Frank Cureton, Chairperson

Frank Cureton is an attorney with Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA.  He is a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and has served on The Cooperative Ministry's Board for three years.

Stephen C. Mitchell , Vice Chairman

Stephen Mitchell is a partner in the Columbia office of law firm Fisher & Phillips, LLP.  His practice emphasizes employment litigation as well as traditional labor law.  He has handled administrative charges and lawsuits in state and federal courts involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FLSA, employment testing, as well as other types of employment based claims.  Steve has also assisted employers in handling class action litigation.  In the traditional labor law arena, Steve has represented employers throughout the United States in a broad variety of labor related issues.  This included assistance with legal issues in helping employers remain non-union, responding to unfair labor practice charges, and providing advice regarding collective bargaining issues and arbitration matters.  Steve is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a specialist in employment and labor law.  He is "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized in South Carolina Super Lawyers in 2009.  He has been listed in Chambers USA, America's Leading Business Lawyers since 2007 and in The Best Lawyers in American 2010.

Michael E. Penland, Treasurer

Michael E. Penland is a founding principal of Keenan Development Associates, LLC, a nationally recognized public/private development firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, with offices in Atlanta and Denver.  He has been involved in the real estate development industry for twenty-six years.

During Mr. Penland’s association with Keenan Development the firm has extended its reach throughout the United States with a completed portfolio of diverse projects occupying more than four million square feet of mission critical, laboratory, administrative office and other space at a value of more than one billion dollars. Mr. Penland has led the firm’s efforts in developing unique public/private ventures and structuring innovative financial arrangements for its public sector clients. This innovation has led to numerous successful developments for municipalities, states and federal agencies in nearly every region of the country.

Prior to joining Keenan Development, Mr. Penland was the Controller for Southern Development Management Company and a Financial Consultant with Policy Management Systems, a data processing and software development company.

In 1981 Mr. Penland earned Bachelor degrees in Business Finance and Economics from North Carolina State University. His professional and civic associations include active participation in the Association of Defense Communities and the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships. He is the Treasurer of the Board of the Cooperative Ministry, a community-based organization serving the working poor of Columbia. He has held numerous leadership positions at Shandon United Methodist Church, including its Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Church Council, and as a Sunday school teacher and Lay Leader.

Mr. Penland, and his wife Rebecca, reside in Columbia with their two daughters.

Carmen Smoak, Secretary

Carmen Smoak is a native of the Columbia area with fond memories of growing up on Lake Murray.  She is employed with Southeastern Freight Lines as Resident Quality Consultant where she specializes in statistical process control.  She also serves as co-chair of Southeastern's Quality Advancement Leadership Group.  Southeastern's QLG is responsible for the annual Strategic Planning Process, which establishes strategies and vision for the future, as well as Corporate Action Plans for the coming year.

With a heart for the community, she has devoted her spare time to serving the Midlands through projects such as Habitat for Humanity and Lexington County's Christmas in April.  She delivers Meals on Wheels through the Lexington County Recreating and Aging Commission and participates in the annual Meals March to raise funds for the program.  She co-chairs Southeastern's Walk for Life team to raise funds for breast cancer research and education.  She co-chairs ThomAid, an annual event to raise funds for the Red Cross in memory of Thomas Sloan McConnell.  Carmen began serving The Cooperative Ministry in the Spring of 2008.

 David Kunz, Executive Director

David Kunz grew up in Dallas, Texas.  After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Texas and a Master’s degree in Theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary, he completed ABD doctoral studies at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.
David served as a Senior Pastor for three different congregations for about 15 years and then worked in real estate for several years prior to his appointment in February 2008 as Executive Director of The Cooperative Ministry.
David’s pride and joy is his teenage daughter.  He is married and has two wonderful stepchildren. 

 Akili Harris, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Akili Harris spent most of her life in the Washington, D.C. area.  She joined The Cooperative Ministry in June 2007 after returning to her home in Lugoff, South Carolina.   She has worked in the finance and accounting field for over 23 years in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.  Akili received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science degree in Business from Johns Hopkins University,  and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Bridgette Rumph, Programs Director

Bridgette Rumph is currently serving as Programs Director with The Cooperative Ministry. She was born in Columbia, SC and educated in Richland County Public Schools. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, with a degree in Psychology and minors in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She has three siblings. She enjoys travelling, reading, and assisting those in need. She believes that human possibilities are limitless through faith.