Our Story
TOOLBANK serves community-based organizations by providing tools, equipment & expertise to empower their most ambitious goals.
Our Beginnings
The ToolBank concept was created in Atlanta in 1991 with the idea of neighbors helping neighbors by giving their time and loaning their tools to do home repairs for their neighbors in need. In 2008, ToolBank USA was launched to replicate the model and establish ToolBanks throughout the United States. The ToolBank’s signature lending model allows charities to focus on their mission by relying on ToolBanks to provide, store, and repair critically-needed tools and equipment. ToolBanks share their resources with charitable groups so they can equip volunteers to efficiently complete work in less time, with the right tools, at minimal costs. Using ToolBank tools, community-based organizations avoid the expense of purchasing, repairing, and storing tools. Each year, the ToolBank recognizes a ToolBank Affiliate who has been outstanding in furthering the mission and vision of the ToolBank.
Our Mission & Values
Our Leadership
Krish Das
President
Ulta Beauty
Camille Smith McMakin
Vice President
Alston & Bird
Kitt (Kathryn) Shipe
Secretary
Shipe Dosik Law LLC
Kimberly Antifave
Treasurer
MarketAxess
Kathleen (Katie) Barton
Director
Kilpatrick Townsend
Kyle Green
Director
Ford Motor Company
Bill Kruger
Director
UPS
Marly Maskill
Affiliate Executive Director Representative
Houston ToolBank
Paul Mitchell
Director
Retired IT
Randa K. O’Connor
Director
SPE Solutions
Brian Pham
Director
Break a Difference
Abby Probst
Director
Grainger
Allison Stone
Director
UL Solutions
Jeremy Torok
Director
Stanley Black & Decker
Our Team
![Patty Russart](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Patty-copy.jpg)
Patty Russart
CEO
Patty Russart joined ToolBank USA as CEO in May of 2018. Since late 2008, Patty was the Executive Director for the Atlanta Community ToolBank (ACTB). Her mantra is ‘where there is a will there is a way’ and that is how she approaches fundraising for the ToolBank. Patty successfully completed a $1.525 million Capital Campaign for the ACTB, which allowed them to purchase a much larger warehouse space and add a Tool Training Center.
Favorite Tool: Nifty Nabber
![Trey Bearden](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Trey-Image-scaled.jpg)
Trey Bearden
CPO
Trey joined ToolBank USA as Chief Program Officer in July of 2018. Most recently, Trey served as the founding Executive Director of the Richmond Community ToolBank. The process of building a ToolBank from the ground up taught him that action creates clarity and that the answer is always no unless you ask!
Favorite Tool: The right tool for the job
![Kate Juergens](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kate.jpg)
Kate Juergens
Executive Office & Compliance Manager
Kate joined ToolBank USA in 2016 with a background in advocacy and operations support for nonprofit organizations in Atlanta. She has experience working with immigrant and refugee families to provide services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is fluent in Spanish and has a passion for her two rescue cats, English literature, and Argentine tango.
Favorite Tool: Power Sander
![Bill Hess](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Bill-Hess-resized.jpg)
Bill Hess
Director of ToolBank Disaster Services
Favorite Tool: Fubar…it demands authority!
![Matt Walenciak](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Matt-Walenciak-bw-website.png)
Matt Walenciak
Director of Replication & Sustainability
Favorite Tool: Nail Gun
![Julie Italiano](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Julie-Italiano-BW-1.jpg)
Julie Italiano
Director of Marketing, Communications & Outreach
Julie joined the ToolBank USA team in 2021 as a way to continue her passion for the ToolBank network after years of involvement with the Cincinnati affiliate. She brings an extensive marketing, advertising, and graphic design background to the organization and looks forward to translating these skills from a for-profit space to the nonprofit world. She’s an avid golfer, enjoys traveling and spending time with her Yorkies, Cici and Coco.
Favorite Tool: Tape measure. Measure twice, cut once!
