Executive Board Members
Jyoti Patel
President
Jenis Sharp
First Vice President
Shelly Gates
Second Vice President
Barbara Yarbrough
Secretary
Member since 2009. "I joined the Optimists because I like to help the kids and I enjoy the club camaraderie."
Linda Kelly
Treasurer
Board Members 2022 – 2024
Harold Mullins
Lieutenant Governor Zone 3
Member since 2003. "I joined the Optimists because I was impressed by the work of the club."
Kathy Perreault
Director
Member since 2011. "I was excited to join the Optimists when I learned about the activities the club does for the children of the community. I enjoy working with the members and being involved in the track meets, fishing derbys and scholarship distributions."
Bob Wade
Director
Member since 1973. "I joined the Optimists for the purpose of helping in some small way the kids of the community improve their chances of success in life as they grow up and become leaders in the community."
Board Members 2023 – 2025
Darren Dannelly
Director
Elaine Padgett
Director
John Richards
Director
Member since 2014. "I joined the Optimists because it is a great opportunity to get kids involved in the club sponsored activities that challenge their growth and education. My joining was for the Kids!!"
All Club Members
Jyoti Patel
President
Jenis Sharp
First Vice President
Shelly Gates
Second Vice President
Barbara Yarbrough
Secretary
Member since 2009. "I joined the Optimists because I like to help the kids and I enjoy the club camaraderie."
Linda Kelly
Treasurer
Lee Almy
Member since 2016.
Gary Beard
Member since 2010. "I joined the Optimists to support youth of the community."
Darren Dannelly
Director
Roger Dunn
Member since 1981. "I joined the Optimists because a former member brought his two sons to hunt dove on my property without permission. I went to run them off and ended up joining the Club!"
Bob Flowers
Member since 2010. "I joined the Optimists because I was invited by the late Lamar Orr. As I was new to the area I saw the club as an opportunity to get to know friends with a similar passion of "bringing out the best in kids"."
Jim Klee
Member since 1997. "I joined the Optimists to help the youth of the community."
Steve LeClercq
Member since 2019.
Dale Leonard
Member since 2012. "I joined the Optimists because I am very enthusiastic about the support our club gives to the children of Forsyth County. It has been a great experience."
Matt Maiorano
Member since 2004. "I joined the Optimists to give back to my community. My wife & I support the development of the children of the community."
George Marks
Member since 2005. I joined the Optimist Club when Harry Crumbley mentioned that there was an organization that did many constructive things for the kids in our county. I found that the Optimist Club did things for kids that I never had the opportunity to enjoy. By helping with field and track, fishing programs, watching the development of the oratorical program, etc. I felt that I was helping the kids in this county to participate in activities that would improve their character.
Russ McClelland
Member since 1989.
Mike Miller
Member since 2013. "I joined the Optimists because I wanted to continue helping children after working 46 years in the schools."
Harold Mullins
Lieutenant Governor Zone 3
Member since 2003. "I joined the Optimists because I was impressed by the work of the club."
Joyce Mullins
OI Foundation Representative
Member since 2003. "I joined the Optimists because kids are my passion and I like to do things with and for them to help them be happy and succeed in life."
Rich Newcomb
Elaine Padgett
Director
Kathy Perreault
Director
Member since 2011. "I was excited to join the Optimists when I learned about the activities the club does for the children of the community. I enjoy working with the members and being involved in the track meets, fishing derbys and scholarship distributions."
John Richards
Director
Member since 2014. "I joined the Optimists because it is a great opportunity to get kids involved in the club sponsored activities that challenge their growth and education. My joining was for the Kids!!"
Bob Wade
Director
Member since 1973. "I joined the Optimists for the purpose of helping in some small way the kids of the community improve their chances of success in life as they grow up and become leaders in the community."
Darron Wright
Member since 2020.
Jim Yarbrough
Member since 2009. "I joined the Optimists because of what the Optimist Creed means to me! And the members not only talk the talk but walk the walk in 'Bringing Out the Best in Kids'."