Meet the Team

Phil Hoffman

Retired from Blount Memorial Hospital after 21 years as staff Cardiologist.  In our ER, I saw first hand what extreme cold exposure can to to a person.   When United Way decided to sponsor a Warming Shelter in Blount County, I volunteered to help.  With John 316 OM, we’re expanding the scope of services offered on winter nights and  providing access to basic human needs throughout the year.  My wife, Cindy, and I are members of Fairview Methodist Church and have 2 golden retrievers.

Theresa Gray

Understanding I am nothing without my Creator and having the opportunity to be a data geek, mom, daughter, friend, sister, and volunteer I ‘get to’ serve my community. My journey started on a cold night in Dec trying to live God’s word by sharing a blanket and I was the one given a gift… the gift to see others in need.  I feel blessed to live in Blount County and I am passionate about leveraging the grace and love I receive to serve others.

Roger Badger 

A believer in the love and teaching of our savior Jesus Christ. A desire to reach out in love and compassion for those of us in distress and less fortunate. My immediate goal as a board member is  To contribute to the growth and success of providing shelter for the homeless of Blount County and surrounding areas.

Rick Myers

I am the former director of the Chilhowee Baptist Center. I served Blount County's less fortunate families as well as our homeless population for over 12 years. Prior to this, I served as coordinator for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief in Blount County. I am a retired veteran with 32 years of service as a communication specialist. I live in Walland with my wife, Sue, and 2 young daughters. I also have 2 grown children. 

Steve Miller

Lived in Maryville TN my whole life. Employed in the Military Apparel industry. I believe that I am called to help others. Helping at the warming shelter gave me an opportunity to give back to my hometown.





Karen Hobby

I was born in Blount County, Tennessee, and have always lived as a Blount County girl. I am committed to making a difference in my hometown. It is gratifying to show kindness to people and their families during their trials in life. We can all contribute to making a difference; we must be willing to help. I do this by serving on nonprofit boards or being invested in helping other nonprofits. Another passion is investing time inspiring and mentoring young women as they develop personal goals for their careers. I was blessed to help my church, Madison Avenue Baptist, start hosting families for Family Promise. I have one daughter and two twin grandsons, and privileged to be passing down a legacy of involvement in their community.


Mark Talley

Born in Maryville in 1960, I have been a Blount County resident my entire life. I attended Blount County and Maryville schools. I have always attended Fairview Church in Maryville.  I still work and play in Blount County and consider the area home. I have been a volunteer or board member for John 316 since 2013. The founder and my close friend and brother in Christ, Paul Priest asked me to help him serve the less fortunate by completing home repairs, distributing second hand furniture, providing food and clothing, and keeping a lot of single heat source homes in firewood. Lack of volunteers forced Paul to shelve John 316 just before Covid.I serve with this current permutation of John 316 because I was asked. I learned as a young(er) man that there are bigger priorities than me. I learned this by working with men like Dr. Jerry Russell, Paul Priest, and Dr Phil Hoffman. These guys live James 1:22.Don't just listen to the Word, and this deceive yourselves. Be a doer of the word. That's my "why".