Dale Bercher, Chairman
Dale Bercher, President of Bercher Homes and Accent Realty Group, has a 30-year career in the new home building industry. His passion is for serving customers, associates, trade partners, and the community through business. Mr. Bercher worked his way through college owning and operating a remodeling company while earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management from Louisiana State University. Dale worked as Division President for a national builder and Chief Operating Officer for a large private builder before ultimately starting his own business in 2010. A recent graduate of the 2018 class of Leadership Cobb, Dale lives in west Cobb with his wife of 30 plus years, Becky. They have 3 grown children.
Bakari Brooks, Vice Chair
Bakari Brooks is the managing member of Brooks CM Services, LLC (“BCMS”) and Brooks Built Homes (“BBH”), responsible for implementing the vision and mission of both companies, which includes construction management and general contracting services for small to medium-sized single-family and multi-family residential projects and small commercial projects. Bakari formed BCMS as a Georgia limited liability company in December 2014 with over 25 years of residential and commercial construction experience. He subsequently created BBH in 2020 to focus exclusively on residential construction projects. Brooks Built Homes is also a certified EarthCraft builder and a listed company on Dun & Bradstreet.
Prior to starting both companies, Bakari served as the Strategy and Systems Development Manager for the Atlanta Housing Authority. In addition, he served as the intergovernmental liaison with the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, Dekalb County and other local, city and state agencies. Prior to his experience with AHA, Bakari served as a Project Manager for Holder Construction Company.
Bakari remains engaged in local planning initiatives such as Atlanta Beltline and Livable Centers initiatives throughout the City of Atlanta. He is an active member of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and lives in Smyrna, Ga. Bakari holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University, and a Master of Engineering in Construction Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Yvonne Byars
Yvonne Byars, PMP, has been named to the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta. She is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Salesforce Certified Administrator with more than 25 years of experience in corporate and non-profit organizations, including a progressive career at Procter & Gamble. She is high performing leader, global strategic thinker and implementor of numerous high-profile global projects.
Byars’ has been with MUST Ministries since 2017, and has served as Senior Director, MUST Neighborhood Pantry program and Salesforce Project Manager. The past three years of her professional career were devoted to serving neighbors in need as Senior Director of the Neighborhood Pantry program at MUST Ministries and project manager. She increased the number of pantries by 100 percent enabling the organization to serve more than 20K clients and distribute one million pounds of food to at-risk students and families. She led a successful implementation of the Salesforce non-profit cloud base system for more than 100 users and volunteers.
Currently she is the Chair-elect, Cobb Executive Women, Committee Member, Cobb Chamber Diversity & Inclusion Program, and mentor for the Next Generation Mentoring Program. She has served as the President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Atlanta Chapter, the 4th largest chapter globally, the Atlanta City Chair, Walker’s Legacy, and Chairwoman Board of Directors, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Be Empowered). She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Urbana University and is a graduate of Leadership Cobb.
Helen M. Donahue, CFA
“Helen Donahue is a portfolio manager. Before joining MONTAG in 2020, Ms. Donahue was a Principal at Montag & Caldwell for over 20 years, where she was a member of the Large Cap and Mid Cap Growth investment teams and served as a client portfolio manager for institutional and individual clients. She began her investment career as an Assistant Vice President and Fixed-Income Portfolio Manager at Legg Mason Capital Management, and was the Director of Fixed Income for the Atlanta-based investment manager.
Ms. Donahue’s professional affiliations include the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Atlanta. Ms. Donahue is a former member of the Board of Trustees for Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and served as the Chair for the school’s Investment Committee. Helen and her husband John have two daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, and cooking.” (From Montag Wealth Management website)
Rick Gieryn, Secretary
Rick Gieryn is the retired executive vice president of Axis Capital Holdings Limited. Rick first became involved with NW Metro Atlanta Habitat by way of introduction from a neighbor. Rick and his wife Ann joined as a house build sponsor in 2017. Motivated by their desire to have direct involvement with the person impacted by the contribution of their time and money, the Gieryns recruited friends and family for their Habitat build days. A graduate of Duke University and Emory School of Law, Rick spent his career managing all aspects of legal and regulatory compliance of the companies he worked with, including U.S. and international businesses, commercial contracts and transactions, employment matters, intellectual property, software licensing and real estate. Rick now enjoys golfing and spending time with friends and family around his residence in east Cobb.
Millard ‘Mickay’ Hall, Jr.
“Mickay’s career includes 25 years in operations leadership positions in the facility services, direct mail, and beverage industries.
Mickay is also a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who served in logistics, operations or comptroller leadership positions in the 3rd Infantry Division; 24th Infantry Division; Headquarters, NATO Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe and on the Army General Staff in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations.
Mickay’s educational experience includes a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from the United States Military Academy and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Army (now Defense) Comptrollership Program at Syracuse University.
Mickay continues to support Veterans as a Board Member, V2I and also as a Board Member, Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) at Syracuse University.” (From Vets2Industry website)
Norm Kennedy
“Over 10 years ago, I earned my Real Estate license after spending 20 years in the Corporate world. Little did I know what the journey ahead would look like. I’ve been able to serve numerous families with their real estate needs and have been honored to serve in a number of leadership capacities within our Local, State, and National Associations. I advocate for private property rights and our communities.” (From Norm Kennedy’s website)
Norm holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and earned his Georgia Real Estate License in 2012.
David Massey, CPA
David Massey, CPA, CCIFP is a seasoned financial manager and accounting professional with 25 years of experience in the construction industry. David serves as Chief Financial Officer for Fortune-Johnson with company-wide responsibility for accounting, corporate finance, human resources and information technology.
