Staff Members
Tony Chinni, Interim CEO
Tony Chinni, born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, is a passionate advocate for community development and a proud graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, class of 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in European History from The Ohio State University. Tony’s deep connection to the Mansfield community and his dedication to its revitalization began early in his career when he became the first intern at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) in 2007, the year the organization was founded.
Over the years, Tony has played an instrumental role in shaping NECIC’s growth and impact. He has held several key positions within the organization, including Community Development Coordinator, Housing Coordinator, and Research and Development Manager. In each of these roles, Tony's leadership and vision have been critical in developing and executing the resident driven, Community Economic Development Plan, which guides NECIC’s work.
Mentored by NECIC's Founder, Deanna West-Torrence, Tony has cultivated a deep understanding of the organization's mission and strategies. His long-standing commitment to NECIC and the Mansfield community makes him an invaluable leader in the organization's efforts to create sustainable change. As Interim CEO, Tony continues to lead with dedication, focusing on empowering local residents and fostering collaborative initiatives that drive neighborhood transformation.
E-mail: Tony@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 103
Deanna West-Torrence, Founder
A longtime resident, Deanna West-Torrence found herself returning to the North End neighborhood throughout her life. Each time she returned, she found the same friendly people with lifelong relationships, but the appearance of the neighborhood had changed drastically. The schools were closed, the neighborhood businesses had decreased and the once well-kept houses were deteriorating. At the same time, she found her own family experiencing much of what so many others were facing. Following a divorce, she became a single mother, raising four young children on the North End.
Through the years, Deanna worked in many ways to better the community, from working with CHAP (Community Health Access Project), representing the 5th Ward on Mansfield City Council, serving on the Mansfield City School Board, and leading the Neighborhood Youth Corps, as well as serving on other boards, task forces, and advisory committees.
In 2007, Deanna and other residents and community leaders applied their collective experience and founded the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC). NECIC's mission is to improve the quality of life and economic landscape of the North End Community.
Deanna attended Rebecca Grubaugh, Creveling and Discovery Schools, Johnny Appleseed Middle School and graduated from Malabar High School. She then attended the University of Cincinnati and the Southern New Hampshire University’s School of Community Economic Development. Deanna is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership’s African American Leadership Program in 2005, and the Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education in 2011. She has managed local non-profits for many years.
Deanna is the proud mother of four Adult children, and 5 Grand children.
E-mail: Deanna@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 115
Tionna Perdue, Operations Manager
Tionna joined the team as a NECIC Staffing Specialist in 2017 after ten years with Third Street Family Health Services.
A North End native, Tionna loves the mission to improve the quality of life and the economic landscape of the North End. Her passion for helping fellow residents by giving them the tools they need to be successful shows every day in her work as the Operations Manager.
E-mail: Tionna@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 102
Alan Mitchell, MBAC Director
Alan is a Business Advisor for the Ohio Department of Development here at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative. In addition, Alan is the Principal Consultant at Social Enterprise Solutions. In general, Alan works to Provide technical and administrative guidance to directors and managers of for-profit and non-profit organizations to ensure timely, orderly, and efficient conduct of operations and development. He is a Naval veteran and hails from Oberlin, Ohio. In addition to Naval and Government service, he has worked in education, philanthropy, community development, and social service. He is the proud husband of Tiffany (Knight) Mitchell. He is also the proud father of Aliya and Alana Mitchell.
Email: Alan@necic-ohio.org
Melissa Drozda, Development Officer
Melissa is the Development Officer at NECIC. She has garnered over 15 years of professional not-for-profit work experience in the areas of fund development, marketing and communications, community and board relations, administration, and management. She has a strong commitment to community building and expertise in grant writing, special event execution, corporate sponsorship, and annual and capital campaigns.
She joined the team at NECIC because she loves their mission, believes in asset-based community development, and wanted to be involved in projects that will have a transformative impact on our community and its residents. Through collaborative efforts, her goal in this position is to help foster growth, inclusivity, and a brighter future for all by helping NECIC achieve its vision statement.
