UCAP

Sandra A. Gammons, MSW

President/CEO

Sandra A. Gammons is President And Chief Executive Officer of United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP), the official Community Action Agency (CAA) for Prince George’s County, and the leading advocate for communities of people facing deficiencies in education, affordable housing, economic stability, and adequate health care access. UCAP is a non-profit 501c(3) established in 1964, is dedicated to providing ample services to individuals and families whose quality of life has been negatively impacted by poverty, unemployment, homelessness, crime, and inadequate public health services.

Before joining UCAP in 2008, Ms. Gammons was the Chief Operating Officer for the Community Action Agency for Southern Maryland Tri-County Action Committee Responsible for the overall planning, administration, supervision and evaluation for the agency. She worked closely with Head Start Directors on managerial systems and oversaw Community Development Projects, Home Ownership, Housing Preservation, Energy Assistance, Transportation, and Volunteer Services for Calvert, Charles and St. Marys County Maryland. She managed Federal, state and local grants for compliance, reporting, extensions, and program outcomes totaling more than $7 million dollars. Ms. Gammons also served as Deputy Director of Administration for the Agency.

Ms. Gammons has held several responsible management positions in the Washington Metropolitan area. For example, she served as Project Director for the Christian Relief Services where she was responsible for the overall planning, administration, supervision and evaluation of Homes for the Homeless and Safe Places, a transitional housing program in Fairfax County, VA. She worked as Evening Team Associate at the University of Maryland University College where she supervised staff in the provision of administrative, admissions and registration support to the University of Maryland School of Nursing and School of Social Work, UMUC and other special CSM off site courses and outside groups who use the Waldorf Center. Additionally, as Executive Director for The District of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV), Ms. Gammons was responsible for the overall direction and management of DCCADV including its half-million dollar plus budget, grant management, staff and project development and program evaluation.

Arthur A. Turner, Jr.

Chairperson

Arthur A. Turner, Jr., a native of Hampton, Virginia, attended the city’s public schools and graduated from Peninsula Catholic High School. He furthered his education by earning a BA degree in Mass Media Arts, with minors in Business and Print Journalism, from Hampton University.

For over 20 years, Turner worked in various aspects of sales and marketing, He successfully sold over-the-counter health and beauty aids in the top performing district and region for Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company, Pfizer; winning incentive trips to Cancun, Nassau, and London. Other sales and marketing stints included selling radio advertising at several Washington, D.C. stations; selling wireless communication systems for Bell Atlantic; and procuring new accounts in the position as Director of New Business Development, for the Capitol Connection, at George Mason University.

Arthur Turner has dedicated his life to uplifting and advocating for the interest of the poor, needy, and indigent of his community. A recognized leader and activist, Arthur devotes many hours of service to his community. He is President of the Towns of Kettering Homeowners Association; and President of the Board of Directors of the United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), which is the official designated community action agency of Prince George’s County. In that capacity, Arthur is determined to lift UCAP’s name as the recognized leader of programs

and services for the needy and elderly of Prince George’s County. Arthur is also the President of the Coalition of Central Prince George’s Community Organizations - a voice for change and progress consisting of 45 civic and homeowner associations; a member of the Board of Directors of the Prince George’s County Library Foundation; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Financial Services Corporation, where he serves as Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee.

In 1999, Maryland State Senator Ulysses Currie nominated Turner to the Board of License Commissioners on Prince George’s County Liquor Board. The Maryland Senate confirmed his nomination and he was appointed to that post by former Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening as a Prince George’s County Liquor Inspector.

Arthur has received several tributes and honors for his long, focused, tireless, and dedicated service to the people who live and work in Prince George’s County. The Maryland Community Action Partnership/Maryland Head Start Association presented Arthur with their “Volunteer of the Year” award in May of 2007 at their annual conference in Ocean City, Maryland. In April of 2007, The Prince George’s Community Foundation bestowed “The Bridge Builders Award” to Arthur. He was the first recipient of this annual award. Arthur was profiled in the Winter 2005-06 issue of Prince George’s Suite Magazine for his community activism and involvement. In April of 2001, he was presented the Hall of Fame Award as the “Volunteer of the Year,” by the Maryland Association of Community Action Agencies/Maryland Head Start Association, at its annual conference in Ocean City, Maryland. Additionally, he served as a member of the Blue Line Extension/Largo Lottsford Sector Plan Committee. Currently, he serves on the Washington Metro Area Transit Authorities (WMATA) Transit Oriented Development Advisory Task Force. In September of 2006, Arthur was elected to the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee representing the 25th Legislative District. In October of 2006, The Democratic Central Committee membership elected Arthur to the post of Vice-Chair.

