Our Team
Kurt Miller
CEO
Kurt serves as the CEO of Empowering People Management. He has over 20 years of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is a graduate of Tiffin University and began his career as a floor supervisor in a 60 bed ICF/IDD. He then served as the unit coordinator at a 52 bed ICF/IDD before assuming the role of associate residential director at Evant in Akron for 8 years. He then continued his career as the chief operations officer for Provider Services. In 2012 he moved into the role of owner and CEO for Empowering People Management and has continued to work towards growing and improving the services provided by Empowering People. Kurt is fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated administrative team that focuses on quality services for the people we serve. Kurt is an active member of OPRA while serving on committees to improve services and options for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. EPI is a progressive company, downsizing over 250 licensed beds into smaller, community based homes. This commitment is aligned with the vision of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Kurt is a certified crisis intervention trainer and is active in the daily operations of the locations Empowering People operates. Personally, Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and four children Drew, twins Jaxson and Joslyn and the youngest, Kadence. He also enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his family and lifelong friends.
Angie Hannahs-Davis
Regional Director
Angie brings 24 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities. She began her career as a TPW/DSP at Montgomery Developmental Center working with individuals with intense behavioral needs. There she performed a variety of additional roles including home supervisor (RCS), QIDP, and Quality Assurance.
She earned her B.S. in Psychology in 1994 and her M.S. in Business in 1999 both from Wright State University. She worked at ResCare for over 12 years where she wore a variety of hats including Operations Manager in Columbus, Executive Director in Dayton, and Regional Director for all Ohio operations.
Angie served on the OPRA Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2011 and was the state representative for Ohio at ANCOR in 2010-2011. Angie also worked for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as a Residential Resource Administrator, supporting providers and county boards with DC downsizing and ICF bed conversion initiatives. She joined the Empowering People team in 2012, where she supports multiple ICF facilities and waiver programs throughout Ohio.
Melissa Venrick
Director of Clinical Services
Melissa Venrick is the Director of Clinical Services for Empowering People Inc. She is responsible for overseeing and advocating for the physical health including the well-being of all individuals in the ICF/DD and Waiver locations. She has been promoting health and wellness for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) since 1994.
While in nursing school she volunteered for her local EMS and completed EMT training intending to pursue a career as a Flight Nurse. After nursing school she attended Paramedic training as well as accepting two part time nursing positions; charge nurse in a 34 bed ICF/DD facility and hospital float nurse covering ICU and the medical/surgical units. She later accepted a full time position in a long term care facility but continued to work her days off at the ICF/DD facility. Soon her dream of becoming a Flight Nurse was replaced with advocating and providing care to individuals with IDD. She has served as a charge nurse, delegating nurse, DON, QIPD and worked in ICF/DD facilities, group homes, and waiver settings. Always eager to learn and experience new things, Melissa also worked as an investigator for the County Coroner’s office and as a camp nurse providing medical care to adults and children with Traumatic Brain Injury, IDD, severe behaviors, and asthma.
Melissa was drawn to providing care and supporting individuals with IDD because there seemed to be very few people supporting them to achieve their wants, needs, and dreams. She wanted to offer her voice and determination to speak up on their behalf to ensure they received everything most people took for granted. They need people to advocate for their rights, medical treatment and options, and to find ways to help them reach their goals. Melissa enjoys finding ways for individuals to learn new tasks, obtain new jobs, live in a smaller setting, and experience new things. The joy of watching individuals achieve these dreams only made her want to work harder to make more dreams a reality. Her passion for supporting individuals with IDD compelled her to volunteer to be a guardian for an individual whom she once worked with. This gives her additional knowledge and avenues for advocating within the legal system for her friend as well as the individuals she serves. She is a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurse Association. She has been an RN trainer for DODD’s Medication Administration Curriculums since 2000. She has also been teaching First Aid, CPR and AED for the Red Cross since 2000.
Melissa is the proud mother of two children. She enjoys attending and sometimes coaching soccer, softball, gymnastics, swimming, and any other sport that takes her children’s fancy. The family enjoys exploring the great outdoors whether it be traveling, hiking, canoeing, camping or laying outside in a hammock reading a book. They enjoy celebrating and decorating for all the major holidays and throwing elaborate birthday party celebrations. They have shared their home with as many as 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rats, and a handful of fish. Although these numbers are currently down, they are not accepting any new pets at this time.
Melissa is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with IDD throughout their lifespans by offering practical solutions for the unique barriers that can occur in challenging situations and conditions. Feel free to contact her at
MVenrick@empowering-people.net
Kim Vournazos
Kim has 22 years of experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities. She started as a QIDP at Foundations in Clark County, Ohio in April of 2001 and then moved to Administrator of Clark County locations in October 2007. In 2021 Kim stepped away from her Administrator role to spend more time with family. She will be working behind the scenes on various tasks to support her co-workers as the new Marketing Director. Kim received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Family Relationships from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2001 and earned her Nursing Home Administrator License in 2009. Kim is a Physical/Psychological Management Training (PMT) Trainer, certified in Trauma Responsive Care and a member of Tri State Trauma Network.
Kim enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Chris, three young boys, Isaiah, Ian and Joseph, and Piper, the family’s beloved German Shepherd/Greyhound 4 legged human. Family is most important and together we participate in the local Boy Scout Program as well as many sports programs such as soccer, basketball and cross country. For family fun we enjoy the Zoo, roller skating, bike riding, board games and Euchre.
