Lantern Lane Farm Counseling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit counseling center located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Therapists and counselors on staff use multidisciplinary approaches to provide services in our private, tranquil farm setting.
Meet our Board of Directors
Derek Hazelet, President
Derek joined Lantern Lane Farm Counseling’s board of directors in 2018. He is a Generosity Strategist at Generis and has over 25 years of experience leading in ministry and business environments where he has developed and implemented solutions for churches and their ministry-funding efforts. Derek’s passion to see churches and organizations realize their full potential is grounded in his desire to shepherd people and serve as a steward of the organization’s resources.
Derek has traveled extensively around the world in partnership with the local church and mission agencies as a hands-on advocate for disciple-making movements, community-focused ministries, church planting, and orphaned and abandoned children. He and his wife Ronda, their three adult daughters, and teenage son have lived in the Nashville area for nearly 20 years. He received his M.A. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and is an ordained minister.
Allison Vines, Vice President
Allison Vines is the Director of Care Ministry at Providence Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. The Care Ministry includes all aspects of pastoral care including overseeing the Counseling Ministry. Allison's background is in Social Work and she has served at Providence Church since 2008. Providence Church has been in ministry partnership with LLF for several years and is grateful to partner with several therapists in leading classes and groups for the church and community. She is joining the board at LLF in 2022.
Allison along with her husband and son moved to Mt. Juliet in 2002 from Northeast Arkansas. She spends her free time with her friends and family including two dogs and a cat and loves to travel.
Bill Manley, Past Chair
Bill has retired from his position as Assistant Vice President of Solutions Development at HCA Information Systems, where he worked for 19 years. He has served on the board of Lantern Lane Farm Counseling for the past four years and currently serves on a board for another organization as well. Bill feels a deep responsibility to serve others at this stage of his life. He has lived in the Nashville area most of his life, except during his three years of military service. Bill is married to his lovely wife, Angela, and together they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys being with family, playing music, scuba diving, and traveling.
Janice Durnberger, Secretary
Janice is Vice President & Office Manager at Wilson Bank and Trust, Mt. Juliet and brings a wealth of experience in financial management, not for profit engagement, commercial lending and detailed knowledge of business finance.
Janice has served in leadership and team-member roles for a number of non-profits including Compassionate Hands ministry, Kiwanis Club, Charis Health Center and Cook’s United Methodist Church. Janice enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an active member of Mt Juliet Chamber and First Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, TN.
Joni Cook, Co-Founder
Joni grew up in Michigan on a blueberry farm, which is where she learned a good work ethic from her parents. Joni has a BS degree from Liberty University. Upon graduation from college, Joni worked for the university as a dorm supervisor and took masters level classes in education. Joni served alongside her husband Ralph in 3 different churches while helping raise their two sons and working as a land developer and realtor. Ralph and Joni began Lantern Lane Farm Counseling in 2004, which became a non-profit entity in 2008. They have two grown sons, who are both married, and five grandchildren whom they adore.
After serving alongside Ralph during the first 15 years, in 2020 Joni has chosen to step aside from the day to day responsibilities and serve solely as a member of the Board of Directors. Currently, she enjoys being a full-time grandma while also being a caregiver to Ralph’s mother who resides with Ralph and Joni in their home in Lebanon, TN.
Ralph Cook, Co-Founder
Ralph has worked as a Music Educator, Minister of Music, and a Minister of Youth. After many years of teaching and church ministry he felt called to work with families and individuals (both children and adults), in the area of counseling. Ralph has a B.S. in Music Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. He obtained his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. Ralph and his wife Joni founded Lantern Lane Farm Counseling in 2004. Ralph is the CEO/Clinical Director of LLF. In addition to counseling, he serves as a consultant to area churches, provides workshops and seminars to churches and other organizations. He also leads Marriage Intensives for couples. Ralph has worked with couples who come to LLF for Marriage Intensives from across the nation. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and an AAMFT Clinical Fellow. Ralph and Joni have two sons and five grandchildren. He loves movies, music, spending time with his wife and family and is an avid fan of John Grisham books.
Gina Paoli, Treasurer
Gina is a Certified Public Accountant and moved to the Mt Juliet area approximately 15 years ago. She joined LLF’s Board of Directors in 2020.
Gina has served as a vital member of Lantern Lane Farm Counseling’s volunteer team over the past several years; helping management track and report on financial matters.
During her free time, Gina enjoys being on the water with friends and being a grandmother to her sweet grandbaby.
Rachel Cook, Director
More info coming soon!