Turner is a recognized leader in the movement to “raise the bar” on the type of retail establishments that locate in Prince George’s county. He assiduously works to help attract and retain quality restaurants and retail--often, becoming a bridge and calming voice in heated debates between community/civic groups and retail developers. Arthur has been a staunch voice for seeing that businesses located, grow, and are retained in the county. As such, he has served as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce.

An avid reader, Arthur also takes pleasure in listening to music and attending live concerts. A loyal Dallas Cowboys fan since the tender age of eight, he enjoys watching football, as well as basketball, boxing and other sports. Above all, he loves his God, his family, and his friends. Arthur is the loving, nurturing, supportive, and caring father to his 15-year-old daughter, Brianna.

Patricia E. Thornton

Vice Chairperson

Patricia currently serves as Vice Chair of UCAP's (United Communities Against Poverty) Board of Directors. In her current position she takes her responsibility to be an advocate for the needs of UCAP and the indigent population quite seriously. To that end, she has forged relationships with local, state and federal officials to ensure that UCAP and its representatives are exposed to every opportunity that will bring more services to their clients.

In her professional "day job," Patricia also holds the position of Director of Marketing for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. In that capacity, she promotes the county as a great place to live, work and play. Her department publishes a monthly e-newsletter, the EconoBlast; a weekly radio program on Radio One's WOL station; and a weekly television program, Vocation Station, that will soon headline on CTV, the county's local Cable Access Television Station.

In her professional career and volunteer activities Pat has worked in several capacities to contribute to programs that foster cultural exchange, heighten community awareness of social and political issues, or address the needs of diverse, disenfranchised populations. In that regard, she has been the media producer for plays that have been showcased at the Kennedy Center, University of the District of Columbia, Arena Stage, Source Theatre, and H Street Playhouse. She currently serves as President of CTV's Board of Directors, and looks forward to providing access for residents of Prince George's County to raise their voices.

Raymond D. Lambert, Sr.

Treasurer

Raymond D. Lambert, Sr. is a new resident (4 years) of Prince George’s county and is currently serving as Vice President and Unit Manager of the Business and Professional Banking Group of M&T Bank for Prince George’s County. Prior to joining M&T Bank, Mr. Lambert spent 13 years in the banking community in New Orleans Louisiana, where he was very active in the community. He served on numerous Boards and Committees and volunteered his time and efforts tirelessly. To do nothing is not an option for him. Raymond is an active volunteer in Prince George’s County, where he both lives and works. He is currently on the Board of Directors for The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s County Economic Development Company, Leadership Prince George’s, United Communities Against Poverty, and sits on the Committee for M&T Bank’s Charitable Foundation for Greater Washington. He volunteers his time to other events and activities throughout the County as they arise.

Mr. Lambert was a recipient of a four year Naval Scholarship where he majored in Electronics. He later served his country as a Naval Officer. After leaving the military he began his career anew in the civilian sector and leveraged his management skills, which he honed from the military, into the private sector. He has consistently given of his time and talents to those in need and believes that one must reach out to others if one is ever to be successful in their own right. Raymond enjoys making a difference in the lives of others and building the community by serving others.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

• Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce – Board Member
• Prince George’s Economic Development Company - Board Member
• Leadership Prince George’s – Board Member
• United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) Board Member
• Prince George’s Board of Trade – Board Member
• M&T Bank Charitable Committee – Committee Member
• American Heart Association - Volunteer and fundraiser
• C.A.S.A. (Chairman of Finance Committee) Board Member
• The Blood Center of South East Louisiana - Advisory Board Member
• Vietnamese Initiative in Education and Training (VIET) - Board Member
• The Commons Homeowners Association – President of the Board
• Tommye’s Childcare Development Center - Board Member
• Family Support Services - Volunteer
• Community Speaker - Youth program day speaker at various venues
• United Way of America mentor program for children - Volunteer
• Christmas in October - Volunteer

Wanda I. Ramos

Secretary

Wanda Ramos has been recently promoted to Program Superintendent, for the Department of Parks and Recreation of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Central Area Office, and as such assists the Division Chief to administer a comprehensive recreation program in serving a diverse population and facilities. Facilities include 13 community centers, a summer splash pool, an outdoor pool, and an indoor swimming pool. An eighteen year employee of the Department, Wanda’s prior positions include: Regional Manager, Facility Director and Recreation Specialist. For over 8 years, Wanda has assisted with Diversity Training, summer employee training, and CPR/First Aid certifications for department’s employees.

