Nonprofit Dedicated to Ending Homelessness – One Family at a Time – Welcomes Deon Tucker, Susie Collat, and Deborah Latham to its Governing Board
Duluth, Ga., February 7, 2023 – Ever since it was first designated an independent registered 501(c)3 non-profit in 1995, Rainbow Village has been governed by a 21-member Board of Directors. In addition to Rainbow Village team members and program graduates, the Board is made up of some of metro Atlanta’s boldest and brightest leaders. With resumes that boast such recognizable brands as Home Depot, Siemens Corporation, and Primerica, Rainbow Village Board members are charged with overseeing the delivery of outstanding services to families experiencing homelessness and acting as stewards for the nonprofit to ensure its viability for years to come. They are also tasked with evolving and expanding the Rainbow Village model to serve even more families. Joining that noble charge are three new Board members: Deon Tucker, Susie Collat, and Deborah Latham.
“My team and I are truly excited about the addition of Deon, Susie, and Deborah to our Board of Directors,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “Not only are they wildly successful powerhouses in their own right, but each of these women has a long history of giving back to the community. They have a heart for the challenges families face, which will help fuel our goal to grow our reach beyond the boundaries of Rainbow Village’s 2.5-acre campus in downtown Duluth. Between our existing members and our newest additions, all that combined vision, passion and experience will no doubt carry our organization to entirely new heights. In doing so, we’ll be able to innovate and multiply the level of support we provide to families in need throughout metro Atlanta and – possibly – beyond!”
Deon Tucker
As Georgia Power’s Metro North Regional Director, Deon leads the company’s external affairs activities for DeKalb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties. She also provides leadership and support for power delivery, customer service, sales, and community and economic development to bring value to Georgia Power customers. Having joined Georgia Power’s ranks in 1994, she has grown from temporary customer service representative to regional director in both Macon and Atlanta, with stints in human resources, field operations, and sales along the way. She has earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Troy University. In addition to her new role with Rainbow Village, Deon serves on the board of directors for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Council for Quality Growth, Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation, and Gwinnett Technical College. She is a graduate of Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Inaugural High Potential Leadership Program, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, and Leadership Henry.
Susie Collat
As a former owner of two highly successful businesses – Mayer Electric Supply Company, Inc. and Peachtree Awnings, Susie has a non-traditional perspective of retirement as she shifts her view from the corporate world to her community. In addition to serving as a Rainbow Village Board Member, Susie currently serves on the advisory board of the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett Board of Directors – where she was President for five years. During her tenure on the SNS Board, she was a pivotal member of the capital campaign team which resulted in the modernization of the campus, increasing enrollment by 75%. She has also served as a board member of the Dare to Hope Foundation where she was actively involved in its fundraising activities, and as a member of her local school council. In 2004, she was recognized with the Women of Achievement Award from Atlanta’s oldest and most diverse synagogue, The Temple. This Peachtree Corners’ resident is a proud graduate of Tulane University with a degree in Communication and Business.
Deborah Latham
Newly retired, Deborah founded Georgia Tank Lines in 1996. As CEO, she helped fuel the expansion of her trucking company that transported gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethanol. With clients that included every major oil company and retail fuel center company that operated in Georgia – ranging from Kroger and QuikTrip to Chevron and Shell, Georgia Tank Lines’ fleet of trucks was on the roads of Georgia and Alabama 365 days and 24 hours a day. Deborah continues to serve as a role model for other female entrepreneurs, having shattered the glass ceiling in the male-dominated petroleum industry during her company’s 26 years in business. In addition to her new role on the Rainbow Village board, Deborah has served on the boards of various nonprofit organizations – including National Association of Women Business Owners, Visions Anew and Good Mews, among others. She is a proud graduate – with honors – of the University of Tennessee.
Rolling off the Rainbow Village Board this year is Marshall Barton after six years of service. Conner added, “We remain so grateful for every person who has served on our governing board since its launch. Each has had a hand in elevating Rainbow Village to where it stands today and to even higher heights in the future for the benefit of the families we serve. Our Board is the village within the Village – connected by a singular and all-important purpose… to bring Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness.”
To learn more about Rainbow Village and its programs, make a donation or register as a volunteer, visit www.RainbowVillage.org.
About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991, Rainbow Village is a transformative 501(c)3 nonprofit program located in Duluth, GA that serves families that are currently experiencing homelessness. Our model provides safe housing, education, and community support systems that allow families to confidently embark on the journey to self-sufficiency and thrive beyond our village. To learn more about the mission at the heart of Rainbow Village, make a tax-deductible donation or register as a volunteer, visit www.RainbowVillage.org. To stay up-to-date on the latest Rainbow Village news and events, the nonprofit invites you to connect with them on social media, including Facebook @RainbowVillageInc, Instagram @rainbowvillageinc, Twitter @rainbowvillage1, and LinkedIn @rainbow-village-inc.