Staff
Jeff Gregg, Executive Director
Jeff began his career in the entertainment business and spent over three decades guiding the careers of some of the biggest names in show business. Jeff has an extensive history of Business success with expertise in creating and implementing comprehensive budget, marketing, development, and strategic plans. Jeff is a visionary leader with a proven ability to mentor, connect, and inspire. He left the entertainment industry in 2020 to become the Executive Director of Lantern Farm Counseling Center based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Stepping into the role of Executive Director at Lantern Lane Farm Counseling was a natural fit, given his ability to produce superior results under high pressure.
He earned an undergraduate degree in business from Aquinas College, an MBA from Amberton University, and a Master of Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Jeff resides in Donelson, where he is very involved in the community, including being Nashville’s City Councilman for District 15. He loves old cars and likes to take his 72 Chevy Truck for a spin on Sunday afternoons.
Shayla Hall, Systems Manager
Starting with Lantern Lane Farm in 2019 as the Intake Specialist, Shayla is now the Systems Manager. She continues to assist with intakes and many other areas of the administrative side. Shayla has lived in the Mt Juliet area for most of her life. Prior to coming to LLF, Shayla served as the Director of Operations at a non-profit, was a meeting planner, and a travel agent. Shayla is thrilled to be a part of such an incredible group that works to provide restorative and compassionate care to those in need.
Kiley Waddington, Intake Specialist
Kiley earned her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies from California State University, Fullerton, in 2005. She has always had a passion for helping others. Before joining the Lantern Lane Farm family, she worked as a Service Coordinator for the Regional Center of Orange County, where she provided case management to people with developmental disabilities for over 15 years. Kiley moved to Tennessee with her husband and daughter in June 2022. She is thankful for God's blessings in her life, including this opportunity to assist others in taking the first step toward healing. When Kiley isn't working, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, listening to music, traveling, and baking custom cakes and cupcakes.
Holly Griffith, Director of Engagement
Holly learned of Lantern Lane Farm while searching for a part-time position within a mission-driven organization. She was seeking a work-life balance where she could put her degrees in Education and Business Management to good use. She first volunteered as a fundraising coordinator and then joined the Board of Directors. In 2019, she was offered the part-time position of Director of Operations. In 2020, she accepted the position of Director of Engagement. During her time with the organization, LLF has grown from an organization with 10 counselors and 4 interns to 34 counselors and 8 interns...and still growing. Holly's position has evolved with the organization; she is currently serving as Project Support personnel.
When she's not assisting with QuickBooks or Payroll transactions or serving as a team member on various projects, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, on the golf course, at pubs/restaurants, or anywhere her boys' interest leads them. She has many interests, including playing flute, gardening, sewing, drawing, writing, and spending time with her NY family (virtually or in person). Lantern Lane Farm is a blessing to her, and the good work carried out through this organization represents God's love - unconditional, steady, and open to all.
Melanie Browning, EAGALA, Equine Specialist
Melanie Browning has joined Lantern Lane farm. Originally from Ohio, Melanie moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the late 80’s in pursuit of life outside the snowbelt, where she met her husband, Brent. Melanie and her husband have two daughters and they currently attend Long Hollow Church as a family. Prior to having children and becoming a stay-at-home mom, Melanie had a successful career as a Series 7 Investment Representative for many years at a brokerage firm including, J.C. Bradford and Morgan Keegan. Melanie also enjoys traveling, especially internationally, with her family.
As a Certified Eagala Equine Specialist, she works with therapists and their clients’, utilizing horses as part of the team on their counseling journey. Eagala, is an acronym for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. Melanie is also a trained Stephens Minister. Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-on-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life. As a lifelong horse owner and avid rider, Melanie spends her weekends camping and trail riding or practicing her new horse venture of team roping. She grew up participating in 4-H and has never outgrown the “I love horses” phase.
Caroline Christiansen, Assistant to the Executive Director
Caroline Christiansen was born in Greenville, South Carolina. She is an author and avid reader who loves music, cooking, traveling, and curling up with an amazing book. In high school, she moved with her family to Franklin, TN, where she met and fell in love with her now husband, Brad. Caroline and her husband live in Franklin, TN, with their two children. When she is not working on her administrative tasks or writing her next novel, she plans incredible vacations for her travel clients. Caroline’s extensive history in the entertainment industry brings marketing expertise and knowledge of guest experience and services to support Lantern Lane Farm Counseling. She’s always eager to lend a hand and put her giftings to good use, especially if it means making a positive impact on the lives of others!