Staff

Tricia Kirk
– Executive Director

Tricia Kirk has been working with special needs adults and children for over 30 years and the Executive Director of the Exceptional Foundation since 2001.  Under her leadership, the Exceptional Foundation has grown from serving 18 participants to currently serving 95 participants daily.

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Prior to her time at the Exceptional Foundation, Tricia served as a special education teacher in the Mountain Brook School System for 4 years.  After taking some time to raise her three children, Tricia returned to the Mountain Brook Schools to develop a specific inclusion program for a child with autism.  In 1997, she was hired by Glenwood as the Inclusion Coordinator for children with autism.

Tricia’s involvement in the community is extensive.  She served on the board of The Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kappa Delta Advisory Board, Shades Valley YMCA and the Birmingham Ballet Guild.  She is a member of the Momentum Leadership Training Class of 2008 and Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011.  Tricia has received the National Kappa Delta Awe-Inspiring Women Over 50 Award, the 2004 Quality of Life award from the Mayor of Homewood, as well as recognition by the the Birmingham Junior League for her service.

A native a Birmingham, Tricia received a bachelors degree from the University of Alabama specializing in behavior management.  She currently resides in Mountain Brook with her husband Will with three grown daughters, Neillie Butler, Laura Willoughby, and Hannon Doody, living nearby.

Shelton Kitchen
– Director of Development

Shelton is a native of Birmingham, AL and graduated from The University of Alabama in 2005.  After living in New York City for one year, Shelton moved back to the South and began working as the Director of Community Relations for The Exceptional Foundation in 2007.

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She moved into the role of Development Director the following year where she spends her time writing grants, securing event sponsorships and composing the bi-annual newsletter.  The mission of The Exceptional Foundation has always been close to Shelton’s heart due to growing up with a cousin who has Down’s Syndrome. She enjoys having a rewarding job and is honored to be a part of such “exceptional” organization.

Shelton is married to Drew Kitchen, and they have a a son, Charlie.  When she is not working, Shelton enjoys being with her family and traveling.

Ginny Bastar
– Program Director

Ginny was born and raised in Birmingham, AL.  Her passion for people with special needs led her to begin volunteering at The Exceptional Foundation at the age of 15.  In the summer of 2001, she was hired to work for the Foundation’s summer camp and continued to work part-time after school throughout the remainder of her high school years. 

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Ginny enrolled at The University of Alabama after high school graduation but returned each summer to work at The Exceptional Foundation which held a special place in her heart.  After completing her bachelor of science degree in Collaborative Special Education in 2006, Ginny was hired to work full-time at The Exceptional Foundation coordinating daily participant activities.  Now, 11 years later, Ginny holds the position of Program Director in which she recruits and admits new participants, plans and oversees all participant activities and manages the program staff among other responsibilities.

In August 2008, Ginny married high school sweetheart, John Bastar, who proposed to her six months earlier at The Exceptional Foundation in front of a crowd of participants cheering them on.  They now have a daughter, Mary Patton, who was born June 29, 2011.  In her free time, Ginny loves Alabama football, spending time with family and cooking with her husband.  

Phyllis Lyons
– Art Director

Phyllis, a native of Birmingham, AL, graduated from the University of Alabama in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in education.  She has over 25 years of experience helping people realize their creative potential through the field of art. 

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 Phyllis joined The Exceptional Foundation in October 2008 as Event Coordinator in which she organized the theme, design and presentation of our major annual fundraisers, the Exceptional Masterpieces Art Show and the Chili Cook-off.

When the need arose for a daily, structured art program for our participants in 2010, Phyllis was quickly appointed to develop and implement the curriculum.  As Art Director, Phyllis strives to make participants feel successful and confident about themselves and their works of art.  Her students work year-round creating “exceptional pieces” to be auctioned at the annual art show fundraiser held in September.  With a personality as colorful as her art work, Phyllis enjoys knitting and do-it-yourself projects as well as cooking with her husband, MJ,  in her spare time. 

Margaret Klocke
– Event Coordinator

Margaret is a native of Pensacola, FL and a 2003 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College in Fine Arts. She was involved in community fundraising several years before joining The Exceptional Foundation in January 2010.

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 Margaret is the Event Coordinator, planning the Chili Cook-Off and Exceptional Masterpieces Art Show just to name a few. She oversees the Junior Board who promotes fundraisers and the mission of the Foundation. She is passionate about fundraising and values the day-to-day experiences at The Exceptional Foundation.

Becky Morgan
– Special Olympics Sports Coordinator

Becky has been a wonderful presence at The Exceptional Foundation since 1999. She began her career as a volunteer, then moved-up to a part-time staff position before being hired-on full-time as the Special Olympics Sports Coordinator.   

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Becky coaches the competitive swimming and bowling teams and has helped our athletes earn the opportunity to represent The Exceptional Foundation in Special Olympics tournaments at the state and national levels.  She is married to Mike Morgan, and they have a son, Michael Dale, who is hearing impaired and participates at The Exceptional Foundation.  When Becky is not spending time at The EF she enjoys bowling and playing cards.

