Craig Powell’s – Executive Coordinator

Cpowell@PowerNetofTampa.org

Craig has taken on as his personal and professional mission the challenge of improving the quality of life within urban communities by facilitating the psychosocial and economic reintegration of persons with, and at risk of, criminal records. In Dayton Ohio he took a lead role in creating a comprehensive, strength-based, countywide ex-offender reentry initiative and in 2002, he founded PowerNet of Dayton that provides pre- and post-release rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration services; housing and employment services; community organizing and systemic change advocacy. Mr. Powell is the author of PowerNet’s GEM Leadership Development Program that begins 2-3 years prior to an inmate’s release from prison and continues 2-3 years after their release. As a direct result of these and other local efforts, the rate of recidivism and other systemic barriers affecting ex-offenders were reduced in the county.

Mr. Powell is a current member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Black Advisory Council and the Tampa Bay Black Chamber of Commerce. He is the current Co-Chair of the Hillsborough County Ex-offender Reentry Network, a member of the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative Executive Planning Committee and a graduate of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Academy.

His arrival in Tampa and the creation of PowerNet of Tampa is a continuation Mr. Powell believes he has been preparing from birth and assigned for life to the awesome and rewarding challenge of identifying, investigating and addressing the root systemic causes of the psychosocial and economic deprivation experienced by so many individuals and families struggling to live within America’s urban communities.

David White – R.I.M.S. Administrator & IT Coordinator

DWhite@PowerNetofTampa.org

After high school, David White received his Associate degree from ITT Technical Institute in Tool Engineering Technology where he used that knowledge as a draftsman for Select Tool & Die Company in Dayton, Ohio. Always having a desire towards the IT industry, David pursued this passion working for New Horizon Computer Learning Center teaching beginning to advanced classes in Microsoft Office applications and later in programming, database configuration, and computer repair classes.

David currently owns two businesses. Computer MD Remote where he provides computer service and repair for small business and residential customers. He also owns iDaMar Internet Services where he provides website services, domain registration, and hosting for a few small businesses and nonprofits.

David decided to continue his schooling and achieved his Bachelors of Science degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) in January of 2023.

David currently works for Amazon Inc. as a Learning Coordinator, facilitating all training that goes on in the building along with the onboarding of all new hires, training learning ambassadors to teach the classes.

David has known and worked with Craig Powell and PowerNet since 2012, providing IT support. Today, he provides his services as IT Coordinator, Google Workspaces Administrator, and Salesforce Administrator for The PowerNet Group.

Lexa Credo – Marketing & Administrative Coordinator

LCredo@PowerNetofTampa.org

Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, she and her younger brother sold all occasional cards, Girl Scout cookies, lemonade stands, etc.
We/I always had some sort of business.

As a young adult, Lexa has worked in the local governance sector for the first 20 years of her career. Providing civil service to the county in several departments such as Public Health, Employment, Human Services, Community Development, and Probation.

This is part of what makes her tick, utilizing her administrative skills, and her service to others. When she got laid off, from her county job, she made herself into a “business” and landed another position as an “independent contractor”. It was the best move and put her back into her element.

She has worked with several Entrepreneurs who are at the top in their fields (MBA MFE Risk Management & Health/Medicine and Alternative Currency)  and Corporations such as Wells Fargo as well as Non-Profits such as Power Net of Tampa

Shirley Johnson – Operational Systems Coordinator

SJohnson@PowerNetofTampa.org

PERSONALIZED ATTENTION AND TIMELY SOLUTIONS TO ALL YOUR
PROJECTS

Shirley is the Owner & Operating Officer of SAS Solutions, LLC, a company she started to provide Project Management Solutions and Operating Guidance to business entrepreneurs

Her passion for the past 15 years is process improvement, focused on developing and enhancing all aspects of her client’s business while taking on any special projects they may have.

Shirley also has a track record of helping startup companies get to the finish line with a strong documented business plan, a solid business model, reviewing their pitch deck, overseeing and coordinating their day-to-day operation, financial planning, projections and budgeting.

Shirley has successfully launched several small businesses in the past few years with their full website up and running within a few months.

Shirley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a Mathematics minor from Florida International University. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD).

