Meet The Team

I have a great friendship with our founder Antonio. He expressed his vision to me years ago. He stated that when it came to fruition he wanted me to be a part of the team. As the CFO, I am honored and totally committed to assisting him in achieving his dream. I have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and community blood drives along with serving as a tutor and mentor for the Augusta Youth Center. I understand the hard work involved with serving the community and guiding our youth. Having come from a lower class family, I realize the struggles the youth are facing and can connect with their current position. As a teenager, I reaped the benefits of the Upward Bound program. Without Upward Bound, I can’t say I would have attended college, let alone graduated. It’s fitting to pay back what I received as a youth forward through the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program. I am grateful to be able to give back that which I have received and to facilitate the success of our youth and this program henceforth.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Senior Accountant and Billing Analyst (RCS Corporation)
• Accountant (Accountemps)
• Chief Accountant (Pine College)
• Senior Account (Physicians Practice Group)
• Accountant (Washington Safety Management Solutions)
• Staff Accountant (Salant Corporation)

Memberships & Affiliations:

• Augusta Youth Center
• Habitat for Humanity
• Community Blood Banks (Blood drives)

Personal Strengths:

• Accountant
• Tutor
• Mentor
• Motivator
• Fitness Instructor

I am Michelle Fernandez, the COO, and I have always had a special interest in working with youth, particularly at-risk youth. Like many of our youth today, I was born to a young, single mother and struggled throughout my childhood. I found the strength to overcome such circumstances and avoid a life of delinquency. My passion is to help our community and the young people of our future. I proactively extend vigorous participation in community initiatives and I employ many personal hours volunteering with centers that cater to victims of domestic abuse, neglected children and indigent families. I have vast experience working in leadership roles and extensive knowledge in relevance to social skills, communications, and social interactions. Moreover, with my relative experience in corporate & organizational compliance and quality control, I possess the necessary skills and knowledge to assist with the operations of The Everlast Entertainment Group and support the many individuals, families, youth, and schools in partnership with and in service of The Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Internship with the District Attorney’s Office (Juvenile Division)
• Awarded in Outstanding Leadership Abilities
• Recognized for Superior Performance
• Junior Achievement

Personal Strengths:

• Leadership
• Social Skills & Interaction
• Communications
• Corporate & Organizational Compliance
• Quality Control
• Bilingual

My name is Patrice Simpson. I am the Program Director of the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program. I have numerous years of experience in Project Management and Program Development; and I am enthusiastic about servicing our community and working productively towards producing an everlasting change. As the Program Director, I am eager to build a strong foundation and support system for ensuring the success of our youth. In college I was a lead mentor for Project P.U.S.H. (Propelling Underserved Students into Higher education); from then I noticed a direction to lead our youth into success which led me to Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. I bring two strengths- diligence and passion, using both to further the Everlast mission of being an advocate for the community. I am committed to being a driving force for Everlast in keeping its promise to the community and soon the country.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication Majoring in Journalism

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Intern for Dean of Student Affairs
• Project P.U.S.H (Propelling Underserved Students into Higher education)
• Pro Paine award

Memberships & Affiliations:

• Student Leadership Administrative Assistant
• The American Diabetes Association our De France
• The Census 2010
• Team Depot Foundation
• Active Volunteer for Communities in Schools
• Paine College Lyceum Series Student Representative
• Children’s Church volunteer at New Birth Augusta
• Board Secretary for Sinclair Joe Legacy Foundation

Personal Strengths:

• Youth Advocate
• Youth Mentor
• Project Management
• Event Planning
• Communications
• Program Development

I am Artis Collins and I am the Education Director for the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program. I have worked with many non-profit organizations that were geared towards enhancing the lives of our youth. My preceding experiences have shown me how to interact with colleagues, students and parents in a respective manner to get identified goals and tasks completed with a comparable mindset. As the Education Director, I will always exemplify the determination necessary to ensure the most optimal educational outcomes for our youth. Furthermore, I intend to pursue excellence in every endeavor we embark upon though the implementation of the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
• Major: English
  Minor: Marketing

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Honda Campus All Star Challenge (national quiz bowl tournament)
• Ford Black College Quiz (nationally televised)

Memberships & Affiliations:

• Honda Campus All Star Challenge team
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Personal Strengths:

• Management
• Sales
• Human Service
• Communications
• Education

My name is Don Quarles, and I am one of the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E.’s Executive Advisors. For the past 20 years, I have been an active member in the 100 Black Men of Augusta Mentoring Organization. For over 25 years, I have operated as an educator within the Richmond County School System. My involvements allowed me to gain hands-on experience working with youth groups and individuals. Moreover, it has given me insight in targeting many of the issues that these youth face. Collectively, my background, experience, and insight provide me with a strong foundation for working with a diverse culture of youth and supporting the goals and initiatives of The Everlast Entertainment Group and the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Youth Program.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Science, Physical Education
• Master of Education
• Specialist in Leadership & Supervision
• Ed.D. Leadership & Supervision

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Coach’s Award/Tennis Dedication and Leadership
• 100 Black Men Outstanding Dedication and Commitment
• Teacher Appreciation Award
• Alumni Recognition Award

Personal Strengths:

• Leadership & Supervision
• Educator
• Youth Mentor
• Youth Advocate

My name is John Bussie, Jr, and I am one of the Executive Advisors for the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program. I graduated from Hull College of Business, which qualified me to surpass in market analysis and market penetration. Furthermore, I am technologically savvy and a creative problem solver, who has been described as a team first individual. My foreign travels to Paris and London helped me to become an excellent communicator both oral and written. I possess the technical acumen to leverage business, build team morale, and satisfy clients. Last but not least, my working relationship with Streetz 94.5 allows me access to discover great networking opportunities. Cooperatively, all of my knowledge and experience obtained throughout the years are here and available in support of our youth, our community, and the Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. Program. As an Executive Advisor, I intend on ensuring the long-term success and effectiveness of all programs implemented by Everlast 4 L.I.F.E. We are here to make a difference, and I am glad to be a part of it.

Degrees, Licenses, or Certifications:

• Bachelor of Business Administration, Minor in Communications

Awards/Career Highlights:

• Rashan Ali & The Streetz Morning Grind Production Assistant
• Streetz 94.5 Promotional Assistant
• Clerical Administrator (Georgia Regents University Performing Arts Theatre)

Memberships & Affiliations:

• AAU Young Scholar Youth Basketball travel team

Personal Strengths:

• Networking Skills
• Knowledge of the desired market
• Market Penetration
• Project Planning
• Excellent Communicator
• Creative Engineer