Morgan Scheibel
Morgan Scheibel is from West Columbia, SC but resident of Wilmington since 2011. She currently is an insurance agency owner of The Scheibel Agency – An Allstate Agency in Wilmington. The agency is a full-service agency with a wide ranging array of insurance services for both personal and business needs. She has been in the insurance industry since the early 2000’s. Morgan was a dancer growing up and her father was heavily involved with Workshop Theatre in Columbia, SC, so she always been a part of the arts in some way, shape or form. Prior to joining the Thalian Association Board of Directors, she was a Board member for Canines for Service. Morgan is married to Will Scheibel and has a son, Kent, born 2015 and two Golden Retriever girls – Murphie and Georgia.
Paul Lawler
Paul Lawler was born and raised in Charlotte and has resided in Wilmington for 17 years with his wife Patricia. After North Carolina State University graduated him, he worked in a variety of accounting positions in Raleigh, Chicago and Washington DC before retiring to the Port City. “Wilmington with its history, arts, entertainment, food, ocean and river has everything and helping grow that through Thalian Association is a wonderful opportunity,” he noted.
Keesha Starr
Keesha Starr, originally from Fort Branch, Indiana arrived in the Wilmington area in 2011. After traveling around the world for 7 years and gaining her Ministry and Leadership Certification from The New Life Drama Company, she moved from their Homebase in Tennessee to Upstate New York. For the next 15 years she spent time as a leader in the non-profit space. From student ministries, to community centers and after school programs she was able to impact thousands of families during her tenure. In 2011, finding herself a single mom and ready to get out of the snow, she relocated to Wilmington to continue her team building and coaching career. In 2012, Allen and Keesha were married and blended their family of 5 children. Once they got settled, Keesha gained her John Maxwell certification in Speaking and Coaching in 2017, and returned for her certification as a Behavioral Specialist the following year. After 7 years with a local company, K Starr Coaching was launched in 2018. Her experience in building teams and inspiring growth has stretched from churches, community centers and local businesses to the leaders of top brands like Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Walgreens, Hilton and Fedex. Today Keesha is a wife, a mom, the Founder & CEO of K Starr Coaching, a local board member, volunteer for community organizations, and lover of all things theater!
REV. DR. CLIFFORD D. BARNETT, SR.
Rev. Dr. Clifford D. Barnett, Sr. is a native of Rockville, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Livingstone College, a Masters of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary both in Salisbury, N.C., and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in the Renewal of the Church for Mission from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He has pastored in A.M.E. Zion churches in Kingstree, Rock Hill, and Eastover, South Carolina, Indianapolis, Indiana, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Portsmouth, Virginia. He was appointed to Warner Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Wilmington, NC in October of 2009. During the 14 years he pastored at the Brighton Rock AME Zion Church in Portsmouth, VA, he built and sustains a number of partnership that benefit families throughout the Hampton Roads area and across the nation. He established the Portsmouth’s Grandparents as Parents Support Group at the church for grandparents and other kinship caregivers who were raising their relatives. With the support of school superintendents, principals, and guidance counselors, support groups were expanded from the church and held in many of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Portsmouth and Chesapeake. As a result of the church’s recognition and that of Brighton’s Solid Rock, Inc.’s, a nonprofit organization that he founded, Rev. Barnett had many opportunities to speak publicly at civic, state and national events. He has addressed the Senate in Washington, D.C. about grandparents raising grandchildren and the need for support of kinship care families. He has also spoken at the National Children’s Defense Fund’s Grand Rally held on the steps of the United States Capitol in support of kinship care. Other ministries established during his tenure included the Study Buddies/Kid’s Café Afterschool Homework Program and the Bus Stop Mentoring Ministry. The Bus Stop Program, a ministry for high school students who waited for the bus in the church’s vestibule, was an opportunity for church volunteers to mentor and encourage students who lived in the community. This ministry was recognized by General Colin Powell and included in his journal, “America’s Promise” which featured other programs across the United States catering to children and youth. In addition, he was also recognized in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC by President George W. Bush in 1999. Since being in Wilmington and pastoring Warner Temple Church, Dr. Barnett continues to be involved in the community. He serves as the Chairman of the Southeastern Dropout Prevention Coalition at UNC-Wilmington, Co-chair of the NHC Community Resilience Task Force, a member of the Cape Fear Coalition for a Drug Free – Tomorrow Committee, and was selected as a member of the D. C. Virgo Prep Academy Board of Advisors, where he also serves as a mentor to five boys weekly. He is also a member of Smart Start Board and the Boots on the Ground Ministry. He has been an integral part for the push of the First 2000 Days Initiative in New Hanover County. This thrust brings to light the effect of … » Continue Reading