![Adam Phlegar](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Adam-Phlegar-Headshot.png)
Adam Phlegar
Manager for Special Projects and Assets
![Jaime Valle](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Jaime-Valle-BW-1.jpg)
Jaime Valle
Program Manager - TDS - Puerto Rico
Jaime is a native of Mexico and moved to Puerto Rico 21 years ago. He joined the ToolBank team in 2021 as the Disaster Services Manager for our Puerto Rico location. Jaime is a highly tenured disaster response and rebuild volunteer, starting back in 1985 during the earthquake in Mexico and most recently helping with the efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and earthquakes in 2019/2020 in Puerto Rico. He aided in training workers and volunteers on roof reconstruction.
Jaime serves as a member of the board of directors and as a consultant for the Long-Term Recovery Group of San Juan. He also offers up consulting work for ProTechos and provides training for students and member agencies on tool handling and safety.
Favorite Tool: Chainsaw
![David Melancon](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/David-Melacon-headshot1.png)
David Melancon
Program Manager - TDS - New Orleans
After Hurricane Ida devastated parishes in southeastern Louisiana, David volunteered as the Logistics Coordinator for Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. After coordinating the delivery of thousands of meals and truckloads of supplies, David joined Catholic Charities serving as the Associate Director of Disaster Response and Preparedness, relocating to Thibodaux, LA, the town he was born and raised in.
In his TDS role, David combines his love for being an instrument of change for the betterment of all community members, tools, and working in the non-profit realm into one job.
David loves spending time with his family, his dogs, traveling, and enjoying all the parades, fairs, and festivals that New Orleans and the Pelican State have to offer.
Favorite Tool: Impact Driver… where diversity meets power to create change!
![Kristi Thum](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kristi-Thum-headshot.png)
Kristi Thum
Southeast Territory Manager - TDS - Tampa
Kristi hails from New Jersey but has been in the St. Pete, FL area for over 30 years. She owned a successful home renovation business before being drawn to Habitat for Humanity and their mission to provide decent, affordable housing. Kristi went to work for Habitat for Humanity as a site supervisor guiding volunteers in building the new homes. She moved into a Project Manager position and stayed with Habitat for 9 years.
She joined the ToolBank Disaster Response team in November 2023 and will be heading up the ToolBank’s presence in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
In Kristi’s spare time, she likes to camp, hike, bike and get out on her paddleboard. She’s been spending a lot of time training her newly rescued yellow lab, Buddy.
Favorite Tool: Reciprocating Saw…makes the big jobs small.
![Arturo "Art" Garciacano](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Art-Garciacano-Headshot.png)
Arturo "Art" Garciacano
West Territory Manager - TDS - Los Angeles
Art is a US Marine Corps Veteran, having served over 13 years of active duty. He began volunteering alongside our Director of ToolBank Disaster Services, Bill Hess, at the Palms Spring Home Depot Community Build Invitational in August of 2023 and joined our ToolBank USA team in January of 2024 as the West Territory Manager-TDS-Los Angeles.
In his spare time, Art loves spending time with his children and girlfriend Yvette, cooking, listening to music, and traveling.
Favorite Tool: Level
![Lynsey Georgen](https://toolbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lynsey-Georgen-Website-Headshot.png)
Lynsey Georgen
Rocky Mountain Territory Manager - TDS - Denver
Lynsey is a Colorado native with over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership. Her background as a professional artist and photographer allowed her to volunteer for all types of organizations in hands-on roles and she’s excited to bring this experience to ToolBank. With her children now (finally) adults, Lynsey’s free time is managed exclusively by her 2 one-eyed dogs and their hobbies, including neighborhood watch duty and cheese tastings.
Favorite Tool: A Power Drill—nothing is as versatile!
Our Investors
CORPORATE INVESTMENT PARTNERS (Community & Disaster Services)
CORPORATE BUILDING PARTNERS (Community & Disaster Services)
DISASTER SERVICES PARTNERS
Become an Investor
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