Daniel Watson
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Phone: (865) 200-5406
Read Daniel’s Bio
Daniel Watson
Daniel and his wife, Mandy were both raised in single mother homes. As a result of their experiences they launched The Restoration House in support of mother-led families in 2007. Since then, he has helped develop The Restoration House’s Village, a restorative mixed-income community, and has consulted with over 28 organizations across 10 states and in 2 countries in organizational development and best practices.
In 2010, Daniel was honored as one of Knoxville’s Top 40 Under 40 Business and Community Leaders by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal. Daniel is also an alumni of Introduction Knoxville – Class of 2011, Leadership Knoxville – Class of 2014, and UTK’s Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness – Class of 2014. Daniel serves on the Knox County Board of Education and on the Advisory Board of the United Way’s Bright Steps initiative where he is focused on making our local education system more equitable for all students and families. He holds a BA in Christian Education and a MA in Ethical Leadership from Johnson University.
In his free time he enjoys milling lumber and spending time in his woodshop. He and Mandy have three amazing children that continue to inspire them to never give in and to continually invest back in our Knoxville community.
Lori Haskell
Director of Programs
Phone: (865) 500-4219
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Lori Haskell
Lori Haskell joined The Restoration House of East TN in 2011 and in 2018 was promoted to Director of Programs. In this role Lori ensures program integrity, manages all program staff and serves as the liaison for strategic community partners. In addition to her primary role, Lori is also a certified facilitator for the Cost of Poverty Experience, serves as a lead trainer for Faith and Finances with the Chalmers Center of Chattanooga, and also serves on the Member Advisory Council (MAC) for the Economic Mobility Exchange with EMPath. Lori is also a proud member of the Christian Community Development Association’s National Cohort 8.
Lori holds a BA in English and a certificate of completion from the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness at the University of Tennessee. In 2021, she completed a MA in Ethics and Leadership.
In her free time, Lori coaches HS Volleyball at Austin East High School. Lori is married to her college sweetheart, Jonathan. Their favorite lifetime accomplishments are their three young adult children, Justin, Ethan and Kayla. She is grateful for all that she learned during the 12 years that she and her husband, Jonathan, spent in cross-cultural ministry, including 10 years in the country of Hungary.
Raquel Leal
Family Advocate
Phone: (865) 500-4299
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Raquel Leal
Raquel joined The Restoration House in 2020 guided by her passion to work and empower women. She was born in Venezuela where she obtained her Law degree in 1999 and became a Human Rights Activist in 2015. Raquel came to East Tennessee in 2017 with her husband Wally and their two girls.
She has been an interpreter for Spanish speakers in different organizations and worked as a Culturally Specific Victim Advocate helping victims and survivors to navigate the legal-social-cultural system.
Raquel is the Founder of LATINAS TIME, a group that seeks to inspire Latina Women in East Tennessee to find their own value and identity, encourage them to become leaders, entrepreneurs and to better involve themselves in their communities.
Lora Foxwell
Family Advocate
Phone: (865) 500-4302
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Lora Foxwell
These experiences have impacted her deeply, and continue to inform the way she sees the world. Prior to living overseas, Lora studied at Johnson University where she earned a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is excited about the culture, worldview, and work being done at TRH.
Lora and her husband enjoy reading, running, and podcasts. They are very excited to be in Knoxville, and are encouraged by all the great things happening for the Kingdom here.
Vicki Arpino
Office Manager
Phone: (865) 200-5406
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Vicki Arpino
Having been a single-mother to her two children for several years she has a vested interest in the work of The Restoration House. She is passionate about providing first hand experiences to better serve the single mothers in the Knoxville community.
Vicki is married to David Arpino. They have 3 grown children, a son-in-law and 2 grand kids.
In her spare time, she and David enjoy playing with their grand kids, going to the mountains and visiting antique shops as well as taking family vacations to their favorite area around Charleston, SC.
Carrie Pickell
Housing & Community Life Coordinator
Phone: (865) 500-6053
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Carrie Pickell
Carrie is a Knoxville native and handles all volunteer engagement and training at TRH, including working with Ally teams. As a graduate of Covenant College with a dual degree in Community Development and Economics, she is passionate about being a part of restorative work. Carrie, her husband and their 2 children live in North Knoxville where they spend a lot of time with young adults and high school students. Carrie finds great joy in being a small part of the journeys of the families at the Restoration House.
Kylee Lillis
Kylee joined the Restoration House in 2021 with a background in youth development. She has a passion for helping kids navigate their world in healthy, proactive, and intentional ways.
Kylee received her Masters in Elementary Education after completing her B.A. in Art, both from University of Tennessee Knoxville.
As a former educator, she values the importance of trauma-informed practice and an emphasis on social emotional development. In her spare time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and board games with friends alongside her husband, Austin.
Nikki Baker
Nikki joined The Restoration House staff at the end of 2023 after serving on ally teams for over 4 years. She values establishing encouraging relationships and empowering others to pursue their best selves through health and holistic wellness.
