate in many of the Open Door School teacher training sessions about Positive Discipline and Progressive Education. As office manager she has gained relevant experience in the administrative side of running a school. 
 
Amy’s prior Board experience includes sitting on the BELLAS (Breastfeeding Encouragement, Learning, Liaison, And Support) Board of Directors from 2005-2007.
 
ANDY HABENICHT
Andy is an associate attorney in the litigation department at Kennedy Covington and is a member of the employment law and motorsports practice groups. He focuses on advising clients on a broad spectrum of employment litigation and human resources counseling issues. Andy’s practice includes matters before the EEOC, Department of Labor, and other administrative agencies, as well as employment discrimination, non-competition, and trade secret protection cases in both state and federal trial and appellate courts and in arbitration. Andy also advises and assists clients on avoiding litigation through workplace training, wage and hour guidance, and human resources best practices education. He has additionally drafted employee handbooks and a variety of employment, confidentiality, and severance agreements. Andy has experience handling employment-related matters in a wide variety of industries, including, for example, the motorsports, construction services, manufacturing, professional services, and financial services industries. Andy regularly coordinates with the firm’s corporate group and supports clients’ business transactions as a member of due diligence and deal teams.
 
RENEE COOPER-BAZZELLE
Renee is the owner of Mert’s Heart and Soul Restaurant in downtown Charlotte. Her family has a long history with CCS, beginning with the attendance of her son. She currently has two grandchildren attending with two rising Kindergarteners attending in the fall of 2009/2010.  As a former Board member, she brings experience in CCS Board matters, Charlotte business connections and time and commitment.


STACY CRICKENBERGER

Stacy Crickenberger is the Charlotte Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company. Stacy began her career at Wachovia in 2004 as a Financial Center Manager in Arlington, Virginia. After moving to Charlotte in 2007, Ms. Crickenberger became a key innovative contributor for the product development, product management, and corporate marketing strategies for the Wachovia Way2Save program.
 
Stacy exudes confidence in developing product, sales, and marketing strategies in a multi channel environment and consistently acquires desired results. Stacy is an innovative and imaginative strategist, setting the mark in her industry by leveraging the passion and drive she derives from over a decade of customer facing and management experience.
 
Stacy is a native of Roanoke, Virginia and has represented Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company in the Charlotte Market since 2007. Stacy’s interests include education, animal rescue, art, film, photography, and writing.


CHRIS LAWING

Christopher Lawing is the Director of Education for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art where he is charged with creating many diverse programs for the museum including educational tours, community outreach, and teacher professional development to name a few. He has previously managed education programs at McColl Center for Visual Art and the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center as well as being the founding Artistic Director for two children’s theaters in Gastonia and Goldsboro, NC. He holds two degrees in Music from UNC-Chapel Hill as well a Masters in Arts Administration from Winthrop. Christopher has created educational programming integrating the arts in the core curriculum in numerous classrooms throughout Mecklenburg County and around the region. He has sat on the Board of Directors for several youth based arts organizations in both the visual and performing arts.


MARK ENGLANDER
Mark Englander is owner and operator Charlotte Energy Solution on Baldwin Ave. Mark believes in "going green". He has been driving a vegetable oil powered car for years. He is committed to making available new and innovative fuel sources to the community and to our school. 

BORA KAZMIRCI
Bora’s daughter Katelyn is a Kindergartener in Miss Jodi's class. He first thought about CCS as an option early last year, and once he got introduced to the educational environment and philosophy as well as see the teachers and students interact he was sold!

His interest in board membership stems from his desire to become more involved in the school and specifically to get other like minded parents to join our community by helping tell the "CCS story". 

His entire career has been in the sales and marketing arena and he has been consulting to this industry since 2000.

He believes that his leadership skills, experience, contacts, and passion will be a great asset to the Board of Directors. 

MANDI ENGLISH
I am an artist at heart, and the mission statement of community charter has hit home with me. My passion is to help the school where my son, Evan, attends meet the goals in which it has set for itself. My education experience is ongoing. I attended Western Piedmont Community College with the intent if becoming an english literature teacher, all the while teaching dance to preschoolers. Along, the way, I found my true passion was in the art of hair styling and platform artistry. After receiving my cosmotology license, I moved to Charlotte & started school @ American Business & Fashion to become an interior designer, only to be dragged back into the styling world, & travel to help teach on a larger scale to many stylist along the east coast, doing hair shows with stylist from companies such as Tony & Guy, Paul Mitchelle and Artec ect. Now, I have joined the ranks of motherhood and am honored to have a well rounded son attending an amazing school, owning my own salon studio, & just trying to do my best, to help take the baby steps, of making OUR world a better place.

BREEZY JORDAN
Britanya is a native of New York. She is a licensed cosmetologist, and a certified travel agent. She has been at CCS for the last 3yrs. Her daughter T-Monie is in Mrs. Miller's class.  She has stepped up to plate when CCS PTC President resigned.  Britanya is very involved in school fundraisers and organizing the school lunch fundraisers.  Her reason for running again for PTC President is to continue the work we have started.  Britanya is also the chair of Room Parent & Communications. Community Charter is my favorite Community to be in.


QUICK LINKS

Community Wheel
PTC Weekly
What People Are Saying
Upcoming Events
Picture Album
Donate / Pay Fees
Employment