meet the Founders/ THE bios

Michael began his career in law enforcement in Louisiana while attending Nicholls State University, where he received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a B.S. Degree in Sociology.  

He is proud to be a 22-year veteran of law enforcement.  During his tenure on the force in Louisiana, Michael served in the positions of Police Officer, Sergeant, Detective Sergeant and Lieutenant.  He relocated to North Carolina and for more than 5 years worked with the North Carolina State Department of Corrections as a Probation/Parole Officer, supervising high risk offenders. 

 Michael has also taught criminal justice/law enforcement at the community college level in NC. He retired from law enforcement in 2003.   Michael and his wife Gloria relocated to Georgia in 2003 due to her position transfer to Corporate Headquarters for BellSouth.  

He has been actively involved in the community, working with at risk youth and adults. He served as an Alcovy CASA volunteer, (2010-2012.) He is a long-term supporter of the United Way, the Center for the Visually Impaired, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) a national college scholarship program and was recognized in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as a Man Who Cares for his support of the Center Against Domestic Violence. 

He has received numerous awards including the Presidential Commendation from the State of Louisiana, Parish of Lafourche. He was recognized as Outstanding Police Officer of the Year by the Chief of Police and Mayor of The City of Thibodaux LA in 1992. 

Michael has served on numerous boards. He was appointed to the City of Thibodaux LA Civil Service Board by the President of Nicholls State University and was appointed to the Reapportionment Committee for the City of Thibodaux by the Mayor.  

He was elected president of the homeowners’ association for 3 terms (2006-2009) in Gwinnett County; is a past member of the Jaycees, is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was a Walton County Chamber of Commerce member for two years.

 Michael was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board for Monroe, GA by Mayor Greg Thompson. 

He volunteered with Gloria for fund raising events for Team Up Mentoring.  

In 2010 Michael and Gloria Co-founded Shepherd's House Inc., a 501(c)3 organization.  Shepherds House is focused on delivering programs and support for at-risk youth.

The Shepherd's House Believe It. Achieve It. mentoring program serves youth in various communities, primarily in Georgia and North Carolina.

 Gloria began her career in Corporate Sales and Marketing with BellSouth.  She retired from AT&T (BellSouth) in October 2012 as the Vice President- Planning for Customer Information Services, Business & Home Solutions Division of AT&T.   In this role, she was responsible for long range strategy and operations management for CIS which operated in 22 states.  She has held various senior level corporate positions including Business Sales, Consumer Sales & Service, Diversity Management, as well as Leadership Development and Training for Executives and Managers.   

Gloria previously served on the board of directors of Girls Incorporated for 6 years, chairing the Fund Development committee and serving on the Executive Committee.   For 6 months Gloria served as the Interim CEO/Executive Director of Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta. She was asked by the board to assume this position during the organization’s Executive Director search process because of her commitment to the organization's mission, clientele and purpose, and her community connections.  

She has served on the Board of First Legacy Community Credit Union in Charlotte, NC, the oldest minority owned credit union operating in North Carolina; Board of Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta; the Audit committee for The Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta; is a past member of Women In Technology International (WITI) and Atlanta Women in Business.  She has served on the Board of Trustees for Winston Salem State University (her alma mater), and Committees for both the Charlotte Housing Authority and the Atlanta Housing Authority Scholarship Programs.  

She strongly believes in the support of community programs, such as Aspire, which was an AT&T Program focused on positively impacting the dropout rate, a walker for the March of Dimes, and a supporter of the United Way.  She is a long-term supporter of UNCF, helping sponsor the AT&T UNCF Employee Giving Campaign to help raise more than $1.4 million dollars for scholarships during the 10 years prior to retirement. Gloria served on the Board of Team Up Mentoring in Monroe, GA, where she led the strategic planning committee.  Gloria was appointed to the Monroe, GA. GICH Team.  GICH is sponsored by the GA Dept of Community Affairs; the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) is designed to help communities improve quality of life and economic vitality through the development of locally driven housing and revitalization initiatives. 

Gloria has been honored with numerous awards including Who’s Who in Black Atlanta; YMCA Women of Distinction; ABWA Woman of the Year; the Circle of Excellence, and the MLK Medal of Appreciation.    She has devoted herself to giving back and has been repeatedly recognized for her work as mentor and coach.

She is a featured speaker for various for-profit and non- profit organizations, delivering leadership development workshops, and telemarketing and sales programs.

 Gloria’s life motto is: “I don’t want to change the entire world, just my small part of it.”  

The Shepherd's House Community Center is located in Monroe GA.  Your contributions and support help to make a difference.  Every dollar you donate goes back into our youth and community programs.  Your donations are needed to help us complete the building renovations and provide support for our programs for youth and their families.