Executive Director:
Kelley Gunter is the Executive Director and founder of Isaiah's Place.  Kelley was born and raised in Pleasant Hill, Ohio and relocated to Troy after college.  Kelley attended Bowling Green State University and played volleyball for the United States Volleyball Association before transferring to Wright State University and finishing her Bachelor Degree in Sociology in 1989.  Kelley then attended the University of Dayton where she graduated in 1991 with a Master's Degree from the Clinical Counseling Program.  Kelley is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio, as well as a certified Adoption Assessor.  Kelley worked in the early 90s as a grief therapist for Hospice of Dayton and then in community mental health for two years.  Kelley has been on part-time faculty at Sinclair Community College in the Psychology Department since 1992.  Kelley then went into private practice as a therapist for a few years before working for a private foster care network in Dayton.  Kelley started in Licensing and Adoptions, and then moved to Caseworker Supervisor and on to Clinical Director.  Kelley's experience at this agency planted a seed that would one day turn into Isaiah's Place.  Kelley worked for several years as a consultant to other private foster care agencies working to maintain their agencies' compliance with OAC regulations, until opening Isaiah's Place in 2003.  Kelley's goal was to open a Christian-based agency with higher standards for foster parents, better care for foster children, and to offer the highest level of support to foster parents.  Kelley resides in Troy and has a teenage son and two dogs, a Rottweiler and a miniature Schnauzer.  Kelley attends Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City and is an avid University of Dayton men's basketball fan.  Kelley has had several columns published in both the Troy Daily News and the Dayton Daily News and is in the process of finishing her first book.  Kelley enjoys being with her friends and family, reading, working out, watching movies and enjoying all of the sweet magic life has to offer.

Case Specialist:
Melissa Iriarte was born in Minford, Ohio and currently resides in Sidney, Ohio.  Melissa has her Bachelor's Degree from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and History.  Her work experience has included working for two Children Services agencies, Help Me Grow and in community school systems.  Melissa is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio.  Melissa has been with Isaiah's Place since the Spring of 2008, working as a Case Specialist.  Melissa is married and has two daughters.  In her leisure time Melissa likes to read, watch sports and listen to music.

 

 

Crisis Worker:
Alvin Bailey has been with Isaiah's Place since Spring 2008 and has worked as a Case Specialist and Crisis Worker.  Alvin has his Master's in Counseling from Wright State University and completed his LPCC program through the University of Dayton.  Alvin is a Licensed Social Worker through the State of Ohio and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.  Alvin has over 20 years of direct involvement with youth and families; working in various environments such as outpatient treatment facilities, inpatient units and residential.  He has had extensive training in addiction, mental health, dysfunctional families, criminal thinking, anger management and sex offenders.  Alvin is married and has two daughters.  In his free time he enjoys resting, reading/studying the Bible, travel and watching 24, Law and Order: Criminal Intent and The Unit.

 

Electronic Communications Manager:
Marie Hughes was born in Waynesboro, Virginia and currently resides in Tipp City, Ohio.  Marie has been with Isaiah's Place since March 2007 and is the Electronic Communications Manager.   Marie has her BA in Music from God's Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio and was a piano teacher prior to coming to work for Isaiah's Place.  Marie is married to her husband John, a minister, and has two sons.  Marie enjoys knitting, decorating and playing piano in her free time.

 

 

 

 

Director of Placements:
Irene Early serves as the Director of Placements and has been with Isaiah's Place since the Summer of 2006.   Irene has her BS in Social Work from California State and has had experience working with the MRDD population and in private foster care.  Irene has been married for 30 years and has one son.

 

 

 

Case Specialist Supervisor:
Kelley Butcher has been with Isaiah's Place since February 2005.  She has worked as a Case Specialist and now serves as the Case Specialist Supervisor.  Kelley received her BA from Bluffton University and is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio.  Her past work experience has been in Children Services, Intake and Investigations and case management.  Kelley is married to Stan Butcher and together they have five children.  In her leisure time Kelley enjoys family get-togethers, bowling and movies.

