Our Team – The Impact Project

Jim Willard

Director

Jim has lived in the Southern Tier his whole life and has lived in Greene, NY since 1993. He's married to Elizabeth DaBoll and has two children, Michael and Jessica. He graduated from SUNY Broome in 1983 with an Associates Degree in Accounting and Finance. He worked in the finance industry for over 26 years and founded and has directed the non-profit organization, The Impact Project, since 2004. In addition, he is an Eagle Scout and has successfully completed the Philmont wilderness survival program in Cimarron, NM. He loves football and has been a Denver Broncos fan since 1977. In his spare time, Jim likes golf, bowling, riding his Can Am Spyder, getting exercise by running, going on long walks and camping. Most importantly, Jim likes to spend time with family and friends.

Jill Jackson

Board Member

Jill graduated from Susquehanna Valley High School, has spent the last 40+ years living in Brookdale PA and attends New Life Ministries. There’s hardly a plant that she doesn’t know about. When Jill has spare time she really enjoys working in her flower gardens. Jill has a God given passion to help people and enjoys all the time she spends with The Impact Project.

Wendy Young

Board Secretary, Board Member

Wendy grew up in the Southern Tier, and graduated from Chenango Forks High School. During her work as a Quality Assurance Specialist her career took her to Syracuse where she met her wonderful husband Andrew. They have been married for over 20 years and have a precious teenage daughter Sarah, who you’ll often see helping at the Impact projects alongside her mom. They moved back to the area after they were married and live outside Harpursville in the house that used to belong to Wendy’s grandparents. Andrew (Drew) is a server at the Silo restaurant in Greene, and Wendy retired at the end of 2019. Both Wendy and Andrew are active members at the Greene Assembly of God, serving in whatever area the church has a need that they can fill. In her spare time, Wendy loves to hangout with her awesome longtime girlfriends, spend as much time as possible with her family at the family camp near Syracuse all summer, and, in the winter, read books, go to bed early, and try to keep warm in the old farmhouse.

Tyler Brink

Board Member

Tyler grew up in Northeast PA in a small farming community. After high school he worked for Central Tractor as a store manager in several locations PA, NY, VA, and MA. He also spent 10 years as a general contractor and several years in school maintenance. Tyler has an AAS in School Facilities Management. He is a consecrated deacon in the Free Methodist church and has worked as the Facilities Manager for New Life Ministries in Endicott since 2016.

Herb Neal

Board Member

Herb has been married since June 1980, and has four children and 7 grandchildren. He grew up on a dairy farm and has worked as a contractor. He is now semi-retired, but really enjoys staying busy and working with his hands. Herb is active in his local church and is serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Preston Diehl

Board Member

Preston grew up in the West Winfield and Plymouth, NY areas. He has been married to his amazing wife, Carrie since 2010. He loves his 5 children very much. He enjoys attending and volunteering at the Calvary Baptist Church in Norwich. Much of his time is spent on his job as a handyman. His free time is spent with his wife and kids.

Valerie Agresta-Franck

Case Manager

Valerie grew up in Massapequa Park, Long Island, NY and graduated from Massapequa High School. She moved to Norwich, NY in 1988 and has been a resident in the Norwich area ever since. Valerie met her husband, TR, in 1997 and they were married in 2007. She has two children from a previous marriage, a son and a daughter, and is a new grandmother. Valerie has worked in many professions but prior to joining The Impact Project had worked with the developmentally disabled and with seniors with dementia. She is an active member in the Holmesville Baptist Church and in her spare time, you can find Valerie working in her garden, enjoying her crafting hobbies or chasing her dogs around.

Jessica Kehl

Board Member

Jessica grew up in Greene, NY and now lives in the Binghamton area. She graduated from Greene High School and went on to earn a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from SUNY Oneonta. She is married to Cameron Kehl and they have two dogs, a cat, and a turtle. In her spare time Jessica enjoys gardening, cooking, crafting, reading, tap dancing, karate classes, shoe shopping, and spending time in the sunshine.

April Barnett

Administrative Assistant

April is notably southern, and her accent and gregarious personality can fill a room. April is the wife of Joe Barnett and they have been together since 2007. Together they have 5 children, four boys and one girl.

In October 2018, Joe’s job brought him to New York’s Southern Tier for work and they have been here ever since. The Barnetts fell in love with the region, the weather, and the community. Currently April has retired from homeschooling her five children to assist the Director at The Impact Project. It has been a dream of hers to get back to serving the community in a hands-on capacity.

Prior to meeting Joe she was an international missionary with Christian Outreach International. There she served the locals by teaching ESL, serving their community in construction, food drives, and other activities. It was there that April realized what a blessing it is to serve others.

When she isn’t working with the Impact Project, you will find April with her family watching her children play sports, visiting friends, or serving in other local aspects. April often says: “My main goal in life is to share Jesus with everyone I come into contact with. He is the reason I live, move, and breathe… without Him, I am nothing.”