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Tayana Pannell took over the reins on Feb. 6
YOUNGSTOWN
The new executive director of the United Methodist Community Center of Youngstown/Warren is brainstorming with the organization’s board of directors and evaluating programs with an eye toward broadening the center’s reach.
The United Methodist Community Center has two facilities: one each in Mahoning County at 2401 Belmont Ave. in Youngstown and in Trumbull County at 309 N. Park Ave. in Warren.
“We definitively want to increase our programs for veterans,” said Tayana C. Pannell, who took the reins of UMCC on Feb. 6.
“Our overall mission is to teach, develop and empower all whom we encounter,” she said.
Pannell said she is very impressed with the partnerships among agencies working together for the entire community.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Pannell attended Cardinal Mooney High School and graduated in 1989 from South High School, where she played varsity basketball. She received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Pannell has been actively engaged in a variety of community affairs for many years and has served as a fiscal control officer and social programs manager in several area regional agencies.
She completed an internship at the Wean Foundation in Warren; worked in customer services for the Youngstown Water Department; was program specialist for Ashtabula County and its senior services program; and was fiscal officer for the Ashtabula County Job and Family Services Agency.
Pannell is the daughter of Margaret Pannell, of Texas, and the late Reginald Pannell Sr., who was a deacon in Rising Star Baptist Church here. She has four sisters and three brothers, including the Rev. Terry Bolds Sr., former senior pastor at Rising Star.
Pannell’s mother operated the Rising Star food pantry for more than 15 years and cooked meals in her own kitchen to pass out downtown.
“My mother was always about service, and she instilled that feeling in me,” Pannell said.
Another of Pannell’s mentors was Irma Davis, founder of the Needles Eye Christian Life Program that provides weekend programming and getaways for children.
“Mrs. Davis was phenomenal. She never met a person she wasn’t willing to help,” Pannell said.
The UMCC Board, in announcing the hiring of Pannell, said “her experience can be harnessed to help shape the future of the center. We are excited about the partnership that this brings to the center, and we look forward to our future together in Youngstown and Warren.”
The UMCC has 17 employees and six volunteers at its Youngstown facility, and six employees and six volunteers at its Warren facility.