Staff
Warren Redman-Gress, AFFA Executive Director
Warren was named the first Executive Director of AFFA in
October of 2001. He is one of the founders of AFFA and has
served on the board since its inception. Warren holds a BA
in History and a Masters in Divinity. He and his partner
moved to South Carolina and established RGA Logistics – US
Customs Brokers. He worked for 5 years as part-time
administrator of a small Episcopal Church; and concurrently,
as program director of a LGBT youth group in Charleston. He
and his partner of 26 years, Jim Redman-Gress, have one son,
Cristopher. Warren is currently a member of ACLU, NAACP,
GLAAD, Family Pride Coalition, NGLTF, HRC, National Notary
Assoc., Charleston Chamber of Commerce and Custom Brokers
Association. He has served on the boards of Incest Survivors
in New York and We Are Family here in Charleston.
ALLIANCE FOR FULL ACCEPTANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 Truman
Smith, AFFA Board President
Truman grew up in Fairhope, Alabama, and Rockwall,
Texas. He graduated from Baylor University in 1983 with a
BBA in Accounting and from Harvard Business School in 1989
with an MBA. He moved to Charleston in 2005 and lives in
Wagener Terrace with his partner of ten years, Doug Warner.
He worked in venture capital for twelve years and was CEO of
a Dallas-based manufacturing business for four years. He
has served on the boards of one publicly-owned and seven
privately-owned companies. He is also a CPA.
Truman
currently serves on the board of Darkness to Light, whose
mission is the prevention of child sexual abuse, and is the
board chair of the Posey Family Foundation, which supports
the education of at-risk young women in Texas. He has also
served as President of South Carolina Log Cabin Republicans
and President of the Harvard Business School Club of Dallas.
Truman and Doug enjoy travelling, hanging out with
friends, spoiling their two nieces and being bossed around
by their four lovable labs, Buddy, Beau, Bailey and Sugar.
 Susie Prueter,
AFFA Board Vice President
Susie Prueter is privileged to return to the AFFA Board to
serve the LGBT community. She is a past President of AFFA
and during her tenure, AFFA took a leadership role in
fighting the South Carolina Marriage Amendment. Susie has
been active in local Democratic activities, helping found
the SC Stonewall Democrats, serving as Second Vice-Chair of
the Charleston County Democrats, and volunteering on several
campaigns. Susie is privileged to have attended CMCC’s
Leadership Charleston and Furman University’s Riley
Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative. As Production
Office Manager for Spoleto Festival USA, Susie helps
organize technical elements and personnel for Festival
programs. On behalf of the Festival, Susie also manages
Memminger Auditorium, a performing arts and special events
venue in downtown Charleston. Before moving to Charleston,
Susie worked as a Company Manager for Broadway shows and
touring companies such as Les Miserables, Fosse, and
Disney’s Aida and Beauty and the Beast. Susie hails from
North Little Rock, Arkansas and earned a BA in
Speech/Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and an MFA in
Arts Administration from the University of Alabama. Susie
lives with her partner, Elaine, on James Island.
Barbara Tuttle, AFFA Board Treasurer
Barbara Tuttle grew up in Clemson, SC, graduated from
Clemson University, and her blood continues to run orange.
She has lived in Charleston for the past 25 years and cannot
imagine living away from the coast. After working as a
recreational therapist in the mental health field and with
senior citizens for some years, she made the switch to the
business world. She has been a manager with The Sportsman’s
Shop, a local sporting goods store, since 1997. She and her
partner of 22 years, Teresa, attended the very first
business meeting of AFFA and have been members ever since.
Although they have no children of their own, they have been
active participants of the AFFA Parenting Group and serve as
unofficial aunts to several of the children. Barbara is an
avid reader and also loves to travel to places she has read
about.
