Staff

Lori Jones-Perkins

Lori Jones-Perkins, Executive Director

Lori was named Executive Director effective July 31, 2023.  Lori has a deep understanding of non-profit work in Knox County and served as the Executive Director of New Directions for 5 years and the Assistant Director for Knox County Head Start for 8 years. She has partnered with several of our United Way funded agencies as part of her previous professional work.  As the new Executive Director, Lori is committed to educating our community on the efforts of United Way of Knox County’s focus areas of education, financial stability, and health.  Lori intends to do this by creating a visible workplace campaign each year and continuing to build new relationships in our community while fostering established relationships with donors. Lori holds a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Counseling from Liberty University and her undergrad is from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. A 2016 Leadership Knox graduate, Lori is a lifelong resident of Knox County and resides in Apple Valley with her husband, William. They have two grown children, Carter & Mya. In their spare time, you will find them cheering on the MVNU Men’s basketball team, traveling, or spending time with their extended family.

lori@uwayknox.org

 

 

Dee Hoeflich, Office Manager

Dee Hoeflich, Office Manager

United Way welcomed Dee Hoeflich as Office Manager in 2017. Dee comes to us from the American Red Cross of Knox County where she worked for 11 years in range of different positions. Dee brings vast office management skills and great customer service expertise to our organization. 

Dee@uwayknox.org

Halle Krajenski, Program Director 

Halle joined United Way in 2022. With a passion for supporting people, addressing social needs, and strengthening the community’s growth and vibrancy, she works directly with community members and agency partners who contribute so much to the well-being of Knox County. Halle is a Knox County native and returned to our community after graduating from Wittenberg University in 2013. She serves on the Experience Mount Vernon Board of Directors, New Direction’s Prevention Advisory Committee, Get Healthy Knox County, Knox Substance Abuse Action Team, Workdev, ROX (Ruling Our Experiences), and the Parent Support Initiative of Knox County as a Triple P Practitioner.

 

halle@uwayknox.org

Walt2

Walt Lewis, Resource Navigator

Walt joined United Way of Knox County in 2022 after retiring from a 33-year career teaching seventh and eighth-grade students English and Reading at Mount Vernon Middle School. Originally a Pittsburgh native, Walt brings a variety of work, education, and community experience to United Way.  He holds degrees from Geneva College in Pennsylvania, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Methodist Theological School in Ohio.  Additionally, he has been an active community member throughout his nearly 40 years living in Knox County, serving on church committees, choirs, and various school-related committees. He is a strong advocate for all the great qualities our community and Knox County offer. Walt resides in Mount Vernon with his wife, Nancy, and he enjoys biking, hiking, gardening, home remodeling, and traveling. He has enjoyed Therapy Dog visits with his two Collie dogs, Allie and Tanner. Nancy and he have a daughter, Emily, who works in Instructional Design and resides in Zurich, Switzerland. Walt is committed to building a solid communication network so clients can more easily navigate the variety of excellent resources Knox County offers.

walt@uwayknox.org