Acting Director
​                             Arlene Walston

Arlene has been with the Epilepsy Foundation since 2022. She was an Adjunct Professor and Counselor for a community college teaching student at on-and off campus sites to include Level 3 and 4 prisons. What preceded? A Parole Education Teacher, of course! For nearly 20 years she taught classes such as Anger Management, Substance Abuse, Parenting, Relationship, GED and Workforce Readiness for the Dept of Education and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation where she received multiple awards. Her compassionate yet professional style of leadership gave her the role as a mentor teacher for educators working with the criminogenic population. Earlier, she was a counselor for teens, parents, mentally ill and addicts-a calling from the Lord, no doubt. Arlene received her Bachelor of Arts with honors in Collaborative Health and Human Service. Later, she obtained a Master’s degree in Education Administration and another Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Several certifications followed to include, but not limited to Domestic Violence, CSOTP. She now lives in Seymour with her husband, a former Parole Officer. After being retired for two years, she gratefully accepted the Wellness Coordinator position. Arlene helps in all the support group programs with an emphasis on the Epilepsy Foundation Wellness Institute. Then, October 2024, Arlene was asked to step into the role as an Interim Executive Director. When not at work, Arlene enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, learning new things, serving as a volunteer for Oak City Baptist Church’s children’s ministry, and spending time with her amazing children and seven grandchildren
 

                           Chuck Walston

 
​Full Time Volunteer
​email: [email protected]

​Chuck has deep roots in east Tennessee.  His family is descended from the father of Bonny Kate, the wife of John Sevier, the state's first governor.  In the waning days of the Vietnam War, Chuck joined the U.S. Army.  After graduating from Airborne school and Ranger school, Chuck served with the 1st Ranger Battalion and The Old Guard.  After over a decade of service, he served for nearly a quarter of a century as a law enforcement officer.  Upon retiring, he authored roughly 500 articles focused on investing in the stock market.  Chuck now works as a full-time volunteer for the Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee, serving as the foundation's grant writer and fundraiser.  
 
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                             Vicki Knisley

                                                                                          Client Services/ Therapeutic Art

                                                                                               email:  [email protected]

​Vicki Knisley studied fine art at the Dayton Art Institute in Ohio, then went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Therapy at Bowling Green State University. She has worked in a variety of human service related jobs in the past, and currently teaches art to homeschoolers in Jefferson County.
 
Vicki joined the EFET staff in June 2022 as a co-leader for the therapeutic art support group. She enjoys helping with the support groups as well as working in client services.  She helps set up neurology appointments, aids in fundraisers, answers phones, and  connects people with resources in the community. 
 
Vicki is married to Tim and has raised five terrific children and lots of cats.  In her free time she may be found reading Jane Austin, homeschooling her son, volunteering at church, watching live theatre, and always, always singing a show tune!

Maggie Cruz

  Public Education Coordinator

  email:   [email protected]

 Maggie was born in the borough of Manhattan, in New York City.  By the time she was 24 years old, she had two sons and was a single Mom.
She attended the Mandl School for Medical Assistants in 1975 receiving a full certification and then attended the New York Institute of Technology, studying Communication Arts with a writing minor.

In January of 1982, she was hired by the New York City Police Department as a Police Officer.  She remained at this job for 20 years working in many assignments, from Patrol to Station House Manager of Computer Operations.  She was a High School Officer, Youth Officer, and Community Affairs Officer.
She was also a First Responder on September 11, 2001 when the two towers went down. She often worked at Ground Zero until  retirement on January 21, 2002.

In 2011 she worked at the Federal Air Marshal Service in Newark, New Jersey until 2020 when
she moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. She began working for the Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee in November of 2024. She chose to go back to work because she missed helping people. 

Rhonda Lonas

    Client Services Coordinator

    email:  [email protected]

Rhonda has been with the Epilepsy Foundation since 2024. She is a hometown girl who grew up in Maynardville and now lives in Morristown. Rhonda studied Human Ecology at the University of TN for her undergraduate and Business Administration for her master's at Carson-Newman University.
She is a mother of three, a retired homeschool mom, and has a son with epilepsy. Rhonda is active in her community and enjoys volunteering at various events. In her spare time, she loves to hike, read, and play board games with her family and friends.