Our Team

Education:

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2022

Larry has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently as Director of Development for Central Indiana Community Foundation/Hamilton County Community Foundation. Prior to that, he was Founder and CEO of Leading Edge Advisory Firm (LEAF LLC), working primarily with nonprofit organizations to provide guidance on board development, fundraising, and strategic planning.

Education: Bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology, University of California at Santa Cruz; MS in education, Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Since 2013, right after the Faces of Fatherhood Luncheon!

How I help participants: By trying to find funds to continue to provide programs and services for participants and their families.

My family includes: My two furry kids: Laverne the Pomeranian and Lucy the cat. Also, a special shout out to my mum!

Fun Fact: When I was a teenager, I trained monkeys for space flight with NASA.

Anna Melodia has been employed with Fathers and Families Center since 2013. She possesses over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and academic leadership and administration. Prior to her appointment at Fathers and Families Center, she served in various roles, including executive director for Brain Injury Association of Indiana, education division director for the National FFA Organization, and assistant vice chancellor for student life and diversity at IUPUI. She was the inaugural recipient of the Anna Melodia Building Community Award for her work on enhancing student life and a sense of community. She has published several articles and essays and has received numerous awards and recognitions for her commitment to serving underserved people in our communities.

Education: PhD, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center:  Since the beginning of 2018.

How I help participants: I work with managers and staff to build a strong and effective team and conduct/coordinate evaluation efforts for our programs and services.

My family includes: Four children ages 8–18, my wife, cat, and mother-in-law.

Fun Fact: I speak, read, and write Russian—especially when I don’t want someone reading over my shoulder.

Joseph Palus, Ph.D., has 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, including 20 years of internal and external consulting to help customers address their program evaluation, organizational development, research, and capacity-building challenges. In addition, Dr. Palus has assisted nonprofit startups in three states to develop the necessary governance, strategy, program development, and revenue mix to generate sustained impact on their communities. His dissertation research revolved around exploring the degree to which family foundation trustees seek to balance their social impact-related purposes (such as reducing illiteracy) with their family-related purposes (such as transmitting charitable values across generations).

Joseph’s oldest daughter has been calling him Atticus Finch ever since she read To Kill a Mockingbird (but only in reference to his age).

Education: B.A. Ball State University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center:  Since 2022

How I help participants: I work with community partners and other companies to ensure Fathers and Families Center is around another 30 years to ‘build noble legacies of fatherhood.’

My family includes: My fiancée, my mom and siblings.

Fun Facts:

While at Ball State Corey was once known as the fastest player in college football. He holds several records at Ball State including highest kick return average in a season and in a career, most kick return yards in a season, career and a game. Corey also holds a Ball State and NCAA Football record for the longest kick return (105 yards) in a game, which is still a record today. Because of this record-breaking feat, he was featured on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman.

Corey Parchman, born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the youngest of three children by Vivian Parchman and the late Edward Parchman who passed away when Corey was nine years old.

Corey graduated from Manual High School where he excelled in sports.   After high school, Corey accepted a football scholarship to Ball State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree.

After college, Corey was selected by the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars as an Un-drafted Free Agent. He spent time with several NFL teams throughout his career including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers.

After retiring from the NFL, Corey pursued a career in business. He is the current owner and founder of several successful endeavors including Parchman Development, Clear Vision Media, Executive Concierge, and Core Par Enterprise. Corey is also an educator and philanthropist and founded two non-profit preschool franchises, Mini Men Pre-K Leadership Academy and Pre-K University Academy.

Education:B.S. Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: January 2022

How I help participants: Everyday I bring my passion for helping others and wanting to see them succeed.

My family includes: five beautiful daughters, 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters

Fun Fact: In high school I played football and was also in the band. During the homecoming parade, I wore my full football uniform under my band uniform.

