Staff

David Wheeler, Executive Director & Classroom Instructor

David has over 27 years of experience helping individuals of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds from across southcentral Kentucky build better, more inclusive lives in the community.    His journey in the field of developmental and behavioral health services began in the early 1990’s when substantial systems-change efforts in Kentucky were beginning to emerge.  Over the following two decades he was instrumental in helping promote and facilitate services to meet people’s needs and expectations – moving individuals off of waiting-lists and out of facilities into services that offer choice, control and the opportunity to live a full life.

 

David was previously the Director of State General Fund Services for LifeSkills, Inc. He holds a BA in Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College and MSW from Western KY University.  David and his wife, Serena, have two grown children – Nicholas & Kaitlin.

 

Favorite Quote: “Our greatest contribution is to be sure there is a teacher in every classroom who cares that every student, every day learns and grows and feels like a real human being.” -Don Clifton, Chairman, Gallup Organization

Molly Swietek, Public Relations Director

Molly is 12-year veteran of Western KY University(WKU), most recently serving as Development Manager for WKU Public Broadcasting.  She has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations, grant writing and building community partnerships.  Molly serves as Project Director for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Education Innovation Grant, “Finding Strengths: A Public Broadcasting Model for Autism Inclusion”. She manages a fellowship program that provides employment training opportunities for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

Molly holds a BA in English Literature from WKU and a Master of Arts in English from Tennessee Tech University.  Molly, along with her husband Wes, and their two children – Will & Mary Anna, reside in Bowling Green.

 

Favorite Quote: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hendrix Brakefield, LifeCoach

Hendrix was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He attended Western Kentucky University 2009-2014 where he was a member of the Hilltopper football team. Hendrix started out teaching middle school MSD at Bowling Green Junior High where he also served as head coach for the girls soccer team and the boys and girls track and field teams. Hendrix then moved to Frankfort, KY where he worked at The Stewart Home & School as the Recreation Director. There he was responsible for planning, managing, and implementing night and weekend activities for the 300+ students. Hendrix found his passion for special education working with the Kelly Autism Program during college and he is excited to be back working within the CEC. Hendrix loves the outdoors, cooking and staying active. He is excited to be part of the [email protected] team!

 

Hendrix holds a BA Special Education from WKU and teacher certification for both Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) and Moderate-Severe Disabilities (MSD).

 

Favorite Quote: Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.  – Marcus Aurelius

Mary Lloyd Moore, CEC Executive Director

Mary Lloyd Moore is a speech-language pathologist who is the Executive Director of the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex, serving individuals and families from age 15 months through adulthood who have developmental delays and disabilities including Autism.  Mary Lloyd believes that each of has the responsibility to seek the best in others, helping to see the skills they have while putting them to use in order to meet their individual goals.  She has provided pediatric speech-language therapy for over 25 years.  While a faculty member in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders she served as the Communication Disorders Clinic Director at WKU for over 20 years.

 

Mary Loyd received a BA in English from Centre College and holds a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Counseling, a Master of Science in Communication Disorders, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership – all from WKU.  She and her husband, Hamp, have three children – Katherine, Hampton, and John, and they have 6 delightful grandchildren.

 

Favorite Quote: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein