HLN Community Center Directors
Martiza Meeks is our Executive Director, bringing a variety of experiences in youth and community engagement. Martiza served as the initial Site Coordinator of Western Academy at the Neblett and board member for The H.L. Neblett Community Center for five years. Her commitment to the community has been established through ministry, career, and volunteer obligations.
Martiza is a graduate of Owensboro Community and Technical College with an associate in business administration and is continuing her education to complete a bachelor’s in business administration. While working in Chicago from 2021 – 2023, Martiza worked as a Substance Use Prevention Specialist. While living in Owensboro from 2014-2021, she worked as a Substitute teacher for Daviess County and Owensboro Public Schools K-12. Martiza believes prevention programming and strategic community collaboration will enhance The Neblett Center’s mission by changing lives in changing times.
“Once you wake up thought in a man, you can never put it to sleep again.”
– Zora Neale Hurston
Olga McKissic brings a wealth of experience to the directorship at the Neblett Center. She worked for BellSouth for thirty years and retired as a Corporate Trainer and Sales Team Manager in Business Marketing in Louisville, KY. After retiring she accepted the position of Operations Manager at Marshall Capital Management Group, a financial advisory firm in Louisville, Ky.
She is a graduate of Owensboro High School and earned a BA degree from Spaulding University in Louisville, KY, and a Master of Theology degree from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, KY. Currently, she is an associate minister at Fourth Street Baptist Church and also, is the Director of Western Academy at The Neblett.
“Education is the most powerful weapon we have to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
Carltez Hampton is honored to serve as the director of Childcare and the Afterschool Enrichment Program at the H.L Neblett Community Center. Having earned a bachelor’s degree from Western KY University, Carltez has devoted more than 11 years to working with the youth and their families. He is committed to creating a strong educational program while staying true to the mission that Dr. & Mrs. Hattie L. Neblett created.
“Old men can make war, but it is children who will make history.”
– Ray Merritt
Mendy Moore is our Nutrition Director at the H.L Neblett Community Center. She has years of experience in the food industry. She worked at Western Kentucky Veterans Center for nine years. She helped coordinate restructuring of the staff and duties, to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the facility within a pandemic. She strives to achieve excellence in all areas of food service.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated” Maya Angelou
Since 2012, Larry “Chick” Owen confirms his commitment to help the H.L. Neblett Community Center bring to fruition its mission. Currently, serving as Recreation Director, he had previously shared his talents with the Center from 1977 until 1980 as the Program Director. Larry creates and manages programs for participants of all ages. Chick’s lifelong civic involvement in Owensboro and Daviess County, has enabled numerous local organizations to benefit from his creativity.
Larry’s interests and hobbies include reading, gardening, and cooking. Also, he is an avid sports fan.
Larry is inspired by a favorite song of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “If I Can Help Somebody”.
Melody O’Bryan is our compliance director at the HL Neblett Community Center. Ms. O’Bryan is an Owensboro native and joined our team in August 2012. Ms. O’Bryan oversees the compliance component with state and federal regulations policies, and procedures; supervision of staff, as well as, orientation, training, and coaching. Ms. O’Bryan received her Child Development Associate Credential and continues her training in Child Care Development.
“If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance.”
– Former US Deputy Attorney General McNulty
Tiffany Cronch is the Finance/Human Resource Director at the H.L Neblett Community Center. She is well organized and hardworking and seeks the best financial outcome for the center. Tiffany started as a student worker through Daymar College in 2015 to Finance/HR Director as of August 2019. She has an associate degree in Business with Accounting from OCTC and Medical Billing and Coding degree from Daymar.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
– Benjamin Franklin
