Board Members
Ben Wallace
Board Chair, Lumpkin County
Biography
Ben Wallace is a retired businessman. During his career he spent 17 years in the oil business working for Atlantic Richfield (now part of BP). He served in a variety of corporate and operational roles including Controller of the Marine Division and CFO of the company’s mid-west pipeline operations. He also worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation serving as CFO, Interim Deputy of Operations and Manager of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Ben completed his corporate career as Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer for several large water and waste-water infrastructure projects for the engineering and environmental service firm CH2MHILL.
Ben is currently serving for a third time as the Treasurer for Saint Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Dahlonega and is a member of the church Vestry. In the past he volunteered at and managed the Food, Thrift and Clothing stores for the Community Helping Place in Dahlonega. He was also the Treasurer of the Bear On The Square Mountain Music Festival for five years. He has also been a member of the Board of No One Alone (NOA) and the Episcopal Charity Foundation.
Ben attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he received his undergraduate degree in Economics and MBA from the Anderson School. Ben and his wife Gladys have three children.
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE. THE LOVE AND SUPPORT WE GIVE THEM TODAY WILL BE FORMATIVE IN THEIR TOMORROWS.
Jennifer Little
Vice Chair, Personnel, Lumpkin County
Biography
Jennifer received her BS in Business Administration & Management from Brenau University and her MBA in Healthcare Management from Brenau University. Jennifer comes with thirty years of experience in healthcare management working for Northeast Georgia Physicians Group where she serves as Administrative Director for Behavioral Health and Primary Care. Ms. Little is a member of: American College or Healthcare Executives and Medical Group Management Association. Ms. Little while serving on the Enotah CASA Board is also a CASA for our children. Ms. Little has 3 beautiful children, Noah, Savannah and Madeline, whom she enjoys spending time with them.
Anne Marie “Annie” Shreiber
Fundraising, Lumpkin County
Biography
Annie is a multicultural entrepreneur, respected Board member, and talented organizer. She and her husband Nick have lived in eight countries, and she has made a societal impact in many of them.
Born in Sweden to Swiss parents, as a baby her family moved to Argentina where she grew up and completed her education in four languages (Spanish, English, French and Swiss-German). Soon after her marriage to Nick in 1973, they moved to Switzerland, where her work for an international finance institution enabled Nick to complete his MBA studies.
Thereafter, Nick’s career allowed them to live an international life. During her years in Mexico, Annie decided to put her languages to work and, together with two other like-minded women, founded a successful translating/interpreting Company which existed for many years. When their lives took them to Spain, Annie became a free-lance translator.
Annie and Nick spent two more stints in Switzerland; during the first (1989-1992) she and a few other young mothers started the Parents Association in their children’s Commonwealth American School in Lausanne. During their last period living in Switzerland (2000-2008), Annie founded the Tetra Laval Women’s International Group (TWIG) to support and guide wives of expatriate executives within the Tetra Laval Group, who were typically not able to work due to visa restrictions; she was the President of TWIG for its first three years.
When they first moved to the United States in 1992, Annie joined the Board of UNICEF, became a volunteer for the non-profit organization Families First, and was on the Board – and also President – of the Atlanta International Women’s Club. After Nick’s retirement, they moved back to the United States and settled permanently in Dahlonega. There, she met Della Lago and knew immediately that, in joining CASA, she would fulfill her passion for giving, and for changing the lives of children. Currently, Annie is on the Board of, and a volunteer for, Enotah CASA. Annie will always be passionate about the children for whom she advocates!
Annie and Nick have two happily-married sons and five grandchildren that keep them quite busy and entertained. Annie’s principal hobby is sculpting, where she discovered a latent and exciting talent. In addition, for many years Annie has enjoyed hiking, bareboat sailing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, and playing tennis.
John Seymour
Treasurer, Towns County
Biography
John Seymour has over 40 years of experience focusing on financial management, process improvements and information technology in the oil industry and non-profit sectors.
John volunteers with the Towns County Sheriff’s Auxiliary and enjoys woodworking, walks and playing pickleball. John grew up in NYC and moved to Atlanta following high school. He graduated from the University of Georgia with an accounting degree. He has been married to Jill for over 40 years, and has two sons and five grandchildren.
He retired to the beautiful mountains in Hiwassee GA in 2016. While not initially familiar with CASA, a recommendation from the Towns County Commissioner put him in touch with Liz Ruf and he has served on the board since 2018.