A southeast Georgia native, Nikki graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s degree in Education from Valdosta State University. She served 16 years in K-12 education followed by one year in higher education as a wellness coordinator at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Nikki loves plants, books, hiking, working out, and spending time with her husband Shawnry and daughters Kenley and Eden.
Edgar Crispin
Edgar Crispin joined The Restoration House in February 2023. He is a first generation American, born and raised in Kaufman, Texas, just outside of Dallas. Both of his parents immigrated from Mexico and he grew up seeing the opportunity he was given by being born an American citizen.
As a first generation American, he joined the United States Marine Corps after high school in service to his country for the following 6 years. His experiences shaped him and has made him passionate about service and helping others achieve greater success in their personal lives.
Edgar has a background in remodel construction and enjoys working with his hands. He is also highly relational and has served in different youth ministry roles over the past 7 years at his local church. Edgar is a coffee enthusiast and enjoys woodworking on the side. He is excited to serve the community the Lord has placed him in.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kara’s background is in communications and event management. She previously worked for the Carolina Panthers and now is VP; Corporate Events Manager, CEO and Executive Communications at Bank of America. She is a native of East Tennessee.
Sara had a 25 year career in public housing and is on the board of American Property Management in Knoxville, TN. She has been a volunteer with The Restoration House since day one having walked with three participating families over the last ten years.
LaTonya is a professor of accounting at UTK and an entrepreneur. She and her husband have three beautiful little girls. LaTonya has served on the boards of GirlTalk, Uunik Academy, and Jack and Jill. One of her passions is seeing mom’s empowered so their children have access to every opportunity.
Keely is a Financial Advisor with Pinnacle Financial Partners. She is a commercial lenders, but says her greatest passion is helping lower-income families access homeownership. Keely has seen firsthand the life change difference owning a home can make.
Gabe is the CEO of KUB. He was raised by his single mom and understands the challenges and the opportunities. He and his wife Tarah, have three amazing children and have been actively engaged in The Restoration House for years before coming onto the board.
Carolina is a realtor with Realty Executives. She is active in the community through Centro Hispano and other local organizations. As a single mother she uniquely understands the struggles of the mother-led families of The Restoration House.
Amy is the Transitional Housing Program Coordinator at the YWCA. She, her husband and two children are proud members of NorthStar Church. She is a graduate of Johnson University and is also an alumnus of The Restoration House.
Doug is retired after 27 years in the plastics industry. He and his wife, Marcie are long time members at Fellowship church and have both engaged with The Restoration House for years.
Dylan is a former Knoxville Fellow. He and his wife, Lia are worship at Resurrection Presbyterian Church. He is the VP at Axle Logistics.
Javiette is the Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at the University of Tennessee. She is an experienced community-engaged scholar working with a variety of underrepresented populations over the last 25 years. Javiette started her career at UT as a young single mother. In spite of the barriers and challenges before her she was determined and achieved her Ph.D. by the age of 28. Her life has been dedicated to helping make a way where there seems to be no way for individuals and communities on the margins.
Jennifer is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch in Knoxville. Before joining the board she served as an Ally, walking with mother-led families through The Restoration House.
Joshalyn and her husband have three children and nine amazing grandchildren. She understands the challenges that many mother-led families face, having been a single mother early on. Joshalyn is the VP of Community Development for the East Region for First Horizon Bank and has served on several boards including, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Homesource East TN, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Wesley House, United Way, and the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition.
Kevin is the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development with the City of Knoxville. Has has worked for twenty-five years in economically under resourced communities in Christian community development and affordable housing. Kevin was raised by a single mother that overcame many challenges. He is married to Dr. Sheryse DuBose and they have 4 sons.
Patty has over 40 years of experience in early childhood education. She recently retired as the director for Child Care Resource & Referral after 20+ years. Patty and her husband of 43 years have 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, and 4 grandchildren.
Terry is the Client Service Associate at The McGlothin Group at Morgan Stanley. Prior to that Terry served as the Executive Director for the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee. She has been engaged in good work through Knoxville in a variety of capacities over the years.
Craig Covert | Nic Nicaud | Carol Reeve |
Russell Biven | Stacy Smith | Laura O’Connor |
Paul Jaeger | Rebecca Wolfenbarger | Rick Coleman |
Andy Holt | April Jackson | Crystal Clark |
Jack Bender | Jason Warden | Jody Griffin |
Joel Baker | John Hall | Kelli Thompson |
Lucy Spurgeon | Lyn Overholt | Pam Wolf |
Kim Frazier | Debra Smith | Misty Mayes |
Billy Fulghum | Leigh Avery | Heather White |
Ed Curtis | Becky Paylor | Alan Guy |
Joe Petre | Robin Gibson | Ramona Koplan |
Cortny Bean | David McMillan | Alan Williams |
Susie Whitener | Ola Blackmon-McBride | Bill Myers |
Grant Standefer | Shelly Wilson |