Staff Members
Deanna West-Torrence, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
A longtime resident, Deanna West-Torrence found herself returning to the North End neighborhood throughout her life. Each time she returned, she found the same friendly people with lifelong relationships, but the appearance of the neighborhood had changed drastically. The schools were closed, the neighborhood businesses had decreased and the once well-kept houses were deteriorating. At the same time, she found her own family experiencing much of what so many others were facing. Following a divorce, she became a single mother, raising four young children on the North End.
Through the years, Deanna worked in many ways to better the community, from working with CHAP (Community Health Access Project), representing the 5th Ward on Mansfield City Council, serving on the Mansfield City School Board, and leading the Neighborhood Youth Corps, as well as serving on other boards, task forces, and advisory committees.
In 2007, Deanna and other residents and community leaders applied their collective experience and founded the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC). NECIC's mission is to improve the quality of life and economic landscape of the North End Community.
Deanna attended Rebecca Grubaugh, Creveling and Discovery Schools, Johnny Appleseed Middle School and graduated from Malabar High School. She then attended the University of Cincinnati and the Southern New Hampshire University’s School of Community Economic Development. Deanna is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership’s African American Leadership Program in 2005, and the Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education in 2011. She has managed local non-profits for many years.5
Deanna is the proud mother of four Adult children, and 5 Grand children.
E-mail: Deanna@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 115
Tony Chinni, Research and Development Manager
Tony is a 2007 graduate of The Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in European History. Tony joined the team as an intern during the summer of 2007 at which time he aided the executive director in establishing the nascent organization, and compiled an economic base assessment of Mansfield's North End.
From 2008-2011, Tony worked with NECIC staff and consultants to compile The North End Community Economic Development Plan. This document, guided by the input from more that three hundred North End residents and stakeholders, articulates NECIC's vision for the redevelopment of the North End. The plan was update in 2017, with Tony once again at the helm.
E-mail: Tony@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 103
Tionna Perdue, Operations Manager
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 in helping fellow residents by giving them the tools they need to be successful shows everyday in her work as the Operations Manager.
E-mail: Tionna@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 102
Melissa Drozda, Development Officer
Melissa is the Development Officer at NECIC. She has garnered over 15 years of professional not-for-profit work experience in the areas of fund development, marketing & communications, community & board relations, administration, and management. She has a strong commitment to community building and expertise in grant writing, special event execution, corporate sponsorship, and annual and capital campaigns.
She joined the team at NECIC because she loves their mission, believes in asset-based community development, and wanted to be involved in projects that will have a transformative impact on our community and its residents. Through collaborative efforts, her goal in this position is to help foster growth, inclusivity, and a brighter future for all by helping NECIC achieve their vision statement.
E-mail: melissa@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 104
Mario Davison, Minority Business Assistance Center Director
Mario graduated with his bachelor's in Sports Administration from Kent State University and earned his Master's in Human Social Service Leadership from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.
As a North End native, Mario joined the NECIC as a Community Organizer in 2021 to work in the community he loves and grew up in.
Email: mario@necic-ohio.org
Phone: 419-522-1611, ext 105
Jacqueline Williams, Staffing Specialist
Jacqueline joined the team in August 2022 after 14 years with Startek.
Being a lifelong native of the North End, she loves the mission statement of NECIC and being a part of the change that is happening in the community.
Jacqueline's goal is to be able to help whoever comes to through the door with what they need to be successful.
Aurelio Diaz, Community Organizer
A North End native, Aurelio has dedicated 20 years in the social services field specializing in case management, education, and community outreach. He currently serves as Mansfield City Councilman for the fifth ward.
As a Community Organizer for NECIC, Aurelio is excited to strengthen the mission by being an advocate and champion for North End residents.
Email: aurelio@necic-ohio.org
Lucas Gerber, Marketing Coordinator
Lucas joined NECIC in July 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 Coordinator, Lucas is dedicated to sharing the compelling story of Mansfield's North End. His goal is to elevate NECIC's ideals and causes, capturing the attention of residents, non-residents, and stakeholders alike. Lucas is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact on the local Mansfield community through his work with NECIC
Email: Lucas@necic-ohio.org
Suzy Beeson, Special Projects Officer
Born and raised in Mansfield, Suzy returned to Ohio in 2003 with her two children after 10 years in the Pacific Northwest, where she earned her BA in English from Western Washington University. She has been a North End resident for 10 years and is passionate about downtown revitalization and community development. She loves being part of the NECIC team and the important work being done in the North End.
Email: Suzy@necic-ohio.org
Zephaniah Jackson, Community Organizing Intern
Zeph is a Mansfield native born & raised in the North End. As a strong believer in the mission to improve the quality of life & economic landscape of the North End. Zeph plans to pull resources given to him through NECIC, and my influence together to drive young people to get involved and to see the mission and the vision of NECIC.
Fun fact - I am a mentor who uses music to reach my audience. Music is my #1 passion.
Email: zephaniah@necic-ohio.org
134 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902