OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tyranny A. Hunter, President
Tyranny Hunter served honorably in the U.S. Army for over 20 years attaining the rank of Colonel. During his career, he demonstrated superior abilities building, leading, and motivating cohesive teams and managing diverse staffs. Served in the Pentagon Representing the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in the United States Government (USG) interagency and on government chemical weapons (CW) arms control delegations in The Hague. Upon completion of Military Service, Tyranny served as Director of the Materiel/Materials Management Departments for the Howard University Hospital and the United Medical Center. Currently Tyranny is employed in the Office of Contracting and Procurement in Washington D.C., serving as a certified Contracting Officer managing a warrant of 20 million dollars. Tyranny has the responsibility for providing contracting and procurement support to the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department for the acquisition of supplies, services and equipment. Tyranny’s educational background include M.S., National Defense & Strategic Studies — Naval War College, Newport RI, M.S., Business Administration — Long Island University, Greenvale, NY, M.S., Organic Chemistry — American University, Washington DC, and B.S., Chemistry — Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
Lillie Jenkins Colley, Vice President
Lillie has earned a BS degree in psychology and an MS degree in education. For years as she traveled with her family to several states and Europe, she had the opportunity to merge two of her great passions, education and religion, into one job – Religious Education Coordinator, more commonly known as an RE Coordinator. At several military installations, she was employed to oversee all things related to the protestant religious education program, procuring religious materials and supplies, supervising all programs related to religious education, Sunday School, Vacation Bible Study, and activities related to holidays and special occasions. Still using her passion for education, Lillie would later work as an educator in the public school system until her retirement in 2015. Having an avid and inveterate love of reading, she shared this passion with secondary students in grades 9-12, teaching them strategies and techniques that would assist them in becoming more proficient readers. She would later leave secondary education to teach all subjects to elementary students in grades 1-5. She was a teacher of the gifted until her retirement.
Pastor William Darrisaw, Secretary/Director of Communications
William Darrisaw is a 33-year veteran of the financial services industry. He was a Dealer Relations Manager and Diversity Manager for General Motors Acceptance Corporation. He is an expert in facilitating communications, interpersonal skills, supervisory and leadership development, and negotiating for all levels of management and leadership. Since 2007 he has worked with financial institutions, automobile dealers, health care providers, mental health professionals, post graduate institutions for higher education, and entrepreneurs to implement strategy-based processes for continuous interpersonal skill development. Working with management and staff at all levels of an organization, William has facilitated the development of strategic and business plans, implemented mechanisms to improve cycle time and internal communications, and has groomed managers, supervisors, and leaders for their new and diverse roles. William graduated Summa Cum Laude from Capella University with a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. He also graduated with academic honors from Bethune-Cookman University, and is a graduate of Gifford High School. William is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed and Ordained Gospel Minister, an active public speaker on the topics of change, systems thinking, effective communication, and life balance. He currently works in Private Practice as a Mental Health Counseling Professional, a prior Advisor to Capella University’s Mental Health Counseling Program, a recent Online Graduate Instructor, and a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Pastor Eugene G. Savage, Director
Dr. Eugene G. Savage served as law enforcement professional for 37 years in West Palm Beach, Florida and later in 1997 became the first African-American Police Chief for the Fort Pierce Police Department (Florida). He also served in the U.S. Army, which included meritorious service in the Vietnam War. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s and studied for a Ph.D. at Florida Atlantic University, finishing his studies and graduating with distinction from Lynn University (Boca Raton, Florida) with a Ph.D. in Global Education. His matriculations include service as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Florida Atlantic University; graduate of the 72nd Administrative Officers Course, Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, Chief Executive Seminar; graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government @ Harvard University; and also the recipient of a host of awards, honors and commendations. Dr. Savage is an accomplished author of several journal articles and a Ph.D. dissertation on, “Examining the Post September 11, 2001 Practices of Accredited and Non-accredited Law Enforcement Agencies in the Aspects of Training, Legal and Service Delivery.” He has chaired or served on a plethora of civic boards and committees. In 2008, he established M-G Consulting Service and has provided training for law enforcement personnel, and guidance and tutoring for youth, including guiding young Black males on how to react during encounters with law enforcement, through a 10 step-program entitled, Surviving the Stop. Currently, he is the church administrator for Christ Family Worship Assembly, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Pastor Hattie P. Hagans, Chaplain
Hattie earned her BA degree in Sociology from Bethune Cookman University in 1971. She returned to Vero Beach, working in local State Dept. of Welfare and Child Protection Services prior to attending graduate school at University of Tennessee in Nashville, earning MSSW Degree (Masters of Science in Social Work) in 1976. Again, Hattie returned home, began working in Community Mental Health Services as a Mental Health Counselor and earned Certification in the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She was among the first group in Florida to become Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in 1983 and a Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor in 2000. During the course of working with clients on interpersonal and emotional difficulties, Hattie recognized and answered the call to ministry, enrolled in Jacksonville Theological Seminary earning PH.D in Theology in 2000. Currently, Hattie is a Licensed/Ordained Pastor in a local church. She continues to provide Mental Health counseling part-time in conjunction with Pastoral Counseling and Qualified Supervision to Mental Health Interns seeking licensure.
Effie Reese Lyles, Treasurer
Born and raised in Gifford, Florida, Effie graduated from Gifford High School in 1967 and received her Data Processing Certification in 1968 from Florida Technical College of Orlando. Shortly thereafter Effie relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts and began her career as a Mainframe Computer Programmer. During her 48-year tenure in data processing, Effie specialized in life insurance production support and maintained insurance systems for some of the largest life insurance providers in the country including Massachusetts Mutual Life and Connecticut General Insurance of North America (CIGNA). In 1984, her career expanded into Information Technology (IT) Consulting where she designed and supported insurance applications for Computer Science Corporation (CSC), a multinational corporation that services clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Driven by her commitment to family and community, Effie returned home to Indian River County in 1997 and held positions in several community organizations including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizens Advisory Task Force of Indian River County, Gifford Front Porch, and the Progressive Civic League of Gifford. Now retired, Effie has chosen to use her IT analytical skills and life experiences to pay it forward and give something back to the community that gave her so much.
Charles P. McGriff, Sergeant At Arms
Charles attended Gifford High School and served in the United States (US) Marine Corps. After completing his tour of duty in the Vietnam War and being honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps, Charles returned home to Gifford, Florida. His career as a civilian began with employment at Piper Aircraft Corporation of Vero Beach, and later with the County of Indian River. A faithful member of Faith Temple Evangelistic Church of Jesus, Inc., for the past 50 years, Charles serves as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Now retired, Charles continues to provide mentorship for character development and discipline to community youth.