Charles Williams
In 2001 Charles earned his Elementary Education degree from Hiram College, in Hiram, Ohio. He began his career working as a Therapeutic Support Staff with Associates in Counseling and Child Guidance. Charles made a difference in the lives of children served for about 9 years. In 2010 he was offered a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional at Broadfield, a large ICF/DD with Empowering People, Inc., which he accepted. His drive and passion for serving others continued and in 2011 was promoted to Administrator or Stark County homes where he remains today. Charles is a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer with PMT Associates.
Charles lives in Warren, Ohio with his beautiful wife Natalie and their 4 children.
Hannah Gerlosky
Hannah Gerlosky’s career in the field of Developmental Disabilities began 11 years ago when she accepted her first job as a dietary aide in a large ICF located in her hometown of Madison, Ohio.
She quickly realized how much she enjoyed working with and for the residents and exhibited a talent for bringing a sense of fun and creative energy to everyone’s daily routines. Desiring more involvement with the residents’ activities of daily life, Hannah took a position as a Direct Support Professional. This position and experience provided the motivation to attend Ohio University and major in Sociology. While attending college, she continued to work as a DSP on semester breaks and summer vacation.
In 2011, Hannah graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree. She was now able to accept a position as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional. She held the QIDP position at two facilities; one in Madison, Ohio and another in Mason, Ohio. These environments enabled her to hone her skills as a supervisor and strengthened her desire to advocate even more for the individuals she served.
In 2015, Hannah accepted the position of Administrator at Vienna Meadows in South Vienna, Ohio. She continues to provide Administrative services at Vienna Meadows while fulfilling the dual role of QIDP for the facility. Towards the end of 2020 Hannah increased her role in Clark County and is the Administrator of not only Vienna Meadows, but Whispering Pines of Springfield and all waiver services. Her approach is person-centered and her advocacy remains unwavering.
William Maynard
William has over 20 years’ experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities. He first served as a QIDP with Echoing Hills Village, Inc., and has served in the capacity of an Administrator with Empowering People since 2001. He currently is the Administrator of Takoda Trails and oversees 3 ICF operations as well as waiver operations in Butler, Clermont and Hamilton Counties. William led the downsizing of Takoda Trails which resulted in the building of 13 homes at 4 locations throughout Butler and Hamilton Counties. He is also active in assisting individuals with community integration thru Empowering People waiver operations. William received his Bachelor of Science degree from Wilmington College in 1997.
Kim Russell Smith
Kim has been working in the field of Developmental Disabilities for over 20 years and has been the Administrator at Brookside Extended Care since 2007. Prior to her service at Brookside, Kim served as a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) at the Hamilton County Board of DD as well as created the Constant Companions day program which was one of the first alternatives to sheltered workshops in Hamilton County. This program offered not only day habilitation services but community employment. After partnering with the Hattie Larlham Foundation, the Constant Companions Program became available statewide. Prior to her service in the field of disabilities, Kim worked as an Investigator for the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services in the Sex Abuse Unit. Kim has made a commitment throughout her career to assuring the health and safety of the individuals she serves and has become an advocate for individuals who cannot speak for themselves. Kim believes that individuals with disabilities should be given choices and that families should be the primary decision makers for their loved ones when their loved ones cannot make choices on their own. As a former County Board SSA and a current ICF/IID and waiver provider, Kim is committed to assisting families in making informed decisions in regards to care. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Xavier University in 1995.
Jen Belty
I have had over 20 years experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I started my career working with children with emotional and behavioral challenges as an early childhood interventionist. I have worked in a variety of environments including classrooms, summer camps, community homes and facilities. My education is from the University of Akron where I studied Child and Family development with an emphasis on Child Life. As an Administrator with Empowering People I strive to be supportive and compassionate in the work I do and for the people I work with.
Kellie began working in the field of Developmental Disabilities almost 30 years ago as direct care staff in a small 4-bed group home. After graduating from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology she began working as a Job Coach and Job Placement Specialist where she assisted individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in preparing for and obtaining jobs and then providing them with job and travel training, After a couple of years working in the vocational side of the field, she made the move to residential, starting her career at her current location in 1996 as a Program Manager with Royal Manor, Inc. In her position as Program Director with ResCare, Kellie assisted with the downsizing of the original ICF/IDD and the opening and operation of several waiver homes in the county. She has remained at the same location through changes in operator and ownership and began in her current position as Administrator and QIDP with Empowering People, Inc in May 2018.
My background is working with Individual’s in behavioral health, Medicaid and working as a case manager for over 10 years. Prior to working in this filed I worked as a Claim Representative at Social Security for over 6 years.
I graduated from Kent State University-Ashtabula Campus with my Bachelors degree in Arts and Science. I pursed my Master’s degree in Social Work at Cleveland State University in 2015 and received my second Master’s degree at Franklin University in 2021 in Health Care Administration. I'd love to pursue my Doctoral Degree in either Health Care Administration or in Education.
I started working at Empowering People Inc. on July 5, 2023 as Administrator. My passion is working with Individual’s with a disability with behavioral health issues and advocating for them. I am currently the Administrator at Manor Home and Stewart Lodge.
I live in Ashtabula County with my son Aaron, who is pursing his Bachelor’s Degree at Youngstown State University in Industrial Engineering.