Advisory Board

Senator Nikki Merritt was elected to the Georgia State Senate on November 3, 2020, and was sworn in to serve Georgia’s 7^th Senate District on January 11, 2021. She is a Georgia native and longtime resident of Gwinnett County.  Sen. Merritt studied at the University of Georgia and worked in the telecommunications industry for 23 years, proudly serving in her labor Union CWA 3204 fighting for workers’ rights and fair working conditions.  In the Georgia Senate, Sen. Merritt has been assigned to serve on the following committees:  Government Oversight, Insurance and Labor, Natural Resources and the Environment and Special Judiciary.

Before deciding to run for public office, Sen. Merritt volunteered for the nonprofit C.A.N.I (Community Action Network Initiative). Still serving as a C.A.N.I board member she helps coordinate events for community engagement and empowerment throughout Gwinnett County. She also sponsors internship programs mentoring college students pursuing political careers.

Sen. Merritt resides in Grayson, Georgia with her husband and two teenage children

Gregg Kennard was born in Atlanta and has remained in Georgia his entire life, most of that time residing in Gwinnett County. He attended bible college and has been in occupational ministry for over 30 years. In addition, he is a non-profit executive director (working with homelessness and domestic violence), a John Maxwell certified coach, and an accomplished musician.  Gregg also represents District 102 in the Georgia State House of Representatives.

Lorenzo R. Lewis is a servant of God, faithful husband, father and paw paw. Lorenzo is a Certified and Ordained Christian Life Coach that specializes in Reentry, with a heart for those that are currently incarcerated and those that are reintegrating back to their communities. Lorenzo also is a trainer for ” Life Empowerment Enterprise’s” Life Coach Certification program. Lorenzo is coming from a managerial background, customer service and transportation. Lorenzo serves as a facilitator at Phillips State Prison and is a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship ( Prison Outreach) Lorenzo joined the GGRA family in 2018. Lorenzo is an Ordained Minister and currently serves in his local church here in Gwinnett.

Lee Robbins has planted and pastored churches for 15 years has played a role in helping people reshape their lives, not only spiritually but in many other ways; to find purpose again. His expertise in coaching was developed through an extensive study of coaching technologies, philosophies, and various profile assessment tools. Lee has coached pastors, ministers, entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, and more. He has also been a motivational speaker for various organizations, especially those who work in/with reentry (previously incarcerated individuals).

Russell Gray is one of the founding members of the GGRA. He has served as a jail minister as well as courtroom advocate for countless individuals as they went through the criminal justice system. He has been a past president and Advisory Board member for the GGRA. He currently serves as an executive committee liaison assisting with outreach and advocacy.

Rachel O’Dell joined the GGRA Board in the spring of 2018
after becoming a member of GGRA and a church volunteer at the jail.
She is a stay-at-home mom with a Masters Degree in Music Education. She has also been a teacher for Bible Study Fellowship for 3 years.
In 2018 she began a ministry called Gwinnett Shepherds of Returning Citizens, in order to help connect returning citizens to local churches.