After graduating from FIU, Shirley spent several years programming on large mainframe computers when she was offered a position as Technical Project Manager in charge of all projects for one of the largest health plans in the country Humana. The transition to selfemployment was a natural progression, making her a successful entrepreneur who enjoys helping others achieve the best results possible for their business ventures

With her background in manufacturing, banking, healthcare and real estate among others, Shirley is uniquely positioned to understand both her clients’ needs and the technical aspect of all projects she is in charge of.

Shirley is fluent in French. She is result oriented and mother of two young men, Evan and Jestin. She resides in Tampa FL

Thomas Herold

Being released from Federal Prison in 2016 on drug Conspiracy charges after 13 years, Thomas has went on to found a community based non-profit helping homeless, addicted and incarcerated people find freedom within themselves. Thomas is also a well known social media entity and podcaster known as “Thomas FreeMe”

Julia “Coach Jay ” Pauls – founder CEO and Managing Director

Bio: Julia “Coach Jay ” Pauls – founder CEO and Managing Director of the End Recidivism Project Extreme – she was born and raised in Roanoke Virginia and attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC where she majored in English and minored in communications. Aer leaving her alma mater she attended National Business College and then she started doing what she loves in the workforce..helping people, she brings 25+ years customer service & office managerial skills to the table.

n 2013 aer being diagnosed with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and in danger of kidney renal failure, on a series of 16 pills and the diabetic lans shot she set off on the journey of a lifetime. Doing a lot of research and finding healthy products to assist her on her Journey she lost 72 lbs and all the medication. She became “certified” in life, health, wellness and behavioral and sobriety coaching and taking her journey to another level she opened Take Charge Wellness Center Extreme in 2014 coaching executives, teachers, authors, pastors, ministers and other entrepreneurs in our community; assisting them on their journey to achieve total wellness as she continued on hers. “It’s what keeps me going on my journey, she says…knowing I have people watching and depending on me.” 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In late 2017 she was awakened with a word from God saying we have to do something to help with recidivism. She got up and looked up the word recidivism and its definition brought her to tears: “a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior especially: relapse into criminal behavior.” Usually within a three year period of me.” It had been happening to her family and friends for years and one of the major reasons she moved to Florida was to take a break from the vicious cycle.

Being obedient she got a 501C3 certificate for non for profit and started the End Recidivism Project Extreme. She had always done her part to assist struggling individuals in need to find a job, housing, food and given them rides and now she’s been led to do it on a larger scale. She contacted the Sheriff Chronisters office (HCSO) and set up a meeting with Major Farrier, Colonel Perroti, Darlene Hansford, Steve Johnson and Dan Kimmel and they have assisted her in unimaginable ways on her quest to do her part in assisting our returning citizens.

Julia founded the Pasco County Reentry Alliance in Pasco County, Florida and also attends the Hillsborough Ex-offender Reentry Coalition (HREC) and is a member of Hillsborough Ex Offenders Reentry Network (HERN). She was on the Sequential

Intercept Mapping team for (SIM) in Hillsborough County in 2018 and Pasco County
Sequential intercept mapping team in 2023. She is a member of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Association (NABCJA), international
Association of Peer Supporters (¡NAPS), is a member and also President of the
NAACP of Pasco County, holds a minister’s license and serves on the Pasco County Sheriff’s Advisory Council.

She is a volunteer at the local jails and correctional facilities of Florida (facilitating the Getting Ahead While Getting Out Class). She was a member of Kingdom Faith Life Center in Tampa Florida but has purchased a house and moved the primary location of the End Recidivism Project to New Port Richey, Florida where she now attends Journey Church. She has met with quite a few influential people in Pasco County and is doing her part to assist with reentry in her own backyard. “I am humbled for the task that is given to me by God but I know this is a journey that will take teamwork.” It will take collaborative effort on each and every citizen to do their part in giving each of our returning citizens a hand up not a hand out. She is grateful for every opportunity to help people grow and reach their God given potential: quoting Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Marta Pearson – Reentry Program Coordinator