Jack has a passion for working in the community. His experience is quite varied. He has been a small business owner, but he loves working in public not-for-profit programs. Most recently, he has been an instructor with Indianapolis Public schools. Prior to working in IPS, Jack worked at Midtown Community Mental Health Centers. He was also a firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Administratively, Jack has worked with Children’s Bureau and as Assistant Director for Programs at Reach for Youth and Volunteers of America, respectively. Jack is very active in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and volunteers regularly in several programs within the Indianapolis area.

Education: MPA, Indiana Wesleyan University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: January 2022

How I help participants: By encouraging, empowering and building others up, one family at a time.

My family includes: My husband, and our wonderful combined family of seven children and seven grandchildren

Fun Fact: I love to say movie quotes.

“It’s not what you  know, it’s what you can prove.” – Training Day

I have over 24 years of experience working in the city and state government which includes the criminal legal system and family court.

How I help participants: I help keep the building and the grounds clean and working!

My family includes: My wife Devi, with a combined family of seven children and Sparky the dog.

Fun Fact: I went on a mission trip to India with my wife.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree: Social & Behavioral Sciences; Educational Studies – Indiana University

How I help participants: I help participants by teaching them the skills to become not just employable but promotable.

Fun Fact: Nicole received the President’s Young Writers Award and became a published author at the age of 16.

Nicole was born and raised on the west side of Indianapolis where she graduated from Ben Davis High School. She then went on to attend Indiana University-Bloomington through the IU GROUPS Scholars Program. She earned a degree in Social Behavioral Sciences and double minored in Sociology and Educational Studies. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree, she returned home to Indianapolis where she worked in the education field as a teacher and behavior specialist before spending the next 5 years working in Workforce Development helping underserved/ at-risk youth become job ready and live independently.

In 2017 Nicole attained a certification in Managing Aggressive Behavior (MAB) from University of Oklahoma, where the emphasis was Trauma Responsive Crisis Management.

Education: B.S. Central State University, Wilberforce

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Since 2013.

Education: ABA, Indiana Business College; BBAs (BBA Accounting and Finance), St. Joseph’s College; MBA, Indiana Wesleyan University, Certified MBA professional designation

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Since 2002.

How I help participants: By making sure the financial end of the business runs smoothly and by being a father figure to some of those special participants who warm my heart with their success.

My family includes: The members of the three churches I am involved with.

Fun Fact: I am the sexton of a church in inner-city Indianapolis. How many accountants do you know who have been trained to drive a semi?

Education: MDiv., Christian Theological Seminary; B.S. in Chemistry (cum laude), Alabama State University.

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Since August 2014.

How I help participants: By believing in them even when they don’t believe in themselves. By being their best cheerleader even on their worst day. By telling them that giving up is not an option, tempered with plenty of humor.

My family includes: My son, Marcus, who is my pride and joy! Iron sharpens iron!

Fun Fact: I’m very adventurous. I jumped into the ocean from a 32-foot cliff in Jamaica and climbed to the top of a steep mountain in French Lick, IN.

Education: .Masters in Higher Education and Counseling

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: August 2022

How I help participants: Strive to help build a program that offers participants the best resources possible. I want them to be able to have the employment needed to build a better life for themselves and their family.

My family includes: My wife, 2 kiddos and our cat.

Fun Fact: I’m the youngest of 8 kids, all of us kids have multiple kids, some of those kids have kids…family reunions are very full and fun!

Education:

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center:

How I help participants: 

My family includes:

Fun Fact:

Education: B.S.  from Indiana University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: June 2021

How I help participants: By keeping the President/CEO and other executives on track so they may accomplish the goals of Fathers and Families Center.

My family includes: Four wonderful boys, three beautiful daughter-in-laws and two adventurous granddaughters

Fun Fact: I know how to epee and foil fence. Engarde!

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Purdue University

Been a part of Fathers and Families Center: Almost 5 years

How I help the participants: I coordinate program reporting metrics which helps to strengthen programs and secure funding  so that we can continue to provide services.

Family: 3 children

Fun Fact: I have a twin brother