Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill CoontzChairman

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Ernie WagonerVice Chairman

Christal McNair

Freda Lyon

Carolynn Puffe

Cathy Shipp

Tom Tanner

Lance Walker

Lance Walker

Lance Walker began working with Rescuing Hope in 2017 after his wife, Johanna, became involved with the annual Rescuing Hope Gala. He joined the board in 2026. He is a physician who serves as medical director for several large companies. He co-founded SiteMed, an on-site medical provider specializing in medical examinations for first responders. He has built and sold two successful medical practices. Lance remains deeply involved with the American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine, serving in various leadership roles, including president. He and his wife live in Marietta, Georgia, and have two college-aged children.

Tom Tanner | Board of Directors

Tom Tanner, Senior Pastor of Riverstone Church, has been an active supporter of Rescuing Hope from its inception. The church has opened it’s doors for Rescuing Hope to host a book release party and other events, and have graciously provided for survivors. Tom’s responsibilities include preaching and teaching on Sundays, casting vision for the congregation, leading the staff, chairing the Board of Directors and the general oversight of all ministries of the church.

Tom also serves as President of The Transformation Network, which is an organization dedicated to church planting. Tom and his wife Melissa have two children and five grandkids.

Ernie Wagoner | Board of Directors

Ernie Wagoner is the East Coast Sales Manager for Greyhound Package Express. He has designed customer solutions and created tools for operations to promote the overall company success. Ernie graduated from Florida Southern College with a BS degree in Accounting. He is very active with Kiwanis of Marietta. Ernie attends Sojourn Church and is on its Advisory Board. His number one passion is to see sexual exploitation eradicated in the US.

He is currently Vice Chairman on the Board.

Bill Coontz | Chairman

Bill Coontz was elected Chairman of the Board in 2024. Throughout his career, Bill has made time to serve on non-profit boards, including Susan G. Komen Metro Atlanta, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, C5 Georgia, Second Stork Minnesota, and Twin Cities Salvation Army advisory board. Currently, Bill is the CEO of Dalton, an advertising, PR, and marketing communications firm with offices in Atlanta, Jacksonville FL, and Nashville TN. He started his advertising agency career in Minneapolis where he held senior positions in multiple agencies. Bill joined Dalton in the fall of 2013 as president and was named CEO in 2021. Prior to that, he was president and partner at Kruskopf Coontz Advertising in Minneapolis. Bill and his wife Debbie live in Atlanta. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.

Carolynn Puffe | Board of Directors

Carolynn Puffe first joined Rescuing Hope as a volunteer in late 2017, and she officially joined the Board in September 2024. She has over 30 years of experience in the accounting, investment banking and financial consulting industries. After working with Arthur Andersen, SunTrust Banks, and then Robinson Humphrey, Carolynn established CSP Advisors, LLC in 2003. Through this entity, she has provided a wide range of services as an outsourced CFO managing all aspects of the financial operations of middle market businesses. Carolynn served on the Board of Trustees of The Walker School for eight years, including two years as Chairman of the Board. She also volunteers with Impact100 Atlanta and Girls, Inc. Carolynn and her husband Michael live in the Atlanta area, and have two children in college.

Freda Lyon | Board of Directors

Freda Lyon, DNP, RN, FAEN serves as Vice President of Emergency Service for WellStar Health System, one of the largest integrated health systems in Georgia. In her role, Lyon is responsible for strategic planning, evidenced-based practice, patient experience, as well as recruitment and retention for the System’s 9 Emergency Departments as well as 5 Pediatric Emergency Departments. With more than 600,000 visits a year, WellStar sees more emergency patients than any other health system in Georgia. In addition, WellStar Kennestone Hospital operates the second busiest emergency department in the state. As part of her role, she oversees WellStar’s Operations Hub, workplace violence initiatives and human trafficking initiatives and serves on local, regional, and national emergency preparedness committees. She is a Past President of the Georgia Chapter of ENA and Metro Atlanta Chapter of ENA. She is a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nurses. Throughout her career Lyon has served on many state and local committees to improve care of the emergency department and trauma patients. During her 44-year career, she has held numerous leadership positions in healthcare across the Southeast.

Cathy Shipp | Board of Directors

Cathy Shipp is a dedicated human resources professional with more than 30 years of experience and a longstanding passion for serving others and supporting her community. She attended Mercer University and has built a career focused on people, leadership, and organizational excellence across a variety of industries.

Cathy was introduced to the mission of Rescuing Hope through her connection with Susan Norris while serving on The Love Atlanta Core Team at Passion City Church . The organization’s mission made an immediate and lasting impact on her, inspiring her continued commitment to advocacy and service.

In addition to her professional career, Cathy regularly serves on the Experience Team at Passion City Church. Outside of work and volunteer service, she enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending quality time with her two children and three grandchildren. Cathy considers the opportunity to serve on the Board of Rescuing Hope both a privilege and an honor.

Christal McNair | Board of Directors

Christal McNair is the Founder of Steady Way Advisors, LLC and a seasoned commercial banking professional with nearly 30 years of experience helping businesses grow strategically and financially. As a Fractional Commercial Banker and Strategic Financial Advisor, she helps business owners and nonprofit leaders become bank-ready, financially organized, strategically positioned for growth, and prepared to make informed operational and financial decisions.

Her background includes commercial lending, SBA financing, treasury management, financial oversight, strategic financial guidance, operational advisory, business development, nonprofit leadership, and small business ownership. Christal is known for building strong relationships, simplifying financial conversations, and helping organizations identify opportunities that strengthen profitability and growth.

A passionate community leader, Christal has spent decades serving organizations throughout Metro Atlanta and Cobb County through board service, fundraising, and strategic partnerships.