Organizational Leadership

Mr. Wayne Harvey has a wealth of professional experience in the field of Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities. He has served in several professional capacities throughout his career in the Comprehensive Care Center System and with the Cabinet for Health Services before coming to Independent Opportunities. Mr. Wayne Harvey is also a retired veteran of the United States armed forces. He has completed numerous assignments and was recognized on numerous occasions during his 20 year career for outstanding performance and retired an officer with very high standards ethically, personally and professionally.

Mr. Harvey has a bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Morehead State University and he also obtained a masters degree in Healthcare Administration. He has taken the knowledge he gained from previous places of employment, experiences and his on-going development from attending current state and national conferences and seminars to stay abreast of current best practices in the field and utilized that information to build a strong organization that is committed to excellence. Mr. Harvey also ensures that Independent Opportunities has strong professional leadership that strives to empower individuals by creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment in which people with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities can live and prosper. Mr. Wayne Harvey would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the main office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program. Mr. Harvey firmly believes that most people can succeed in the community with the appropriate supports.

Mr. Johnny Callebs has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the human services field. He has numerous years of experience that includes child protection work with the Department of Community Based Services, supervisory experience as Regional Supervisor for Guardianship Services in Kentucky and Quality Assurance/Field Office Supervisor for the Supports for Community Living waiver program within the Division of Mental Retardation in the state of Kentucky. He has also been with Independent Opportunities in a Senior Management position since 2001. Mr. Callebs attended Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a B.A. in Sociology and the University of Kentucky where he earned an M.S.W. degree. Mr. Callebs has brought his skills and the experience he has gained throughout his career to Independent Opportunities to help build a strong organization that strives for excellence. Mr. Callebs is dedicated to providing strong leadership to ensure that quality supports are provided to individuals and their families. Mr. Johnny Callebs would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the Richmond office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program. Mr. Callebs believes that given an opportunity and the necessary supports, anyone can succeed in the community.

