Get to Know Us

Lenwood Coleman is the Chief Executive Officer, Founder, and Board Chair of Legacy Ventures. A decorated United States Air Force (USAF) Veteran, he is the visionary behind Legacy Ventures and other enterprises. With a natural business acumen, Mr. Coleman excels in creating innovative solutions that benefit communities and businesses.

Since founding Legacy Ventures in 2019, he has worked closely with community leaders and stakeholders to foster economic growth and improve underserved areas. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, Lenwood has designed impactful programs that promote sustainable growth. He is a recognized thought leader in the nonprofit sector, frequently advising municipal agencies. Previously, he served as Chief Program Officer at Groundswell Inc., overseeing a $10.5M program budget, and held roles such as Executive Director of various community organizations in Washington, DC. Lenwood holds an MA in Forensic Psychology, a BS in Business Management, and an AA in Information Management.

D. Wes Thorn, Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Deputy Board Chair for Legacy Ventures, brings over 30 years of technical, administrative, and executive leadership. A strong advocate of collaboration, Wes has built key partnerships with local governments, businesses, and community organizations to further Legacy’s mission. He oversees operational functions, staffing, and company strategy, working closely with the CEO to manage business strategy and daily operations.

Wes helps define project objectives, processes, and policies while informing stakeholders about goals and deliverables. He also provides high-level oversight of financial operations alongside Legacy’s financial department. As a recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME), Wes excels in leading mid- to large-scale web initiatives and developing strategies that ensure stability and growth. Previously, he served as Senior IT Web Manager at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he enhanced web operations. Wes holds an MA in Mass Communications from Howard University and a BA in Broadcasting from American University.

Randal W. Leonard serves on Legacy Ventures’ board as the Finance Chair as the principal liaison between the committee and the full board. An adept financial professional with comprehensive experience as the Assistant Controller at Bowie State University since 2014. Randall directs the daily operations of the Controller’s Office, prepares year-end financial statements, and manages both internal and external financial reporting. He ensures compliance with grant regulations, overseeing documentation and management of $50M+ in grants. Randal also acts on behalf of the Controller in their absence, demonstrating strong leadership in university fiscal management.

He holds a MS in Administrative Management with a concentration in Accounting from Bowie State University and a BA in Theology/Business Administration from Oakwood College.

Dr. Linda M. Kilby, PhD, RD, LDN, brings a wealth of expertise and impeccable knowledge to Legacy Ventures as a Senior Advisor providing strategic guidance, assisting with decision-making, problem-solving and driving Legacy’s organizational growth. Dr. Kilby is the Executive Director of NORTH, Inc., and serves as the WIC Program Director for Philadelphia, PA. As a Registered Dietitian, she has built a distinguished career through her involvement in numerous public health initiatives.

Dr. Kilby serves on various task forces, including the National WIC Association Recruitment and Retention Task Force and the Maternal Mortality Review Task Force. She also gives back to the community through teaching various courses at local churches educating groups on proper diet and creative crafting. Dr. Kilby earned a PhD in Public Health from Walden University, a MS in Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University, and a BA in Home Economics from Columbia Union College.

James Vines, Jr. brings 25+ years of security leadership and analytical acumen to serve Legacy Ventures as a Board Member. James is a consummate Director of Security, presiding over operations at Washington Square with Lerner Enterprises since November 2022. He governs a team of 12 Special Police Officers directing all aspects of strategic security planning, and policy and protocol development for this prominent commercial property. Previously, James helmed a staff of 34 officers serving as Director of Security at the Adventist World Headquarters for 10 years.

James was consistently lauded for his understanding of unique threats and risks and vulnerabilities and implementing timely and effective security strategies. He holds a BS in Business Management from Southeastern University.

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Dr. Tammy Jamerson, an Organizational Management Subject Matter Expert (SME) with over 15 years of business consulting experience, holds a Top-Secret Clearance. As a trained Baldrige Examiner, she has helped public, private, and nonprofit organizations improve performance, applying the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. Dr. Jamerson volunteers on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners and was the first graduate of Walden University’s DBA Consulting Capstone Program. She has received recognition for her research on “Communication Strategies as Drivers of Nonprofit Donor Retention.”

