Our Board
"Once a Member, Always a Friend"
Timothy Buchanan
Executive Director
Timothy Buchanan, the founder and Executive Director of Together Friends Organization Inc., brings over four decades of diverse and progressively responsible manufacturing, quality, and engineering management experience in the automotive industry. His tenure at Cummins Corporation, from which he retired in May 2018, is a testament to his expertise.
Timothy led international cross-functional teams at Cummins Corporation for over seven years. He traveled the globe supporting his teams in various countries under his span of control. In 2014, as the Global Six Sigma Black Belt, he generated over $6.1M in savings for Cummins Corporation. Timothy was awarded the Chairman of the Board Award for leading his engineering projects and departments.
Timothy founded The Together Friends Organization Inc. (TFO) on November 23, 1983. The organization received its 501(c)(3) status on February 21, 1986. The organization launched its initial pilot program during the summer of 1985 in Grand Rapids, MI, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park. TFO is purposed as an advocate for middle school students. The organization seeks to provide each student with a unique opportunity to discover and develop inner confidence that will empower them to achieve their academic and career goals successfully.
Timothy has been involved in numerous boards and committees since 1985.
Those boards and committees include:
March of Dimes of Metro Atlanta - 2020
Forest Park Ministry Association -2021
Rotary Club of Lake Spivey / Clayton County
GSAN Afterschool Community Champion 2022
Minnesota Governor Homelessness Volunteer Committee 2006 – 2007
Minnesota Wilder Foundation program sponsor for the Kids Nest and Mobility Programs – Team Advisor
Michigan State University – Extension Office - Stretching and Growing Committee
Junior Achievement Advisor – GM Metal Fab 1984– GM Diesel Equipment 1985
Timothy has been involved in helping and serving people his whole life. He was raised to seek opportunities to serve others and bring hope, peace, and encouragement.
Amri Buchanan
Director of Operations for Phoenix
Amri Buchanan serves as the Director of Operations in Phoenix at Together Friends Organization, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for community impact to her role. With a B.S. in Food and Nutrition, Amri combines her strong foundation in health and wellness with her operational expertise. Her leadership background includes serving on the Superintendent Advisory Council for Kyerne Public Schools and as a ministry leader at The World Church for over five years. In her role, Amri focuses on optimizing operations and ensuring the effective implementation of programs that empower and uplift the youth in our community.
Joseph Williams
Financial Controller
Joseph is a graduate of Tuskegee University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both Finance and Economics with a background in Computer Science. After graduating he began work at City Skies in 2009 as an accountant and within a few years moved up to the position of Director of Finance. In the years following City Skies would re-brand into City Jet Inc., currently iFlyCityJet, where he now holds the position of IT Director. Mr. Williams has over 15 years of experience in the fields of customer service, finance, and web design, along with a talent for computers, sound engineering and bass guitar.
Wanda Trotter
Fundraising Committee
MichiganJae Brown
Strategic Committee
GeorgiaSusan Quirk
Fundraising Committee
MichiganDuane Elledge
Strategic Chairperson
ArizonaHelandra Jones
Fundraising Committee
GeorgiaShankar Calambakkam
Strategic Committee
GeorgiaValia Spencer-Phillips
Parent Liason
GeorgiaAmanda Williams
Treasurer
Georgia