Stacey Smith
President & CEO
Stacey is the founder of PQC, specializing in business transformation and project management. Stacey has proven expertise in Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, and Continuous Improvement for diverse industries and business segments.
Over the last 25 years, her experiences have covered the public and private sectors, defense and aerospace, insurance/finance, human resources, and Information Technology arenas. She spent 21 years working in the military arena for prime contractors Northrop Grumman, Rockwell International and Lockheed Martin.
A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Berry University in Miami, Stacey founded PQC with a credo to “ensure we always add value to our customers, employees and our community.” Stacey has been recognized for improving processes, achieving cost efficiencies, and reducing process deviations for organizations in the public and private sector.
Rebecca Lockhart
Program Manager
Rebecca, our Program Manager, grew up in Evansville, Ind. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Purdue and graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with an MBA.
Rebecca previously worked in North Carolina as the program coordinator and staff training specialist for a grant program focused on early childhood education. Following that, she served as the program manager for a neuroscience research center at the University of South Dakota.
Recently, Rebecca returned to her Indiana roots and moved to Fort Wayne, where she now oversees our Vocational Rehabilitation programs in northeast Indiana.
Charrisse Walker
Project Coordinator
Charrisse was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Ind. She graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio with an associate’s degree in applied science.
Charrisse brings 25 years of experience in providing services to individuals with disabilities. In fact, her background includes experience as a caseworker for waiver services focused on supporting these individuals. Her life ambition is to help provide opportunities to help individuals attain their goals.
Charrisse is our Project Coordinator working with our Vocational Rehab, Pre-ETS and Food Patrol programs.
Stephanie joined the PQC team in early 2018 as an Employment Specialist. She was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Ind., and received her associate degree in applied science with a major in criminal justice.
Stephanie has personal experience working with people with special needs, and overcoming employment challenges is something she is passionate about. She looks forward to meeting with the VR community and continuing to see the change that comes from helping someone obtain and sustain employment. As the mother of three boys, Stephanie understands how to set priorities and stay on top of her game.
She serves participants in Allen County and the surrounding area.
Stephen was born and raised in Marion, Ind., and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Taylor University. His background includes work as a family behavior specialist and an applied behavioral therapist. From Stephen: “I want to work in a field where I not only am capable of completing the job and utilizing my skill set, but will also make a difference and feel fulfilled with my day-to-day job.”
In his spare time, Stephen coaches for the swim team at Marion High School and Middle School; he is also certified in CPR.
Stephen serves participants in the Marion/Muncie area.
Elizabeth joined PQC in the fall of 2019, bringing 25+ years of experience working in various social services positions. For example, she was instrumental in the creation of the successful “Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network” in 2008, which has helped thousands of Hoosiers save their homes from foreclosure. Later, serving as an Eligibility Specialist for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Elizabeth assisted participants with applying for and receiving Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF. She also worked with many Public Housing Authorities in Family Self-Sufficiency.
Elizabeth has worked with many individuals with disabilities through job coaching, financial literacy training, and hands-on assessments to overcome barriers to housing and employment. She is excited to continue her career working with the under-served populations in Indiana to help them become self-sufficient and gain and retain long-term employment through her work at PQC.
Sarah joined PQC in 2019 as an Employment Specialist. She is from Morganville, N.J., and received her associate’s degree in social work from Central Texas College; Sarah has also obtained an HVAC certification.
Sarah’s background consists of working as an Eligibility Specialist, where she worked with people receiving Medicaid, SNAP and TANF benefits. She has personal experience working with individuals with disabilities to overcome employment barriers. With the combination of her social work background and knowledge of the trades, Sarah’s focus is to help others help themselves toward their personal and professional goals.
Jill provides Pre-ETS instruction services as part of the PQC team. She has been a lifelong supporter of educational opportunities for students who face a variety of employment barriers.
Jill brings experience working within her community to identify post-education opportunities for employment and knows the diverse demands that will need to be met in order to be successful in the post-high school transition. Jill has a strong desire to challenge and assist individuals in reaching their full academic, personal and social potential. She looks forward to meeting with the Pre-ETS students and preparing them for success before and after graduation.
Laura has grown up and lived in or around Muncie, Ind., most of her life. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix, and she previously worked as a behavioral coach as well as helped families through DCS.
Laura notes, “My passion is to help others to see their potential and aid them in finding ways to achieve their goals.”
Laura serves participants in our East Central Indiana Pre-ETS and Central Indiana VR programs.
Mike is a specialist with PQC’s Pre-ETS program. His introduction to supporting persons with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities started when he worked with the Special Olympics.
After graduating from Troy State University with a bachelor’s degree in social services, Mike worked in supported employment, residential services and clinical teams.
One of his favorite quotes is from his mother, Biease Biggs, who said, “You are not greater than or less than, but equal to life’s challenges.”
Samantha serves participants in our Pre-ETS program. She has lived in Randolph County, Ind., all her life and she loves her community!
She is a certified home health aide as well as a CNA, and she also has a dental assisting license.
Samantha’s background consists of working with individuals with developmental disabilities and employment barriers. Her motto is to “start each day with a grateful heart,” because there is always something to be grateful for in life.