Ms. Shannon McCracken brings a wealth of management and personal experience to the position of Regional/Executive Director with Independent Opportunities. She has numerous years of supervisory experience, including specific supervisory experience as Program Director and Executive Director for Supports for Community Living waiver programs in the field of Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities prior to joining our organization in 2007. Ms. McCracken is a native of the Lake Cumberland area and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University. She has served as an officer on various state and local committees, including the Kentucky Association of Private Providers (KAPP.) Ms. McCracken has received national leadership awards in the field prior to joining our team at Independent Opportunities. Having a family member who receives services, Ms. McCracken was naturally drawn to this field and feels that with appropriate supports and care, anyone can succeed in the community. Ms. McCracken would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the Somerset office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Mr. Gary Bultema brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the human services field. He was the Executive Director of the largest Independent Support Coordination agency in the State of Tennessee for 10 years, supporting 950 individuals with mental retardation. During the management of this role, he served as a volunteer to assist the Department of Mental Retardation in Tennessee with a comprehensive assessment of the support system and acted as an expert witness in Federal Court to present recommended changes to enhance the service system. Mr. Bultema was the Chairperson of the Tennessee Alliance of Support Coordination Agencies for 2 years encouraging the coalition to work together to enhance services for individuals with mental retardation in the State of Tennessee. He came to Kentucky as a contract consultant to coordinate the development of the current transition program for individuals moving from institutional placements into community settings. Working closely with service providers from all areas of the field of mental retardation, including family members and individuals, the transition process was successful in moving individuals into the community in a safe and comprehensive manner. Mr. Bultema has worked in management in both facility-based settings and in the community-based service system. This experience provides him with a keen understanding of the dynamics involved in the provision of quality, individualized supports. Mr. Bultema is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State University, with a background in Psychology and Sociology. Mr. Bultema would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the London office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Ms. Shelly Ward came to Independent Opportunities in early 2002 with an abundance of professional knowledge and experience in the field of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. While attending Eastern Kentucky University, where she received her Bachelor’s of Social Work, Ms. Ward began her career working with individuals with disabilities. There Ms. Ward became inspired by the accomplishments, tenacity and ability to overcome insurmountable obstacles by these individuals and realized she had found her vocation. Since then she has garnered numerous years of experience in this field which she brings to Independent Opportunities. Shelly's numerous years of experience in the MR/DD profession and her unconditional love for the field has enabled her to gradually progress through promotional opportunities due to outstanding performance to her current leadership role today. Ms. Ward is devoted to ensuring that any family or individual seeking supports receives the quality services they deserve to live successfully in the community. Ms. Ward would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the Richmond office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Mr. Bobby Harris joined the team at Independent Opportunities in 2002. Mr. Harris brought extensive experience in health care, MR/DD childhood education and leadership ability to the organzation. Since beginning his career with Independent Opportunities, Mr. Harris completed his Bachelors degree in Social Work and later achieved his Masters of Science in Health Care Administration. Mr. Harris also holds certification in teaching relational and conflict resolution skills. Mr. Harris has held various positions within the organization including Direct Supports, Residential Supervisor, Professional Services and Supports Program Coordinator and Site Director. In his current position of Quality Assurance Specialist, Mr. Harris provides technical support and educational development to team members at all levels in the organization. Mr. Harris also utilizes monitoring and review systems to continually build on quality individualized supports and services provided by the organization. Mr. Harris would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports that have been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact your nearest office of Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Ms. Leslie Hall joined the Independent Opportunities team in November 2001. Ms. Hall began her career with Independent Opportunities as a direct care support staff while receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. She quickly discovered how rewarding it was to support individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and has become a dedicated advocate. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree Ms. Hall was selected through Independent Opportunities' promotional process to become a Case Manager. While excelling as a Case Manager Ms. Hall received her Master’s degree in Human Services from Eastern Kentucky University. Ms. Hall values the education she received but truly treasures her experience gained while providing direct care supports to individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. Ms. Hall is utilizing that wealth of experience and knowledge to enhance the lives of the individuals our program supports. She is now a vital member of the Lake Cumberland supervisory team as the Professional Support Services Program Coordinator. Ms. Hall would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the Somerset office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Mr. Tommy Allen came to Independent Opportunities in early 2002. While attending Eastern Kentucky University, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Mr. Allen began his career working in a direct care capacity with individuals diagnosed with MR/DD. Through the experience Tommy received in the field and promotional opportunities due to outstanding performance he is in his current leadership role as a Professional Services Supports Program Coordinator. Mr. Allen is devoted to ensuring that any family or individual seeking supports receives the quality services they deserve to live successfully in the community. Mr. Allen would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports for someone who has been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact the London office at Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Ms. LeAnn Cline has been a member of the Independent Opportunities team since September 2002. Ms. Cline attended the University of Kentucky where she earned a B.A. in Social Work. She later earned a Masters in Human Services at Eastern Kentucky University. Since beginning her career with Independent Opportunities she has assisted those diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to achieve great success in community environments. After working primarily with adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities for many years, her dedication and growth have enabled her to progress through promotional opportunities to her current leadership role today. She is now entering a new journey to commit her efforts toward promoting the personal dignity and worth of children in need. Ms. Cline believes that all children have the right to be cherished, nurtured, and loved. Ms. Cline would welcome the opportunity for anyone interested in opening their home and their hearts to a foster child in need to contact the Richmond office at Independent Opportunities for additional information. Ms. Cline believes that the number of children in need is always too many.

Ms. Melanie Parsons joined the team at Independent Opportunities in 2000. Ms. Parsons brought extensive experience in MR/DD field and leadership ability to the organization. Ms. Parsons obtained a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in psychology. Ms. Parsons has also completed much additional training and received certifications in the MR/DD field. Ms. Parsons has held various positions within the organization including Support Coordination Supervisor, Professional Services and Supports Program Coordinator and Site Director. In her current position of Quality Assurance Specialist, Ms. Parsons provides technical support and educational development to team members at all levels in the organization. Ms. Parsons also utilizes monitoring and review systems to continually build on quality individualized supports and services provided by the organization. Ms. Parsons would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports that have been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact your nearest office of Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.

Mrs. Shirley Young brings nine years of experience, including experience as Human Resource and Quality Assurance Representative for the Supports for Community Living waiver program in the field of intellectual and /or developmental disabilities, prior to joining the organization as Quality Assurance Specialist in October 2009. Mrs. Young is a Kentucky Colonel and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. In her current position, Mrs. Young provides technical support and educational development to team members at all levels in the organization. Mrs. Young also utilizes monitoring and review systems to continually build on quality individualized supports and services provided by the organization. Mrs. Young would welcome the opportunity for anyone seeking services and supports that have been diagnosed with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities to contact your nearest office of Independent Opportunities for additional information and to arrange for a tour of our program.