Beth has been a resident of Forsyth County for over 20 years. She and her husband, Steve, have one daughter, Carolyn, and have been foster parents and legal guardians to Ian, their profoundly handicapped foster son, for over 25 years.
Beth is a founding member and the first President of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton as well as the founding member and President of Homestretch in North Fulton Co. Beth was PTA President at Big Creek Elementary, South Forsyth Middle and Piney Grove Middle Schools. Beth served a three-year term on the State Advisory Panel for Special Education for the State of GA. In addition to serving two terms on the vestry at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, she co-chaired the church’s Capital Campaign and was Chairperson for the Stewardship Committee for three years. Beth has participated in the same bible study program for over 25 years, is a Master Gardener and is currently the President of Bellmere Garden Club, Johns Creek, GA. Beth holds a B.S. in Human Services from Elon College and a MED in Counseling and Guidance from UNCG.
Before founding Keystone Village, Beth and Tammy often wondered what would happen to their adopted special needs children (who are now adults) once we were no long living? Out of concern for their future, the vision of Keystone Village a ‘forever home’ was born. Their hope is Keystone Village, a residential community for adults with developmental disabilities, will provide a safe environment, with individualized support/care and a sense of unconditional love and acceptance for all of the people that will call it their "home’.
Tammy is one of the “founding moms of Keystone Village.” Born and raised on Long Island, N.Y. She attended Manhattan College and received a Bachelors degree in Adapted Physical Education and a Masters degree in Special Education. As a teacher at both LaVelle School for the Blind and Henry Viscardi School, she found her calling to serve the disabled population.
In 1995, Tammy and her husband Stephen moved to Georgia and began their journey in building a family of 14. Inspired by her parent’s love of adoption, she and Stephen adopted seven of their twelve children from state foster care. They welcomed children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, profound developmental delay, blindness and epilepsy into their home. Along with their five biological daughters, these children made the Miller family full of love. As the children aged they had many concerns about what a “forever home” would look like. It became apparent, that with other Forsyth County community members, a solution such as Keystone Village was vital to many.
As an active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Tammy begins each day hoping to serve others by living out what Jesus taught: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40.
Treasurer
Danialle Evans and her husband, Jason, have been residents of Forsyth County for 17 years. She currently is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OneSouth Bank. Ms. Evans held various leadership positions in the financial industry, bringing over 18 years of experience in finance and accounting. Ms. Evans has had the opportunity to be the treasurer of several local nonprofits including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Sawnee Amateur Radio and Keystone Village.
Ms. Evans graduated from the University of Tennessee and holds a CPA license from the state of Georgia as well as memberships in the Georgia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Secretary
Stacey Van Dyke is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Special Twist, a nationally competitive cheerleading and dance program for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Growing up with a sister who was delayed, she saw the need for inclusion in mainstream activities otherwise unavailable to her.
As an advocate for the Special Needs community, Stacey has focused her support on building self-esteem, and helping mentor her athletes to find their place in their schools and communities. Over her 19 years with Special Twist, she has seen the extreme need for a safe, supportive housing development such as Keystone Village where those she works with can live and thrive in their independent lives.
Gary and his wife Margaret have been married for 39 years, raised four daughters whom are all happily married, and they now have five grandkids! Faith and Family are the highest priority to him. Professionally, Gary enjoyed 28 years with Chick-fil-A, 24 of those as an operator. For the past 21 years he has enjoyed working in the real estate industry, with an emphasis in land acquisition and residential development.
Gary met Tammy Miller and Beth Burns, co-founders of a non-profit residential community for disabled individuals. After the first meeting with them, Gary knew he had found his place to care for “the least of these”. In less than one year, Keystone Village has grown from an idea and is rapidly moving to reality.
Lynn is a RN with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Healthcare Policy and Administration from Mercer University in Atlanta.
During her career, Lynn has held a number of professional leadership roles including Vice President of Nursing at Georgia Baptist Medical Center. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Northside Hospital Forsyth.
Lisa Bennett is the director of Creative Enterprises Forsyth located in Cumming, Georgia. Creative Enterprises is a job placement and day program for adults with developmental disabilities. She began working with people with disabilities when she was 16 and then had had her dream job of teaching special education for 20 years. Lisa has spent the last 15 years in education serving as Assistant Director of Special Education for Forsyth County Schools.
Annette Schumann is a retired ABA and BAI Therapist with the NMUSD in Newport Beach, CA. where she specialized in frustration tolerance and peer facilitation. Annette was a two time recipient of the Super Star District Award. She was a Special Needs Cub Scout Pack Leader for 12 years and head coach for the Southern California Special Olympics Bowling team for 6 years.
Upon retiring 6 years ago Annette and her husband Jim moved to Georgia to be with her family. She is currently the bakery manager for her sister's deli, Marie's Italian Deli and Bakery where they employ adults with special needs.
Annette was the Camp Director for Spectrum Social Skills summer camp in Cumming 2017-2019 and she also led the first Special Needs Cub Scout Den in Forsyth County earning her the 2022 Godsend Award for Pack 207.
Annette has a 14 year old grandson with special needs.
Wayne Hancock is the Environmental, Health and Safety Business Partner for SIEMENS INNOMOTICS LLC Americas with more than twenty years of experience in health and safety management. In his current role, Wayne is responsible for developing and implementing environmental health & safety management programs with a focus on risk reduction, hazard controls, regulatory compliance, employee training, and environmental protection.
Wayne is the national lead for the LIFE@Siemens program, a pillar of the SiemensAbility ERG. He mentors team members and students in the LIFE program and is the co-founder of the Project LIFE@SIEMENS program.