 Barbara
Hunt, AFFA Board Secretary
Barbara Ruth Hunt is a James Island girl, who grew up and
resides there. She goes by Barb or Barbaru as her family and
most friends call her. She attended Winthrop College
majoring in Physical Education. She has worked as a Sr.
Materials Planning Analyst and Systems Support Administrator
for the past 20 years. Barb lives with Allison, her partner
of 20 years, and their five loveable dogs. Barb enjoys
boating, mountain biking, photography, and playing on the
Three Dollar Bills (Charleston’s only GLBT kickball team).
For relaxation, she enjoys gardening, reading, and swimming.
Jason Guerra, Past President
Jason is a native of Abingdon VA but landed in Charleston
in 1995 while serving in the United States Air Force. In
1996 he was discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell,
Don't Pursue" policy. He spent the next four years in
Washington DC and two years in Philadelphia before returning
to Charleston in 2003. In 2008 he left his retail career of
twelve years to return to school full time. He plans on
completing his degree in Political Science at the
College of Charleston in 2012, with a minor in
Communications. Jason looks forward to attending law school
after that. He is currently employed by Patrick Properties
and is a member of HRC, SLDN, GLAAD and the Leadership
Charleston Class of 2009. Jason enjoys house projects,
bowling, working out, cooking, wine and hitting the water on
the boat or Sea-Doo.
Catherine LaFond, AFFA Board
Catherine LaFond is an Adopt-A-Highway sponsor, supports the
ASPCA & Humane Society, volunteers at Charleston Area
Therapeutic Riding, Crisis Ministries, Isabella’s House.
Magdalene House, and is a volunteer attorney for Pet
Helpers, Inc., Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, Inc. and the
South Carolina Democratic Party Voter Protection Team 2008 &
2010 Election. Catherine is also an Elder Law Committee
member of South Carolina Bar Association, Lowcountry Senior
Network and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys,
Inc. Catherine is a Women Build sponsor, and she is a member
of South Carolina Equality, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
and the Stonewall Democrats.
 Lynne
Moldenhauer, AFFA Board
Lynne is a native of Michigan and
transferred to South Carolina in 1977 as a Roman Catholic
Nun. She worked in a women's shelter operated by the United
Methodist Church as Program Director for 8 years in
Columbia, SC. While at this ministry Lynne left the convent,
but remained in South Carolina. In 1985 she accepted
employment with SC Department of Probation, Parole, and
Pardon Services where she served as an Agent, Trainer, Team
Leader, Unit Coordinator in the Richland County Office, and
eventually promoted to the Agent in Charge position in
Charleston from which she retired in 2010. Lynne currently
enjoys retirement, and works as a gardner and dog handler.
She has a Bachelors in Religious Studies and Psychology,
with some post graduate work in Criminal Justice. Lynne was
one of the Founding members of the Alliance For Full
Acceptance, served as Secretary for 7 years, and served as
Chair for ADORASO - A Dialogue On Religion and Sexual
Orientation. She is also a former President of the South
Carolina Gay and Lesbian Business Guild in Columbia. Lynne
returns to the Board of AFFA to engage in its mission and to
continue to drive the organization forward into the future.
Mike Schwarzott, AFFA Board
Mike was born in Medina, NY, and raised in Lyndonville,
NY a small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, graduating in
1974. After graduation he attended college for one semester
then joined the US Navy. He was stationed in Charleston in
the mid 70’s where he fell in love with the city. After
being caught with another sailor he was discharged for being
gay and he returned to NY where he was employed in 1977 by
the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Batavia, NY. Mike
tried to fit into society and married for 9 years, having a
daughter and son from the marriage. After the marriage ended
with divorce, in 1989 he was promoted and transferred to the
Charleston VA Medical Center as a Food Service Supervisor,
and in 2006 receiving a promotion to Manager Food
Production. Since returning to Charleston in 1989, he became
active in 1994 in the GLBT community, and has been an
activist, jumping in with both feet and never looking back.
