As the Administrative Assistant at Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Tammy’s job includes billing, accounts receivable, invoicing, payroll, and overseeing transportation. Tammy also assists the Executive Director, as well as being a back up to the Staff Accountant. She has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since 2009.
Tammy received her Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Systems Technology from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, May 2006. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Tabernacle church. Tammy lives in Salisbury with her daughter, Stephanie, and their dog, Gizmo.
Mr. John Williams has been the Executive Director of Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Inc. and Cabarrus Vocational since June 2008. Rowan Vocational Opportunities (RVO) provides vocational training, long-term or transitory employment, and life skills for people with disabilities.
John received a BS degree in Social Science and Masters in Geography, from Appalachian State University. He also received a Masters in Safety and Drivers’ Education and Masters in School Administration from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Higher Education from Appalachian State University.
John has over 30 years of experience working in education. He was an instructor of Geography at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. He also worked for Rowan-Salisbury Schools as a Teacher, Coach, Assistant Principal and Principal. John is dedicated to education, and enriching the opportunities for individuals with special disabilities.
With John’s extensive educational background and career experience, he has been awarded certificates of leadership, school accommodations, student achievement awards, and various recognitions for outstanding performance.
John is married to Patricia Pless Williams. John and his wife have one daughter, Candace. He continues to provide community service in numerous ways. For enjoyment, John is an avid sports fan, and attends as many local games as possible.
Glenn has over thirty years of industrial/ commercial experience. Fifteen years of this time has been working to develop and grow business for special populations in a non-profit environment, ten of those have been at Rowan Vocational Opportunities. Glenn is currently directing the efforts to provide continuation of day services to the disabled population in Cabarrus County. He attended Stanley Community College majoring in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the REAL Program for Entrepreneurial training. He has completed Leadership programs in the counties of Stanley, and Rowan. He is currently a member of Leadership Cabarrus class of 2011.
Glenn resides in Stanley County. He is married to Marcia and has four children and one grandchild. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys driving and restoring Classic Cars.
Tamara Chislom, has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since March 2005. Prior to RVO, she has held various positions working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as dually diagnosed children and adults in workshop and group home settings. Tamara has worked in this field for over 28 years and realizes this is not just a job, but learning experiences where we learn form each other. She is very passionate about her job here at RVO.
During Tamara’s spare time she prides herself on being an active member of Bright Light Baptist Church where she serves as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and work in Bus ministry. She is married to Tim. Tamara and Tim have one daughter Tamara and her husband reside in Rockwell with their schnauzer, Jurnee.
Robbi Russell has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since July of 2000 after attending Pheiffer University; Robbi went to work in manufacturing until the business closed in 1997. That is when Robbi started her new career working with adults with disabilities at Stanly Industrial Service in Stanly County driving the delivery truck.
After becoming Production Manager she transferred to Rowan Vocational Opportunities. Robbi and her husband Steve reside in New London, NC. They have four children and her hobby is looking after her seven horses and trail ridding the uhwarries Mountains.
Donna Johnson the Production Manager at Cabarrus Vocational Opportunities job includes leading production supervisors and handling all in going and outgoing production for any of our contracted customers. Donna has over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field, and over 20 years of experience as a production supervisor.
When Donna is not upholding her duties at CVO, she enjoys spending time with her husband Marvin, children and three grandchildren. She also loves assisting her husband in his boxing academy called “Marjoh Fitness”.
Gary Yelton was born and raised in Concord, NC, graduating from Concord High School in 1980. There after he attended N. C. State University and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelors Degree in Business. Since then he has worked as a Manager and Business Development Officer in the Banking industry for 25 years and have spent 2 years doing real estate appraisals.
Gary has served on the Board of Directors at RVO for 13 years and has been Board Chair two different times. Yelton was also on the Board of ADAP in Wilkes County while living there for several years. He has a strong passion for improving the lives of the clients that we serve and very excited about being apart as a full time member of the RVO staff.
When Gray is not fulfilling his duties on the job, he is involved in the community as a member of the Salisbury Rotary, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury and serves there as an Elder and Sunday school teacher. Gary has been married to the wonderful Leigh for 21 years. They have a daughter Emily who is a sophomore at East Carolina University, and Son Garrett who is a junior at Salisbury High School.
Joy Martenstyn graduated from Southbridge High School in Massachusetts in 1985 and started her career working with developmental disabled individuals in 1994, in a group home run by South Central Rehabilitative Resources Inc (SCRRI) in central Massachusetts. After a year working in direct care she was promoted to house manager in the fall of 1995. She
Joy began working at Rowan Vocational Opportunities (RVO) in November 2009 in the CAP area as a CAP Technician. Since working at RVO, Joy has been promoted to ADVP Program Manager. She will be working in the new Concord facilities in the fall of 2010.
Joy has also been working for Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina providing respite services for families since 2008. She also helps with the Special Olympics for a number of years.
Joy, her husband and two wonderful girls reside in Concord. .
