PROSPECTIVE MEMBER PROFILES
Emily Doherty is the Director of Marketing for Great Oaks Bank. With six locations in Middle Georgia and Coastal Georgia, Great Oaks Bank is focused on providing excellent customer service at a fair price utilizing the latest technology. Emily is a Marketing and Development professional with 20+ years of experience building strategic marketing, business development, and fundraising programs. She has been in Savannah since the mid-nineties and graduated with a BFA in Photography from SCAD in 1999. Emily is a 2022 Graduate of Leadership Bryan, she serves on the Richmond Hill Historical Society board, and is a founding member of the Savannah Marketing Group. She was a 2017 Generation NEXT recipient presented by Business in Savannah and Savannah Magazine, which awards Savannah's rising stars of business. Emily was extremely instrumental organizing and raising funds for Friends of Statts, who hosted fundraisers and concerts to help with healthcare costs for Emily's good friend, beloved local musician and graphic artist Jason Statts. She also supports the United Way of the Coastal Empire and the Telfair Art Museum. When Emily isn't working or serving the community, she enjoys time with her husband Tim, their 9-year-old son Patrick, and their sweet rescue dog Flower. 
Jason Usry is the Creative Services Director at WJCL 22 which is the ABC Network affiliate serving Southeast Georgia and South Carolina’s Low Country. He holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Mass Media Communication from Valdosta State University, as well additional certifications through the television station’s parent company Hearst Television.He is committed to making the community a better place and volunteers his time for several different local non-profits including The United Way of the Coastal Empire, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, and The Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club.In his free time he maintains his creative edge by writing and producing podcast. He is also an award-winning, produced screenwriter.He and his wife Dru have two small boys, Grayson and Lucas. The family loves calling Savannah and the surrounding community home. 
Ashley Harsey is the Director Of Operations at Savannah Ghost Pirates and has over 15 years of experience in marketing, strategic partnerships, advertising, and providing an extraordinary customer experience. She establishes strong community relationships and establishes a competitive advantage by coordinating chaos with effective organization. Ashley works hard to implement creative solutions with relentless determination.As a new Savannahian, Ashley wants to partner with industry leaders, learn from pioneers, and collaborate with community influencers, and inspire others.
Beth Whalen is an educator and Montessori Coach at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy where she has worked alongside the most dedicated and passionate teachers in the school district. She is also a Board member of Montessori Partnerships of Georgia, shepherding the work of supporting public Montessori teachers across the state. Additionally, she is the 2023 Teacher of the Year for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. This distinction has allowed her the opportunity to be a vocal advocate for all public school teachers in the district. She has a Bachelor’s in Education, a Master’s in Curriculum Integration Through the Arts and will begin work on Educational Leadership Certification in the Fall.
She believes fully in the power of public education. She believes in its capacity to provide opportunity to all, its ability to create respectful and compassionate communities, and its power to bring about peace and social justice. Beth has two incredible children, one in high school and the other in college, a doting husband of eighteen years and a lazy pup. She is an ardent lover of learning and enjoys reading, using power tools, and any opportunity for outdoor adventures.