MPearson@PowerNetofTampa.org

MARTA VAREE PEARSON – a “Definer of Extraordinary Living” – brings 40+ years as an informative, entertaining, dynamic Speaker, Trainer and Empowerment Coach to her presentations. She has trained & coached psychologists & social workers; business executives & staff; teachers, school staff & administrators as well as Individuals, couples, foster & other parents. Her partnership list includes: The Clinton Foundation Health Matters Initiatives, Juvenile Justice Circuit 13 Advisory Board, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Division of Staff Development and Training, Abe Brown Ministries-Ready to Work Program, Hillsborough County Schools, Safe & Sound Hillsborough, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, Unitarian Universalist Churches in Florida and other states as well as other secular and sacred organizations.

Marta’s Bachelor’s Degree in Human Behavior and Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement/ Juvenile Justice Administration led to her specializing in helping people “Put Life’s Puzzle Pieces in Place”. During her 14 years as a Trauma Recovery Therapist she made multiple expert appearances on national television programs and is an author of books on trauma recovery and empowerment growth.

She has worked as a Classification & Treatment Officer for Probation & Parole as well as a Civil Rights Investigator. She taught Behavioral Change Modalities to both male and female inmates in local jails and in state and federal prisons.

Marta created and taught a course for the University of Maine-Augusta a class on trauma recovery – HUS 233 — INCEST/SEXUAL ABUSE: OLD PROBLEMS/NEW SOLUTIONS. During the eight years she taught, the course was presented on three UMA campuses and over an interactive television system to more than twenty locations through out the state. In addition she created and taught teacher recertification courses including: INCEST & SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES: APPLICATIONS FOR TEACHERS and GENDER BIAS IN THE CLASSROOM: IDENTIFICATION & ELIMINATION

She has presented workshops and messages from Maine to Hawaii from Washington State to Florida and places in between. She continues to: provide seminars and workshops, conduct train-the-trainer sessions, lead retreats and empowerment coaching sessions, present speeches to conferences and sermons to churches, and to strategize with organizations to reach the outcomes they work toward.

One sermon/speech, “Georgia Blew My Mind in 2019 – Moving Past Dreams to Action” was selected by the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation as their 2020 award sermon. The subject: The continuing effects of America’s slavery and intimidation of Black people; the lasting and current trauma and ramifications on Blacks and on society at large is available as both a speech/sermon and essay for publication.

She is grateful for every opportunity to help people grow and reach their maximum potential and goals.

Elin Sanchez – Assistant Reentry Program Coordinator

ESanchez@PowerNetofTampa.org

Elin Sanchez was born and raised in New York City. Growing up, he faced numerous challenges as he was raised by a single mother who suffered from depression. Despite his difficult circumstances, Elin’s mother did her best to provide for him. However, as a young child, Elin began to get involved in the streets, joining gangs, indulging in drugs, and engaging with women.

At the age of 16, Elin was sent to Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, and after turning 18, he found himself in and out of Rikers Island Correctional Facility. Over time, he became deeply entrenched in criminal activities, eventually gaining a reputation as one of New York City’s most ruthless gangsters

In 1996, Elin fled New York City and made it onto the list of the top ten most wanted fugitives by various Dominican magazines. After spending two years in Florida, he was accused of a crime and incarcerated at Broward Correctional Facility, where he faced the possibility of three life sentences.

During his time in Broward Correctional Facility, Elin had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his savior and lord. This spiritual awakening had a profound impact on his life. After 16 months, Elin went to trial and, fortunately, emerged victorious, securing his release.

Following his release, Elin became involved in the church and was ordained as a minister in 2003. He started his journey towards redemption and transformation. In the year 2000, Elin obtained his first job in telemarketing, and from there, he began building a successful career as a businessperson.

Elin’s entrepreneurial endeavors led him to become a global entrepreneur, and he established a company called Global Entrepreneur Marking LLC. Through this venture, he trained entrepreneurs, including those at Trump Plaza, and motivated and inspired countless individuals. He particularly focused on mentoring and guiding former criminals, helping them turn their lives around and become successful businesspeople.

Elin Sanchez’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and transformation. From a troubled past marked by criminal activities, he found salvation and purpose, dedicating himself to helping others and making a positive impact in the business world