Prior to coming to work for the Recreation Department, Wanda worked as a Bilingual Counselor for the Upward Bound Program at the University of Maryland, College Park. As a counselor, she provided academic advising, personal, social, and career counseling on an individual and group basis to academically disadvantage high school students, served on admissions and summer students evaluation committees and assisted in the selection, training, and supervision of the summer residential staff.

Wanda often makes presentations at state park and recreation association conferences. She volunteers with the organization United Communities Against Poverty, and at her daughter’s school, and when she is not at work or volunteering, she is home with her 9 year old daughter or text messaging her 21 year old son, attending his senior year at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon.

Shelly Benjamin

Member

Shelly Benjamin, UCAP board member was born in Georgetown Guyana South America. Ms. Benjamin is the mother of three children. Shelly Benjamin is employed with the Prince George?s County Head Start and is currently a Prince George?s County sub teacher going to school in Prince George?s County for Construction Management, MA and Head Start Teacher, AS

Ethel Kingsberry

Member

As a North Carolina native, Ms. Kingsberry received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland and her Master of Business Administration Degree from Southeastern University, Washington, DC.

Ms. Kingsberry is currently a long/short term substitute teacher in the Prince George’s County Public School System. She has served on the United Community Against Poverty Board of Director since 1997 and held the secretary position for several years. She is currently the chairperson of the Membership/Bylaws Committee.

Closely involved in her church and her granddaughter’s school, she is the vice chairperson of the Finance committee, President of the Usher Ministries, serves on the scholarship ministry and several other ministries in the church. She is currently the Class of 2010 Parent Coordinator; PTSA Executive Board as the PTSA Delegate and Crossland High School Dance Company. Currently serving as her high school alumni membership chairperson.

Ms. Kingsberry loves working with children so she is looking to pursue her next career in teaching proper etiquette to children and individuals of all level.

Carolyn Lawson

Member

Carolyn Lawson was born in North Carolina and attended school in Greenville North Carolina. She later relocated to Norfolk Virginia where she studied and trained in Nursing, Private home care and special diets for Patients at Norfolk General Hospital. Later she moved to Washington D.C and attended school at Martha Washington public school and later graduated from there. Her goal is to love and to help people in any way that she possibly can, people of any race or color no matter the situation.
Ms. Lawson is the President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and also the President of the Military order of the cooties. She volunteers at the local hospitals and local Nursing Homes. Ms. Lawson retired from the Department of Recreation and Parks in the District of Columbia after 30 years of service and working with senior citizens, teens and preschool children and retired in 1995.
“The greatest gift one can give is one self.”

Brenda Mitchell

Member

Jerry E. Perry

Member

Jerry Eileen Perry is a long time UCAP board member, having served in several positions including fund raising chairman for the past 4 years. She is a recent retired administrator from the MD. State Department of Education, Division of Special Education, Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program. Prior to joining MSDE she was the Legislative Specialist in the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families; and served four years in the MD General Assembly as a State Delegate, on the powerful House Judiciary Committee. Perry has served on several state boards and commissions including the Governor's Adoption Advisory Task Force, the Governor's Child Abuse Commission, and the Governor's Task Force on Incarcerated Women. She served three terms on the board of the Catholic Standard newspaper. She attends St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she has been a Lector for over 20 years and a member of the church's fiance council. She has been active on the local level serving as an officer in both her Homeowners and Civic Association.

Tracey D. Taylor

Member

Tracey D. Taylor joined the Board of Directors in September 2007 representing the private sector. Mrs. Taylor, is a Community Relations Specialist, responsible for the development and oversight of Freddie Mac’s corporate volunteer program and initiatives that serve as a catalyst for heightening awareness and improving the quality of life for individuals and families who are homeless, poor or in crisis. Mrs. Taylor has worked in partnership with various corporations and nonprofits across the Washington DC Metropolitan Area to evoke change for individuals and families in need. For more than 10 years, she has served in this capacity, received her certification in Corporate Community Involvement from Boston College and is the recipient of several corporate recognition awards for work and involvement in the community.