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Meet The Staff
Commissioner Barbara Howell
Assistant Principal for the School for Leadership Development
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Commissioner Barbara Howell, a 5th generation Salvationist, was born to Salvation Army Parents, Majors Ralph & Mary Leidy, in Youngstown, Ohio. Her parents' appointments led her to live in various places throughout the Northeast U.S., including four years in Puerto Rico. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied and became a Respiratory Therapist.
Commissioner Barbara and her husband, Willis, met and began dating as teenagers while working at a Salvation Army Camp in Connecticut. They have been happily married for over 45 years and are blessed with three children and two wonderful children-in-law: Captains Sheri & Trey Jones, Peter Howell, and Majors Jonathan & Anita (Miga) Howell. They are also proud grandparents to six beautiful grandchildren.
With a combined service of over 37 years as Salvation Army officers, including more than 14 years as Corps Officers and various Divisional and Territorial Staff Appointments, they have profoundly impacted the Salvation Army's mission. They recently served in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, & Samoa Territory, and subsequently as Territorial leaders for the US Southern Territory. Commissioner Howell serves as the Assistant Principal of The School for Leadership and Educational Development. Her greatest passion lies in developing female leaders and inspiring women to realize their full potential as God intended.
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Dr. T. Lynn Smith
Director of the School for Leadership Development
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Dr. T. Lynn Smith is a dedicated native of Aurora, Illinois, with a profound commitment to service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College, a Master of Science in Business and Management from National-Louis University, a Master of Arts in Church Music from the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Sacred Music from Union Bible Theological Seminary.
Currently, Dr. Smith plays a pivotal role in The Salvation Army as the Director of the Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development. She is also a licensed minister and generously volunteers as a Chaplain for the Fulton County Sheriff's Department.
At the local level in ministry, Dr. Smith serves as the Trustee Board Chairperson for Hinsley Temple Church Of God In Christ in Atlanta, Georgia. On the regional and national levels in ministry, she serves as the Southeast Regional Music President and Secretary for the Board of Trustees for the Church Of God In Christ, Inc., the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination.
Dr. Smith's passions encompass a wide range of pursuits, from composing music and nurturing leaders through training and development to inspiring young adults with her words of encouragement. Additionally, she dedicates herself to intercessory prayer, where she listens to the voice of the Father."
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Professor Jennifer Rexroth
Curriculum Writer & Presenter
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Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Winthrop University and her Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (Christian Education) from Columbia International University. Jennifer has over 20 years of working experience with The Salvation Army as well as almost 10 years working in higher education with the University of South Carolina and Georgia College & State University. She serves The Salvation Army as a Trainer and Curriculum Writer.
Jennifer enjoys doing life with her husband (Tim), their two sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and two dogs. Her passion is people, especially walking alongside them as they discover and journey towards their unique passions and life purpose.
Dr. Cathy Oliver
Curriculum Writer & Presenter
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Dr. Cathy Owens-Oliver began her career as a high school English teacher and became a National Board-Certified Teacher. Dr. Cathy Owens-Oliver completed undergraduate studies at UNC-Greensboro and NC A&T State. She earned her doctorate in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University. She has traveled to 46 of 50 states and Canada training teachers, school boards, and college professors. Dr. Cathy currently serves The Salvation Army as a Trainer and Curriculum Writer.
Dr. Cathy’s work is published in education journals and college textbooks. Her new book entitled Why Schools Fumble (a guide for school improvement) is an Amazon bestseller. Dr. Cathy attributes much of her ministry effectiveness to the tutelage of her spiritual father, the late Bishop Otis Lockett, Sr. She is married to Elder Sidney Oliver, and they reside in Charlotte, North Carolina where they enjoy golfing, traveling, and mentoring millennials.
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Mr. Christopher Hall
Web Content Developer and Virtual Media Specialist
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Christopher Hall has a passion for music ministry and media. His education in media was further developed at Vincennes University where he studied Multimedia Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast.
Christopher Hall was born and raised in Indiana where he was introduced to The Salvation Army through camp and music ministry as a teenager. It was at the Central Music Institute that he decided to make The Salvation Army his church and a year later became a soldier. Christopher served the Western Territory in Reno, Nevada as the Public Relations and Social Media Specialist. He currently serves in the Southern Territory as the Web Content Developer & Virtual Media Specialist for the School for Leadership Development at Evangeline Booth College.
Christopher is married to Cassidy, and they love mending the hearts of animals who have been abused.
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LaKisha Yarbrough
Administrative Assistant
LaKisha Yarbrough is an Atlanta native who began her life with The Salvation Army in 2011 at a fall festival at the Atlanta Peachcrest Corps. She has worked at the Boys and Girls Club and The Red Shield Harbor Light Corps. She currently serves as an Administrative Assistant for the Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development at Evangeline Booth College.
LaKisha has an Associate in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University. She is passionate about God’s people and delights in being His hands and feet. She and her family are devoted soldiers of The Salvation Army. She is married to Antonio Yarbrough and they have four children.
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