Liz Ruf
Fundraising, Executive Com. , Towns County
Biography
B.S. Early Childhood Education-Georgia Southwestern State University
M.A.-University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Liz is a retired Human Resources Executive who worked for 25 years for Bellsouth and was introduced to CASA through an associate. One of her subordinates saved her paid time off to attend juvenile hearings for her CASA children and Liz recognized how valuable CASA work was and wanted to devote her time in retirement. “I always knew that I would get back to working with children in some way and when a former subordinate mentioned CASA to me, I knew it was my place to give back to the community”. Liz began as a volunteer advocate with Enotah CASA in 2007 and has had an opportunity to work with over 50 families and served over 70 children in that time. She joined the Board of Directors of Enotah CASA in 2015 and has served as Chairwoman of the Board, Chairwoman of the Personnel/Governance Committee and serves on the Fund Raising Committee. She was the Producer of CASA’s premiere fundraising event, Dancing with North Georgia Stars in Blairsville for four years. Liz enjoys volunteering to help with any and all fundraising events including the Mountain Arts Festival, Sorghum Festival and most recently the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.
Liz currently is working two cases and just passed the 4-year mark with a case that is had many ups and downs. These children will have a forever home soon and they are happy and thriving with their current placement. Liz and Joe built their home in Hiawassee in 1997, but moved here permanently in 2006. They also spend time in St Simons Island/The Golden Isles in the winter. They love to travel and just returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest. A barge trip in the Loire Valley of France is next in September. Liz sings with the Grace Notes, a small ladies’ ensemble at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church and she volunteers to help the Towns County Chamber of Commerce at events.
Stephanie Stubblefield
Fundraising, Union County
Biography
Stephanie Stubblefield has dedicated 27 years to teaching young students. She is currently teaching kindergarten at Union County Primary School in Blairsville, Georgia. With a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Education from North Georgia College and State University, and an Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University, she has built a career marked by excellence and recognition. Her passion for nurturing young minds has driven her nearly three-decade-long journey in education. Stephanie believes every child is unique and capable of learning, and she sees it as her responsibility to help each student reach their fullest potential. Creating a safe, trusting environment where every child feels loved and valued is at the heart of her teaching philosophy.
Nichole Limbaugh
Secretary, White County
Biography
Nicole is a devoted family woman who loves spending time with her loved ones, especially boating and camping at Lake Chatuge. As a nurturing individual, she spent twelve years as a Pre-K teacher, shaping young minds and hearts. She then transitioned to a successful twenty-year career as a hairdresser, even owning her own salon. Currently, Nicole dedicates her time to serving her community as a member of the CASA board, a role she’s held for over a year.
Tania Lightsey
Fundraising, White County
Biography
My name is Tania Lightsey, and I’ve called Cleveland, Georgia home for the past 31 years. I’m a proud mother of five and a grandmother to four—with our fifth grandchild arriving soon! My heart has always been rooted in caring for children. I spent several years teaching in Head Start programs before choosing to stay home to raise my children and later help with my grandchildren.
Today, I’m a realtor serving the North Georgia area, but my passion for children and families remains a core part of who I am. When I learned about CASA and the incredible role they play in advocating for children in the foster care system, I knew I wanted to be a part of that mission. It’s an honor to serve and support children through CASA and help ensure they are seen, heard, and given the chance to thrive.
Aunderea Owenby
Fundraising, Union County
Biography
Aunderea was born and raised in Blairsville, GA. She is married to Greg and they have two daughters. She is currently employed at United Community Bank, where she has worked for over 30 years. Her career has been in the lending area and quality control. She volunteers with her church in the children’s program, vacation bible school and Feed the Hungry. As Aunderea’s children grew up she began to look for opportunities to volunteer. Although for only a short amount of time, CASA has been an opportunity to serve others so they have a safe and healthy environment.
Wilma Bammer
Fundraising, Lumpkin County
Biography
I was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, and I have a degree in office management from Indiana University. Most of my work experience in the 20 years after I graduated was either temporary or part time because of family responsibilities.
After my children were in middle or high school, I took a position as a legal secretary for an attorney who specialized in federal civil rights litigation. I eventually became office manager and supervised other clerical workers and law students who were interning in the office. I retired from this position after 14 years.
After retirement, I felt the need to give back. I heard about the CASA program and took the training in the very early days of Enotah CASA. I had a few cases and then had an opportunity to go to work for Lumpkin County DFCS as a foster care case manager. I also recruited and trained foster parents and became supervisor of foster care.
So, when I learned about the opportunity to become a member of the CASA board, I jumped the chance. I believe I have a good knowledge of the legal system, how the DFCS system works and the need for children to have their own advocate.