A published author, Dr. Jamerson is committed to social change, volunteering with nonprofits, developing workforce programs for returning citizens, mentoring at-risk youth, and advocating for domestic violence victims. She holds a BA in English, an MBA, and a DBA. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and was recently inducted into the Walden University Online Chapter of Sigma Alpha Pi.

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Philip Abbott comes to Legacy Ventures as an advisor with 20+ years of leadership, advisory, and technology expertise. He has extensive knowledge in cybersecurity, human resources, accounting, and branding. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abbott Business Group, Philip provides organizations with solutions for continuous improvement for a sustainable business culture.

Philip is a Solutions Architect at Cpak Technology, where he reviews existing environments and analyzes what technologies are available and what software product must be developed to provide the best solution for the problem that needs to be solved, creating an overall strategic technical vision. He holds a BBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia – Terry College of Business.

Julius serves as an Advisor for Legacy Ventures, utilizing his media consulting expertise contributing to the organization’s short- and long-term success. Julius draws from his experience, expertise, and perspective to assist in shaping Legacy’s goals to craft purposeful next steps. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ATR Consulting, LLC, and All Things Relevant Media, in Port Wentworth, Georgia with a broad focus on consulting services and media solutions.

Julius is dedicated to helping businesses navigate complex challenges and remain competitive in today’s market. His extensive expertise across various industries makes him a prominent figure in the Greater Savannah area.

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Tomecka Woody is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Legacy Ventures, bringing over 25 years of financial management experience to oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Committed to financial compliance and accountability, she ensures that Legacy Ventures’ financial operations align with its strategic objectives. Tomecka analyzes financial data to support informed decision-making, enhance transparency, and improve operational efficiency. Her expertise is vital in guiding Legacy Ventures toward sustainable financial practices, supporting the organization’s mission of community empowerment.

In addition to her role at Legacy, Tomecka is the CEO/Owner of Woody & Associates in Lanett, AL, where she optimizes financial capabilities for Fortune 500 companies and public entities, providing consulting on tax laws and business management. She holds an MBA in Business Administration from Troy University and a BS in Finance from Auburn University.

Denise brings a wealth of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. With a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, she combines academic knowledge with hands-on expertise. Her diverse career includes serving as a Registrar at a vocational college, launching start-ups, and a successful career in real estate. As a consultant, she has advised businesses ranging from small ventures to companies with over 300 employees, building strong relationships and partnerships.

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William Dengler III is a multifaceted professional with expertise in both real estate and the music industry. He currently serves as the Vice President of Artist & Repertoire at Native South Records, where he oversees talent acquisition and artist development. Additionally, William is a Realtor and Real Estate Consultant with eXp Realty, specializing in residential and commercial property sales and leasing in California.

As the CEO, Co-Founder, and Lead Project Manager at Sierra Bay Real Estate & Development, Inc., William leads home flipping, real estate sales, and development projects. Previously, he served in the United States Navy as a Submarine Weapons Specialist (Fire Control Technician 2nd Class) from 1998 to 2005. William holds a BSBA in Marketing from Hawaii Pacific University and has been a pivotal figure in both real estate and music, leveraging his leadership across industries.

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Scarlett Tames is dedicated to developing affordable housing and leveraging community investment to empower low-income families to build generational wealth. With seven years of experience in real estate private equity and investments, Scarlett is committed to creating high-quality, affordable housing at Legacy Ventures. She honed her expertise in real estate development through the USC Ross Program and holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara.

Janelle Williams is a dynamic Special Guest Relations Manager with expertise in event coordination, community engagement, and educational services. She has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across museums, educational institutions, and political campaigns. Currently at Bard Graduate Center Gallery, Janelle oversees community events and program development, leveraging her strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and is currently pursuing advanced studies at Bard Graduate Center. Janelle has also contributed to numerous volunteer efforts, including The Biden Campaign and the Smithsonian.