Leadership

Hank Poore, Director/Founder

Hank Poore is the proud co-founder of The Hank Poore Foundation, which he began in 2020 upon graduating from Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. HPF sprung from a love of adaptive athletics and a desire to give others resources and opportunities to participate in and enjoy recreation. Hank has had many jobs over the last 8 years, mainly working in the service industry. Currently, Hank serves as a Youth Consultant for Children’s Rehab Services, where he provides resources, mentorship, and support to youth with special health care needs. Through this role, he shares his personal experiences of living with a disability to empower others, promote self-advocacy, and help young people navigate their own journeys with confidence. Hank is also a Program Assistant with the Alabama Assistive Technology Program (APTAT) where he brings passion, creativity, and lived experience to his work. He uses a Tobii Dynavox communication device and is a dedicated advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and opportunities for people with disabilities. However, Hank’s greatest joy is speaking to groups, from elementary students to adults where he shares his experiences and hopes to motivate others to question stereotypes, ask questions, and become ambassadors for inclusion. In his free time Hank likes riding around outside, hanging out with his niece Mills, going to concerts, traveling, and playing with his service dog Ion.

Kathy Poore, President

Kathy Poore is an Alabama native who has called Tuscaloosa home for 22 years. She attended Auburn University and graduated with a BSN in Nursing from UAB School of Nursing in 1991, before working in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at UAB for four years. Following this, she worked as a cancer nurse at the Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center before deciding to stay home to raise her four children.

When Hank was born in 2000, she began educating herself about disability rights, inclusion, and adaptive opportunities for Hank, becoming his biggest advocate. Her biggest desire was that Hank would live a vibrant and full life—whatever that might look like for him. It turns out that a full life for Hank is a very busy one: on any given day, she is cheering him on at races, boarding a flight with Hank so that he can participate in his next major marathon, driving him to work at Urban Cookhouse, buttoning his shirts for weddings and parties, or driving him to one of the many summer camps he attends and works at. She, along with Hank’s father, Raymond, and three older siblings, have been working since 2000 to give Hank a life full of experiences, community, and opportunities.

In 2015, Kathy began her current position at Heritage House Coffee & Tea as a pastry chef. In her free time, she enjoys running, long walks, reading, and spending time with her grown children: Whitt (Lorin), Will, Katie, and Hank.

The seed for the Hank Poore Foundation was planted shortly after Hank cycled 158 miles with a close friend through the mountains of southwest Colorado. It was the adventure of a lifetime for Hank, and representative of that which the Hank Poore Foundation seeks to bring to other individuals with disabilities: inclusive communities and relationships, access to adaptive activities, and a greater sense of what is possible for those with disabilities. She is thrilled to see this vision finally coming to life.

Cheryl Arnold, Secretary

Cheryl Arnold was born and raised in Valley Center, KS, graduating from Wichita State University (BS, Physical Therapy) and Central Michigan University (MSA, Health Services Administration). She worked as a Physical Therapist and Rehabilitation Services Manager/Director at St. Francis Hospital and the Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital in Topeka, KS before relocating to Tuscaloosa, AL in 1994. She served as the DCH Health System Rehabilitation Services Director until 2018 and retired from Physical Therapy in 2020. Cheryl is credentialed as a Geriatric Clinical Specialist PT and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Cheryl is married and enjoys community involvement, biking, reading, traveling, visits home, and time on Lake Tuscaloosa with her wife, Beth.

Babs Anderson

Babs was born in Jasper, Alabama. She is a 1988 graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Communication and a Masters degree in Journalism. She currently serves as Vice President and Treasurer of Auburn University Tigers Unlimited Foundation Board and a member of Auburn University Foundation Audit Committee. She is also a member of Auburn’s Women Philanthropy Board.

Babs serves as secretary of the Counseling Ministry Professionals Board which offers Christian counseling to families of the Tuscaloosa Community.

Babs is the owner of Momentum Fitness Gym and is a member of First Methodist Church and enjoys serving on mission trips to Honduras.

