Administration and Staff

P. Rodger Dinwiddie
Executive Director
prdinwiddie@starsnashville.org
615.983.6821 - direct line

Rodger has served as the Executive Director of STARS Nashville since 1986. He has served in social services since 1981 and also served as a classroom teacher for 7 years in the Metroplitan Nashville Public Schools. Currently he provides school and community based prevention and intervention trainings and consultation to school systems in the United States. Rodger provides nationally recognized violence prevention training in Respect & Protect and No-Bullying for Hazelden and he is also a Certified National Lead Trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, a Blueprint violence prevention program recognized by the Department of Education, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Rodger is Past-President and a current Board member of the National Student Assistance Association (NSAA). He is a member of the Nashville Rotary Club, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Alignment Nashville, as well as co-chair of the Alignment Nashville 9-12 Oversight Committee and is a member of the Mayor's Task Force for Student Success focusing on school dropout prevention.

Rodger received his B.S. in Elementary Education from George Peabody College and his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. He and his wife Suzanne have two adult children, Joseph and Anna, and one grandson, Benjamin.

Tim Diffenderfer
Associate Executive Director
tdiffenderfer@starsnashville.org
615.983.6803 - direct line

Tim has been a part of STARS Nasvhille since 1995. he has served in various capacities at the organization as a STARS Nashville Counselor, Program Manager, Director of Development, Vice President for Advancement, and currently as Associate Executive Director.

Tim serves the rural STARS Nashville program and service area and assists with both Program and Fund Development. He has spoken at numerous conferences and training sessions regarding Student Assistance Programs and other youth related issues. Also, he serves on the State of TN Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant Advisory Council and numerous county advisory committees. He is an alumnus of Leadership Wilson.

Tim is married and has two wonderful children.

Eric Johnson
Associate Executive Director
ejohnson@starsnashville.org
615.983.6802 - direct line

Eric received his degree in Marketing and Management from Trevecca University. He began his career with STARS Nashville in 1996, initially serving as STARS Specialist. He now serves as Associate Director of Urban and Suburban Services
of Rutherford, Sumner, and Williamson County programs. In 2005 Eric was a recipient of The Tennesseean's Top 40 under 40 Award honoring those whose commitment to community has been an inspiration to others. He strongly believes that in order to teach young people, we first must be able to reach young people. Eric has been married for eight years to his beautiful wife Stephanie and has three gorgeous girls - Brianna, Jasmine, and Jada.

Erin Daunic
Director of Development
edaunic@starsnashville.org
615.983.6805 - direct line

Erin has been with STARS Nashville since April of 2008. Although she is one of the newest members of the team, her passion and dedication for the work we do at STARS Nashville are strong. Erin attended Washington & Lee for her undergraduate degree and Vanderbilt University for a Masters of Education in Human Development Counseling. She and her husband, Willy D., have two hilarious children - a daughter, Evans, and a son, Michael Mahoney. She completely digs being their mom! It is also important to note that she is a huge Red Sox fan.

Cynthia Whetstone
Director of Operations 
cwhetstone@starsnashville.org
615.983.6801 - direct line

Cynthia has been with STARS Nashville since 1997. She feels privileged to be in a working environment that ignites her passion for youth while providing an opportunity to use her business skills. She is a graduate of Trevecca University with a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administrtion. She holds a CPA license and has worked in the accounting field since 1986. Cynthia is married to Dale and has two awesome teens, Tyler and Haley. When not working, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Teresa Whitaker
Director of Human Resources
twhitaker@starsnashville.org
615.983.6816 - direct line

Teresa has been with STARS Nashville since 2005. She has served in the human resources field since 1983 and teaches business career planning at a local college. She received her Bachelor's degree in Human Relations and her Master's degree in Business from Trevecca University. Her immediate family includes her wonderful husband, Glenn; her favorite children, Christine and Brad; plus her perfect son-in-law, Blake. Teresa enjoys family gatherings and outdoor activities.

Melanie Scott
Program Director, Kids on the Block
mscott@starsnashville.org
615.983.6810 - direct line

Melanie has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has worked for Kids on the Block for more than 7 years and is now directing the program and is still a full-time puppeteer in the schools. Melanie has always had a passion for educating children and is a bit of a ham so this position fits her will. She is married and the mother of one adorable daughter.

Sandy Schmahl            

Program Manager
sschmahl@starsnashville.org
615.983.6808 - direct line

Sandy has a B.S.W. in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. She began her career at STARS Nashville in 2001 as a STARS Specialist in Rutherford County. She assumed her current position as Program Manager for Williamson, Rutherford, and Sumner Counties in November of 2006. When she is not at work, Sandy loves spending time with her husband Brian and their two TREMENDOUS kids Colby and Addison. She also loves reading and shopping.

Cindy Baker
Accounting Manager
cbaker@starsnashville.org
615.983.6807 - direct line

Cindy has been with STARS Nashville since 2004. She has a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Middle Tennessee State University; however, she has worked in the accounting field since 1995. Cindy married her childhood sweetheart Darrell, and they have three wonderful children: Danni, Kayla, and Jordan. One of the greatest joys God has blessed her with is being "Gmama" to Gregory Michael. Cindy enjoys all UT sports, reading, and scrapbooking. 

Anna Nichols
Executive Administrative Assistant/IT
anichols@starsnashville.org
615.983.6820 - direct line


Anna has been on the STARS Nashville team for over 10 years, serving as Executive Administrative Assistant to Executive Director Rodger Dinwiddie. Anna is also in charge of IT Administration.
  

Andrea Reed

Lisa Greene
Special Projects Coordinator
lgreene@starsnashville.org
615.983.6818 - direct line

Lisa has been on the STARS Nashville team for over 10 years. She has a B.S. in Accounting from Carson-Newman College. Lisa began her career as Business Manager in 1995. After a brief retirement, she returned to STARS Nashville and now manages our Special Projects. Lisa coordinates the annual "Yes 2 Kids" and "Healthy Choices for Youth" conferences in addition to other special events. She and her husband Rick have 4 adorable children who are involved in many things and keep life full and very busy. Lisa is amazed to see how much STARS Nashville has grown - the number of schools we are a part of and the number of employees we now have. As she says, "we have definitely been blessed!"