Linda Stinson
Linda is an owner/partner in RLS Focused Solutions, a business coaching firm established in 2003. She has successfully completed programs in individual and organizational development and is part of continuing educational programs in those areas. Linda has worked with for-profit and non-profit organizations throughout the Carolinas in planning and business development and has conducted presentations at annual conferences/meetings for various organizations and associations. She has been a speaker at business forums and those presentations have included programs for the North Carolina Center for Non-Profits, The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life, and the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina. Linda has also presented programs for the Small Business Centers at Brunswick Community College and Southeastern Community College. Linda is a graduate of Leadership Wilmington and has served on the Board of Directors of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, acting as chairperson for two years, and the Board of Directors of DREAMS. Linda’s past experience includes 10 years with Ted Bates & Company, an international advertising and marketing firm and 15 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry serving individuals, groups of varying sizes, and corporate clientele.”
Wayne Roberts
Wayne Roberts was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. He is a graduate of Oak Ridge Military Institute and UNC -Chapel Hill. After graduation in 1965, Wayne settled in Greensboro N.C. with his wife, Diane. In 1971, he started Roberts Insurances Services Inc which over the next 37 years, became a regional leader in transportation insurance coverages. Wayne sold his company in 2008 and retired to Wilmington to a home he has had for over 10 years. He and Diane have two daughters and seven grandchildren four of whom also live in Wilmington. Wayne is a member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church and Wilmington East Rotary club. He also serves on the Landfall Architectural Review Committee. He looks forward to being part of Thalian Association Community Theatre.”
Thomas Plummer
Thomas Plummer was born and raised in Danbury, CT. He credits his love for the theatre to his grandmother, Diane Thorpe, who would bring Thomas and his cousins to see a play every Fourth of July weekend when they visited their grandparents in Westerly, RI. Thomas graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC in 2010 and has worked with his family owned business, Infinity Payment Systems, since 2011. Joining the Thalian Association Board of Directors in 2019, Thomas looks to bring awareness and support to the Thalian Association and their mission. Thomas is married to his beautiful wife, Colleen. They have two children; Camille, born in 2018, and James, born in 2020.
Emma Jackson
Emma Jackson the current New Hanover County Schools Federal Programs Director. Emma is a native of Belize. Except for a four-year period in the late 1960’s, where she served as a lecturer at Belize Teachers College, she has spent all of her professional life in the New Hanover County School System as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Executive Director of Instructional Services. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in New York and attended Washington University in St. Louis, New York University, and is a graduate of Fayetteville State and East Carolina Universities. Among the numerous state and local education committees on which she has served are her two terms on the NC Annual Testing Commission, where she chaired the Writing Sub-Committee, the NC Commission on Education for Economic Growth, the NC Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center, the NHCS Senior Quality Council and the Redistricting Committee. Emma has held leadership positions in many organizations. She has served as the Treasurer, and the President of the Churchwomen and the Sr. Warden of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the National Vice-President of Jack & Jill of America, Inc., local President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc. She has also been a Board Member of the Cameron Art Museum and TACT. She is married for over fifty years to Russell Jackson and they have two daughters and a granddaughter.