Clayton Trotter
– Corporate Relations Coordinator

Clayton, a Birmingham native, graduated from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing.  After graduation, she was employed in the leisure travel business for four years before deciding to search for opportunities to give-back to her community through employment in the non-profit arena.

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 A vacant position at The Exceptional Foundation caught her eye due to her experience growing up with a cousin with autism.  She likewise captured the attention of our director in an interview and soon began working full-time at The Exceptional Foundation.

As Corporate Relations Coordinator, Clayton promotes relationships between The Exceptional Foundation and local businesses, but, like most of our employees, she wears many hats, supervising daily participant activities, coaching the cheerleading squad and updating the website. When Clayton isn’t working at the Foundation, she enjoys reading and traveling with her husband.

Hannah Pinckney
– Youth Program Coordinator

Hannah was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. She attended Birmingham-Southern College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2008. To fulfill a course requirement, Hannah interned at The Exceptional Foundation during the spring of her senior year.  During that time, she recognized her passion for working with the special needs population and continued her work here as a part-time summer employee upon graduation.

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Following the summer program, Hannah began working full-time for the Foundation planning social skills activities and mentoring the junior counselors. In September 2009, Hannah established a transportation service to enable our participants to attend special events in the community.   She also acts as a liaison between parents and independent transit companies to provide transportation to and from The Exceptional Foundation.  Hannah serves as our resident “nurse” and is responsible for administering participant medications and upholding the medication policy set forth by the Foundation. In her free time, Hannah enjoys Alabama Football, traveling, and visiting with her friends and family. 

Amanda B. Terry
– Executive Assistant

Amanda is a native of Decatur, AL and moved to Birmingham in 2002 to study at Birmingham-Southern College.  After receiving a bachelor of science degree in psychology in May 2006, she joined The Exceptional Foundation as part-time assistance for the summer program.  Amanda quickly discovered her passion for serving individuals with special needs through her experience at summer camp. 

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Following the summer program, Amanda began planning the daily calendar of activities for our participants as well as training and overseeing volunteers as a full-time employee.  In August 2007, Amanda was asked to fill a vacancy on the administrative staff to manage the company’s financial records, donor records and office operations as Executive Assistant.  She enjoys contributing her organizational skills and attention to detail to the administrative team but indulges in free moments to return to her “programming” roots by spending quality time with the participants whom she began this journey with.  Amanda is married to Eric Terry of Trinity, AL and enjoys cooking and traveling in her time away from the Foundation.

Catherine Honeycutt
– Program Staff

Catherine Honeycutt is a native of Birmingham, AL. She is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Speech Pathology and is currently seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Her involvement with special needs programs originated in her high school days, and she desired to continue her work with this population after graduating college. 

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Catherine’s current position at The Exceptional Foundation involves working closely with the participants in daily activities as a member of the program staff.  She also organized and directed the 2011 holiday program and will be leading a participant dance class beginning in the spring of 2012.  One of Catherine’s favorite things about the Foundation is being greeted daily by the participants’ hugs and smiling faces.  When not at work, she enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Robbie Lee
– Sports Coordinator

Robbie was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. Upon graduating from Homewood High School in 2001, Robbie received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Alabama in 2006 and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008.

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Robbie’s involvement with The Exceptional Foundation began through volunteering for a special education class, and he continued volunteering after meeting the course requirements, often assisting with weekend basketball and softball games.

During his summer off as a special education aide at Clay Chalkville High School, Robbie worked part-time at The Exceptional Foundation’s summer camp in 2009.  In January 2010, he was offered, and quickly accepted, the Sports Coordinator position at the Foundation where he currently organizes all participant sports leagues including basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball, as well as coaches the Foundation’s competitive Special Olympic teams. More than anything, he enjoys bringing out the competitive spirit of his athletes. Robbie enjoys reading, going to the movies, and trying exotic foods in his free time.

Chris Germany
– Risk Management Coordinator

Chris, a Homewood, AL native, began working with individuals with disabilities shortly after graduating from Homewood High School.  He has acquired more than 20 years of experience with the special needs population and has been a mainstay at The Exceptional Foundation since its inception. 

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 Chris is fondly known as the patriarch of The Exceptional Foundation among parents, participants and the community.  As Risk Management Coordinator, he promotes the safety of our participants and our facility.  Chris is currently pursuing a degree in sociology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In his spare time, Chris enjoys watching football and playing trivia.

Eugene Rogers
– Volunteer Coordinator

A Birmingham native, Eugene Rogers is a 2007 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received a bachelor’s degree in Music Engineering.  He began volunteering at The Exceptional Foundation as an AmeriCorps member in 2003.  His exceptional volunteer service earned him a part-time position on The Exceptional Foundation’s staff in the fall of 2007.  After graduating from UAB in December 2007, Eugene began working full-time as the Foundation’s Volunteer Coordinator.

