Executive Team

Dave Ward

President & CEO

Dave Ward joined Tommy Nobis Center in October 2015 as President & CEO. Dave is a servant leader with more than 29 years of experience in the nonprofit field. He has a proven history of programmatic and organizational success with a strong focus on building new programs from the ground up, and he is passionate about changing lives and advancing the mission of Tommy Nobis Center.

Prior to joining Tommy Nobis Center, Dave served as Executive Vice President of Mental Health and Family Services for the Wounded Warrior Project after serving as Warriors To Work Director and Economic Empowerment Executive Vice President. In addition, Dave has held roles as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Regional Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Regional Vice President of Best Buddies International. Dave spent six years with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio and was once a licensed psychotherapist providing home-based counseling to at-risk youth. He is also a board member of GATES (Georgia Association of Training, Employment and Support).

Dave’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from Bluffton College and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Bowling Green State University.

A native of Bowling Green, Ohio, Dave now resides in Acworth with his wife, Priscilla, their son Cohen, their daughter Callie and their Saint Bernard, Mitchell. During football season, Dave can be found passionately cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Lisa Hughes

Vice President – Human Resources & Administration

Lisa Hughes joined Tommy Nobis Center in 2014, and she provides strategic human resources leadership and guidance to the organization by overseeing talent acquisition, career development, performance management, succession planning, retention, training and development. She also guides Tommy Nobis Center’ cultural and diversity programs, compliance, employee relations, compensation and benefits in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction. Lisa is a key player in the areas of health and safety, corporate communications and information technology.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Science in Management from The Georgia Institute of Technology with certificates in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Economics. She received her Master of Science in Personnel and Employment Relations from Georgia State University. She obtained her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation in 1996, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2003, Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) in 2005 and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation in 2015.

Lisa is an Instructor in the College of Professional & Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University, teaching in the Human Resource Certification program, and served as the 2016-2017 President for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) — Atlanta chapter.

An Atlanta native, Lisa lives in Canton with her husband Edwin. Together, they enjoy live music and attending auto races.

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Peggy Withrow

Vice President – Vocational Rehabilitation

Peggy Withrow joined Tommy Nobis Center in 1993 and has served in various positions including Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Business Services, Senior Vice President of Rehabilitation, and Service Contracts Costing Manager of Nobis Enterprises. During her tenure with Nobis Enterprises, Tommy Nobis Center secured and continues to manage federal contacts in nineteen states. As Vice President of Vocational Rehabilitation, Peggy plans, directs, and coordinates daily operations of the Rehabilitation Department to provide vocational rehabilitation services for program participants with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining productive employment.

Peggy received her bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill College and has over 30 years of experience in community rehabilitation services. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Irene Wortham Center and Handi-Skills in Asheville, North Carolina. She also served as a national surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Outside of work, Peggy enjoys spending time with her granddaughters.

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AMAR MEDATIA

DIRECTOR OF NOBIS ENTERPRISES

Amar Medatia joined Tommy Nobis Center in 2017. Amar is a Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) and has over eight years of experience in providing essential contract management support for the federal government and private industry. As Director of Nobis Enterprises, Amar manages existing contracts and procurement of new contracts by conducting research, soliciting potential customers, preparing data and proposals, and analyzing all requests for proposals for compatibility with employment of people with disabilities. He also assists in the daily operations of all government contracts under Nobis Enterprises to ensure contract compliance and customer satisfaction.

Amar earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University and has completed his thesis for his Master of Arts in Government from Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the National Contract Management Association. Amar was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is a Philadelphia Eagles fan. He moved from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA with his family this past fall.

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TAMMY SHEARER

CFO

Tammy Shearer provides experienced CFO leadership to Tommy Nobis Center. Tammy has more than 20 years of accounting experience with both multi-million dollar clients and small non-profits, domestically and internationally. As the owner of Cyber Financial Solutions, Tammy manages entire accounting departments, trains accounting personnel, and installs specialized software packages.

Tammy graduated with her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kansas State University and has also worked in real estate and hotel management accounting. She resides in John’s Creek, is a member of AICPA, and she volunteers with nonprofits in her free time.

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Board of Directors

Tommy Nobis Center consists of two 501(c)(3) organizations, each governed by a volunteer board of directors.  Below you’ll find a listing of the members of the boards of directors for:

• Tommy Nobis Center, Inc. – Covers the entire Tommy Nobis Center system
• Nobis Enterprises, Inc. – Federal and state contract employees with disabilities

Board Officers

Alan Moak, Board Chairman
Retired Business Owner/ Corporate Executive

Alan Moak is a retired business owner and corporate executive. He joined the Tommy Nobis Center Board in 2013 and served as Board Treasurer in 2015-16. After 25 years in a family-owned Automobile Dealership in Jackson, MS, Alan joined the corporate world in the same automotive industry, providing insurance product and risk management services in St. Petersburg, FL. He relocated to the Atlanta area in 2010. Throughout Alan’s career, he has always found time to serve in the nonprofit community.  Some of the past organizations in which Alan has served include Boy Scouts of America, Young Life, Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Jackson, Baptist Health Systems, Jackson Automobile Dealer Association, C3G Career Networking Group and Kettering Executive Network. Alan has a heartfelt passion for the mission of Tommy Nobis Center as his son, Chris, successfully completed training at Tommy Nobis Center, which enabled him to become employed by Publix. Alan resides in Brookhaven.