Board of Directors

J. Michael Petty, J.D., Chair
Assistant Public Defender, Walton County Public Defender’s Office

Michael has lived in Athens since 1998 and works in Monroe as an Assistant Public Defender. Michael has been active in the Athens community, serving for 5 years on the Board of Directors of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation, including one year as President. He also currently serves on the Board of Georgia Equality, the statewide LGBT political advocacy organization in Georgia, and as one of two representatives from North America on the Board of the International Lesbian and Gay Association. Michael first got involved with AIDS Athens as a member of the fundraising committee in 2002 and joined the Board of Directors the following year.

Lauren Fancher
Director of GALILEO Support Services, University of Georgia

Lauren Fancher is a longtime Athens resident and graduate of UGA. She is employed as the Director of GALILEO Support Services at the University System of Georgia. GALILEO is Georgia's Virtual Library, providing online research and information access to Georgia citizens through their public libraries, colleges and universities, and K12 schools. Lauren joined the Board in March 2010 and also volunteers for Hands On Northeast Georgia as the coordinator of volunteer photographers.

Myra Moore
Senior Lecturer and Director of Assessment, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia

Myra joined the AIDS Athens Board in July 2011, after serving as a member of the Finance Committee. She received her Ph.D. from UGA in 1994, and she is currently employed as a senior lecturer in UGA’s Department of Economics. Myra and her husband, David Lynn, have hosted an annual Festival of Life dinner since 2002, and they are also avid supporters of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation. Myra and David have one child, Tommy, who is a student at Chase Street Elementary School.

Mumbi Okundaye, MPH, Secretary
Research Coordinator, University of Georgia's Center for Health & Risk Commnication

Mumbi has lived in Athens since 1989. After having moved away briefly for her undergraduate years and travel abroad, she returned to Athens in 2004 and has worked fort he University of Georgia in various capacities. In 2009, Mumbi received her Masters in Public Health degree, concentrating in health policy, and also earned a certificate in Gerontology. She is currently working as a research coordinator, specializing in health communication in high-risk older adult populations. As a board member, she looks forward to expanding her experience as an advocate for HIV/AIDS issues in Athens.

Beth Richardson
Electron Microscopy Coordinator, Plant Bio Dept., University of Georgia

Beth has lived in Athens since August 1986. She has been a supporter of AIDS Athens since 1989 and served on the Board of Directors in the 90s.  From 1999 - 2005, Beth served on the Board of the Boybutante AIDS Foundation (performing at times as Andre Champale). In 2009, the memorial service for a dear friend and amazing activist (Emily Jones) made her realize that she needed to be involved in the Athens community again. She joined the Board of AIDS Athens again in March 2010.

Karen Schlanger, MPH
Doctoral Student, Health Promotion, University of Georgia, College of Public Health

Karen moved to Athens in 2006. She has been working in the field of public health for the past 12 years, designing, managing and evaluating public health programs in Ohio, New Mexico, New York and Georgia. Karen has been involved with HIV/AIDS advocacy and prevention work since 1990 both as a volunteer and professionally. Karen is currently a doctoral student in UGA's College of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior. Karen joined the Board in 2007.

Julie Walters
Director, Classic Center Cultural Foundation

Julie has lived in Watkinsville since 1994. She was the co-chair of the We Let The Dawgs Out public exhibit that turned Athens into an outdoor museum with over 50 painted fiberglass bulldawgs. AIDS Athens was one of the beneficiaries of the silent auction of the smaller replicas in 2003 and the sole beneficiary for the auction of the big Bulldawgs in 2010. Julie is a member of the GFWC/Four Corners Woman’s Club.

John Allen Wolfe, Treasurer
Auditor, Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County

John was first appointed auditor of Athens-Clarke County in 1993 by former Mayor Gwen O'Looney and has been reappointed by three different mayors. John became involved with AIDS Service Organizations in the 1990's and has served as chair of both AIDS Athens and the Northeast Georgia HIV/AIDS Consortium. In 2004, he received the Boybutante AIDS Foundation's Community Service Award for an individual.