Club Members

Executive Board Members

Jyoti Patel : President

Jyoti Patel

President

Jenis Sharp : First Vice President

Jenis Sharp

First Vice President

Shelly Gates : Second Vice President

Shelly Gates

Second Vice President

Barbara Yarbrough : Secretary

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

Linda Kelly

Treasurer

Board Members 2022 – 2024

Harold Mullins : Lieutenant Governor Zone 3

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

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

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

Darren Dannelly

Director

Elaine Padgett : Director

Elaine Padgett

Director

John Richards : 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

Jyoti Patel

President

Jenis Sharp : First Vice President

Jenis Sharp

First Vice President

Shelly Gates : Second Vice President

Shelly Gates

Second Vice President

Barbara Yarbrough : Secretary

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

Linda Kelly

Treasurer

Lee Almy :

Lee Almy

Member since 2016.

Gary Beard :

Gary Beard

Member since 2010. "I joined the Optimists to support youth of the community."

Darren Dannelly : Director

Darren Dannelly

Director

Roger Dunn :

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 :

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 :

Jim Klee

Member since 1997. "I joined the Optimists to help the youth of the community."

Steve LeClercq :

Steve LeClercq

Member since 2019.

Dale Leonard :

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 :

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 :

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 :

Russ McClelland

Member since 1989.

Mike Miller :

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

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

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 :

Rich Newcomb

Elaine Padgett : Director

Elaine Padgett

Director

Kathy Perreault : 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

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

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 :

Darron Wright

Member since 2020.

Jim Yarbrough :

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'."