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 and
began his working life as a Roman Catholic priest to two
very large congregations in New York. After 13 years as
a priest, 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 22 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
 Sue
Weller, AFFA Board President
Sue Weller was born in Vietnam and was quickly
shipped to the US to be raised in Red Bank, NJ. She
relocated to the Charleston area Jan.2005 to seek fame
and fortune. She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from
Montclair State University, NJ and a Masters in Non
Profit Management from Pratt Institute, NYC. Sue’s civic
involvement in the GLBT community include serving as
president of her college GLBT group, volunteering on the
HELPLINE for GAAMC (Gay Activist Alliance of Morris
County), cycling in the 2000 Boston/NYC AIDS Ride, and
producing a lesbian art show for Leslie Lohman Gay Art
Foundation in NYC.
 Jason
Guerra, AFFA Board Vice President
Jason is a native Virginian but fell in love with
Charleston while serving in the United States Air Force.
After a six year hiatus to Washington DC, and
Philadelphia, Jason returned to Charleston in 2003 and
is happy to call it home once more. Jason is currently
working as a Manager for Brooks Brothers, a part time
Mortgage Broker, and will be working on his Bachelor
degree in Business Mgmt at the College of Charleston
this fall. He is a member of SCEC, HRC, SLDN, and the
Citadel GALA. He enjoys hanging out with friends,
traveling, bowling, reading, and house projects.
Jim Redman-Gress, AFFA Board Treasurer
Jim is responsible for “why don’t we do a
billboard?”!! Originally from Miller Place, NY, he has
lived in Charleston for 12 years. He’s the partner of
Warren Redman-Gress and the father of
Cristopher Redman-Gress. He has a BA in Marine
Transportation Economics from SUNY Maritime College and is President of
RGA Logistics, a U.S. Customs Broker firm. He lists his
honors received as: “Warren”! He is a member of LLDEF,
SCGLBG, SLDN, GLAAD, Family Pride Coalition, NGLTF, HRC,
Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Customs
Brokers Association and has served on the board of We
Are Family.
Steven Clem, AFFA Secretary
Steven is a native of Fairfield County, CT and has
been in Charleston for 4 years. He has a BA in Finance
from Fairfield University and is the President and owner
of Charleston Tax Masters, a tax and financial advisory
firm. Prior to founding CTM he was a Corporate
Trainer for H&R Block; served as Director of Operations
at Matrix Alliance Market Research, a quantitative
research firm specializing in the film industry; and ran
his own market research firm. He’s a member of
ACLU, AFFA, HRC, LGLA, NGLTF, SCG+LBG, SCEC, the
National Association of Tax Professionals, the National
Association of Enrolled Agents, and the Charleston
Chamber of Commerce. He has served as Treasurer of the
Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, and currently serves
as President of the West Ashley chapter of BNI -- a
national networking organization, as Treasurer for LGLA,
and is a Delegate to SCEC. Friends would describe him as
ambitious, idealistic and diplomatic. He finds it
difficult to work with those who operate in extremes –
overly optimistic or pessimistic, abrasive or
indecisive, irresponsible, demanding, or ego-driven. He
likes working with those who have vision, coupled with
optimism and pragmatism; are diplomatic, compassionate,
humble, respect those with differing opinions and adhere
to commitments.
Cathy Godshall, AFFA Board
Cathy was born in Baltimore MD, but grew up in
Columbia SC. Cathy has a BA in government and
international studies/political science from USC, an MAT
in History from the Citadel and an MA in History
(Southern Cultural from the Citadel/University of
Charleston.
Cathy has taught at-risk youth, high school and college
level students, and has worked the Tri-county Literacy
Program. Cathy is currently a corporate trainer, and is
on the staff of Crisis Ministries.
 Mike
Schwarzott, AFFA Board
Mike was born in Medina, NY, and raised in
Lyndonville, 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 and he returned to NY. Mike
tried to be fit into society and married for 9 years,
having a daughter and son from the marriage. After 9
years the marriage ended with divorce, and Mike received
a promotion and transfer to the Charleston Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 1989 and has been
employed with them for 30 years, 18 here in Charleston
as a Food Service Supervisor. 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, and before coming to
Charleston VA, 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 has recently become a grandfather
to two additional grandsons born in Early February 2006,
a week apart, and has two other grandsons for a total of
4.
Barbara Hunt, AFFA Board
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.
Susie Prueter, AFFA Past President
Susie was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, but
her family moved when she was young and she calls Little
Rock, Arkansas, home. She has been in Charleston for
five years. Before arriving in Charleston to work in the
Production Office with Spoleto Festival, USA, she worked
as a Company Manager for Broadway shows and touring
companies. Susie has a BA in Speech and Theatre from
Louisiana Tech University and a MFA in Arts
Administration from the University of Alabama. She is
currently a member of the Center for Women, Association
of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM), and
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
She has served as a labor negotiator and has done
training and development for ATPAM. She’s won academic
scholarships and honors, athletic honors and leadership
awards.
ALLIANCE FOR FULL ACCEPTANCE LEADERSHIP GROUP
 Meredith Earnest, Leadership Group
Meredith Earnest comes from the Center of the
Universe known as Marion, IN.
The
College of Charleston Women’s Basketball Team
brought her to the Charleston Area in 1997. She
graduated from the College of Charleston in 2000 with a Bachelor of
Arts in Media Communications and a minor in Spanish.
Meredith has worked for Millennium Financial Services
located in Daniel Island
for six years as a Commercial and Residential Mortgage
Consultant. She is active in the Cougar Club with
focused support in the Women’s Basketball Team.
She is also involved with other local organizations of
business and personal interest. Meredith enjoys
her life and resides in North Charleston in the
Park Circle Community.
Jan Gilbert, Leadership Group
Jan Gilbert is a native of the Charleston area.
She holds a BA in theatre and a BS in psychology from
the College of Charleston. Jan is a member of
Coastal Conservation League and a volunteer for Pet
Helpers. She is also active in the local theatre
community, working with companies such as Charleston
Stage and Footlight Players and also studies voice with
June Bonner. She is extremely excited to be
involved in this wonderful organization!
 Catherine
LaFond, Leadership Group
Catherine
grew up in Summerville and went to the College of
Charleston for undergrad and USC for law school. She has
been a real estate attorney for
over ten years and owns her own practice in West Ashley.
She and her partner, Lindsay Dukes, have been together
over five years and they currently live in West Ashley
with their three dogs and one cat.
 Jennifer Owen, Leadership Group
Jen
Owen (Twiglet) grew up in St. Louis, Mo and went to
college in San Jose California where she earned her BS
in Advertising. She did additional coursework at both
Stanford University and the University of California at
Berkeley in marketing and art. She is an artist and
creates jewelry. Her work is sold in museum gift shops
and galleries in cities across the US.
Jen supports a variety of
socially conscious causes within the Charleston area
through donations of her art, talents and time. She is a
member of AMA, AAUW and company “Twiglet” is a business
member of AFFA. “I was so jazzed to be asked to be on
the leadership committee at AFFA and I am truly looking
forward to helping Charleston create a mind-set of
acceptance and regard for the GBTL community.”
Barbara Tuttle, Leadership Group
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
24 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.
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