Judy Felts, Executive Director: Judy has served as a volunteer at the TN Prison for Women for the past 20 years. Judy is presently the managing Broker for RE/MAX Choice Properties in Brentwood, TN. She has been a REALTOR for the past 27 years. She is a graduate from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor’s degree in music Education and hours towards her masters degree from Auburn University and Middle TN State University. She was a school teacher in Arkansas as well as Tennessee. She serves on the Community Resource Board for the TN Prison for Women. She has been a board member for Artist in Christian Testimony International, Inc. for the past 18 years and is presently serving as the Vice Chair for the Herb Society of Nashville. Judy is a Professional musician and sings, speaks , plays keyboard and is involved in studio work. She is an active member of her church.
Peter Toth: Peter worked for 30 years at GM beginning in the Pontiac Division of GM and retired at GM’s Powertrain Division Advanced Development Center as an Experimental Engine Builder. There he received Journeyman credentials as a metal model maker. He was chosen to work on many research projects and as a result was named on a U.S. Patent. He served in the U.S. Navy as an antisubmarine aircrewman on carrier based aircraft with the Pacific Fleet. After retiring from GM, he moved to Nashville and begin working for the Tennessee State Government. For the next 10 years he worked at several state agencies including The Dept. of Commerce and Insurance, Board of Probation and Parole,
and the Dept. of Labor. He is currently active in his community and church and for over 20 yrs. Has volunteered as a host for International students for Vanderbilt University.
Pat Toth: At Pat’s last employment she served as Bookkeeper and Office Administrator. For the past 27 years she has been in a leadership role for the Bible Study Fellowship organization. For 15 of thos years she was involved in teaching and training leaders and administrating over 500 women. For over 20 years she has worked with International students at Vanderbilt University helping them to adjust to American culture. She also teaches English as a second language. She has been a volunteer at the TN Prison for Women since 2008 and helps with teaching in the worship services. She is active in her church and has served as Volunteer Women’s Ministry Leader.
Dr. Sandra Shawhan: A native Nashvillian who currently serves as the Pastor of Circle of Grace , the United Methodist ministry at the TN Prison for Women. For the past 25 years she has served as Pastor in local Parish churches throughout the Tennessee conferences of the United Methodist Church. She has served in additional professional roles as Certified Financial Planner, Dean of Students, Women’s Athletic Director and Associate Professor of Behavioral Science at Lincoln Memorial University. She has served on the Board of Directors for Mercy Home, The Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, The Foundation of the TN/Memphis Conferences of the United Methodist Church, Spiritual Director of the Kiaros Advisory Board, The Community Resource Board for the TN Prison for Women and the Oak Cottage for Women Board.
Lydia Miller: Lydia Miller: Lydia is grateful to God for her five children and their spouses, her twenty-one grandchildren, and her great-granddaughter. After growing up in Texas, she attended St. John’s Lutheran College in Kansas where she met her husband, Tom. They were married 55 years at the time of his death and lived in Kansas, Alabama, and Florida before moving to Tennessee. She has served in many volunteer positions in the churches and communities they lived. After being a Realtor for thirty-three years in Tennessee, she is now retired and enjoying her family, Bible studies, and gardening and is looking forward to spending more time with the ladies at Oak Cottage.
Nel Bergman: Nel has a degree in Music Education from Manchester College in N. Manchester, IN and a MS in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin. She was a music teacher until 2006. She currently serves as a volunteer in her church with Mission outreach to the Appalachian Mountain area. She served as team leader for the Women’s ministry and Music Director for VBS to children. She has served as a Volunteer at the TN Prison for Women.
Brooke Crigger: Brooke was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, graduated from Brentwood Academy, and received her bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University. During her time at WKU, she was an active member of Kappa Delta sorority and chaired their largest philanthropy event all four years, raising thousands of dollars for Prevent Child Abuse America. She has been involved in children’s ministry for over 15 years and currently volunteers at her church, Church of the City, with the KidCity team. She has worked for J. Alexander’s corporate office since 2014 and is the Director of Human Resources for SPB Hospitality which acquired J. Alexander’s in 2021. She was one of the many volunteers who helped open Oak Cottage 2 in 2021 and was on the Singer Songwriters committee to help raise funds for Oak Cottage. Her hobbies include interior decorating and spending quality time with family and friends.