Staff

Joseph B. McNeely, Executive Director

Joe McNeely is a nationally known expert and consultant on community development and a veteran community organizer. He is currently the Co-facilitator of the Weinberg Fellows program of the University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center and was the founding executive of Baltimore's South East Community Organization (SECO) and Southeast Community Development Corporation before serving at the national level in the Carter Administration. He then was for 20 years the President of the national Development Training Institute (DTI), which national columnist Neal Peirce called "the country's premier trainer of CDC (Community Development Corporation) leaders."

Mr. McNeely, an attorney, lives in Baltimore, is the father of twin daughters and is married to Patricia Massey, a successful real estate developer in Baltimore City. He serves on numerous boards and committees in Baltimore and at the national level, and is a past President of the Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA).  Joe can be reached at jmcneely@centralbaltimore.org.

Garland A. Thomas, Deputy Director

A Baltimore native, Garland  received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University and a Masters of Education degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the Coppin State University. 

Active in the Human Services sector for over 17 years, Garland's experience includes trainings and presentations for foundations, national conferences, non-profit , state, and local agencies.  In addition, he has provided direct teaching, consultation and has worked in coordination with statewide stakeholders in the navigation of various systems of care.  In addition, Garland is certified by the Fiscal Policy Studies Institute in Results Accountability Training for Trainers and Coaches.

Garland has served the Central Baltimore Partnership in the position of Community Builder for the past several years and is responsible for organizing the work of the Central Baltimore Partnership Task Forces, mobilizing resident participation and supporting the participation of the neighborhood organizations, non-profit agencies, institutions and local businesses.  In addition he provides support and supervision to the AmeriCorps VISTA and Public Allies positions.  Garland is married to Paula Thomas, an elementary school teacher in the Harford County Public School System and is a proud father of two daughters.  Garland can be reached at gthomas@centralbaltimore.org.

Ashley Wallace, Community Planner

An Indiana native, Ashley moved to Baltimore in August 2009 to join the Central Baltimore Partnership team as their AmeriCorps*VISTA. She has earned a undergraduate degree in Peace, Conflict and Global Studies with a Community Organization concentration from Northland College. After graduation, she came to realize how interested she was in the health and functionality of communities, particularly at the local level. So, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and graduated in May 2009 with a Masters of Science in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Land Use Planning and Community Development. Ashley has made Baltimore her new home and is very invested in revitalizing and supporting the Central Baltimore neighborhoods as CBP's community planner.  Ashley can be reached at awallace@centralbaltimore.org.

Abby Carmean, CBP VISTA

Originally from Michigan, Abby relocated to Baltimore in August 2011 to do a year of service with the Central Baltimore Partnership as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Before moving to Baltimore Abby served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkmenistan where she collaborated with a local village to improve the quality of English education through community development projects. Abby is excited to serve her country in a new capacity with the Central Baltimore Partnership as a member of the Work Force Development team. Abby will be recruiting residents for the new work force program. Abby is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Abby can be reached at acarmean@centralbaltimore.org.  

Priya Bhayana,  NGWCA VISTA

Originally from Annapolis, MD, Priya is excited to be back on the East Coast, living and working in her home state. She moved to Baltimore via Chicago, IL in August 2011 to serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA for the New Greenmount West Community Association (NGWCA), one of Central Baltimore Partnership's partners. Priya is working in the primarily residential neighborhood of Greenmount West to increase community participation and build capacity for its leadership. She assists residents with strategic planning and resource-building, as well as developing programming to address community issues. Priya is a graduate of Wesleyan University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English. Priya can be reached at: pbhayana@centralbaltimore.org

Kayafat "Reni" Lawal Community Asset Builder Public Ally

Central Baltimore Partnership is pleased to welcome Public Ally, Kafayat "Reni" Lawal. Reni, a born and raised Baltimorian, has a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College and is excited to join the Central Baltimore Partnership to develop a further interest in community asset building and gain a new prospective on her hometown. Reni will be working primarily with the Charles North community to engage more residents, businesses and to promote arts in the area.  Reni can be reached at klawal@centralbaltimore.org. 

Eric Evans, Real Estate Consultant

Prior to founding Eric Evans & Company, LLC, Evans played a major role in one of the most significant urban development undertakings in the City of Baltimore.  Evans worked most recently with East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI), where he project managed the development of the Bio-Tech Park at Johns Hopkins and served as the special assistant to the president and CEO.  Evans managed infrastructure improvements for an $800 million neighborhood redevelopment project which included approximately two million square feet of Life Sciences space and 1,200 new or renovated homes for mixed income buyers and renters.  Evans also coordinated the Planned Unit Development approval process, serving as the chief liaison between EBDI and community leaders, neighborhood organizations, and a variety of Baltimore City agencies.

Prior to joining EBDI, Evans advised multinational corporations on the federal tax consequences of international business activities for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.  Evans currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Midtown Development Corporation.

Evans received his BA from Brown University, a Juris Doctorate and MBA from Boston College, and was a fellow at the Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence at the University of Pennsylvania.  Eric can be reached at: eric@ericevans.biz