David is an active member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and served as CFMA Georgia Chapter’s president from 2019-2023. David is involved with the Institute of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFP), where he is a former trustee and serves on the Institute’s Internal Audit Committee and Accreditation Committee.
Prior to joining Fortune-Johnson, David was a Partner in Moore Colson’s Business Assurance Practice where he specialized in coordination of audit services for clients primarily in the construction, healthcare and technology industries. He also served as Audit Senior Manager at Frazier & Deeter where he performed assurance functions and provided detailed cost analysis to contractors, developers and end users on construction projects. Prior to joining Frazier & Deeter, David worked as an Operations Accounting Manager for Hardin Construction Company. During his eight years there, he gained valuable industry experience in accounting for large construction projects and joint ventures.
David has been an active volunteer of Habitat for Humanity for several years as part of the Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition. He participates on the build site every year and joined the Habitat NW Metro Atlanta Board of Directors in 2022.
Donna Middlebrooks
Specializing in “Orchestrating Dreams into Reality”, Donna R. Middlebrooks believes in the combination of personal empowerment and accountability for a pathway to success.
Mrs. Middlebrooks is the founder of Shaw Legacy Group and practices Real Estate as an Associate Broker licensed in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. She is an investor, mentor and advisor in residential real estate covering everything from castles to cottages.
Prior to starting Shaw Legacy Group, Mrs. Middlebrooks spent 15 years in the corporate environment strengthening her skills in management, leadership and training. She is an accomplished certified trainer on numerous topics including visioning and goal setting, leadership development, and women’s issues. Today, she uses those skills to design and deliver seminars, workshops, and retreats focused on rebuilding and renewing women spiritually, physically and emotionally. Using a blend of high-energy, wit, and inspiration, she shares contemporary messages, interlaced with humor that is relevant and practical for today’s woman.
She is an active member of the community volunteering locally and abroad. She is a founding member of Fresh Start for Women, Inc 501c which is a ministry of healing and renewal for overcoming domestic violence. She has delivered her message of hope and inspiration through travels to West Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. She is active on numerous non-profit and civic boards.
She holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management, Masters degrees in Project Management and Human Resources Management. She is married to William Middlebrooks, spending time with family, riding their Harleys, traveling, bowling, beach walking, touring wineries and planning their next adventure.
Erin Shuff
Erin is the Senior Director, National Corporate Engagement with March of Dimes. She is a proven leader and individual contributor with extensive experience in recruitment and engagement of top-level corporate volunteer leadership, corporate partnerships, fundraising, sponsorship design and sales, strategy development, training, and volunteer engagement.
Erin has 25-plus years of nonprofit revenue development experience, having worked long periods in leadership roles at both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. At the American Heart Association, she served as Vice President, Development – Atlanta Market, and led the annual “Heart Walk” as Vice President of Development.
In her current role, she initiates and leads large national partnerships for the organization. Erin began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Georgia in 2015 via the Catholic Coalition.
André Sims
André Sims, an expert in the real estate industry, has served the Metropolitan Atlanta area for 30 years, providing quality, professional service to more than 600 satisfied clients. As a Realtor with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, André was recognized as the number two sales associate for RE/MAX Greater Atlanta in 2017 and also ranks in the top one percent of all residential real estate agents nationwide. André completed his undergraduate studies at Hampton University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing. An active member of Turner Chapel AME Church, André serves on the Steward Board, Video Ministry and New Members Ministry. He also serves as a Commissioner on the Marietta Housing Authority Board. André and his wife, Jill, live in Marietta. They have two adult children.
Venitia Smith
Venitia Smith joined Genuine Parts Company (GPC) in 1998 and was promoted to Director of HR in 2005 and relocated to GPC headquarters in Cobb County. She is responsible for all Employee & Community Relations, Safety, Sustainability and Diversity and Inclusion efforts for the company. She serves as the Chair of the American Red Cross Lifeboard and is on the United Way Cole Society Leadership Council. In her role at GPC, Ms. Smith is the company coordinator for GPC’s Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Days. Smith is a native of Cleveland, TN and holds an undergraduate degree in Business from Lee University; and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, University of Tennessee.
Ann Taylor, Treasurer
Ann T. Taylor is the retired Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company. She held numerous roles of increasing responsibility during her long career with the company. Most recently she was President Global Business Services from 2009 until her retirement and was responsible for delivering global financial, human resources, procurement, workplace and business services to the company’s business units and functions across more than 100 countries. Prior to assuming this position, Taylor served as VP and CFO, Transformational Productivity from 2008 where she was responsible for stewarding the company’s transformation initiatives. In 2004, she was named VP and Director of Investor Relations. From 1994 – 2004, she held a variety of finance roles with increasing responsibility in Europe, including Division Finance Manager for Great Britain and Ireland, Division Finance Manager for Northwest Europe, CFO for Western Europe and CFO for the Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Group. Prior to The Coca-Cola Company, Taylor worked as a business consultant at what is now Deloitte. She has a bachelor’s degree in math and economics from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in business from the University of Virginia.
Amer Uttamchandani
Amer is AVP of Infrastructure Products at Assurant and brings more than a decade of experience in leading teams and delivering innovative solutions for large-scale enterprise environments. He has worked with Assurant since 2017 where he started as Senior Manager Enterprise Application.
Amer’s previous experience includes roles in IT and systems engineering with ABB Optical Group and Royal Caribbean Cruises. He holds a degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Nova Southeastern University.
In 2023, Amer also volunteered with our affiliate of Habitat for Humanity as Build Lead on behalf of Assurant at their company-sponsored home build in Austell, GA.