Administrative

John Stock, Executive Director – John joined The Caring Place in May, 2009, after a 23-year career in various leadership and management positions with the American Red Cross. He also has 15 years of management experience in the retail grocery industry. John is a graduate of Texas State University, a native of Iowa, and U.S. Navy Veteran.

Rita Turner, Director of Community Engagement -  Prior to coming to The Caring Place she spent 10 years at the Round Rock Police Department as Coordinator of their Victim Services Unit.  She has been with The Caring Place since 2008. She graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor and has called Georgetown home since 1972.

Mark Turner, Director of Information Management – Mark, an Austin native, has been working in technology for over twenty years. He has extensive experience in LAN/WAN topologies, network administration, E-Mail, Internet systems, Windows and UNIX environments.    He holds certifications as: CCNA, CCNP, MCP, MCSE 2008, MCTS, and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator.  Mark has been at The Caring Place for 2 years.

Clara Putnam, Executive Assistant - Prior to coming to The Caring Place, Clara was a full-time homemaker.  She and her family moved to Georgetown in 2005.

Client Services

Selena Munoz, Programs and Services Director – Selena  has twenty years experience in nonprofits and social services including both direct service and management positions.  Selena has an undergraduate degree from Rice University and a master’s in public administration from Birmingham University, England.  A native Texan, she moved to the Austin area in 2001.

Kerstin Cochran, Client Advocate Supervisor - After graduating from U.T. Arlington, Kerstin and her husband moved to Georgetown in 1990. Kerstin spent fifteen years working in the pharmaceutical industry and served on the Board of Directors for Austin State Hospital Volunteer Services Council for six years and was involved with many other non-profits.  Kerstin was a Client Advocate Volunteer at The Caring Place for two years prior to accepting her current position as the Client Advocate Supervisor.

Barbara Bell, Client Services Administrative Supervisor -  Barbara’s career has been in Human Resources and Office Administration.  She comes to us from the telecommunications and high tech industries where she gained her 20+ years of experience.  She attended college at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.

Shanna Skipper, Client Services Support – Shanna Skipper is beginning her career at The Caring Place. She was placed at The Caring Place from August 2011 to May 2012 as an intern and joined as staff in August 2012. She graduated from Texas A&M University-Central Texas with a Bachelor Degree in Social Work. She has 12 years work experience in social services.

Nella Buffmire, Client Services Specialist – Nella received her Master’s degree in Immigration Studies in Spain, where she lived for a few years.  Prior to moving to Spain, Nella received her undergraduate degree in Spanish Sociology in New York City.  Nella is fluent in Spanish and has case management experience with diverse populations, including volunteer-based programs.

The Shops at The Caring Place

Ann Lind, Store Director – Ann, a Georgetown native, has been the Store Director at The Caring Place since March, 2007.  After graduation from The University of Texas at Austin, Ann spent 30 years in retail and wholesale businesses.

Donations Management

David Earl, Donations Area Director – David has over 25 years of warehousing experience. A resident of Georgetown for fifteen years he is married and has a 9 year old son.

John Burton, Donations Area Coordinator -  Before coming to The Caring Place, John retired from the Round Rock Fire Department as a Battalion Chief after 28 years. He has a 15 year old son that is a sophomore at Eastview High School. He has lived in Georgetown for 16 years.

Paul Ward, Truck Driver/Donations Specialist – Prior to joining  The Caring Place, Paul retired from the City of Round Round as a Lieutenant in the Fire Department.  Paul has lived in Florence his entire life, where he spent 12 years on the city council and the last four as the Mayor.  Paul currently resides 2 miles north of Florence on family owned property.