Board of Directors

Ellen Cochran, M.Ed.

Board Chair
Retired Nonprofit CEO
20+ years Mental Health Service

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Ellen Cochran has been an integral part of Restoration Place Counseling since 2010, serving as a Board Member, Mountain Mover, and mentor for our Founder/CEO. Ellen’s experience as President and CEO of the Mental Health Associates of the Triad for more than 20 years has been invaluable to RPC as she shared a wealth of knowledge and wisdom during our years of substantial growth. About RPC, Ellen states, “I see such a need for the wonderful work being done by RPC. I love being a small part of its great mission.”

Although Ellen is originally a Georgia girl, she’s been proud to live in North Carolina for over two decades. Ellen’s passion in life is to work to contribute to the greater good – most importantly by working for the Lord to share the love and care of Jesus to all she meets.

Ellen is a member at Mercy Hill Church and has an adult daughter, Katherine.

Fun Fact: Ellen is a leader in a guild for a video game with international players.

Favorite Inspirational Quote: “It always seems impossible till it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

Cindy Griffie, M.Ed.

Vice-Chair
Educator
Retired

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Cindy is a dedicated member of the RPC Board, having served since 2010. She spent 31 years as a teacher and administrator. Married for 50 years this year, she has two daughters and two granddaughters. Cindy is a true local, having lived in the area her entire life except for college and 7 years in Charlotte due to her husband’s job. When she’s not busy with RPC, Cindy is spending time with her 95-year-old mother.

When asked what made her want to serve RPC as a board member, she said “I sensed a deep connection with RPC and received direction from Abba to serve this organization. Being the mother and grandmother of girls made me aware of the deep need for help for those who cannot and those who can afford counseling.”

Fun Fact: Cindy loves to laugh, garden, and spend time at the coast with her grandchildren.

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Jenny Thomas

Board Treasurer
Olympic Products, LLC
Controller

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Jenny Thomas has been serving Restoration Place Counseling in multiple ways since 2012, when she first served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. Since that time, Jenny has twice been a Restoration Runway model, joined the Mountain Movers Club, and has now rejoined the Board for her second term.

Hailing from a small town in Anson County, NC, it’s no wonder that this now-turned-city-girl can still be found driving the tractor or helping fix things around the family farm. She also enjoys working in her own yard here in Greensboro.

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Jenny relocated to Greensboro in 2005. She began her career in public accounting with Dixon Hughes Goodman, which was once the largest accounting firms headquartered in the Southern U.S. For the past ​11.5 years, she’s been the Controller for Olympic Products, LLC, a joint venture company between Woodbridge and INOAC.

About why she supports Restoration Place, Jenny shares, “I have seen the help this organization provides, and I love that it is Christ-centered and unwavering on those principles.”

Jenny enjoys singing on the praise team at Lawndale Baptist Church, as well as serving in other ministries too. She is momma to one fur-baby, Sophie, a Maltese Shitzu mix. Finally, Jenny finds great joy in spending time with friends and family.

Cyndi Tew

RSVP Communications
President

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Cyndi is the President of her family business, RSVP Communications, a full-service marketing support group. RSVP specializes in e-commerce fulfillment, contact center and customer support.
Cyndi, originally from Greensboro, has been married to her husband Jason for 25 years and they have three daughters, Zoe, Annalaine, and Denali.

She has been serving on the board of RPC for four years, supporting our mission to offer affordable, faith-based counseling. She loves giving back to the community and has seen firsthand the impact of counseling services on her own family.

“My company has attended and supported the Restoration Runway event for many years. I love the concept of the sliding scale to offer affordable, faith-based counseling. My involvement with RPC has made me much more “tuned in” to mental health issues among women and the value of therapy. I feel honored to give my time and talent to support counseling with Christ at the center.”

In her free time, Cyndi enjoys hiking, reading, and trying out new recipes.

Fun Fact: Cyndi has had the same best friend since she was 7 years old – they still talk every day and see each other at least once a week.

Gina Carter

Finance / Insurance Professional
Full-Time Mom

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As a woman who enjoyed a 20-year career in finance and consumer and commercial lending, Gina Carter was the perfect person to serve as RPC’s Board Treasurer for the past 7 years. Gina states, “While I’m not skilled at counseling people, I do love financial analysis, planning, and a good spreadsheet!”

Gina and husband Charles share five children – four still living at home and one adult son, married and working in Raleigh.

Gina left the corporate world when her son Brock was born, moving her life from career-focus to family-focus. The family grew quite rapidly after Gina and Charles adopted their three youngest children from China. Now she spends her days managing, teaching, and coaching virtual school for three kiddos; serving on two non-profit boards; and experiencing a host of laughs, smiles, worries, frustrations, but most of all, LOVE.

When asked what led her to serve on the Board at RPC she stated, “I wanted to use my gifts and passions for a purpose that I believe in by ensuring we have the financial strength needed to help others.” Being on the board has impacted her life by reminding her that our purpose is greater than just ourselves. “It reminds me to look outward during those times when I get very internally focused.” Considering how busy and full her life has become, it’s easy to understand that she has now turned over the financial baton of RPC Treasurer and serves now as member-at-large.

FUN FACT: Gina has been known to break out into improvisational songs, any time or any place. It may or may not also include a dance. She says, “My life could easily be a musical. And, yes, as you would expect, the kids are mortified when this happens!”

