Our Staff

We have assembled a highly qualified team of professionals with the right combination of talent and experience to provide services to our consumers. Our clinical and business team members are extremely skilled and have extensive mental health, foster care, clinical, financial, business, governmental, and not-for-profit accounting experience.

Durham

Olanté Watson, BSW
Executive Director
Olanté is the Executive Director of Alpha Management Community Services, Inc. and is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations. He has been with the company since its inception in 1995.  He received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.   

During his time with the company, Olanté has served in various roles, including Director of Operations and Executive Director.  Since assuming the Executive Director position in 2006, he has led the company in tremendous growth, particularly in the area of foster children served.  He has extensive knowledge and experience in the area of mental health, foster care and developmental services.  Olanté has been active in the human services field participating with the Mental Health Association and National Association of Social Workers (NASW).  In addition, he currently is a member of the Durham Advisory Board of BB&T.  His e-mail address is owatson@alpha-community.org and his office number is 919-419-0043 x103.

Ty Cox, CPA

Business Manager and CFO

Ty is the Business Manager and CFO of Alpha Management Community Services, Inc. and is responsible for the day-to-day business and financial functions.  He has over 16 years of professional accounting experience and is a Certified Public Accountant.  He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from North Carolina Central University. 

Ty has served the company in number of capacities since 1996, including its first accountant, external auditor, and now, its Business Manager and Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to joining the company full-time in 2008, Ty served as founding partner of Ty Cox & Co., CPAs, PLLC and Cox Gibbs & Thomas CPAs, PLLC.  In addition, Ty has extensive not-for-profit, governmental accounting experience, having served as an Assistant State Auditor in the Office of the State Auditor.

Ty has been very active in the Durham and accounting community, having served as a council member of the Durham City Council, board member of the North Carolina State Board of CPAs, board member of the North Carolina State Board of Transportation, board of trustees of Triangle Transit Authority, as well as a number of other organizations.  His email address is tcox@alpha-community.org and his office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 113.

Nicole Cole, LPC, NCC

Clinical Director 

Nicole is the Clinical Director of Alpha Management Community Services, Inc. and works out of the Durham Office.  She is responsible for all clinical functions.  She has eight years of counseling experience with adults, adolescents and youth.  Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling from North Carolina Central University. 

Nicole is a member of American Counseling Association and LPC Association of North Carolina.  She has been a part of our team since 2009.  Her email address is ncole@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 115.

Monica Long, BA
Licensing Social Worker

Monica serves as the Licensing Social Worker in our Durham office.  She has over six years experience in the human services field.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University.  Monica has been a part of our team since 2008.  Her email address is mlong@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 111.

Tapona Champion, BS 
Social Worker  

Tapona serves as a Social Worker in our Durham office.  He has over 9 years of experience in the human services field.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from North Carolina Central University. Tapona has been a part of our team since 2001.  His email address is tchampion@alpha-community.org and his office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 123.

Trelese Smith, BA
Social Worker 

Trelese serves as a Social Worker in our Durham office.  She has over nine years of experience in human services.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Trelese has been a part of our team since 2009.  Her email address is tsmith@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 107.

Melanie Mercer, BA
AFL Social Worker/Qualified Professional 

Melanie serves as an AFL Social Worker in our Durham office.  She has over 12 years of experience in human services.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saint Augustine’s College.  Melanie has been a part of our team since 2007.  Her e-mail address is mmercer@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-419-0043 ext. 104.

Oxford

Chay Sinclair, BSW
Social Worker Supervisor

Chay serves as the Social Worker Supervisor and works out of the Oxford office.  She is also a member of the management team and has over 16 years experience in social work.  She received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of NC at Greensboro.  Chay has been a part of our team since 2002.  Her email address is csinclair@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-693-5699 ext. 407. 

Rashida Salmon, MSW
Social Worker 
Rashida serves as a Social Worker in our Oxford office.  She has over four years of experience in the field of social work.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies from Westfield State College and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut.  Rashida has been a part of our team since 2009.  Her e-mail address is rsalmon@alpha-community.org and her office number 919-693-5699 ext. 408. 

Amy McFalls, BA 
Social Worker 
Amy serves as a Social Worker in our Oxford office.  She has over 13 years of experience in human services.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Barton College.  Amy has been a part of our team since 2010.  Her email address is amcfalls@alpha-community.org and her office number is 919-693-5699 ext. 406.
 

Doris Manley, MS
Qualified Professional 

Doris serves as a Qualified Professional in our Roanoke Rapids office.  She has over seven years of experience in human services.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Shaw University and a Masters degree in Career Counseling from Madison University.  Doris has been a part of our team since 2005.  Her email address is dmanley@alpha-community.org  and her office number is 252-519-0801 ext. 306.

Rachel serves as a Social Worker in our Roanoke Rapids office.  She has over four years of experience in human services.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Shaw University.  Rachel has been a part of our team since 2010.  Her email address is rnesmith@alpha-community.org and her office number is 252-519-0801 ext. 305.