E-mail: melissa@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 104
Dena Kmetz, Business Development Manager
Dena joined NECIC Staffing in July of 2024. Dena is a graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School and holds a bachelor's degree from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. Dena spent 16 years in the Cleveland Ohio area having been a recruiting agency owner and recruiter with Ohio Means Jobs and Robert Half Finance and Accounting. Prior to stepping into the staffing industry, Dena worked as an analyst and accountant in various industries. Dena has extensive community service experience having volunteered with Harmony House Homeless Shelter, The Domestic violence shelter, Carpenter Elementary, St. Peter's Catholic Church, Habitat for Humanity and Laura's Home Crisis Center in Cleveland.
Dena is passionate about putting people to work and loves celebrating the "you're hired" news with job seekers. Dena also understands how labor intensive it is for employers to try and source, screen and interview potential candidates. She works hard to streamline that process for employers. Dena is thrilled to be back home in Mansfield and working for an agency that does so much for the community.
Email: Dena@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 126
Jacqueline Williams, Staffing Specialist
Jacqueline joined the team in August 2022 after 14 years with Startek.
Being a lifelong native of the North End, she loves the mission statement of NECIC and being a part of the change happening in the community.
Jacqueline's goal is to help whoever comes through the door with what they need to be successful.
Aurelio Diaz, Community Organizer
A North End native, Aurelio has dedicated 20 years to the social services field, specializing in case management, education, and community outreach. He currently serves as a Mansfield City Councilman for the fifth ward.
As a Community Organizer for NECIC, Aurelio is excited to strengthen the mission by being an advocate and champion for North End residents.
Email: aurelio@necic-ohio.org
Lucas Gerber, Marketing Coordinator
Lucas joined NECIC in July 2023, bringing with him a passion for not-for-profit work that he cultivated during his time as a Marketing Intern at Kingwood Center Gardens. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Franklin University in 2020.
As NECIC's Marketing Coordinator, Lucas is dedicated to sharing the compelling story of Mansfield's North End. His goal is to elevate NECIC's ideals and causes, capturing the attention of residents, non-residents, and stakeholders alike. Lucas is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact on the local Mansfield community through his work with NECIC
Email: Lucas@necic-ohio.org
Josiah Remy, Urban Farmer
Josiah grew up on his family’s farm near Bellville, Ohio, where he developed a deep passion for agriculture through hands-on experience caring for livestock, maintaining gardens, and working the land. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Nuclear Missile Maintenance Technician, Josiah pursued a degree in Natural Resource Management with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture. His dedication to sustainable farming was further fueled by participating in the Veteran Farmer Program at Rodale Institute.
In the summer of 2024, Josiah joined NECIC as the Urban Farm Manager, drawn by the opportunity to combine his love for hard work, community service, and sustainable food systems. He is committed to making nutritious, locally grown food accessible and helping build a stronger, healthier community. Josiah lives in the area with his wife, Bri, and their three children, Jensen, Lorelei, and Marsali. When he’s not farming, he enjoys staying fit, hunting, fishing, and reading
Email: Josiah@necic-ohio.org
Jeanette Temple, Staff Accountant
Doug Litteral, MBAC Business Advisor
Doug joined the Minority Business Assistance Center at NECIC in the summer of 2024, bringing over 25 years of Sales and Marketing expertise. With a passion for helping individuals transform ideas into thriving businesses, Doug provides guidance in business plan development, marketing strategies, networking, and offering creative solutions. A graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a degree in Business and a Minor in Communications, Doug also consults on Grant writing, Fundraising, and Performance Improvement. Known for his warm, approachable demeanor, Doug is someone you instantly feel comfortable with, and he treasures the importance of “Framily” (friends and family) as life’s greatest gift.
Email: Doug@necic-ohio.org
Shanican Pender, MBAC Business Advisor
Email: Shanican@necic-ohio.org
134 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902