He has been active in LGLA, AFFA, HRC, MCC, Open Door
Christian Church, The Progressive Network, SCEC, founding
member and VP of the SC Stonewall Democrats chapter. He was
also the chairperson of bringing the Aids memorial Quilt to
Charleston, Charleston remembers-Display of the AIDS
Memorial Quilt, as part of Piccolo Spoleto Festival in 1997
Before moving to Charleston he was the president of the
local union, AFGE-AFL-CIO at the Batavia, NY VA Hospital for
6 years. Human rights and equality is in his blood and a
large part of who he is. He is a grandfather to six
grandsons and one granddaughter.
ALLIANCE FOR FULL ACCEPTANCE LEADERSHIP GROUP
Rebecca Epstein, Leadership Group
Rebecca is a Charleston native and earned her
undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina.
While at USC, she played soccer for the Lady Gamecocks. She
is currently in her third year at Charleston School of Law
and has absolutely no idea what type of law she is going to
practice after graduation. She is one of the founders of
Charleston Law's Alliance for Equality, and is currently
involved in getting the Young Professionals Gay-Straight
Alliance up and running in Charleston. Rebecca enjoys
cooking, playing soccer, interior design, music and playing
with her dog Karma.
Jen Bennett, Leadership Group
Jen received her BA in Sociology and Women's Studies from
the University of North Carolina, Asheville in 2003 and her
MA in Sociology from the University of Colorado in 2005.
After leaving graduate school, Jen and her father
became business partners and currently own and operate
Tidwell's Art Gallery and Frame Shop, where they showcase
their photography of beautiful Charleston.
Jen also exhibits photography of queer nude bodies at
The Chart, a local family friendly hangout. Jen hopes in the
near future to pursue another graduate level degree in
counseling so she can help address some of the psychological
needs of the LGBTQ community.
When the work day is done, Jen enjoys spoiling her
nieces, renovating her North Charleston home, cuddling with
her Boston Terrier, and really loves to dance, dance, dance.
Tamara Bolding,
Leadership Group
Tamara was born and raised in Columbia,
South Carolina. As an Army brat, she lived a few years in
Germany too. Completing course work at both Piedmont
Technical College in Greenwood and Midlands Technical
College in Columbia, she earned an Associate Degree in
Business Management. She has served 20 years in state
government having worked for the Employment Security
Commission and The Citadel Military College of South
Carolina. Loving Charleston living since 1992, she has made
guest feel at home during her employment in the hospitality
field for the last 10 years. She is currently enrolled at
The Citadel, pursuing her degree in Business Administration.
She is also planning her civil partnership registration in
the United Kingdom with her partner of 5 years, Julia. Here
and ‘across the pond’ they continue to share their story of
the difficulties faced by gay bi-national couples. Tamara
has been a volunteer for LowCountry AIDS Services since 2003
and she has been a member of AFFA since 2002
Rick Fowler, Leadership
Group
Melissa Moore, Leadership Group
Melissa Moore, a native of Charleston, SC, earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the College of
Charleston. She currently serves as a Field Consultant
with the South Carolina Access Initiative (SCAI),
where she works to expand access to comprehensive
reproductive health services in South Carolina. She also
serves as Program Director for We Are Family, where she
advances youth leadership development projects and support
services for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning,
Asexual, Intersex (GLBTQQAI), and straight ally youth.
Melissa was recently published in an anthology of essays
called, "Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio." She
participated in the early stages of planning the first gay
pride celebration along with the first annual Reel Grits
GLBTQQAI Pride Film Festival in Charleston. In 2005, she
began her career as an advocate for GLBTQQAI South
Carolinians as Executive Assistant with Alliance For Full
Acceptance and later as Field Director with South Carolina
Equality.
