Meet Our Leadership

Jennifer Enderson

Jennifer Enderson

President

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Jennifer has been employed with Emory Valley Center since 2001. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Prior to coming to Emory Valley Center Jennifer was a Direct Support Professional, Vocational Rehabilitation Case Manager, Independent Support Coordinator and held various management positions in the retail industry.  Jennifer has held several different positions while at Emory Valley Center including Professional Services Director, Residential Services Director and is currently the President. As President, Jennifer maintains a high-quality person-centered program in accordance with the mission, vision, values and standards of Emory Valley Center. She ensures compliance with requirements of all funding sources and local, state, and federal laws and regulations as it pertains to Company operations. She provides leadership that fosters effective teamwork, positive staff morale and excellent customer service and directly supervises the Development Director, Vice President of Finance, Senior Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Professional Services, Vice President of Children’s Services, Human Resources Director and Facilities Director.

Crystal Hicks

Crystal Hicks

Sr. Vice President of Operations

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Crystal worked for Emory Valley Center for six years in the late 90’s and early 2000’s and has been back at the center since 2004. Crystal graduated from Tusculum College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management with a concentration in Human Resources and a Master of Arts in Organizational Training and Performance Management. Crystal has held many positions at Emory Valley Center including: Direct Support Professional, Personal Assistant, Day Services Assistant, Day Case Manager, Case Manager, Program Manager, HCBS Case Manager, Incident Management Coordinator, Quality Assurance Director. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Operations and oversees the Directors in the various locations, as well as all programs and development associated within. Crystal ensures that all contract compliance and matters of licensure and quality assurance are met as required by local government ordinances, federal standards and state practices. She oversees all area programs to ensure person-centered designed inclusive programs and self-determination for people with disabilities while ensuring quality services are provided according to state contracts and the Council on Quality Leadership standards.

Kristen Otto

Kristen Otto

Vice President of Professional Services

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Kristen has been employed with Emory Valley Center since 2013. Kristen is a Licensed Practical Nurse and earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration from King University. Kristen started her career in the field of disabilities in 2000 as a Direct Support Professional working for an agency in Iowa. During her tenure there she was a Site Coordinator, Program Manager, and Quality Improvement Manager. While at Emory Valley Center, Kristen worked as a Case Manager and was the Quality Assurance Director before promoting to her current position. As the Vice President of Professional Services, Kristen is responsible for all areas Quality Assurance, Business Development, and Professional Services.

Bryan Taylor

Bryan Taylor

Vice President of Finance

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Bryan joined Emory Valley Center in 2022 after being a volunteer and foundation board member for several years. Prior to coming to Emory Valley Center, he was an auditor for 3 years and the Chief Fiscal Officer at a community action agency for 9 years. Bryan is a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner.  His primary responsibilities are to oversee financial operations, ensure compliance and provide reports to the stakeholders of Emory Valley Center.

Anna Moore

Anna Moore

Vice President of Children's Services

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Anna Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and has worked in the field of early childhood for the past 28 years.  Currently Anna serves as the Vice President of Children Services.  Anna oversees operations for all children services including the Early Intervention Program, which serves 450 children in 14 counties.  In addition, Anna is over the center based programs; the Emory Valley Early Learning Center, and the Little Learning Lab.  Past professional work experiences include Education and Disability Coordinator for Head Start programs, consultation with childcare centers for behavior challenges in children birth to 5, and the start up of Emory Valley Center’s partnership with Vanderbilt University’s TRIAD center (Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders), which aims to identify children under the age of three who have characteristics of autism, and can be diagnosed through telehealth options with the early intervention team and Vanderbilt partnership.  Anna was involved in the first Tennessee state funded Pre-K and Head Start collaboration, and participated in the planning and start up of the new EVC and ORNL partnership program, the Little Learning Lab.   Her specialty areas include social and emotional development; infant and toddler mental health; autism, and quality practices with children birth to five.

Aaron Price

Aaron Price

Vice President of Community Engagement

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Aaron joined Emory Valley Center in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 2004 and has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years. He has served as a development professional for the Boy Scouts of America, InterFaith Health Center, and MEDIC Regional Blood Center. During his time in the nonprofit sector, he has helped raise funds to support health, education, and youth activities. As Director of Development, he oversees fundraising, communication, public relations and represents EVC at community events. To learn more about the services EVC provides or request Aaron as a guest speaker please email above.

Kim Jeffers-Whitaker

Kim Jeffers-Whitaker

Vice President of Human Resources

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Kim Jeffers-Whitaker is the Vice President of Human Resources at Emory Valley Center, bringing over 26 years of extensive experience in HR leadership and administration across federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as the manufacturing industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SCP), with specialized certifications in Workplace Investigations (WI) and OSHA 10-hour General Industry.

Previously, Kim served in significant roles at Anderson County Government, including Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, where she managed EEO, OSHA/TOSHA, Section 125, and acted as the HIPAA/Security Officer. Her expertise encompasses workers’ compensation, safety, training and development, employee relations, benefits administration, conflict resolution, and compliance, and she served as the county-wide Title VI and Public Records Request Coordinator.

At Emory Valley Center, Kim is dedicated to enhancing organizational effectiveness by creating and implementing employee-centric programs that promote a distinctive employment experience. She ensures compliance with regulatory standards and provides strategic direction that aligns with the organization’s mission and goals.

Kevin Hicks

Kevin Hicks

Facilities Director

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Kevin has been employed with Emory Valley Center since 2007.  He graduated from Pellissippi State Community College with an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design Technology. Kevin began his career path by working as a laborer for a plastering contractor in 1993. Over the next several years he progressed to an apprentice learning the trade, and advanced to a journeyman plasterer. He continued working for plastering contractors in the role of plaster foreman. After more than 10 years in the plastering trade, Kevin went to work for a high-end custom home builder continuing to learn different trades and then moving into their service and maintenance department. Kevin has held several roles with Emory Valley Center, including: Maintenance Foreman, Maintenance and Transportation Coordinator and was promoted in 2017 to Facilities Director. As the Facilities Director, Kevin supervises the maintenance and custodial staff and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all Emory Valley Center properties and vehicles.