Administration and Staff
P. Rodger Dinwiddie
Chief Executive Officerprdi...@starsnashville.org">
615.983.6821 – direct line
Rodger has served as the Chief Executive Officer of STARS since 1986. He has served in social services since 1981 and also served as a classroom teacher for 7 years in the Metroplitan Nashville Public Schools. Currently he provides school and community based prevention and intervention trainings and consultation to school systems in the United States. Rodger provides nationally recognized violence prevention training in Respect & Protect and No-Bullying for Hazelden and he is also a Certified National Lead Trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, a Blueprint violence prevention program recognized by the Department of Education, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Rodger is Past-President and a current Board member of the National Student Assistance Association (NSAA). He is a member of the Nashville Rotary Club, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Alignment Nashville, as well as co-chair of the Alignment Nashville 9-12 Oversight Committee and is a member of the Mayor’s Task Force for Student Success focusing on school dropout prevention.
Rodger received his B.S. in Elementary Education from George Peabody College and his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. He and his wife Suzanne have two adult children, Joseph and Anna, and one grandson, Benjamin.
Tim Diffenderfer
VP of Programs and Community Relations
615.983.6803 – direct line
Tim has been a part of STARS since 1995. he has served in various capacities at the organization as a STARS Counselor, Program Manager, Director of Development, Vice President for Advancement, and currently as Associate Executive Director.
Tim serves the rural STARS program and service area and assists with both Program and Fund Development. He has spoken at numerous conferences and training sessions regarding Student Assistance Programs and other youth related issues. Also, he serves on the State of TN Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant Advisory Council and numerous county advisory committees. He is an alumnus of Leadership Wilson.
Tim is married and has two wonderful children.
ejoh...@starsnashville.org" target="_blank">Eric Johnson
VP of Youth Development
615.983.6802 – direct line
Eric received his degree in Marketing and Management from Trevecca University. He began his career with STARS Nashville in 1996, initially serving as STARS Specialist. He now serves as Associate Director of Urban and Suburban Services of Davidson, Rutherford and Sumner programs. In 2005 Eric was a recipient of The Tennesseean’s Top 40 under 40 Award honoring those whose commitment to community has been an inspiration to others. He strongly believes that in order to teach young people, we first must be able to reach young people. Eric is married to his beautiful wife Stephanie and has three gorgeous girls – Brianna, Jasmine, and Jada.
edau...@starsnashville.org">Erin Daunic
VP of Development
615.983.6805 – direct line
Erin has been with STARS since April of 2008. She has a real passion and dedication for the work we do at STARS. Erin attended Washington & Lee for her undergraduate degree and Vanderbilt University for a Masters of Education in Human Development Counseling. She and her husband, Willy D., have two hilarious children – a daughter, Evans, and a son, Michael Mahoney. She completely digs being their mom! It is also important to note that she is a huge Red Sox and Nashville Predators fan.
cwhe...@starsnashville.org">Cynthia Whetstone
VP of Finance & Operations
615.983.6801 – direct line
Cynthia has been with STARS since 1997. She feels privileged to be in a working environment that ignites her passion for youth while providing an opportunity to use her business skills. She is a graduate of Trevecca University with a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administrtion. She holds a CPA license and has worked in the accounting field since 1986. Cynthia is married to Dale and has two awesome teens, Tyler and Haley. When not working, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
twhi...@starsnashville.org">Teresa Whitaker
VP of Human Resources
615.983.6816 – direct line
Teresa has been with STARS since 2005. She has served in the human resources field since 1983 and teaches business career planning at a local college. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations and her Master’s degree in Business from Trevecca University. Her immediate family includes her wonderful husband, Glenn; her favorite children, Christine and Brad; plus her perfect son-in-law, Blake. And, OF COURSE, their beautiful, brilliant and sassy granddaughter, Rose. Teresa enjoys family gatherings and outdoor activities.
msc...@starsnashville.org">Melanie Scott
VP of New Initiatives
Director of Kids On the Block
615.983.6810 – direct line
Melanie has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has worked for Kids on the Block for more than 10 years and is now directing the program and is still a full-time puppeteer in the schools as well as being named the Director of New Initiatives. Melanie has always had a passion for educating children and is a bit of a ham so this position fits her will. She is married and the mother of one adorable daughter.
ssch...@starsnashville.org">Sandy Schmahl
Program Director
615.983.6808 – direct line
Sandy has a B.S.W. in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. She began her career at STARS in 2001 as a STARS Specialist in Rutherford County. She is the Program Manager for Williamson County. When she is not at work, Sandy loves spending time with her husband Brian and their three TREMENDOUS kids Colby, Addison and Cooper. She also loves reading and shopping.
cba...@starsnashville.org">Cindy Baker
Accounting Manager
615.983.6807 – direct line
Cindy has been with STARS since 2004. She has a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Middle Tennessee State University; however, she has worked in the accounting field since 1995. Cindy married her childhood sweetheart Darrell, and they have three wonderful children: Danni, Kayla, and Jordan. One of the greatest joys God has blessed her with is being “Gmama” to Gregory Michael. Cindy enjoys all UT sports, reading, and scrapbooking.
Anna Nichols
Executive Administrative Assistant/IT
615.983.6820 – direct line
Anna has been on the STARS team for over 14 years, serving as Executive Administrative Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, Rodger Dinwiddie. Anna is also in charge of IT Administration.
lgre...@starsnashville.org">Lisa Greene
Operations Coordinator
615.983.6818 – direct line
Lisa has been on the STARS team for over 12 years. She has a B.S. in Accounting from Carson-Newman College. Lisa began her career as Business Manager in 1995. After a brief retirement, she returned to STARS and now manages our Special Projects. She and her husband Rick have 4 adorable children who are involved in many things and keep life full and very busy. Lisa is amazed to see how much STARS has grown – the number of schools we are a part of and the number of employees we now have. As she says, “We have definitely been blessed!”
Lisa Bell, LADAC
Director of Clinical Services
615.983.6809 – direct line
Lisa recently began her career at STARS after working for the previous eight years as the Director of Addiction & Recovery Support Services for the Alcohol & Drug Council of Middle Tennessee. Her focus has included substance abuse services, advocacy and program development for disenfranchised populations including prisoners and ex-offenders, probationers, non-custodial parents and individuals in drug courts.
Lisa is a self proclaimed “nerd” and owns a collection of over 200 works of science fiction that she reads on a daily basis.
Laura Lekowicz
Program Director of Servcies for Students Who Are Deaf & Hard of Hearing
615.983.5302 – direct line
Laura has been facilitating the Deaf & Hard of Hearing program in Middle Tennessee since 2001. After growing up in Colorado, she received her Masters in Mental Health/Rehabilitation counseling from University of South Florida and has been a Nationally Board Certified Counselor since 2000. Along with this, Laura is fluent in American Sign Language. Also interesting to note: Laura was a professional ice skater for over ten years and now spends her off time as a skating coach. She also loves to be in her boat on the lake.
