Our community is our passion.


Ryan Alphin, Chair

Ryan Alphin is the director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association where he works to enhance and promote the law enforcement profession in South Carolina. He’s the voice of nearly 7,000 law enforcement officers across South Carolina. He also serves as the executive director of the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association where he advocates and lobbies for nearly 250 police chiefs in our state.

“Serve & Connect occupies a unique space to act as the connection between police and the communities they serve. Kassy and her team strive to understand the differences and her genuine empathy shines through to bring people together. That’s why I’m passionate about Serve & Connect!”


Xanna Bailey

Xanna is the director of recruiting for Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

“I am thrilled to work alongside such an incredible organization like Serve & Connect. Knowing that we are helping bridge an open dialogue between the community and our local law enforcement is not only rewarding but enlightening. There are so many positive changes happening in our neighborhood, and I hope to continue to help make those changes. I am so thankful for Kassy and the entire Serve & Connect family.”



Chief Kevin Cornett, Secretary

Kevin has served the Town of Springdale as the Chief of Police for six years and previously worked for the Columbia Police Department. He was awarded the 2016 40 under 40 Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the 2017 Public Servant of the Year by Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, and is a graduate of the 270th session of the FBINA.

“I’m eager to serve on the board of Serve & Connect because I have seen how compassionate police officers are. I know that they truly want to help the community they serve and this organization plays a critical role in helping officers to do that.”


John Dozier

John is the Institute Community and Equity Officer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“I am so excited to join the Serve & Connect team. The work that we do is deeply aligned with my work and passions around building healthier, safer, and more interconnected communities. In doing this work, we must acknowledge and attempt to address the legacy of race and racial disparity that shapes – even today – our policies, practices, sense of equity, and the barriers to trust that limit our ability to create real and lasting positive change in South Carolina’s most under-resourced communities. This is the difficult and necessary work that we are doing and I can’t be more proud to be aligned with an organization than I am through my work with Kassy, Ryan, the board of trustees and staff of Serve & Connect.”


Sidney Evering

Sidney is an attorney with Parker Poe Attorney and Counselors at law. He focuses his practice on the areas of public finance, economic development, and local government. Sidney served as the director of diversity for Parker Poe for seven years and is also the former chair of the South Carolina Bar Diversity Committee.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Serve & Connect. You can’t help but be inspired by Kassy and how she has taken an awful tragedy and used it as an impetus to positively impact the lives of so many. She could have easily been left bitter and disillusioned by the tragic shooting death of her husband, Officer Gregory Alia. Yet, she along with Serve & Connect continue to find ways to heal hurting communities by tearing down walls of distrust and replacing them with bridges of understanding. I look forward to working with Kassy, the Board, and the entire Serve & Connect organization to help foster lasting and meaningful partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”


Rev. Juan Ibarra

Juan is the pastor of Filadelfia Church of God in Johnston, SC, and has been married to his wife Sonia for nearly 30 years. They have four children and four grandchildren.

“Growing up in a broken home with no father or guidance, I understand the need of having some structure in the community through groups such as Serve & Connect. I believe in Serve & Connect because of what it stands for, and that’s to bring a change in our community through vision, passion, and empathy.”


Deputy Chief Melron Kelly

Melron is a 20-year veteran and second in command at the Columbia Police Department. Currently, he is the commander of the Operations and Administrative Bureaus, which include the Recruiting Division, the Patrol/Regional Divisions, the Criminal Investigations Division, and the Public Information/Media Relations and Marketing Departments.

“The opportunity with Serve & Connect will continue to leverage the support between police and communities we serve while building upon strong relationships as we move forward.”



Kent Krieg, Vice Chair

Kent works as a project manager for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

As a fraternity brother and friend of Greg Alia, he was an initial board member and believes in the impact Serve & Connect is making in our community by fostering and improving the positive perception and community appreciation of law enforcement.


Angela McDuffie

Angela has been a Fatherhood Practitioner for more than 20 years and is currently the executive director of Midlands Fatherhood Coalition (MFC) where she governs an organization that thoroughly believes that children thrive when an engaged, responsible father is active in their lives.

“I genuinely believe in the mission of Serve & Connect and I am honored to serve on the board of directors with hopes to further support efforts in restoring trust and bridging the gap between law enforcement and community.”


Pam Scott

Pam works with St. Thomas Moore at the University of South Carolina. She knew Greg Alia since he was young; they are neighbors of the Alia family and her son, Chris, was best friends with Greg since a young age.

“I am a wife and mother of four wonderful children, one with autism. This lead me to consistently work at the state and local level as an advocate for change and acceptance in society and especially improved inclusive education for these individuals. I serve on the board of Serve & Connect because I am passionate and positive that the measurable goals and objectives we have set forth will bring about lasting positive relationships, mutual respect, and trust between communities and law enforcement.”


John Stackhouse, Treasurer

John began his career in the financial services industry in 2003 prior to transitioning to his practice to Modern Family Asset Management in 2016. John is committed to serving the life, legacy, and financial needs of families and individuals, business owners, corporate executives and professional athletes.

“When asked if I would like to be a part of an organization such as the Serve & Connect board, it was a no brainer for me. With my mom being retired law enforcement, the opportunity to be a part of an organization that helps promote empathy and action between the community and the individuals that protect us is incredible.”