Johanna Gillespie, Director

Johanna Gillespie returned to the staff of Child Care Connections as Executive Director in November 2007. She came to CCC from Shelby High School where she spent five and a half years teaching Family and Consumer Sciences Education classes. Prior to SHS Johanna taught at Cleveland Community College, and was previously at Child Care Connections as a Provider Specialist.

A graduate of West Virginia University, Johanna has an extensive background working with children in a preschool setting and their families. Married to Richard, they have two daughters: Lauren is a graduate of NC State with a degree in civil engineering and Kristen is a student at Appalachian State studying physical education.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 or by Email

Karen Pearson, Director of Provider Services

Karen has been with Child Care Connections for over 9 years, first as Quality Enhancement Coordinator and then Director of Provider Services. She came to CCC from First Baptist Child Development Center in Shelby after nearly 24 years as a classroom teacher and Assistant Director. A graduate of Gardner-Webb University, Karen is married to Richard and resides near Waco. They have one daughter, two sons, and one granddaughter.

Coordinating Quality Enhancement, Quality Sustainability, and Education Bonuses, Karen would be glad to answer any questions that you may have.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext. 100 or by Email
Sammi Wortman, Provider Services Specialist

Sammi joined the staff of CCC in August 2000 as the Quality Enhancement Technical Assistant. She came with over 15 years experience of working in many aspects of the child care profession. She is married to Philip Wortman and they have two sons, Josh and Jacob.
Sammi is available to provide any technical assistance needed by the childcare providers in our county.

She enjoys working with the providers in Cleveland County, and looks forward to continuing to work together to ensure that the quality care we offer our children is the best it can be.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext 102 or by Email
Tina Williams, Provider Services Specialist

Tina joined Child Care Connections in August of 2000, as a contract Quality Enhancement Technical Assistant. In 2001, she joined the staff full time as a Provider Specialist. In this position she provides technical assistance to family child care homes and centers.

Tina is editor of "The Bridge", Child Care Connections newsletter, and "The Link", the Region 8 training calendar. Tina provides trainings to providers on various subjects which enhances the quality of care delivered to the children of Cleveland County.

She enjoys working with the providers to help them provide quality child care. She has two daughters, Tiffany and Ashley.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext 107 or by Email.
Karen Costner, Provider Referral Specialist

Karen Costner has been with Child Care Connections since 2005. She is very involved with community activities and educating parents on quality child care. Karen sits on the advisory boards for local committees, such as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Family Support Network and Local Interagency Committee.

Karen and her husband Wesley are Cleveland County natives. Currently, Karen is attending Ashford University and is working toward a degree in Social Science. Wesley and Karen have two beautiful children, Logan and Landon.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext. 104 or by Email

Kimberly Watson, Business Manager

Kim Watson joined the staff of Child Care Connections as Business Manager in December 2009. Kim comes to CCC with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Gardner Webb University and 9 years of Accounts Payable experience.

Kim is excited to join the CCC family. She is married to Aaron and they reside in Lincolnton.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext. 103 or by Email

Brooke Patrick Brack, Administrative Assistant

Brooke Patrick Brack joined the staff of Child Care Connections as Administrative Assistant in September 2006, with five years of Administrative Support experience. Currently, Brooke is attending Ashford University and is working towards a degree in Accounting. Brooke and her husband Marshall are Cleveland County natives and have two wonderful children, Makayla and Tucker.

Brooke is excited to join Child Care Connections and looks forward to being able to assist in agency growth.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 ext 101 or by Email
Karen Darby, Regional School Age Specialist

Karen Darby joined the staff of Child Care Connections in September of 2004 as Regional School Age Specialist. Professional experience includes teaching a More at Four classroom for Gaston County Schools, Quality Enhancement Team Technical Assistant for the Partnership for Children of Lincoln/Gaston Counties, Director of Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Child Development Center in Charlotte, adjunct instructor for Gaston College and more than 15 years of teaching and working in the field of Early Childhood Development.

Karen earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish from West Virginia University. She will hold a Master's Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Spring 2009.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 477-1464 or by Email.
Loraine Barker-Witkowski

Loraine Barker-Witkowski has been working in the Early Childhood field for 20 years, serving as Director of a few different programs in Indiana and North Carolina during many of those years and in the capacity of Child Development Trainer for many years as well.

Loraine is a graduate of Indiana University at South Bend, where she also directed their on-campus Child Development Center for 9 ½ years. She has been serving as an Infant/Toddler Specialist with the North Carolina Infant/Toddler Quality Improvement Project since it began in 2004.
She is also “Mom” to three adult children and “Nana” to four grandchildren.

Her passion and joy in life is knowing that her life and her work might help to shape the lives of children and families in a positive way.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 487-7397 or by Email

Kirsten Mamer
Healthy Social Behavior Specialist
Region 8

Kirsten Mamer is a 2009 addition to Child Care Connections and to North Carolina after spending 12 years in Florida working with children in families. Kirsten has committed the last 15 years to a career in making a difference in the lives of children through prevention, intervention, mental health and education services to children, their parents, and service providers.

Kirsten is a graduate of University of Michigan and completed her Masters degree in clinical psychology at the Center for Humanistic Studies, Detroit. In her free time, Kirsten is committed advocacy and making a difference through volunteer commitments. Most importantly, Kirsten is honored to guide her daughters, Arwen 4 and Aylan 2 through their experience of the world.

Please feel free to contact her by calling (704) 692-9652 or by Email.