Meet Our Staff:

Mike Womack

Mike is our Executive Director. He began his journey with Feed America First in 2011. Mike believes that Feed America First stands out among others in its dedication to serving those in need. Prior to his role at Feed America First, Mike pursued an education in biblical counseling, obtaining a bachelor's degree from Trinity Seminary. Currently, He is pursuing a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University. He has been happily married to his wife Sherie since 1990 and they have 3 beautiful daughters. Mike is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to FAF’s vital work to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families facing food insecurity.   

Mathew 25:35 “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

Julie Vandel

Julie is our Director of Development. Upon learning about soup kitchens at 7 years old, Julie said she wanted to work in hunger relief when she grew up. This led her to attend MTSU for Organizational Communication with a focus in non-profit organizations. She began volunteering and interning at Feed America First in 2013 and was hired in 2014 after graduation. While serving in many roles throughout the years, Julie found her passion in development, event planning, and fundraising - what an amazing privilege it is to help set the dinner tables of our neighbors in need through the connections and caring hearts of our donors, volunteers, and supporters! 

1 John 3:16-18, NLT "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

Michelle Olsen 

Michelle is our Volunteer Coordinator. She began volunteering at FAF when her family moved to TN in 2015 and has been in her current role for 2 years. Michelle has spent many fun years as a stay-at-home mom, serving in youth leadership, primary teaching, and volunteering roles. She worked for 15 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant and also owned her own Licensed Massage Therapy business. She and her husband Rodger of 20 years have three beautiful daughters, Alexis, Samantha, and Taylor. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, running, being outdoors, and serving others.

John 21:15 “Lovest thou me more than these? Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Doug Fuqua 

Doug is our Director of Community Relations and has been a vital member of the team for 2 years. He works to spread awareness about the work we do here at FAF and manages our food distribution in Clarksville and Savannah, TN. Doug is passionate about helping to provide for his neighbors and is honored to do so each day. Doug has a bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Martin Methodist College and spent 11 years as an associate youth pastor. He has spent the last 6 years serving feeding ministries. Doug is a lifelong Middle Tennessean and now lives with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Morgan, in Franklin, TN. 

Isaiah 58:9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people’s sins, if you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight…”

Jeremy Pickwell 

Jeremy is our business administrator and has been with FAF for almost 1 year. He is in charge of all of the finances, processes receivables, and reconciles all of the accounts. Jeremy is passionate about FAF because he feels that we are plugging a crucial gap between the people who are going hungry and the people disposing of food. He also values our focus on rural places helping those who are most overlooked. Jeremy has a Ph.D. in organizational leadership, M.A.R., and a Bachelor's in Music. He is currently the founding and senior pastor of Alinea church in Murfreesboro. He has been married to his wife Jennifer for 20 years and they have 2 beautiful sons, Wyatt and Weston.

Mark 9:41 “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward"

Richard Ryden

Richard is our Logistics Director. Richard has been with FAF for 6 years. He is in charge of all of our inventory and donations, tracking which ministries are getting the food. He works with bulk loads around the U.S. and organizes deliveries to FAF or other local food banks. Richard is proud to work for FAF to be able to alleviate our local hunger problem. Richard has been married to his wife for 11 years and they are both life group leaders at their church. They have 4 kids and 4 grandkids. Richard cultivates relationships with local ministries in order to better serve the community. 

 John 21:17 “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

Ken "Pops" Laurence 

Pops has been with Feed America First for over 10 years. His main job is driving the food to and from our local food ministries so that it may be distributed to the community. Pops is a firm believer in our mission here at FAF and believes that the time he has spent has not only been life-changing but allowed him to grow in his faith. Before FAF Pops worked in electrical services at his own company for 15 years and also worked as a director at a rehab facility for 2.5 years. He moved back to Murfreesboro where he married his wife of 14 years. He is the proud father of 4 children and enjoys playing and listening to Christian Country Music. 

Luke 6: 38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Matthew Durham

Matthew has worked with FAF for almost 2 years. His responsibilities entail, picking up from our distributors, and bringing it back to the warehouse to be sorted. He oversees all the food in the warehouse until it is loaded and sent to its destination. Matthew sees his work at FAF as a huge opportunity to be able to provide for the members of his community. Before FAF he worked as a corrections officer for 7.5 years at the Florida Department of Corrections. Mathew and his wife of 16 years Shelby have 2 kids Bowen & Tate.  Together his family helps run a food ministry at his local church. With his help, Freedom Life Church is able to provide meals to 300-400 families a week.

Matthew 4:19 “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of people.”

Mark Young

Mark is our Equipment Maintenance Manager here at FAF. He has been with us for 10 years! In his day-to-day, Mark works on our trucks and manages any out-of-house repairs that need to be scheduled. He used one word to describe his experience with FAF: fulfilling. He has worked in food ministries for 16 years after seeing firsthand neighbors in need. He has a few degrees/certifications in mechanics and has a lifetime of hands-on experience that he uses every day. He has been married for 28 years to his lovely wife Mary Beth, they have 2 beautiful children. 

Mathew 20:28 “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”