BOARD DIRECTORS 2025

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Michelle Patroni is the founder of Help One Another, Inc. (HOA)®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring passenger rail and regional bus service in Appalachia.

Born in Appalachia, Michelle remains deeply connected to the region and was inspired by her father’s life in Jellico, Tennessee. After her parents divorced, her father, Roy K. Burchett, affectionately called Bud, moved to Jellico to help his aunt and uncle manage a restaurant while also working as a mechanic.  On September 4, 1978, he was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident at age 41, within four months after her brother Marty was critically injured in the Jenkins Hotel fire of May 16-17, 1978 — a disaster that claimed seven lives and was the deadliest in the town’s history since a 1906 dynamite explosion that killed thirteen. 

Returning to Jellico over the years, Michelle witnessed shuttered businesses, displaced people, and declining opportunities. Not wanting to see the town where her father lived and died disappear from a map, she spent years seeking support from companies, legislators, and organizations—efforts that were met with little success. When those efforts failed, she took action and founded HOA® to drive meaningful change in Jellico and other Appalachian communities facing similar challenges. She believes one of the most practical solutions is the restoration of passenger rail lines and regional bus systems, which once connected these communities. Looking forward, she envisions improved infrastructure as the foundation for long-term economic sustainability in Appalachia.

A first-generation college graduate, Michelle earned her B.A. in Social Science, graduating cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was consistently named to the Dean’s List and served as a founding member of a student advisory board to one of the university’s deans. Before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for high-achieving students. After graduation, she pursued graduate studies in Social Justice, Community Development, and Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Chicago, completing her first year with a 4.0 GPA before returning to the legal field as an independent contractor.

Her professional career spans decades as a legal case manager and paralegal specializing in personal injury and insurance litigation. A defining milestone came when she was one of five paralegals hired by Ford Motor Company to reduce litigation in market areas with the highest litigation volume, a program so successful that Ford created a dedicated Litigation Prevention Department at its world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan mirroring the efforts of the original five. Today, she provides litigation support as an independent contractor for law firms across the country while leading HOA®’s mission to restore passenger rail and bus service throughout Appalachia. 

Michelle is also a published writer, with work appearing in MD Anderson Cancer Center publications, Global Genes, and STAT First Opinion. Through her writing, she amplifies her experiences and advocates for health, justice, and community resilience.

Beyond her legal and nonprofit work, Michelle has a lifelong commitment to service. From 1986 to 1987, she served as President of the Absecon, New Jersey Junior Women’s League, part of one of the oldest and largest women’s volunteer organizations worldwide. In 2017, following the Tennessee wildfires, she volunteered in disaster relief, working to distribute donations from around the world to families displaced by the fires. In 2021, she started a traveling food bank to serve displaced people and animals in East and West Knoxville and Jellico. In addition to her independent volunteer work, since 2023, she has volunteered with Tennessee Serves, an initiative led by Tennessee’s First Lady Maria Lee to bring resources and support to economically distressed communities throughout Tennessee.

Separate from her volunteer work with Tennessee Serves, Michelle has for many years dedicated her time to volunteering at high-risk rescue missions, food banks, homeless shelters, animal shelters, and state parks. Together with her dog, Barkley, she currently volunteers with HABIT (Human Animal Bond in Tennessee) and Covenant Health at the Thompson Cancer Center, bringing comfort and companionship to patients who enjoy time with a sweet dog.

Of her accomplishments, Michelle feels her greatest is helping raise her son, Ryan, who fulfilled two dreams: playing baseball in college and becoming a professional PGA golfer.

Gene Halavanau is a dedicated attorney and advocate committed to serving underserved communities. As principal attorney at Halavanau Law Office, P.C. in San Francisco, he focuses on personal injury and tenant rights cases while actively engaging in pro bono work.

His international experiences across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Germany, and the U.S. shape his commitment to justice. He has supported underrepresented communities through the Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals and provides pro bono aid to asylum seekers.

Gene’s advocacy aligns with this nonprofit’s mission to expand economic opportunities in Appalachia. His tenant rights work and fight against systemic inequities make him a strong ally in advancing transportation and employment access.

Outside of work, he enjoys parenting his two children, exploring nature, and outdoor adventures with his wife.

Angela Rose Henson is a fractional Creative and Strategic Consultant, Project Manager, Chief of Staff, and expert generalist for conscious entrepreneurs. She has collaborated with startups and organizations in the technology, education, entertainment, and wellness sectors, including The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, The Archer School for Girls, XPrize, Within VR, Amazon, and more. 

Angela is inspired by challenging projects, building companies and communities, creating innovative solutions, and promoting change to the status quo. 

Angela holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a Bachelor's degree in Cinema Studies, cum laude from The University of Pennsylvania. As a writer and cinephile, she has a passion for movies and culture and resides in Santa Monica, California. 

Frank Patroni currently works at the East Tennessee Historical Society and brings with him a distinguished background in law enforcement as a retired Detective Sergeant and former aid to the Chief of Police of the Atlantic City Police Department. During his law enforcement career, he also worked in Internal Affairs and Community Policing.

Frank earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Tampa. He was once offered a position at the FBI crime lab in Washington, D.C., but chose to remain near the ocean, staying true to his roots.

A former president of the Al-Ki Social Club in Atlantic City, Frank is known for his strong sense of community and leadership. In his free time, he is an avid reader, expert crossword puzzle solver, dedicated golfer, and a seasoned distance runner who has completed several marathons. When he is not at work, you’ll likely find him running along the greenway or teeing it up on a golf course.

Gianna Mosser is the director of Vanderbilt University Press, where she oversees the publication of thirty books per year. She was previously the editor in chief of Northwestern University Press. Gianna received a BA in English summa cum laude from University of Miami and a MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. She lives in Nashville with her family. 

Kendra L. Rimbert, a Kentucky native with deep Appalachian roots, is a dedicated civil litigation attorney with over 20 years of experience. A University of Kentucky College of Law graduate, she worked with the Innocence Project before starting her career in civil defense. Realizing her passion lay in fighting for everyday Kentuckians, she founded her own firm, successfully advocating for underserved communities for 15 years. 

Committed to justice and community service, Kendra volunteers with the Red Cross and provides pro bono legal aid. She lives in Louisville with her family, championing mental health awareness and access to justice statewide. 

 Hannah Stuart is pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, building on her background in education. Hannah holds a Masters in teaching from the University of Tennessee and also obtained her BA from Carson-Newman. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Knoxville with their two teenage sons, Aiden and Paxton, sharing a love for travel, fishing, and hiking.

Hannah volunteers at a Knoxville homeless shelter, witnessing firsthand how systemic failures, not just personal choices, drive homelessness. As a member of  H.O.A. (HELP ONE ANOTHER), INC.®  she advocates for better public transportation to expand opportunities for those in need.