Pam joined the Georgia Options family in 2017. As Executive Director, she is responsible for making sure the people we support have quality services that meet their individual needs, whether through internal quality improvement or external efforts. Pam developed tenacity in 10 years as a high school English teacher, which helped prepare her for her next job: mom and advocate for people with disabilities. Pam further developed leadership skills working as a special education Parent Mentor. Pam has a B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia. She is also a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and is a trained Person-Centered Planning facilitator. Pam belongs to the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership and is a member of Winterville First Baptist Church. Pam is a proud mother of two and grandmother of three and loves to cook, draw, and read historical fiction. She also plays the piano. Pam says of Georgia Options, “Everyone at Georgia Options supports our belief that people with disabilities deserve to live lives they choose for themselves. Diverse personal experiences, unique talents and skills, and a common commitment to our mission keep us constantly changing to meet the needs of the people we support. It’s hard work, but nobody does it better than we do.”

Lucy joined Georgia Options in April 2020 as a Direct Support Professional and decided to use her extraordinary organizational skills to become Compliance Coordinator in August 2021. Lucy is a native of Sao Paolo, Brazil, and brings an extensive background in Corporate Housing in Latin America. Lucy loves working at Georgia Options because the organization “cares and supports people with disabilities to live in their own home and have an amazing life experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help people accomplish their dreams.” In her off time, you’ll find Lucy on the beach.

Nikkie has been with Georgia Options since 2017, starting as a Direct Support Professional and becoming our Scheduling Coordinator. Nikkie manages schedules for almost 100 direct support professionals at a time, making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. Nikkie also supervises our Floating DSPs and sends them where they’re most needed. Nikkie started working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2006 as an Activity Director for a day program in New Jersey. She moved into a House Manager position with another organization and in 2015, moved to the lucky state of Georgia. She continued her career in Georgia working as a Direct Support Professional and Senior House Manager with various other organizations and joined the Georgia Options team in 2017. Nikkie has an Associate’s Degree in Social Work and would like to pursue a degree in Behavioral Science. She is one of the youngest members of the Elks Lodge and loves to sing. Nikkie loves what Georgia Options stands for, and believes that everyone, no matter their disabilities, should live a full life, a life they want to live with whom they want to live. Nikkie looks forward to the future of Georgia Options and being part of it.

Emily has been with Georgia Options since 2014, and currently manages our Medicaid billing, complex funding requests, and electronic visit verification system. Emily’s career with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities began in the school system as a Special Education K-5 teacher in Greene County. Emily did her first tour with Georgia Options as a Community Support Coordinator from 2009-2011. After working as a Special Education Teacher for Clarke County, she returned to Georgia Options in 2014 and has been with us ever since. Emily has a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia, with minors in Spanish and Geology. Emily also has a Master in Teaching specializing in EBD/Autism from Piedmont College. Emily was also an athlete in college, playing intramural softball and tennis. She enjoys hiking, traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. I enjoy working in my yard! She enjoys traveling and has visited many countries including Russia, Georgia (the country), Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, England, Wales, Ireland, and Kenya. She boats, fishes, and water skis in the summer on Lake Lanier. Emily is dedicated to Georgia Options because “we see people as individuals and strive to honor the person’s own choices about their lives. We are there to support and provide assistance in achieving goals and living the most typical life and the greatest life possible. I can’t imagine doing it any other way.”