Executive Leadership Team

Our strength in serving individual children and families comes from committed Thompson Team members who unfailingly blend veteran experience with a fresh outlook every day. Their dedication is what truly distinguishes Thompson.

	Marco R. Tomat was named President/CEO of Thompson Child & Family Focus after an extensive national search to replace retiring President Ginny Amendum. He brings with him strong leadership skills, more than a decade of experience in the field of child mental health services, and a great passion for his life’s work. Marco was born to an Italian father and American mother in Germany where he spent his first 15 years before moving to the United States. He served for a few years in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school. Following an honorable discharge, Marco embarked on a two-year, lay-ministry program in Oregon. He then moved to California where he earned his BA degree in psychology and sociology from the University of San Marcos, near San Diego. Marco worked in the field of high-tech hardware and software sales and marketing for 12 years before his career took a new direction. He moved his family to Tennessee, and entered graduate school at Tusculum College, a small historic Methodist College in East Tennessee, where he graduated with a master’s degree in organizational management. At the time, he was a regional supervisor for a community-based mental health program for children and families. Subsequently, Marco became an Assistant Director for Youth Villages in North Carolina, where he assisted in helping the organization build 11 field offices serving emotionally disturbed and adjudicated delinquent children and their families. Marco was recruited by York Place in January 2012 to replace their outgoing president. Under his leadership, York Place doubled the capacity of its Community Counseling Centers. Marco has also brought forward new, innovative programming such as the soon-to-be-opened Family Care Center at York Place, treating women and their children in a residential setting. In February 2013, York Place and Thompson Child & Family Focus initiated plans to merge. Marco is married to Vikki Tomat, and their daughter, Emma, attends the University of Tennessee.

	Chief Operating Officer, Mary Jo Powers, oversees all program areas, program support services, and new program development. She has 20+ years of management experience in the field of Residential and Community Based Services. Ms. Powers is an active member of the Child Fatality Taskforce and the North Carolina Child & Family Services Association. Ms. Powers joined Thompson in 1997.

	Chief Financial Officer, Steve Brace, ensures fiscal structure, stability and oversight and supervises all Accounting functions, Facilities, and IT. He received his CPA license in 1996. After 12 years in finance at Bank of America, Mr. Brace joined Thompson in 1999.

	Chief Development Officer, Shannon Hinson, oversees donor development, communications and volunteer services. She has 17 years of sales, marketing and fundraising experience. Ms. Hinson serves as President-Elect for the Charlotte chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and joined Thompson in 2003.

	Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Cathy Cloud SPHR, oversees staffing, benefits, and employee services. She has maintained the designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources since 2001. She also serves in an ongoing visiting teaching capacity at Carolina School of Broadcasting and Gaston College. After nearly 20 years in the broadcast industry, Ms. Cloud joined Thompson in 2005.

	Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, Denise Greene, has over 26+ years experience working in the non-profit sector on behalf of children and families through direct care services and management. She has been at Thompson for 11 years. Denise is responsible for oversight of the Quality Assurance Department which focuses primarily on licensing, endorsements, Medicaid enrollments, credentialing, accreditation, medical records, admissions, audits and compliance monitoring, client rights, and consumer/stakeholder satisfaction and outcomes.

	Senior Program Officer of Clinical Services, Allison Todd, MSW, LCSW, has primary responsibility and supervision of Thompson Clinical Treatment programs. Allison has a Bachelor of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina in April 2004, and has 18+ years of mental health experience working with children and families.

	Senior Program Officer: Prevention Services, Rosa Underwood, oversees the operation of all early childhood programs including Thompson Child Development Center, Early Childhood Outreach, and Family Support Services. She coordinates development of programs and initiatives for families with children ages birth to 5. She holds a Master’s in Education from Cambridge College in Boston and has 20+ years experience in early childhood administration. Prior to joining Thompson, Ms. Underwood was a community investment manager for the United Way of Central Carolinas, Director of Early Childhood Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and also served as chair of the Child Welfare League of America’s National Advisory Group to accredit early childhood programs.

	Senior Vice President Facilities, Danny Whitley, has expanded oversight and meeting of licensing regulations for four campuses with the responsibility of Supervision for Thompson’s Maintenance, Foodservice and Information Technology Departments. Mr. Whitley received a Bachelor’s in Parks and Recreation Administration from Wingate College. He has 24+ years experience at Thompson as Director of Recreation Therapy, Director of Campus Life, Director of Residential Services, Director of Facility Services and Vice President of Facility Services.