The Salvation Army Staff

We have a dynamic staff committed to make a difference in the lives of citizens in
Wake County. They are each experts in their respective fields and areas of discipline.

CENTER OF HOPE - Social Ministries

KATIE GONZALEZ serves as the Director of Social Ministries where she oversees program operations at the Center of Hope. These programs include an 81-bed emergency shelter for women with children, Project CATCH - Community Action Targeting Children who are Homeless, Project FIGHT - Freeing Individuals Gripped by Human Trafficking, and a number of crisis assistance programs open to the community. She has worked passionately for The Salvation Army of Wake County for seven years and began immediately after completion of her Master's in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, a joint program, in 2010. She grew up in Asheboro, NC, but has resided in Raleigh since attending North Carolina State University where she received her Bachelor's in Social Work in 2009.

JENNIFER TISDALE is the Project CATCH Coordinator. She is passionate about helping our most vulnerable population: children experiencing homelessness. She has dual masters degrees in Public Health and Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill. She joined the Project CATCH team in October 2013 and is currently based at the Salvation Army in Wake County, NC. Jennifer is coordinating Project CATCH in Raleigh, where she is working with a case management team and ten additional agency partners serving the homeless. Jennifer has spoken locally and nationally at conferences on Project CATCH, and is currently facilitating training on Trauma Informed Services for agency partners.

ELIZABETH HUNTER, MAHS, is the Project FIGHT Coordinator. Elizabeth has over 14 years experience in the human services field. In 2003, Elizabeth began working with people experiencing homelessness to provide referrals to help this population attain goals associated with employment, housing, and mental health. The majority of her career has been spent assisting individuals with developmental disabilities through case management and employment placement/support. In April 2017, Elizabeth began as the Program Coordinator for Project FIGHT. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating case management services throughout North Carolina and raising awareness about human trafficking through presentations and trainings. She is a strong advocate who values a person-centered approach and is passionate about ending the war on slavery. She graduated from Liberty University with her Masters in Human Services in 2012.

CORPS/COMMUNITY CENTER

SARAH SMITH-RUIZ is a true advocate for children. She began working with The Salvation Army of Wake County in 2006 as a Child Case Manager. She continues to help guide and foster children in their growth and development as the Program Director of The Salvation Army's After School Program. Sarah is an Army Veteran and received her degree in Early Childhood Education. She grew up in Garner, NC and now resides in Raleigh with her family. She spends her free time volunteering as a Troop Leader with Girls Scouts, King of Court Tennis Ministries and running in local 5k fun runs. Sarah is also a coach for Girls on the Run.

JERE SCHRAMM is currently our Athletic Director at the Community Center. He coordinates Winter Basketball, Baseball, Summer Basketball, Soccer, and Flag Football, where nearly 100 coaches volunteer to coach almost 1200 kids per year - all with in a safe and Christian environment. In addition, he coordinates outside gym rentals and Be ALL FOR CHRIST basketball clinic's, as well as led the Red Kettle Campaign efforts. Jere has been a member of The Salvation Army Corps (church) for over 50 years and plays in the brass band. Prior to working at the Army, Jere managed car rental business for 30 years and did property management for 10 years. He previously lived in Ohio, NYC, Kentucky, Maryland, and Florida. He now resides in Raleigh with his wife married and enjoys the company of his 4 adult children and 1 grandson.

FAMILY/THRIFT STORES

JEAN TEMPLE is the Director of Thrift Store Operations.

DEVELOPMENT/MARKETING & VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

TARA SHEPHERD-BOWDEL is the Director of Development & Community Relations. Prior to coming to The Salvation Army of Wake County, she served Bethany Theological Seminary as the Eastern U.S. Director of Development, and at Wells Fargo as a project manager for the Retail Credit & Business Strategy Team in Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions. She received her Bachelor's in Psychology from Roanoke College and Master of Divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary. She is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.

JAMI BRITT NOBLE is the Volunteer Coordinator. Jami recruits, coordinates, and manages thousands of volunteers for 14 programs within the Salvation Army, including Christmas programs with an average of 2,500 volunteers through the month of December. She also organizes special events including the The MOST Amazing Race. She is a 2011 graduate of Appalachian State University and received her Masters in 2015 from Duke Divinity School. She is also pursuing Ordination in the United Methodist Church.

DONAL WARE currently serves as the Public Relations Director striving to promote the mission of The Salvation Army in Wake County. He has worked in the public relations field for almost 20 years and is a graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.