Our Leadership

Mike Harlin, Board Chairman

Mike comes to us after retiring from more than 30 years as a Macy’s executive. Recruited by his wife Jane to help out “once in a while”, he has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 2017, Vice-Chairman February 2018, Chairman November 2018 through now. He has been a regular volunteer on Tuesdays, and also served on Wednesdays and fifth Mondays since 2016. He is a founding member of the Oconee Food Council. Jane and Mike are members of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca. Mike lives in Mountain Rest, where he enjoys fishing, hiking, and peace and quiet.

Jeff Heaton, Executive Director

Jeff joined the Food Pantry in December 2012 as Operations Director responsible for day-to-day operation of our new facility. Jeff was promoted to the position of Executive Director in Ocotober of 2016. Jeff has a great background in working with volunteers. This history includes over 20 years as a volunteer in the Oconee County Fire Service where he served many positions from Firefighter to Fire Chief. His background also includes OSHA safety requirements and protocols, construction skills, sales and customer service in both construction and food industry. Jeff resides with his beautiful wife JoAnn in Salem, and has five children and two grandchildren. He and his family are active in the Newspring Church Clemson, SC Campus.

Marilyn Allen, Secretary

Marilyn J. Allen, JD, is a semi-retired attorney who was formerly the Sr. Vice President/General Counsel of MAG Mutual Insurance Company, located in Atlanta, GA. Marilyn also served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Region of the American Red Cross. In addition to volunteering at the Golden Corner Food Pantry, Marilyn also volunteers at The Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Mark Torres, Treasurer

Mark retired to the Seneca area in November, 2012. He was a Michigan CPA, specializing in the taxation of small to medium-sized businesses, including taxation of associated individuals, with some employee benefit work on the side. In his spare time he served as treasurer for a small nonprofit community theater group, obtaining and maintaining their 501(c)(3) status. Currently, as a hobby, he designs, creates and maintains simple websites for several small groups and organizations locally and back in Michigan.

Ron Kaufman, Assistant Treasurer

Ron grew up in Northwest Ohio and worked for Ernst & Young for 37 years in Fort Wayne, Indiana including four years overseas. Ron is a retired CPA and served as an audit partner. Ron and his wife Kathy moved to the Upstate after he retired in 2009 and enjoy their time here very much.

Our Board of Directors

Mike Harlin – Chair

John Whisner – Vice Chair

Marilyn Allen – Secretary

Mark Torres – Treasurer

Ron Kaujman – Asst. Treasurer

Father Bill Hearne

Jane Harlin

Diane Caster

Ann Smith

Ray Peters