Executive Director
Gary has been with RVO since November 2011. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BA in Business Management. Gary has over 30 years' experience working in all phases of management. Gary previously worked over 25 years in the commercial banking industry. He previously served 2 terms as RVO Board President and served on the Board since 1998. Gary is a Cabarrus County native and is proud to be serving the intellectually and developmentally disabled adults in both Cabarrus and Rowan Counties. He is a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club, Salvation Army Board, the Rowan Transit Authority Advisory Board, The Rowan Housing Authority Board and has served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher in his Church. Gary loves spending time with his family and friends. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, kayaking and is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer.
"I am very proud of RVO/CVO and its Mission. Our success is measured by the success of our consumers. I consider it a privilege to work with the consumers at RVO and CVO. In 2016 RVO celebrated its 50th Anniversary of serving the IDD adult population of Rowan County. The staff and consumers of RVO and CVO are extremely proud of this milestone. I invite anyone to visit either site and see firsthand our commitment to the success of each of our consumers."
Administrative Staff
Director of Operations/CVO
Skip Kraft has 30 years’ experience in the field of public education, 22 years as an Exceptional Children’s teacher and 8 years as a middle school principal. He received his B.A. Degree in Special Education (k-12) from Catawba College and a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in School Administration and Curriculum. Before joining the staff at CVO Skip served on the RVO Board of Directors.
Skip resides in Salisbury with his wife Lisa and three children; Elizabeth, Julia and Louis. In his spare time he enjoys Bass fishing, Sports and lawn care.
Gary Yelton
Sales and Marketing Director
Glenn has over thirty-five years of industrial/commercial experience. Twenty years of this time has been working to develop and grow business for special populations in a non-profit environment, sixteen of those have been at Rowan Vocational Opportunities. He attended Stanly Community College majoring in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the REAL Program for Entrepreneurial training. He has completed Leadership programs in the counties of Stanly, Rowan and Cabarrus. Glenn resides in Stanly County. He is married to Marcia and has four children and three grandchildren. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys spending time at the beach.
Glenn McDonald
Tammy Lemmons
Qualified Professional
Heather Erwin has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since 2016 as the Qualified Professional of the Innovations Department. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.A. in Psychology, Heather worked in various capacities serving individuals within the IDD/MH population. Roles included direct support, program supervisor, and case management services. After working for Easter Seals UCP providing direct support services, Heather became a mentor at a psychiatric residential treatment facility serving children and adolescents. Heather continued to serve individuals and their families for five years including being promoted to roles of Program Supervisor and Case Management Specialist. Heather believes in the importance of providing individualized services that empower each individual to reach their personalized goals. Providing services in a caring environment, and supporting each person with their success is the reason Heather chose the field of Psychology.
Human Resources and Finance Manager
Tammy has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Inc. since 2009. As the Administrative Assistant at Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Tammy’s job includes staff and consumer Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Billing. Tammy is also the IT Coordinator and Transportation Coordinator. She serves on the Rowan Transit System Advisory Committee. Tammy also assists the Executive Director with Human Resource responsibilities.
Tammy received her Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Systems Technology from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, May 2006. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Tabernacle church. Tammy lives in Salisbury with her daughter, Stephanie, and their dog, Sophie.
Skip Kraft
Heather Erwin
Innovations Program Manager
Tara Seaford has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Inc. since 2006 as a Direct Support Professional in the Innovations Department. Due to her knowledge, dedication and love for the consumers she was promoted to the Innovations Program Manager in October 2019. Tara has 25 years of experience working in various positions with individuals diagnosed with physical and developmental disabilities. She has worked in residential and vocational settings and also does respite care with Bayada.
Tara loves the challenges and rewards of working in the Mental Health and Human Services field. She has stated, “I came into this career wanting to make a difference in the lives of others; little did I know the difference they would make in mine. I think I have learned from these wonderful individuals even more than I have taught.”
Tara resides in Salisbury with her husband and attends Bible Missionary Baptist Church. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family. Tara has one son, a daughter-in-law and a precious granddaughter who has Tara wrapped around her little finger. Tara is also an avid photographer and music lover.
Tara Seaford
ADVP Program Manager
Carol joined Rowan Vocational Opportunities in 2020. She has over 24 years of experience working in various positions in this field. Before joining RVO’s team as the ADVP Program Manager for RVO and CVO, Carol started out as a Direct Support Professional with RHA Health Services before being promoted to manage group homes. She also worked as a Habilitation Specialist for both residential and the vocational center. Carol has attended trainings with services for the blind, TEACCH Autism Program, Alzheimer’s and conducting interviews for personal outcomes.
Carol lives in Granite Quarry with her husband and their three dogs. She enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren.
Production Manager
Robbi has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since 2000. After attending Pfeiffer University, Robbi worked in the manufacturing field for 20 years until the plant shut down. Working in the production industry was where she learned the meaning of hard work. After the plant closed, Robbi started working with adults with disabilities in Stanly County teaching production skills. Three years later she made the decision to transfer to Rowan Vocational Opportunities in Salisbury to continue working in this field after seeing that RVO had numerous simple hand packaging jobs for consumers to learn. Robbi believes that it’s such a wonderful job to watch individuals learn; not only simple packaging, but also more difficult and complicated jobs. She also believes that there is still a lot that RVO can accomplish in the Production Department to ensure RVO consumers have talent for their success.
Having the motto “WE CAN DO IT!” makes for great team work! Robbi feels that this is the most rewarding and satisfying job she has ever had!
Robbi lives on a small farm in New London with her husband, Steve. Robbi’s passions are family, horseback riding, camping and her seven grandchildren.
Robbi Russell
Assistant Production Manager/Assistant Sales Manager/ABB Quality Assurance
Mark has been employed with Rowan Vocational Opportunities since 2013. He is currently in charge of the Quality Assurance for RVO in all areas regarding the ABB contracts. Mark also serves as Assistant Sales Manager and Assistant Production Manager for ABB. Before being hired by RVO, Mark served on the Board of Directors; including serving as Board President. Mark has over 40 years of experience working with GE/ABB production. He earned his AAS in Industrial Management from RCCC in 1981.
When not at work, Mark helps as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Scouts BSA Troop 442. The youth go primitive, backcountry backpacking or canoeing each month. Mark is a three time veteran of Philmont Scout Ranch and completed a 2189 mile thru hike of the entire Appalachian Trail in 2016. Mark Schiemann says the youths’ activities keep him young.
Mark Schiemann
Carol Williams