Babs has been married to her husband, Michael Anderson for thirty- one years. They have 2 children Logan Strickland (Wesley) and Liza. They also have one grandchild Ruby Strickland. Babs enjoys time with her family, traveling, golf, tennis and anything that involves Auburn University.

Jamie Barnett

Jamie Barnett was born and raised in Fairhope, Alabama. After graduating from high school she attended Auburn University where she obtained a degree in Rehabilitation and Special Education for students with Behavioral Disorders. She then moved to Tuscaloosa where she began her teaching career. She worked at Tuscaloosa Middle School, University Place Elementary School, and First Presbyterian Preschool. After her children were older she returned to teaching at Northridge High School. She worked there for over fifteen years and was even Hank’s case manager while there! Jamie currently works with ELL students in the Tuscaloosa City School system. 

Jamie has been married to her husband, Matt, for nearly 34 years. They have three children Hannah Haas Burkhalter (David), Matthew and Lucy. They have one grandchild, Wallace Burkhalter. Jamie enjoys time with her family, walking her dogs, reading and tailgating in Auburn.

Andrew Crowell

Andrew was born and raised in Colorado. Soon after graduating from BIOLA University in Southern California, he worked as the Operations Manager for an investment brokerage in Durango, CO. Through a series of divine events and great friends, Andrew married his wife, Jessica, in 2013. Four years later, they moved to her hometown of Tuscaloosa to help run the family business. This business, Heritage House Coffee & Tea, is where Andrew developed a friendship with Kathy Poore and soon after with Hank. Andrew and Jess are blessed (and busy) with 3 children. When he’s not serving coffee and brunch, you can find Andrew on the golf course. 

Mary T. Long

A 1985 graduate of Mary G. Montgomery HS in Semmes, AL, Mary is a Nationally Certified and State Licensed Athletic Trainer with Holy Spirit Catholic High School in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Mary began as a 2-sport student-athlete at Chattahoochee Valley State Community College in Phenix City, AL in 1985. In 1987, she transferred to Livingston University (UWA) as a 2-sport student-athlete.  While there, Mary received undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships from the Southeast Athletic Trainer’s Association and the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, served as the Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer, and was honored with the prestigious Horace C. Hunt Outstanding Athletic Trainer award.  She graduated cum latté with both her Bachelors of Science Degree and Master of Arts in Teaching Degree, beginning her professional career in 1990 with AMI Alabama Sports Medicine in Northport, AL, followed by Asst. Athletic Trainer at Livingston University, and then 27 years with DCH SportsMedicine.  In 2015, she fulfilled a true calling to teach Sports Medicine to 9th-12th Graders in the Health Science Department at Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy.  

In April 2024, Mary received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UWA’s College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. In February 2025, she received the Southeast Athletic Trainer’s Association High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, and in June 2025, received the Alabama Athletic Trainer’s Association Secondary School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. In January 2026, after approximately 11 years and two Apple Teacher of the Year nominations for the Tuscaloosa City School System, Mary retired from teaching and took on a fulfilling challenge as the new owner of The Wizard of Paws Dog Grooming Salon in Northport, AL. and continues to serve as the Head Athletic Trainer of Holy Spirit Catholic School.  In her 36+ year career serving students/athletes of West Alabama, Mary feels her greatest accomplishments have been teaching young minds to never see barriers but rather challenges to build character and her two beautiful children – Thomas and MG.

Kim Marsh

Kim Marsh was born and raised in Wisconsin and Illinois before moving to Tuscaloosa in 1970.  She graduated from Tuscaloosa Academy in 1984.  She attended Rhodes College in Memphis, graduating with a BS in Biology, and later attended University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. 

As a PT, she worked in a variety of settings, focusing primarily on pediatrics, serving children with special needs and/or developmental delays.  She maintained her own practice for several decades.  It was during this time that she met Hank - a forever friend and inspiration!  

