Leadership
Chris Leacock
President
Chris Leacock came to Fayetteville in August of 1971 from Newport News Va. She has one daughter with high functioning autism. Ms. Leacock graduated from 71st High School and Fayetteville Technical Community College. She is currently employed as a Dental Technician. Ms. Leacock has been on the Board of Directors of the ASCC since 2001. During this time has served as President, Vice-President and Treasurer and is the facilitator of the HFA Support Group of the ASCC. She enjoys reading,trivia and bingo. Ms. Leacock would like to see the ASCC continue forward with making a positive difference in the lives of people within the ASD and their families.
Brandy Mello
Vice President
Brandy Mello, a Fayetteville native, has an AA Degree from Cisco Jr. College in Abilene, TX. She is employed by MedQuest Associates as a medical transcriptionist. Ms. Mello also serves on the Leadership Team of the Sista-Herd, a non-denominational women’s retreat ministry. She also works closely with the Special Needs Ministry at her church, Arran Lake Baptist Church, and has served as teacher to the special needs Vacation Bible School class. In addition to serving as the ASCC Secretary in the past, Ms. Mello also facilitates the ABC Support Group of the ASCC. She is married and has two boys, the older of whom has autism.
Crystal Harrell
Secretary
Crystal Harrell is married and the mother of 2 children, one of whom has autism . She graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Education. Ms. Harrell is a stay at home mom and has been the parent leader of the ASCC Circle of Parents support group for three years. She has received training to facilitate the COP support group according to the NC Circle of Parents Program model of Prevent Child Abuse NC. Ms. Harrell joined the ASCC Board of Directors in 2016.
Anna Fasul Finch
Treasurer
Anna Finch, a Fayetteville native, has a BA Degree in Psychology and Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She spent several years working for the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services in a federally funded pilot program for at-risk children from low income homes. Ms. Finch later worked as a member of the management team for a multi-unit restaurant operation located in Cumberland and surrounding counties. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Mental Health Center, the Autism Society of North Carolina, and the Family Support Network of Cumberland County. In 1999 she received the Parent Advocate of the Year Award from the Autism Society of North Carolina for outstanding contributions in advancing the welfare of persons with autism. Through grants, she secured the funding for Camp Sunshine and to open the ASCC office. She has served as President and Vice President and has been involved in program development and implementation for the ASCC since 1993. Ms. Finch is married and the mother of two sons, the younger of whom has autism.
John Allen
Director
John Allen has a BS Degree in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University, in Pennsylvania. Mr. Allen is a registered Professional Engineer in CA, SC, and NC. He is currently employed by the Public Works Commission of the City of Fayetteville, in the Water Resources Engineering Department. He has been with PWC for over 10 years. Prior to joining PWC, Mr. Allen worked for a private consulting firm and the U.S. Department of Interior. He is married and has a son with Asperger’s. Mr. Allen was elected to the ASCC Board of Directors in May 2013.
Melissa M. Reed
Director
Melissa M. Reed was born in Fort Carson, Colorado but declares Charleston, South Carolina as home. She is a proud Army Brat who as resided in North Carolina since 1981. She graduated from Fayetteville State University with her BS in Psychology. She is a lifelong learner who earned her Masters from Central Michigan University in Public Administration and is pursuing a second Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Campbell University. Ms. Reed has also served as a Social Worker with a private agency as well as the County Department of Social Services in the area of Family Preservation and Child Protective Services during the period of 1993 to 2009. In addition to earning a Master’s Degree, she holds a Certification of Non-Profit Management from Duke University. Ms. Reed served as the 2013-2014 President of the Junior League of Fayetteville and is the third Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal Pines, serving forty-one counties in central and eastern North Carolina.
Staff
Cecilia R. Bailey
Director of Programs and Outreach
Cece Bailey joined the Autism Society of Cumberland County as the Director of Programs and Outreach in June. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from UNC-Wilmington and her Master’s Degree in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service. In her spare time, Ms. Bailey loves to walk with her dogs, Cooper and Rosa, throw dinner parties for friends and family, and hike.