Our Staff
Carla Benjamin, Executive Director
director@welcometoanewlife.org
Carla has bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay in Spanish Business with a minor in business administration. She is currently co-chair of the Opiate Task Force Community Awareness Committee through the ADAMHS board. She is a member of the Cultural Humility/Health Equity Delegation, a committee that she initiated by gathering others in the community with this interest. She is board president for Cancer Patient Services. Carla was most recently a business relations director in sales for MLS Systems. Before that, she was the member services coordinator at the Chamber of Commerce. From 1999 through 2006, Benjamin was a marketing consultant with WFIN and WKXA radio.
RaShay Everly, Mentee Advocacy Coordinator
mac@welcometoanewlife.org
RaShay is responsible for overseeing the administrative duties as they relate to our mentors and mentees. She is dedicated to ensuring that our mentees, with the help of their mentors, establish realistic goals and utilize local resources. RaShay earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Brown Mackie College, and has extensive experience in recruitment and management.
Alyssa Sharninghouse, Administrative Assistant
admin@welcometoanewlife.org
Alyssa ensures a smooth day-to-day operations of Welcome to a New Life. Alyssa brings with her over twenty years of experience in Customer Service, as well as six years of experience in a correctional setting.
Our Board
Puck Rowe, President & Co-Founder
Puck has been in Findlay, Ohio for 40 years now. He is a 30-year member of the Findlay Rotary Club, served 25 years on the Fifth Third Bank Board of Directors, was Dana Chair at the University of Findlay, and spent over 40 years with Columbia Gas of Ohio retiring as division manager. He was involved in Findlay/Hancock County economic development efforts during the 80’s and 90’s. Puck is very passionate about helping other individuals to gain success.
Julie Baker, Vice President
Julie is the dean of Owens Community College’s Findlay campus. She oversees all aspects related to administrative leadership, coordination and development of initiatives related to enhancing educational opportunities and resources for current and future students on the Findlay-area campus. From 2013- 16, Baker has served as campus director for Brown Mackie College in Findlay. Baker received her bachelor of arts from the University of Toledo in 1978, her master’s in business administration in 1984, also from the University of Toledo, and her master of arts in Guidance and Counseling from Bowling Green State University in 1997.
James Freel, Secretary
James is a retired accountant and has served in numerous organizations in Hancock County. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Ball State University.
Precia Stuby, Treasurer
Precia is the executive director of the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Service board of Hancock County. She serves on numerous committees in the community striving for inclusion, substance use prevention and mental health awareness.
Jim “The Barber” Woodward
Jim’s contribution to the Findlay/Hancock County community goes well beyond the successful barber shop he co-owned for nearly 40 years and his active role in the Findlay Lions Club for 29 years. His passion for helping his community began in the 1970s, when he led a group of citizens to bring back Findlay’s proclaimed title of “Flag City USA.” After starting an adopt-a-flag program and collecting money to purchase flags for downtown, Mr. Woodward had more than 200 holes drilled in the sidewalks, where business owners continue to place flag poles each day. While serving as the Hancock County Justice Center’s barber in 2000, Mr. Woodward was inspired to make a difference in inmates’ lives. He started leading voluntary, monthly motivational programs and weekly Bible studies where he continues to make inmates feel like a valuable part of the community and encourages them to make positive changes in their lives.
Chuck Bills
Chuck is active in the Findlay-Hancock County community and has served on multiple boards including the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and The Alliance, Community Improvement Corporation, Community Development Foundation, the University of Findlay Business Advisory Board, and the Owens Foundation Board. An Indiana native, Chuck has made this community his home with wife Dee Dee and family. Since 1988, Ohio Logistics has grown from a single warehouse into 21 locations in five states with more than 275 employees.
Sheriff Michael Heldman
In January 1997, Michael Heldman began his first elected term as Sheriff of Hancock County. Sheriff Heldman has been a certified instructor with the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Council for Basic Police Training and Corrections Training, and has assisted with training at various Crime Prevention seminars. Mike has held a range of crime prevention positions in organizations across Ohio. In 2016 Sheriff Heldman was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, by District 1 of Foreign Wars Department of Ohio.
Alex Treece
Alex is an attorney in Findlay Ohio has experience dealing with all types of allegations in various jurisdictions. From a speeding ticket to the most serious homicide offense, Alex has dealt with it. He brings this experience and knowledge to each case that he encounters. Those charged with a crime deserve representation with that familiarity.
Stefan Adams
Stefan is a Whole Child Counselor for Findlay City Schools, which includes Jefferson, Chamberlain Hill, Jacobs Primary, Glenwood Middle School, and Findlay High School. In his role, Adams counsels students to address issues such as academic performance, social skills, and short-term crisis incidents such as bullying, friendship issues, and classroom behavior. Adams also serves as the head football coach at Findlay High School. Coach Adams holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Bloomsburg University, and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and minor in Sociology, also from Bloomsburg.
Ryan Korkos
Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Ohio Northern University in 2004 and an MBA in Organizational Leadership from the University of Findlay in 2008. He currently works at Marathon Petroleum Corp. Ryan brings with him expansive experience in project management and team leadership. According to his personal leadership philosophy, Ryan is passionate about community involvement and strives to remove barriers and cultivate the strengths of those he works with.
Kimberly Thomas
Kimberly Thomas is a registered nurse and a licensed attorney, and currently works as Legal Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer for Blanchard Valley Health System. Kimberly has experience in the development of systems to support improved organizational operations and governance oversight.
Captain Justin Hendren
Captain Hendren has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, and is acquainted with the unique challenges facing those who are involved in the justice system. Captain Hendren has extensive experience in administration and management, policy development, and human resources.
Honorary Members
Stan Kujawa, Co-Founder
Dr. John Malacos, Director Emeritus, University of Findlay
Bill Ruse, Honorary Board Member (Posthumous)