Keisha S. Barnes, LCMHC

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Private Practice

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Keisha and her husband Terence have three daughters – Akia, Addison, and Autumn. Today, Keisha works as a Balanced Life Strategist and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in private practice. However, Keisha’s journey in the field of mental health actually started with Restoration Place Counseling. As a girl mom, she’s always had a heart for girls and women. Therefore, the mission and vision of RPC are dear to her. First as a Counselor Intern in 2010, then a Licensed Staff Counselor, and now a Board Member, Keisha counts it a pure blessing to see firsthand the level of excellence in which RPC operates.

When asked about her experience as a clinician at RPC, she wrote, “I had the honor and privilege of seeing the impact of RPC on our community from the grieving mom placing coins on the desk to pay for her (then) $5 sliding scale to the thriving professional stunted by unprocessed grief. I heard countless testimonies from colleagues of the restorative power of Jesus coupled with exceptional clinical skills. What RPC has become over the years is a testament of commitment to God’s desire to see his daughters prosperous and in good health. I am so grateful to be a part of it!”

Keisha is passionate about holistic health and wellness: mind body and soul. She loves CrossFit, nature, horseback riding, candlelit bubble baths, massages, and worship. Although she is scared of heights and deep water, her adventurous side has allowed her to snorkel, white water raft, parasail, and zip line!

Matt Tsuei, MD, FACS

Central Carolina Surgery, PA
President
General Surgeon

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Dr. Matt Tsuei has been married to his wife Judy for 26 years. They have 2 daughters, 3 dogs and 2 cats. Dr. Tsuei is the President of Central Carolina Surgery and Chief of the Duke University Division of Community General Surgery. In addition to leading the division, he performs breast cancer, gastrointestinal, gallbladder, and hernia surgery.

Born in New Jersey, Matt moved around some during his younger years to Texas and Ohio; however, he spent most of his formative years in Baton Rouge, LA (Geaux Tigers!). Med school and surgery residency brought Matt and his family to the great state of North Carolina. He also served four years in the US Air Force – based at Andrews Air Force Base. After leaving the military, Matt and his family moved back to NC and has been in Greensboro since 2006. He enjoys DIY projects (with varying degrees of success), traveling, and reading.

Dr. Tsuei shared, “I love that RPC makes counseling services accessible to those that may not have the resources to seek help otherwise. The pressures of modern society affect many of us and sometimes we need help recovering from difficult situations or facing new challenges.” When asked why he became a Board Member, he stated, “I have observed the ministry of RPC for years, and I felt called to serve.”

FUN FACT: When President George W. Bush traveled to places without a trauma hospital, Matt’s mobile surgical team would set up a temporary operating room in case of any emergency that might involve the President or First Lady. They traveled to Senegal, Uganda, as well as Cabo San Lucas, with the White House Medical Unit. Obviously, his services were never needed.

Sarah Mason

Smartworx, Partner
Corporate Accommodations, Office Manager

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Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sarah Mason relocated to Greensboro in 2016. Sarah has over 15 years of accounting experience and has served several industries over the years. In addition to her role as Office Manager at Corporate Accommodations, Sarah and her partner Pete Farneti are owners of Piedmont Technical Experts (PTE), which provides professional IT tools and support to local small and mid-size businesses.

Upon moving to Greensboro, Sarah decided to start running and found she really enjoys the running community in the Piedmont. Running created friendships, and friendships created business partners and clients, and it has continued to blossom. Sarah also loves to volunteer and spend time with friends and family, and this is why we’re featuring Sarah today!

Sarah joined the RPC Board of Directors in January. When asked why she chose to serve in this way, Sarah answered, “I have seen firsthand the impact that RPC has had on the women in my life. I love surrounding myself with other like-minded women and helping my community. As a result of serving RPC, my life is fuller, I am connected to the community, and I am making a difference.”

In addition to her board membership, Sarah, Pete, and their other PTE partner, JB, are a Padawan Sponsor of the 5th Annual May the Course Be with You 10K/5K.

Fun Fact about Sarah:
She jumped off a ship in the BVIs this past November – something completely out of character for Sarah. (It was a planned jump, by the way!) Also, Sarah once dropped off a Christmas present at the wrong person’s house and ate dinner with strangers. She didn’t figure it out until the next day.

Sheryl Austin, ChFC, CFP, CLU

Beacon Pointe
Partner, Managing Director

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Sheryl, a Managing Director/Partner at Beacon Pointe Advisors, has been in the finance industry for over 30 years. She’s originally from North Carolina and has called Greensboro her home for 45 years. Sheryl and her husband George have 3 children and 10 grandchildren.

Sheryl has been serving on the board of RPC since 2018, and she loves the mission of providing affordable counseling with Christ at the center. She’s passionate about supporting organizations that help women and children in need, and RPC aligns perfectly with her charitable goals. “God has blessed me with much and much is expected in my giving to others. This is a small way that I can show my appreciation for what has been given to me.”

Sheryl is grateful for her fellow board members and their shared passion for Christ and service to Him and others. “By knowing them, I am challenged to be a better person, to love deeper, and to give more of myself.”

In her free time, Sheryl loves to make people laugh, give hugs, and binge-watch good shows for hours. She says, “I can literally sit there for 12 hours straight!”

FUN FACT: During her early 20s, Sheryl starred in a commercial with Richard Petty for the Oak Wood Homes 500. She says that this was the beginning and ending of a very successful acting career.