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer:
Matthew Gunter is a resident of Troy, Ohio and has been with Isaiah's Place since 2004.  Matthew has done training for Isaiah's Place and is current Chief Financial Officer.  Matthew has a BA in History from the University of Dayton and his Master's in Education from UD, as well.   Matthew is licensed as a social studies teacher for grades 7-12 in the State of Ohio.  His work experience has included over 20 years in logistics management with Ryder Integrated Logistics, Freshway Foods and Ranger Landstar.  Matthew has taught American History and Political Science at Edison Community College since 2005.  Matthew is married to his wife Lori and enjoys reading, writing, putting on magic shows and restoring old cars.

 

 

Case Specialist:
Brooks Hall is a Case Specialist at Isaiah's Place and has been with the agency since the Fall of 2007.  Brooks has a BA in Psychology from the University of Dayton and has worked with juvenile offenders in the past.  Brooks is married with four children.

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Assistant:
Gail Noel has been with Isaiah's Place since January 2007 and serves as the Administrative Assistant.  Gail has her BS in Education from Bluffton College and her Masters in Divinity from the United Theological Seminary. Gail had her ordination in 1976 and has worked as a minister, teacher, fundraising and sales and as a treatment specialist.  Gail also spent time at home raising her four sons.  She now has 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.  In Gail's free time she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking and spending time with friends and family.

 

Case Specialist:
Molly Snow has been with the agency since the Spring of 2009 working as a Case Specialist.  Molly has her BS in Psychology from Urbana University and has pervious experience in Children Services working in the Intake and Investigations Unit.  Molly is married to Dustin and has two dogs, Harley and Brady.  In her free time Molly enjoys playing softball, reading and spending time with her family.

 

 

 

 

Licensing Specialist:
Jennifer Knisley has been with Isaiah's Place for over three years.  Jennifer started as a Case Specialist and is now the Licensing Specialist.  Jennifer has her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University in Social Work and is currently working on her Masters in Social Work from The University of Toledo.  Jennifer is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio and a certified Adoption Assessor.  Jennifer has work experience as an investigator for Children Services and in a child community mental health agency.  Jennifer is married to Brandon and has a chocolate lab, Bronx.  In her free time Jennifer enjoys gardening, baking, fishing and anything outdoors.

 

 

Rick Heinl has been a board member with Isaiah's Place since July 2008.  Rick has his BA in Accounting from Capital University and has worked for Keebler Cookies.  Currently, Rick is the President and Owner of Repacorp.  Rick has been married for 33 years and has three children.  In his free time, Rick enjoys golf, reading, fishing and boating.

 

 

Andrew Wannemacher has been with Isaiah's Place as a board member since 2006.  Andrew is a resident of Troy and is married with three children.  Andrew attended Miami University and The University of Toledo College of Law and has been licensed to practice law since 1992.  Andrew's work experience includes ten years with Dungan & Lefevre and ten years with the Miami County Public Defender's Office.  In his free time, Andrew enjoys skiing, remodeling, gardening and watching movies.

 

 

Erin Johnston has been with Isaiah's Place as a board member since 2008..  Erin has her BA in Psychology from the University of Dayton and Masters in Accounting from Wright State University.  

 

 

 

John Wannemacher has been a board member with Isaiah's Place since it opened and currently serves as Board President.  John has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Dayton and JD from Salmon P. Chase Law School.  John is a LPA for Dungan and Lefevre and resides in Troy with his wife.  John has three adult children and enjoys golf and woodworking in his spare time.

 

 

Darla York has been a part of Isaiah's Place from its inception when Kelley Gunter shared her dream of opening a foster care agency.  Darla has been on the board ever since.  Darla has her undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master's Degree in School Psychology from Wright State University.  Darla has a permanent certificate in education and has been in the education system for 36 years.  Darla has taught every grade of school and spent six years as a school psychologist, but spent the majority of her time teaching kindergarten.  Darla has been married to her husband Ted for 21 years and they have three grown children and one grandchild.  Darla enjoys reading in her free time and being around people.

Phil Butler has been on the Isaiah's Place board since it's opening.  Phil is a resident of Dayton, Ohio.