WHO WE ARE

To access our Board of Director’s minutes or 990 tax return please contact or visit our administrative offices at 82 East Orchard View Lane in Franklin, NC during normal business hours.

Agency Holidays 2026

Macon Program for Progress will make positive efforts to utilize small businesses, minority-owned firms, and women’s business enterprises, whenever possible.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Denial of Services Statement

MPP GENERAL ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete theﾠUSDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:ﾠhttp://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agricultureﾠ
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rightsﾠ
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Email:ﾠprogram.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

De conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y pol￭ticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en ingl￩s), se proh￭be que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represalia o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en alg￺n programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA.

Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicaci￳n de la informaci￳n del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de se￱as americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audici￳n o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisi￳n] al (800) 877-8339. Adem￡s, la informaci￳n del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas.

Para presentar una denuncia de discriminaci￳n, complete elﾠFormulario de Denuncia de Discriminaci￳n del Programa del USDAﾠ(AD-3027) que est￡ disponible en l￭nea enﾠy en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la informaci￳n solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 632-9992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por:

Correo:ﾠ
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
Correo electr￳nico:ﾠprogram.intake@usda.gov

Esta instituci￳n es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

*For more information from DHHS, please clickﾠhere.

Leadership

chuck Sutton

Executive Director

Chuck Sutton has been the Executive Director of Macon Program for Progress since 2005. Sutton began his employment with MPP in 2002, serving as Human Resources Director for three years. Mr. Sutton holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from North Carolina State University. Mr. Sutton holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, is a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM), and a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute. Before working at MPP, Mr. Sutton held management positions in private business and industry for over 15 years.

Mr. Sutton is active in civic and professional groups that provide service to the area. Sutton enjoys spending time with family and working around the farm.

Lacy Carpenter

Human Resources Director

Lacy Carpenter joined the Macon Program for Progress team in 2020 as the Human Resources Director. She brings more than 15 years of experience in employee relations and human resources leadership.

Ms. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Phoenix, an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Southwestern Community College, and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. She is a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute, reflecting her commitment to excellence and continued professional development.

Passionate about supporting employees and fostering a positive workplace culture, Ms. Carpenter is dedicated to ensuring that MPP staff are empowered to serve clients effectively and compassionately.

In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Kara Jones

Headstart Director

Kara Jones joined the Macon Program for Progress team in January, 2022 as the Head Start Director.

Ms. Jones began her career in early childhood education working directly in the classroom, where she created engaging and encouraging learning environments for young children. Over the next six years, she advanced into leadership roles including Center Director and Area Coordinator, serving programs in Jackson and Swain Counties.

She later partnered with early care and education programs across North Carolina to ensure safe and healthy environments for children, serving as a Child Care Consultant for 17 years. Prior to joining MPP, Ms. Jones served as Executive Director of a western North Carolina Community Action Agency for three years.

Ms. Jones holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Home Economics from Western Carolina University.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, camping and caring for her animals.

Patricia Howard

Finance Director

Patricia Howard joined the Macon Program for Progress team in 2025 as the Finance Director.

Ms. Howard began her career as a Staff Accountant in public accounting firms, where she spent 11 years developing strong technical expertise and gaining invaluable experience in financial reporting, financial audit, taxation, compliance, and client services. She then served for seven years as Director of Finance for nonprofit organizations, further expanding her leadership experience and specialized knowledge in grants management, audit preparation, tax compliance, and nonprofit financial management.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration – Accounting from Western Carolina University and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and crafting.

Meghan Cribbs

Community Services Director

Meghan Cribbs joined the Macon Program for Progress team in 2014 as the Parent Educator for the Parents as Teachers program. Over the next decade, she passionately championed and encouraged families through every stage of early childhood development, providing guidance, support, and meaningful resources.

In 2023, Ms. Cribbs stepped into the role of Community Service Director, where she continues her commitment to strengthening families and building lasting community connections. Her leadership reflects a deep dedication to empowering others and fostering positive change.

Ms. Cribbs holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western Carolina University.

Outside of her professional work, Mrs. Cribbs enjoys curling up with a good book, spending time outdoors, and traveling whenever she has the opportunity to explore new places.

Board of Directors


Public Officials	Representing

Patrick Betancourt	Macon County Dept. of Social Services
Jeff Berry	Town of Franklin
Tony Potts	Town Of Highlands
Danny Antoine	Macon County Commissioner
Gary Shields	Macon County Commissioner

Community Interest Groups

Janie Sutton	Rural Community Development
Patty Raby	Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce
Tim Hogsed	CARENET Food Pantry
Patricia Caddell	Pisgah Legal Services
Josh Lynch	Macon County Public Schools

Representing Low Income

Gosia Tiger	Franklin Families
Shirley Parks	Head Start Policy Council
Kristen Payne	Franklin Families
Kimberly Dills	Macon County Public Health Dept.
Kelsie Elliott	Head Start Policy Council

Contact Us

Macon Program for Progress
Phone: (828) 524-4471
Toll Free: (800) 563-4022
FAX: (828) 524-0823
Send Email: Admin@mppnhc.org