When not leading the efforts of EHS programs, Wayne is a state certified coach and clinician for Special Olympics Georgia in multiple sports. He serves as a youth mentor and teacher at his local church. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, and coaching for SOF (Special Olympics Forsyth). He and his wife Adrienne, and sons, Nick, Nathan, Andrew, reside in the Cumming, Georgia. Forsyth.
Michelle Wilson is an author, attorney, and owner of the law firm, Wilson Legal, in Cumming, Georgia. Since 2008, she has specialized in planning for estates, businesses, seniors, and special needs adults and children. For those who’ve experienced loss, her team assists them through the probate process. Clients find peace of mind knowing that they and their loved ones and businesses are prepared for the future. The firm’s compassion for others and commitment to service is one reason this team acts as a trusted advisor far beyond the close of a matter. At Wilson Legal, we support our local community both by giving of our time and our finances in participating in church and nonprofit projects and fundraisers, serving on nonprofit boards. At Wilson Legal, we believe the best life is lived intentionally and by design.
Jim Otwell is President of Andean Motor Company, member of First Baptist Church, and lifelong resident of Cumming, GA. Jim is father to 4 sons, and "Opa" to 11 grandchildren. Jim was one of the original members of the Forsyth County United Way, and served on the Board of Directors for the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, past president of the South Forsyth Rotary Club, member of the City of Cumming Industrial Authority, and a director at several area banks. He is on the Board of Directors at Lanier Technical College. He supports numerous local causes including area schools and City of Cumming events. Additionally, Jim has been actively involved in the Georgia Automobile Dealer’s Association (or GADA) and National Automobile Dealer’s Association. He was named the Director of the Year by GADA for four consecutive years. Ultimately, one of GADA’s most prestigious awards was renamed as The Jim Otwell Distinguished Director Award. In 2002, he was also honored to be named the Time Magazine Quality Dealer from Georgia by NADA. Jim has a passion for serving his community, and is excited to help make Keystone a reality in Forsyth County!
Janet is a mother of two beautiful adult children, Paige who is 27 and Jake who is 25. She was born in St. Louis MO but spent most of her childhood in NJ where she married and started her family. The Baskinger family moved to GA in 2008 when Janet was relocated with her job as Tax Director at Siemens. Janet has had a long career with the Siemens Tax Department, joining in 2002. Prior to working for Siemens, Janet spent 8 years at AT&T as a State Tax Director and early on, 7 years with Ernst & Young in public accounting. Janet earned her undergraduate BS in Business, concentration in Accounting, from Montclair State University and her Masters degree in Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University In NJ. Janet is a certified public accountant licensed in New Jersey.
Janet is not only a Tax Director at Siemens; she is also the Mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome (Paige) and the National Co-chair for the SiemensAbility ERG (employee resource group). This is a volunteer position that Janet loves to focus any spare time on. Janet has a passion for making the world a better place for those with disabilities and the ERG allows Janet to follow her passion at Siemens. The ERG’s mission is to make Siemens a more inclusive workplace, providing accommodations to employees with different abilities to allow them to be successful in their positions, and promoting awareness through community involvement activities such as the Special Olympics of GA.
Janet also recently joined the board of directors for the ThreeBasketeers, not for profit organization supporting employment for disabled people. She is serving as the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, supporting the bookkeeper.
Javier Espinosa, is from the vibrant city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, His educational journey began within the disciplined atmosphere of Anai, a military school and college, where he spent ten years shaping his character and determination. He continued his academic pursuits at Colegio Indoamérica and then crossed borders to study at Suffolk Community College in Long Island, New York, followed by Metropolitan University in Guayaquil, specializing in Marketing and Sales. His tenacity was crowned by obtaining a Georgia state license in HVAC, a profession he has honed with passion and skill.
He has been in the HVAC construction field for over 18 years and owner of JE Mechanical HV/AC 9 years ago, specializing in multifamily construction with projects in Florida and South Carolina.
His decision to join a nonprofit organization was inspired by his nephew, who has autism. For Javier, every human being has a social duty, and in these activities, he finds profound joy and fulfillment.
Outside of work, he enjoys the gym, travel, and the tranquility of the beach, reflecting his dynamic nature and penchant for personal challenges.
Javier collaborates with Keystone Village, where his work reflects his commitment to the community.
Abby Otwell has a decades worth of experience serving the special needs population and their families. Abby has a great passion for serving adults with special needs in their own community. Abby is married to her husband Jacob, and has a son named Hudson. She graduated with her undergrad degree in Social Work from UGA in 2017 and her Master’s degree from Georgia State in 2018. Abby is a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, and feels very strongly about being an advocate for those with special needs in Forsyth County!
Jay has been a Forsyth County resident for 17 years moving his wife Kathryn (and children) back to her hometown of Cumming, GA in 2006. He and his wife have been married for 28 years and have 2 children: son, Will, who attends Creative Enterprises and daughter Maggie who is a sophomore at the University of North Georgia.
Jay has been in the financial services sector since 1997 working with high-net-worth individuals and families. He has worked for the investment firm Neuberger Berman for the last 23 years, initially in Palm Beach County, FL and now Atlanta since 2006.
Since 2001 Jay and his wife Kathryn have been active in various non-profit charities within the special needs community initially in Palm Beach County, FL (The Renaissance Learning Center, [now The Learning Academy at The Els Center for Excellence] and The Autism Project of Palm Beach County) and since 2007 in Forsyth County. Jay also volunteers, coached and serves as a board member for the Cumming-Forsyth County Miracle League.
Jay did his undergraduate work at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) and Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL). He earned his MBA from Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL).
When not spending time with his family or volunteering in the community, Jay enjoys boating, live music and college football.
Keystone Village | P.O. Box 2681 Cumming, GA 30028 | Tammy@keystonevillage.org
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