Due to a medical illness, Kim is now retired from physical therapy but remains active volunteering in several capacities.  Kim is married to Gene, and treasures being a mom to Emily and Will (Ashlyn), her grown children.  

Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cheering for Alabama sports, cruising, needlepointing, rocking babies at RISE, and studying the Bible.  She attends Trinity Presbyterian church, volunteers with Reading Allies, and can often be found exercising at PARA.  

She is deeply honored to be asked by Hank to serve on the Board of the Hank Poore Foundation.  Having known Hank for nearly 25 years, she has watched him grow into the kind, compassionate, FUNNY, and remarkable young man he is today.  Kim looks forward to serving on the board in any way she can to help children and adults with disabilities across Alabama live fully and thrive in all they do.

Mary Turner Roberts

Graduate of Capstone College of Nursing, University of Alabama, May 1986
Graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, May 1989
Assistant Public Defender at the Tuscaloosa County Public Defender’s Office from 1989-2001
Practicing Attorney with Turner Law Group in Tuscaloosa, 2001-present
Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Alabama School of Law, 1995-2019
City of Tuscaloosa Personnel Board, Chairperson, 2004-2021 
Mary served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention from 2012-2021.
Mary served on the Board of Directors of the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation 2017-2023.
Mary serves on the Advisory Board of the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation (January 2024- present)
Mary serves on the Board of Directors of the Hank Poore Foundation.
After losing several family members to suicide, Mary became involved with suicide support groups and suicide prevention (2004).
Mary is a frequent speaker on depression and suicide and recently wrote an article for the Alabama Lawyer talking about her struggles and survival.

Elizabeth Stewart

Elizabeth Stewart is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at The University of Alabama. Her work focuses on assistive technology, accessibility, interdisciplinary workforce development, and inclusive educational practices. With more than 20 years of experience in special education and disability-focused training, Elizabeth leads and collaborates on statewide initiatives related to assistive technology, healthcare preparedness, and professional development, including the Higher Education Assistive Technology (HEAT) Cohort, BOOST school-based coaching initiatives, and programs through Alabama’s Assistive Technology Act Program and United Ability. Her professional background includes roles with Tobii Dynavox, University of West Georgia, The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and more than a decade as a National Board Certified special education teacher in Homewood City Schools.

Asheley York

Asheley Holcomb York is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and has called Tuscaloosa home since 2006. Asheley graduated from Samford University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. Following college, she worked in orthopedic and pharmaceutical sales before allowing her background in advertising, storytelling, and visual communication to seamlessly translate into her true passion—design.

Today, Asheley creates beautiful spaces and memorable events. With a keen understanding of the architectural process and a dedication to her clients’ unique visions, she expertly navigates projects of all sizes, from ground-up construction of new residences to the intricate details of remodeling projects. Her design philosophy centers on creating stylish, modern, and sophisticated spaces that reflect the individual lifestyles of her clients.

Beyond interiors, Asheley extends her artistic talents through luxury event planning services for select clients. Driven by her love of entertaining, she creates charcuterie and grazing tables that are culinary works of art. Her discerning eye for detail also extends to floral design and holiday décor installation, where she sources and arranges fresh flowers with her signature style and flair.

Asheley’s dedication to a curated lifestyle permeates every aspect of her work. Her distinctive aesthetic has made her a sought-after partner for those seeking to elevate their living spaces and celebrate life’s special moments with unparalleled style and grace.

Most recently, Asheley launched a new and creative venture, The Jones Hat Bar. The brand celebrates the art of dressing with intention—because a woman who wears a hat knows exactly who she is.

Through pop-ups, private events, collaborations with small businesses, and one-on-one appointments, The Jones Hat Bar offers a personalized experience designed to help every client feel confident, stylish, and uniquely themselves.

When she is not making hats, spaces, and events fabulous, Asheley can be found at home in a house full of love, Goldendoodles, and her greatest joy—her four children: Emerson, Vivian, Wesley, and Shepherd.