Guiding Hands

Board Members

  • Lee Ann Swarm – President

  • Toby Rogers – Secretary/Treasurer

  • Meredith Loftis – Board Member

  • Jim Orr – Board Member

  • Ed Sullivan – Board Member

  • Philip Rogers – Board Member

Lee Ann, Board President

Lee Ann Swarm is happily retired which gives her time to be the president of the OREPA board.  Thankfully, the board operates using consensus which works since Lee Ann is a Quaker and would not be comfortable with voting. She also appreciates community involvement so what could you do to be involved with OREPA?

Toby, Board Secretary/Treasurer

Toby Rogers did his fieldwork in 1990 for his PhD in Nicaragua, interviewing teachers about the effect of war on them and their profession.  Three years ago he traveled to Poland to work with Ukrainian refugees and worked with the World Food Kitchen in Krakow. He was accepted as a volunteer teacher in Ramallah, Palestine last year but this opportunity was cancelled due to the fighting. He hopes to return to Palestine and work in a productive capacity as soon as travel is a bit safer.  He taught 26 years as an elementary teacher in Cumberland County, 13 years at Lincoln Memorial University and in retirement has taught for the past five years at Walters State College in Sevierville. He has had some association with OREPA for about 40 years. He is married and has two children and three grandchildren.  

Meredith

The Rev. Dr. Meredith Loftis serves as the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Meredith is passionate about peace building, gardening, and ensuring creation is thriving for the next generation. She is excited to serve on OREPA’s board and to connect faith communities with this important work.

Ed Sullivan

Ed Sullivan joined OREPA when he moved to Oak Ridge twenty-five years ago. He prefers not to live in the shadow of the world’s largest stockpile of weaponized uranium, which is why he is glad to serve again on the board. Ed is a librarian, researcher, and writer who shares his home with seven cats, hundreds of vinyl records, and thousands of books.

Phillip Rogers

I grew up as an Army and Foreign Service brat, living in places like Fort Meade, MD, Fort Knox, KY, Albuquerque, NM, Paris, France, and Bonn, Germany before settling in Crossville, TN in 1962. This diverse upbringing taught me to appreciate people from all backgrounds.

I attended Tennessee Tech University, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering, and later an MS in the same field. I worked for Stauffer Chemical Co., handling improvement projects and later focusing on environmental compliance and safety for phosphorus plants. I retired in 2015.

Since then, I’ve helped my wife, Mary Ruth, with Russell Rescue of Tennessee, which she founded in 2006 to rescue dogs and horses.

Jamila, Community Organizer

Jamila is a dedicated advocate and community member based in Tennessee. She shares her life with her loving husband and their furry companion. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Jamila is passionate about mental health and human behavior.

As a board member of the YAC Youth Advisory Council, she actively supports foster children, providing guidance and resources. She is particularly committed to advocating for marginalized communities, often disproportionately impacted by environmental issues.

In her free time, you can find Jamila exploring the outdoors with her dog or practicing yoga with her community. She finds solace and inspiration in nature and mindfulness.