Dee Dee Speights

PRESIDENT

2023 – Present

Dee Dee Speights, a native of Columbus, Georgia, serves as the Complex Environmental Manager for Pilgrim’s in Carrollton, one of the world’s leading poultry producers. She joined the Keep Carroll Beautiful board to help promote sustainability and raise awareness about protecting natural resources for future generations.

Dee Dee earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Tuskegee University, where she developed her interest in environmental management and community impact.

Outside of work, Dee Dee enjoys vacationing abroad, playing board games, and writing children’s books. She and her husband have two children and are proud to call Carroll County home.

Taylor Key

VICE PRESIDENT

2024 – Present

Taylor Key serves as Community Relations Supervisor for Carroll EMC, where she manages outreach programs and community engagement initiatives. She began her journey with Carroll EMC in 2011 as a student employee and has since held roles as Accounting Specialist and Community Relations Specialist before stepping into her current position in 2021.

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Community Development, and a Master of Business Administration, all from the University of West Georgia.

She lives in Carrollton with her husband and daughter, Katie Mae, who is active in competitive cheer and gymnastics. In her free time, Taylor enjoys tennis, reading, and spending time with her family and two dogs, Maggie and Millie. She is passionate about strengthening community ties and supporting programs that make a lasting difference.

April Saunders

TREASURER

2023 – Present

April Saunders serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Carrollton, where she leads the team responsible for sharing city news, programs, and events with the community. Her department manages the city’s websites, social media channels, and digital and print communications.

In addition to overseeing marketing efforts, April directs downtown programming and the Carrollton Area Visitors Bureau. She and her team also plan and produce many of Carrollton’s most beloved events, including Mayfest, A Taste of Carrollton, and the annual Christmas Parade.

April is passionate about showcasing the energy and creativity that make Carrollton unique. Through her work with Keep Carroll Beautiful, she enjoys helping promote community pride and environmental awareness across the city she serves.

Hal Burch

SECRETARY

2024 – Present

Hal Burch is the Public Works Director for the City of Villa Rica, Georgia.
Mr. Burch oversees five different departments, including Streets, Solid Waste, Fleet, Grounds, and Watershed Protection, a role he has served for three years. Prior to this, he was the Public Works Director for the City of Temple, Georgia, overseeing public works and water/sewer functions.

Throughout his career, Mr. Burch has consistently demonstrated a results-driven approach, including 20 years of experience managing large solid waste companies. He has successfully developed safety programs for both facilities management companies and multiple solid waste firms. Additionally, he built a six-figure personal business from the ground up.

He holds professional Certifications in OSHA 10, LAP, CPWM (Certified Public Works Manager), and is pursuing the CPM (Certified Public Manager) in 2026.

Outside of his professional duties, Hal is interested in all things related to Motorcycles, Mechanics, and Technology.

Julie Phillips

2026 – Present

Shane Taylor

2023 – Present

Major Shane Taylor began his career in public service immediately after high school, serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995. That same year, he joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office as a Jail Detention Officer and soon became a certified peace officer. Over the years, he advanced through the ranks—serving in Patrol, the DUI Task Force, and Criminal Investigations—before being promoted to Major and Jail Administrator.

Today, Major Taylor oversees operations at the Carroll County Jail, managing a team of 80 employees and ensuring the safety and security of more than 400 inmates. He holds certifications as a Senior Deputy, Certified Jailer, Field Training Officer, SWAT Operator, and Peace Officer, and has completed all three levels of Management Training.

With more than 30 years of dedicated service, Major Taylor continues to lead with integrity and a strong commitment to justice and community safety in Carroll County.

Susana Valez-Castrillon

2020 – Present

Dr. Susana Vélez-Castrillón is originally from Medellín, Colombia, and has called Carrollton home since 2011. She is an Associate Professor of Management at the University of West Georgia, where she teaches Strategic Management and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Susana holds a PhD in Management from the University of Houston, an MPhil in BioScience Enterprise from the University of Cambridge (UK), and a BSc (Hons) in Biology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. Before entering academia, she worked in business development for a biotechnology company and for her home state’s environmental authority in Colombia.

Her background as a biologist and educator fuels her passion for sustainability and community engagement. Susana lives in Carrollton with her husband, Juan, and their two children, who attend Carrollton City Schools. She is proud to support Keep Carroll Beautiful’s efforts to build a more sustainable and connected community.