Meet Our Staff

Consumer Services

 

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James VanNoty

Front Desk Lead Staff

James has been with the SHARE Center since April, 2019. He was born and raised in Battle Creek and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School. He also worked for Denso for over 17 years. James has overcome many challenges in his life and uses that experience to help and relate to SHARE Center consumers. He likes working at the SHARE Center because it gives him the opportunity to help others by getting them connected to the resources they need.  He is also a sports fan and enjoys fishing.

Chris Surber

Front Desk Lead Staff

Chris has been with the SHARE Center since 2015. Prior to that, he worked in the restaurant industry. He really likes getting to know the homeless consumers at the SHARE Center and the fact that he is able to help. Chris also enjoys music, plays the bass and the guitar, and has a collection of movies and CDs.

Demetrius "Dee" Patterson

Front Desk Staff

Dee has been with the SHARE Center since July, 2018. He likes the fact that he works for an organization that helps people and that he gets to be a part of that. Before working at the SHARE Center, Dee received an Associate's Degree in General Studies from Kellogg Community College. Dee really enjoys sports and is an avid fan of Michigan football.

Sheri Adams - Front Desk

Iesha Parsons

Employment and Benefits Coach

Kitchen Crew

Alex Betancourt - Cook

Lachunda Patterson - Cook

Management 

Margaret Krueger

Operations Manager

Margaret moved to Battle Creek from Florida and has been at the SHARE Center since 2014. At one point in her life, she was homeless without transportation. She sold her car to save money for an apartment and walked to and from the women's shelter everyday.

Margaret was able to find a job at Kmart where she worked for about four years. When she started at the SHARE Center, she was working the front desk before becoming Staff Supervisor and later, Operations Manager.

Margaret likes working at the SHARE Center because she knows what it is like to be homeless. She wants to help people accomplish their goals and wants everyone to know the SHARE Center is a place where people struggling with homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues can find someone to talk to, trust, and get help.

Margaret was raised on a farm and loves the outdoors. She also enjoys reading and riding horses.

Robert Elchert

Executive Director

Robert became the Executive Director for the SHARE Center in February, 2019. Prior to that, he worked at the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region where he oversaw community investments for basic needs and income. Before moving to Michigan, he was the Director of Social Services and Education for the Third Ward Aldermanic Office of Chicago.

Robert is inspired by the stories of strength and perseverance he hears from people at the SHARE Center. He wants to ensure everyone feels welcome and gets the help they need. When not at work, he likes to spend time with his wife and explore his creative side with drawing, painting, and playing music.