Susan Parsons, Leadership Group
Susan, a New Jersey native, moved to
Mt. Pleasant 28 years ago. With a B.A. in Special Education
and Music Therapy, a Masters in Clinical Counseling, and a 4
year Professional
Certification in Rubenfeld Synergy integrating
psychotherapy with bodywork, she has been in private
practice for 35 years, the first 13 as a Yoga/Movement
Therapist. Susan specializes in LGBTQ issues, especially
couples and transgender; chronic pain and illness; mid-life
and end of life; and grief and loss.
A co-founder of Center for Women and 10
year board member and past president, she has also served on
the boards of the South Carolina Association of Marriage and
Family Therapists, Charleston Ballet Theatre, WAF,
International Association of Rubenfeld Synergists as a
certified ethics investigator, and Circular Church Council
where she helped facilitate the Open and Affirming process.
An AFFA member since 2001, Susan was also a founding member
of Moving Earth Collective and Lifedance Theatre. She has
been the volunteer music thanatologist at the Hospice of
Charleston inpatient center, playing her bass flute at the
bedside, since 2006.
Susan loves gardening, cooking, biking,
boating, NIA, Continuum and Authentic Movement, reading on
her dock, and 13 years of married life with Angus Baker.
Together they share 3 adult children: Lee, Sarah, and Jamey
and two cats.
David Singleton, Leadership Group
H. David Singleton has lived in Charleston for 29 years,
including his undergraduate study and former employment with
the College of Charleston. He received
his B.A. from the College and a M.Ed. from the University of
South Carolina, Columbia. He has served
in a variety of positions since his residency here, all with
a bend toward education, instruction and special event
planning, which is his current arena.
Since 2002 he has been employed with Historic Charleston
Foundation as Public Programs Assistant and is coordinator
of the Festival of Houses and Gardens Special
Events/Enhancements Series. He owns his own wedding and
event planning business called eventsublime.
He has a particular interest in décor and floral
design and has recently spoken and presented at the
Charleston Fall Garden Show and to local groups such as the
Mt. Pleasant Alhambra Garden Club, Charleston Garden Club,
Kiawah Island Garden Club, St. Stephens Episcopal Church
Flower Guild on which he serves, Gibbes Museum and for
Historic Charleston Foundation’s Festival of Houses and
Gardens. He lives in West Oak Forest just
beyond Avondale in West Ashley and has two adopted cats!
Kyle Taylor, Leadership Group
Kyle Everett Taylor, a recent transplant from NYC,
received his BA from
Rutgers
University and his Masters
Degree from Columbia University School of Architecture and
Urban Planning. Within the last 10 years, Kyle ran a
high end construction/design build company in NYC
specializing in restoring historical residential properties
in the greater NYC area. In addition, he is president of a
small real estate development/management firm in NJ, where
he and his business partner developed and manages a small
residential townhouse gated community in his home town of East Orange, NJ. I
currently work for Patrick Properties Hospitality Group
(PPHP) as the Director of Facilities. My passion is to
participate in leveling the playing fields of those that
find themselves different from the society at whole.
Geiza Vargas-Vargas, Leadership Group
Geiza Vargas-Vargas is an assistant professor of
law at the Charleston School of Law. She teaches
business associations, mergers and acquisitions and
contracts. Before moving to Charleston in 2009, she
lived and worked in New York City, more recently as a
corporate lawyer and prior to that in investment banking.
She is a proud graduate of Wellesley College, and she is a
runner.
Natalie Wendling, Leadership Group
Natalie hails from Birmingham, Alabama and
graduated from Auburn University with both her B.S. and
D.V.M. Before moving to Charleston, she spent 3 years
in Japan as a veterinarian in the US Army where she honed
her karaoke skills and became an incorrigible sushi snob.
She now spends her days frolicking about with puppies &
kittens at James Island Veterinary Hospital. The world
renowned Boutros Boutros Butters graciously allows Natalie &
her partner to live with him in his W. Ashley home.
Her pastimes are biking, running & is now a fledgling
golfer.
Tobin Williamson, Leadership
Group
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