Cynthia "Cindy" Prillaman Hall, DMD, Board President

Dr. Hall is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in the US Army at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dr. Hall served on active duty in the Army for 3 years before locating in Ellijay in 1999. Dr. Hall has practiced general dentistry for 9 years. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Jud. They have 2 "four-legged" children...a 7 year old black lab and a 4 year old beagle. Dr. Hall is a charter board member of the Appalachian Children's Center and remains very dedicated to its mission in caring for children.

Leslie A. Bechtel was born in New York State, graduated cum laude from Syracuse University, and she completed her Art History Masters degree work at the University of Maryland. She came to Georgia in 1980 to attend Emory Law School. Then she practiced law in Atlanta, GA from 1983-2006, most recently as Deputy Commissioner for Legal and Consumer Affairs at the State Department of Banking and Finance. Mrs. Bechtel also performed volunteer work in Atlanta as a facilitator for group meetings for victims of domestic violence. Retiring from state service in April 2006, Mrs. Bechtel relocated to Morganton, GA, with her husband, to a log cabin they have had since about 1987. Her interests include Art, writing, gardening, reading, cooking, cabin improvements (they never end!) and travel. Currently, she is working with Tiffany Brown with the North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network, on an elder abuse project.

Jean Fernandez is Vice President and Lending Officer with Bank of Ellijay since March 2007, and was formerly a lending officer with United Community Bank. She began her banking career 26 years ago with a Savings and Loan in Western North Carolina. Jean then went on to work for First Union National Bank as a Financial Services Representative selling annuities, mutual funds and lending then joined United Community Bank in Waynesville, NC 12 years ago as Assistant Branch Manager. She met her husband and relocated to Georgia and worked in several locations with United Community Bank, the last being here in the Gilmer County market for 3 years. She has completed numerous financial courses throughout her career. In November she graduated from Commercial Lending School and in March graduated from Advanced Commercial Lending School.

Jean is active in the community where she currently serves as treasurer of the Appalachian Children’s Center Board of Directors. Jean is also county chairwoman of the March of Dimes for Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County as well as being active with the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce and serving on the Ambassador Committee with the Chamber.

Jean is married to Robert Fernandez and resides in Jasper and has one daughter, Amanda Greene, and one step son, Westley Fernandez, who reside in Canton as well as three wonderful grandchildren, Colby, Ethan and Caitlyn. In her off time she enjoys traveling and gardening with her husband as well as spending quality time with her family.

Greg Arp, Board Member

Greg Arp is the Chief of Police for the East Ellijay Police Department. He is a native of Fannin County living in the Epworth Community with his wife Julie and their three children. Greg graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He holds both a law enforcement certification and executive certification from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Chief Arp has a deep seeded interest in the safety and welfare of children. He volunteers for the ACC Board and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children through the Appalachian Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court. He brings ten years experience to the board working with children, teens and the juvenile justice system in addition to his law enforcement background. He is an active member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and has served two terms as a representative of the 11th district of GACP.

Will Beattie, Board Member

Will Beattie is currently the Public Relations Director for ETC Communications, LLC in Ellijay, Georgia. His interest in the Appalachian Children's Center, Inc. is driven by the need this community has for such an organization to help children. Will is a graduate of the Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the International Studies Program at Kells College-Santander, Spain; a graduate of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Academy-Basic Law Enforcement; and a graduate of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Gilmer II.” Will has previous experience as a State Law Enforcement Agent in South Carolina as well. Currently, Will is involved in the local community as the President Elect (2007) for the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce; is on the Board of Directors for North Georgia Hospice; Appointed to the Georgia Academy for Economic Development (2006); the ETC Representative for Gilmer County Builders Association; the ETC Representative for the Dedicated Ellijay Merchants Association; has served as a Chaperone for the Rotary International High School program; and serves as a Gilmer County Emergency Management Search and Rescue Technician with the local K9 Dog Team.

Tammy Daniels, Board Member

Tammy was born in Marietta, GA. She worked at Hewlett Packard Company for 14 years before relocating to Ellijay in 2003. She and her husband Ralph own RTD Contracting, Inc. They build homes, develop land & invest in real estate. They also have 3 dogs named Toby, Smokey & Lucky. In 2005 she became very interested in the ACC and did volunteer work until she became a board member in 2006.

Dave Garner, Board Member

Dave is a 1996 graduate of Kennesaw State University where he earned a B.S. in Communications. He and his wife Jana have two children, Reagan and Dalton. Dave serves as the Sports Director for ETC 3 and has maintained a professional relationship with Georgia Public Broadcasting as a play-by-play announcer for the GHSA State football and basketball championships. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Jasper where he serves on the Public Relations Committee. His genuine desire to reverse the cycle of child abuse is fueled by his passion for children. Dave was recently accepted into the Mercer University School of Engineering and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Technical Communication Management.

Pat Key, Board Member

Pat is retired with 32 years experience in the field of education. Most recently Pat worked for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Program of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit.

She is married to Bill Key; and they have two grown children and two grandchildren. The Keys have lived in Gilmer County since 1979 moving from Nashville, Tennessee.

In her work with CASA, Pat became aware of the invaluable work the Children’s Advocacy Center does for the children and their caregivers in Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens Counties. By serving on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Center, Pat hopes to continue to be involved in improving the lives of children in this area.

Bradley McEntyre is the owner of United Country Landmasters and Legendary Home Builders, LLC, located in Ellijay, Georgia. He and family, wife Emily and sons Cam and Ethan, are members of Crosspoint Church. Bradley is a graduate of Auburn University. He is currently a member of the Gilmer County Rotary Club, and an upcoming Board Member.