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 His passion for volunteering, service learning and leadership developed as a member of UAB’s Leadership and Service Council.  Eugene applies the values and principles he obtained from this experience and other student involvement at UAB to his role at the Foundation.

As Volunteer Coordinator, Eugene coordinates volunteers, interns, and student nursing clinicals and participates in speaking engagements throughout Greater Birmingham to promote volunteerism. In 2010, he established The Exceptional Foundation’s first chapter of the Aktion Club, a participant led service and leadership organization.  Eugene takes pride in encouraging our participants to grow as leaders both in the community and at The Exceptional Foundation by teaching them the value of serving others.  He is amazed daily by the energy and excitement our participants contribute to this cause and, in turn, gives back the same energy and excitement to his work.  In addition to his volunteer responsibilities, Eugene enjoys planning Friday Night Outings for our participants to let loose and have a little fun away from the Foundation.

Whit Blackburn
– Exercise Coordinator

Whit Blackburn was born and raised in Birmingham, AL.  His involvement with the special needs population began while volunteering at The Exceptional Foundation during his college years at Samford University.  Whit instantly developed a strong affection for the program and its participants.  He joined The Exceptional Foundation staff in 2004 until moving to Montana in the fall of 2006 to complete his education.

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When he returned to Birmingham in July 2011, Whit was welcomed back to The Exceptional Foundation to offer part-time support for the summer and fall programs.  In January 2012, he was asked to establish and direct The Exceptional Foundation’s first structured exercise program as a full-time employee.  Whit takes pride in helping our participants achieve a healthier lifestyle by teaching them how to exercise effectively and develop healthy eating habits, a cause that he values in his personal life.  His goal is to have each participant in shape and feeling great!  When he is not at work, Whit enjoys putting his many years of sports training into action by fishing, playing football and weight training, among other athletics. 

Laura Katherine Landrum
– Program Staff

Laura Katherine, or “LK” as we call her, is a 2010 graduate of the University of Alabama.  After completing her degree in Human Environmental Sciences, she returned to her Birmingham roots and started working at The Exceptional Foundation in January 2011. 

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  As a member of the program staff, Laura Katherine supervises participant activities, assists with the cheerleading squad and supports after-hours programs such as weekend outings and participant transportation.  Her favorite moments at the Foundation include intense dodgeball games and participant dance-offs.  When she is not at work, Laura Katherine enjoys Alabama football, cooking and spending time with her friends and family.

Amy Williamson
– Program Staff

Amy joined The Exceptional Foundation in the spring of 2011 as a volunteer for the art program.  She graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with a degree in Art History and French.  Her interest in the Foundation’s programs began after meeting some of our participants at a local camp program where she worked several summers.  Upon graduating college, Amy decided to become more involved at The Exceptional Foundation by contributing her creative talents to the art department.  

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 Her volunteerism soon earned her a part-time position as a program staff member where she facilitates participant involvement in daily activities and oversees daily art and craft sessions.  An avid traveler and art lover, Amy recently journeyed through China and Western Europe and plans to pursue a third degree in art education.  Her hobbies include painting, reading and photography.

Phillip Pearson
– Program Staff

Phillip began working at The Exceptional Foundation during the summer of 2008 after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in psychology.   

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He assists with daily programs at the Foundation and provides participant transportation to extracurricular programs at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, Huffman Methodist Church and Irondale Methodist Church on a weekly basis.  He also organizes weekend activities for our adult participants such as movie nights, trips to the Trussville PlayStation and many other exciting adventures.  Phillip’s long-term goal is to continue his studies to earn a master’s degree in counseling.

Jana Rogers
– Office Manager

Jana Rogers, originally from Cullman, AL, has lived in Birmingham since 2006. Jana graduated from Auburn University in December 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in communication.  Her interest and involvement with the special needs population developed from being raised with an aunt who has Down’s Syndrome and volunteering for Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Program through the United Cerebral Palsy Center of Birmingham in 2007. 

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Jana began her journey with The Exceptional Foundation in July 2011 as a part-time employee for the summer program.  In August 2011, she joined the administrative staff as Office Manager and assists in bookkeeping, enrolling participants and maintaining daily operations in the front office.  Jana enjoys building relationships with our participants who always give her a reason to smile at work.  She is married to Mark Rogers and likes spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, running, and CrossFit in her spare time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors

Jim Sisson – President
Lee Hurley – Vice President
Beth Arnett – Treasurer
Brook Balough – Secretary

Trish Acton
Susan Barstein
Ruth Bean
Tom Brinkley
Rob Conrad
Kim Dowdy
Gregory James
Charlie Jordan
Dianne Kendrick
David Loper
Billy Magruder
Connie Pruett
Walter Scott
Scott Selman
Ashanti Sloan
Amelia Spencer
Ellen Walker

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