Board of Directors
Rev. Sonja Lee
Founder / Executive Director
Ron Potochar
Treasurer / Secretary
B.S. Industrial Engineering
Lamont Bennett
Web Design
Easter Thomas, RN
B.S. Nursing
Melissa Funderburk Thomas
MA Organizational Management
Jeaneene Silas
Certified Pharmacologist Technician
Advisory Board
Damon Strothers
BA Music Education
Terri Howard
BA Business Management
Reverend Sonja Lee, Founder / Executive Director
Rev. Sonja Lee, Founder/CEO of the Lionel Lee Jr. Center for Wellness, formed the organization in July, 2006. Rev. Lee has 13 years of experience working with non-profit organizations and is currently the Accounts Payable Manager for the American Red Cross Finance Division. She has a passion for service to others and to that end has worked toward improving the health and wellness of family members, church and community. She is a member of Presbyterian Hospital’s Congregational Health Promoter program and a former member of the board of the Health Ministries Association of the Carolinas.
Rev. Lee was born in Washington, DC, where she lived until moving to Charlotte, NC in 1999. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army where she received numerous citations and awards for excellent service. Rev. Lee is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and utilizes those skills as an agent for change to improve the lives of those most in need. She personifies the Lionel Lee Jr. Center for Wellness’ commitment to delivering the highest quality services to its clients.
Ron Potochar, Treasurer/Secretary
Ron brings over 19 years of corporate experience to the Organization. He currently works as the Quality Manager for Toll Compaction Group in Neptune, NJ. Ron displays a commitment to helping others. His encouraging and generous heart has a positive impact on the LLCW’s clients and volunteers. He is family oriented and believes that healthy families create healthy communities.
Ron resides in Freehold, NJ. He is an honors graduate from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. As a result of his academic excellence, he was awarded the Presidential Honors Scholarship, the NASA/Morgan Engineering Scholarship and induction into the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society. Ron has received his Masters Certification in Lean Six Sigma - Black Belt from Villanova University.
Lamont Bennett
Lamont brings over 12 years of experience in the Information Technology field as a communications specialist where he has had the opportunity to travel the world while working for the US Navy. He is presently attending Kaplan University to complete his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Web Design and a minor in Project Management. In Lamont's spare time he enjoys reading, cooking, baking, hiking, and various other outdoor activities.
Jeaneene Silas
Jeaneene brings more than 10 years experience in the medical field to the LLCW. She comes to the organization as a Certified Pharmacologist Technician and Medical Clerk. As a medical clerk Jeaneene was easily accessible to the client base for answers in regards to their medical history while maintaining HIPAA standards and guidelines. Jeanneene has a sense of adventure and brings a loving atmosphere to her family, friends, and all people that she encounters.
Melissa Funderburk Thomas
Melissa was born in South Carolina and later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where she currently resides. She brings over 15 years of healthcare, project management, and business planning to the organization. Melissa holds a BA. Degree in Health Care Administration and graduated in October 2011 from Ashford University with a Masters in Organizational Management and a Minor in Project Management. In her spare time, she enjoys doing home improvements, private business consulting, and encourages higher education to those who need hope. Melissa’s motto is “There is always HOPE” and she brings a love for life and the opportunity for helping others to the LLCW.
Easter A. Thomas
Easter was born in South Carolina but relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina by way of Parsippany, NJ in 1998. She has over twenty years experience in health care working in various areas such as brain and spinal cord, orthopedic medical/surgical, and geriatric care. She is currently employed with a long-term care facility in North Carolina as the Director of Nursing Services.
Easter has a passion for assisting others to live well coupled with a sense of obligation to be involved with the health and well-being of our communities. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and is currently enrolled at Kaplan University pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nurse Education. In her spare time she enjoys reading, listening to smooth jazz, and gardening.
