LPAEF Board Member Biographies
Sherre Padgett, M.A.Ed., Ed.S.
Mrs. Sherre A. Padgett, Ed.S., is a highly respected educator, leader, and mentor with more than 25 years of experience helping students prepare for success in school, college, careers, and life. Her educational career began in the high school classroom where she taught Biology and related sciences for Midfield City Schools and Montgomery Public Schools. After exiting the classroom, she worked in academic support services for Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. She co-founded and currently serves as the Lead Principal of Life Preparatory Academy (a well-respected K-12 online school) and is the Founder and CEO of Sherre Padgett Education Consulting Services, or SPECS, where she has worked with students, schools, universities, and organizations across the region to strengthen academic performance, increase test scores for the ACT, SAT, and GRE among others, and open doors to scholarship and college opportunities. She is also an interviewer for the prestigious, national Gates Foundation Scholarship Program. As a Founding Member and Board President of the LPAEF, she is committed to expanding opportunities for young people through initiatives and programs that serve youth in rural and underserved communities.
Mrs. Padgett’s academic journey reflects both excellence and determination. She earned her Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University and plans to continue to pursue her Doctor of Education there as well. She also holds a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-Med from Xavier University of Louisiana. Her academic achievement began in south Montgomery County, AL, where she graduated in 1992 as Salutatorian of Montgomery County High School in Ramer, Alabama, a reminder that great things can grow from small communities when determination, faith, and opportunity come together.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mrs. Padgett is deeply committed to Christ and the ministry. Her passion for Christ started at her home church, Warrior Hill Baptist Church in Pine Level, AL., where she first served as minister of music. She and her husband founded Iron Life Ministries, a youth-centered ministry focusing on Biblical teaching, education, and the Arts. She currently serves as the Minister of Music at New Adka Baptist Church in Dadeville, Alabama, and has been involved in music ministry for many years, using her gifts in singing, songwriting, and music to inspire worship.
Most importantly, she is a devoted family woman. She is the wife of Rev. W. Dale Padgett, Sr., and together they are the proud parents of six children, and grandparents of 3.
Mrs. Padgett has spent her life encouraging young people to believe in their potential, pursue excellence in education, and walk boldly in the purpose God has placed inside of them.
Candace Potts
Ms. Potts is a Founding Member and Board Secretary for LPAEF. She currently serves as Executive Director of Padgett Global, a conglomerate of companies that provide services in the fields of education and entertainment. Ms. Potts has specialized in event planning and executive-level support for nonprofit organizations and companies for over 10 years. She also owns Candy Pea's Tutoring Services for grades K-6 where she serves an array of students in-person and online. Additionally, she well-regarded in the region for her event planning expertise through Candy Pea's Event Planning Services.
Her experiences in administration, logistics, and operations are pivotal for cross-functional collaboration and operational proficiency, which are crucial skills for maximizing LPAEF's effectiveness for the youth and communities we serve.
W. Dale, Padgett, Sr.
Rev. W. Dale Padgett, Sr. serves as Pastor of Iron Life Ministries, Inc. and has served in ministry at the support and pastoral levels for over 20 years. Through his visionary leadership and love for education, he established Life Preparatory Academy under the ministry to serve to provide transformational education opportunities for students in rural Alabama. At LPA, scholars and staff affectionately call him "Mr. P."
He is also the owner of Padgett Media 360, an entertainment company that specializes in creating products and providing services for stage, screen, print, digital, and music media. With an extensive background in entertainment and entrepreneurship, Mr. Padgett continues to use his experiences to promote and expand opportunities for his clients.
He is an avid mentor, teacher, team-builder and leader that is a proven asset to students, businesses, nonprofits, religious organizations, and his community. Additionally, Rev. Padgett is the proud father of 6 children and 3 grandchildren.
Mary Givens, M.B.A.
Bio Coming Soon!
Teresa Scott, B.S.N., R.N.
Teresa is a native of Selma, AL where she attended and graduated from Selma High School. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. She is currently an RN in the outpatient Dept at Baptist East, Montgomery, AL. She strongly believes that every child who wants opportunities to learn and grow should have them, no matter where they reside.
Teresa is the wife of Gregory Scott and the mother of two children: Terence and Carrington. Additionally, Teresa is an active member of the Flatline Church at Chisholm in Montgomery, AL where she also serves the community and surrounding areas through volunteer efforts with the Flatline Community Coalition.
Marlene D. Torbert, B.S.N., R.N.
Marlene is a proud native of Camp Hill, Alabama and 1994 graduate of her alma mater, formerly known as Edward Bell High School. A passion to medically help others lead her to pursue a career in nursing. She has served as a nurse for over25 years and currently holds a bachelor’s degree in the nursing profession. Throughout her career, she has provided direct nursing care to various populations serving in hospital, academic, and rural community-based settings. Also, she is not a stranger to the education community due to being a former full -time home school teacher and teaching Health Occupations courses within the Geogia public school system.
Like most growing up in rural Alabama, academic enrichment opportunities were scarce. That fuels Marlene's strong belief that if students are properly discipled in the Word of God and provided with the right opportunities, resources, and support, they will excel, become lifelong learners, and most importantly be disciples of Jesus Christ. Personally, Marlene was fortunate and humbled to have had her life touch by God and those God place along her path growing up in rural Camp Hill. As a result, Marlene aspires to provide similar opportunities for others.
Aside from professional pursuits, Marlene is married to Pastor Keith L. Torbert, and they are the parents to seven children, known as Team Torbert. Together, they enjoy local and abroad missions, as well as community outreach and evangelism. In summary, like most, Marlene is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, parent of a current homeschooler, and a full time nurse who remains on a journey with God with a desire to live life fully as disciple of Christ pointing others to Him.
Juanita Nessinger, Media Sales & Marketing Leader
Juanita began her career, specifically working in gaming and tech, more years ago than she will share here. Currently, Juanita Nessinger is the VP, Business Development and Marketing in the financial tech sector, a sales and marketing leader within the gaming and technology sectors. Juanita has served in multiple Senior Level management positions (Vice President), including Enthusiast Gaming, Shacknews, SitePoint and Vertical Online Media, where she was responsible for all digital media revenues in addition to managing international teams. Previously, she held Senior Management positions at Imagine Publishing (now Future Publishing) AdScape (Purchased by Google), Computec Media, CMP (now UBM) and Miller Freeman (now UBM).
With a career born out of experience from Miller Freeman and CMP Media, Juanita has received exceptional training in sales, management/mentoring, leadership, consultative sales, presentations/presenting, as well as overall cross-channel marketing strategies. She utilizes this skill set to work consultatively with her partners and ultimately grow and exceed revenue expectations on a consistent basis.