The Presbyterian Home for Children has announced several staffing changes, including the retirement of its Vice President of Operations and the creation of the position of Vice President of People, Culture and Administration.
Claude “Bud” Kitchin, the Home’s Vice President of Operations, announced he will retire later this winter but will stay on in a part-time consulting role on an interim basis. Kitchin is responsible for property and land management, facilities and maintenance, information technology, volunteer coordination, the PHFC Thrift Store and the Union Village permanent supportive housing community in partnership with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). Kitchin joined the Home in 2021 as Director of Operations and became its Vice President in 2023.
Stephani Burton, the Home’s Manager of Human Resources, Accreditation and Administration since 2022, has been appointed to the new position of Vice President of People, Culture and Administration.
Before joining the Home, Burton worked in human resources for the city of Talladega and managed Elwood Staffing Services, Inc. for more than two decades with two of her largest clients being Honda Manufacturing of Alabama and New South Express, both in Lincoln. She is active in Talladega civic organizations, including the United Way of North Talladega County, Talladega Junior Welfare League, April in Talladega and the city of Talladega Christmas Parade Committee.
Doug Marshall, President and CEO of the Home, said he and the board are grateful for Kitchin’s leadership and experience.
“Bud has been a very capable and energetic leader since joining the Home as we improved our campus infrastructure, moved the PHFC Thrift Store to the Northgate Shopping Center new off-campus location and expanded Union Village to serve more consumers at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind,” Marshall said. “Stephani has demonstrated that she is ready for a senior leadership role at the Home, where she will help us continue to walk-out our calling for providing healing and hope to at-risk children and families.”
Marshall announced several other leadership changes. Staff Chaplain Rev. Dr. Jane N. Geiger has been named Director of Strategic Impact and Staff Chaplain. Geiger will assist the Home in accomplishing its strategic plan and brings solid experience as a strategic advisor in corporate consulting solutions. Geiger has over 33 years of experience in guiding individuals, couples, families, pastors, executives, churches and corporations to higher levels of success. She has a master’s in counseling from University of Alabama Birmingham and is the founder and CEO of Grace Ministries, Inc. and Mission Mediation. Geiger will report to Burton.
Elizabeth A. Ponder, MA has been hired as Interim Director of Philanthropy in a part-time role with responsibilities over development, donor relations, communication, grant writing, volunteer coordination and mission outreach. Ponder will report to Marshall. She has served as a consultant to the Home and brings 20 years of experience in advancement and development from her senior roles at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, University of Alabama Birmingham and Auburn University. Jennifer Braxton, the Home’s Director of Development and Mission Outreach, and Cindy Fisher, Director of Communication, will both report to Ponder.
Rev. Leeann Scarbrough has been named Director of Spiritual Life and Church Relations after serving in several leadership roles with the Home, including as a past member on the Board of Trustees. In her role, Scarbrough has guided residents at the Home and students at Ascension Leadership Academy to grow in their spiritual lives. She has served as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Talladega for almost 25 years and previously as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Piedmont, Alabama, and River Hills Community Church in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Additionally, she has served in leadership roles with the Presbytery of Sheppards & Lapsley and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Scarbrough will report to Braxton.
“In these new roles, Jane, Elizabeth and Leeann will greatly strengthen the Home in our continued build-out of our long-term strategic plan supported by our donors’ philanthropic commitment of giving and sharing that are primary to the quality of life of those entrusted to our care,” Marshall said.
Presbyterian Home for Children is one of few organizations in the state caring for Alabama’s homeless boys and girls, along with their female caregivers in its Secure Dwellings Program. The Home serves young female adults in crisis through its Transition to Adult Living Program and families in crisis over seven counties through its in-home intensive services program, Family Bridges. Ascension Leadership Academy features a fully Cognia-accredited academic curriculum for children and youth in the Home’s programs as well as children and youth from the community.
