Staff Members
Matthew Benko-Scruggs, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Matthew Benko-Scruggs is a mission-driven executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in hospitality, philanthropy, and brand strategy. As CEO of NECIC, he leads efforts to drive inclusive economic development and equity across Mansfield’s North End, blending operational expertise with a passion for community impact.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Matthew studied Culinary Arts and Hotel / Restaurant Management at Johnson & Wales University and completed executive coursework at The Wharton School of Business. Prior to NECIC, he lead the Philanthropy and Brand Management efforts for a statewide youth agency, where he secured the largest donation in the organization’s 78-year history and led branding across 23 regional offices.
Matthew’s career includes leadership roles at The Ohio State University’s Wooster Campus, major convention centers in Pittsburgh, Boston, Houston, and Dallas, and with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has managed multimillion-dollar operations nationwide, consistently increasing revenue and improving guest experience.
A strategist by trade and brand storyteller at heart, Matthew brings a results-driven approach to both the nonprofit and private sectors. He and his husband Johnathan enjoy traveling and gardening—and share their home with a pug named Nikki, who loves to stand in the flowers.
Tionna Perdue, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Tionna joined the team as a NECIC Staffing Specialist in 2017 after ten years with Third Street Family Health Services.
A North End native, Tionna loves the mission to improve the quality of life and the economic landscape of the North End. Her passion for helping fellow residents by giving them the tools they need to be successful shows every day in her work as the Operations Manager.
Lucas Gerber, Marketing Director
Lucas joined NECIC in 2023, bringing with him a passion for not-for-profit work that he cultivated during his time as a Marketing Intern at Kingwood Center Gardens. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Franklin University in 2020.
As NECIC's Marketing Director, Lucas is dedicated to sharing the compelling story of Mansfield's North End. Lucas is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact on the local Mansfield community through his work with NECIC
Shanican Pender,
Community Organizer
Phone:419-522-1611, ext. 123
Jacqueline Williams, Director of Staffing
Jacqueline Williams brings both sparkle and strength to NECIC’s Staffing team. A proud North End native, she joined the organization in August 2022 after an impressive 14-year career with Startek, where she built a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities, and doing it all with contagious laughter and a killer sense of humor.
Known around the office as the “People Whisperer,” Jacqueline believes everyone who walks through the door has greatness waiting to be discovered. Her mission is simple but powerful: to meet people where they are, help them find their footing, and cheer them on every step of the way.
Whether she’s matching job seekers with life-changing opportunities or cracking a perfectly timed joke in the middle of a busy day, Jacqueline embodies what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and fabulousness. She doesn’t just manage staffing; she makes it fun.
134 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902