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 MISSION

The mission of the ToolBank is to serve community-based organizations by providing the tools, equipment, and expertise needed to empower their most ambitious goals. Our vision is to equip all communities with tools for change.

TOOLBANK USA VALUES

We are a values-based organization that serves our affiliates, member agencies, volunteers, community partners, associates, and suppliers with open hearts and equity.

RESPECT & INCLUSION

We believe in diverse and inclusive participation in our communities and we intentionally strive to create a welcoming environment for all people, regardless of race, sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation or creed.

INTEGRITY & TRANSPARENCY

We are committed to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. We support transparency in our financial and operating standards and commit to accountability.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

We are committed to accessibility, professionalism, and open communication focused on those we serve. Our goal is to exceed the expectations of all member agencies, volunteers, donors, and visitors.

TOOL STEWARDSHIP

We manage ToolBank resources responsibly to maintain inventory value, promote long-term viability, and ensure responsible usage and care of the tools by the borrower.

SAFE USAGE OF TOOLBANK TOOLS

We believe in our responsibility to foster and maintain strong relationships with our member agencies that promote responsible usage and care of ToolBank tools. We acknowledge our duty to practice sound stewardship in all activities with our member agencies related to the promotion of safety and responsible usage and care of the tools.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

We have a responsibility to collaborate with our partners to best support the interests of the communities in which we serve.

Our Leadership

Krish Das

President
Ulta Beauty

Jim Richmond

Past Presiding President
InMoment

Melissa Slone

Vice President
StrongMind

Camille Smith McMakin

Secretary
Alston & Bird

Eric Jacobs

Treasurer
Finance Director

Kimberly Antifave

Director
MarketAxess

Kathleen (Katie) Barton

Director
Kilpatrick Stockton, LLC

John Byrd

Director (Affiliate Board Rep)
ByrdGEO / Houston ToolBank

Kyle Green

Director
Ford Motor Company

Jon Howland

Director
Stanley Black & Decker

Bill Kruger

Director
UPS

Paul Mitchell

Director
Retired IT

Brian Pham

Director
Break a Difference

Abby Probst

Director
Grainger

Kitt (Kathryn Shipe

Director
Shipe Dosik Law LLC

Wesley Staggs

Director
PatientPoint

Toby Vernon

Affiliate Executive Director Representative
Richmond ToolBank

Our Team

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

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

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

Director of ToolBank Disaster Services

Bill is a US Marine Corps Veteran, having served 22 years active duty retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. Bill joined the team in 2021 and currently serves in the role of ToolBank Disaster Services Manager. He began volunteering in Panama City after Hurricane Michael with the TDS team which eventually lead to him being brought on as a full-time team member.

Favorite Tool: Fubar…it demands authority!

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 Yorkie, Cici.

Favorite Tool: Tape measure. Measure twice, cut once!

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

Dan Melia

Program Manager - TDS - New Orleans

Dan was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but has lived in New Orleans since he was sent there by the Navy in 2007. He served as a Navy Corpsman for 5 years, and has always dedicated himself to a life of service to the community. Dan’s first disaster recovery volunteer experience came in 2012 in Violet, LA, where he helped clear roads blocked by fallen trees after Hurricane Isaac. Other than serving the community, Dan’s greatest loves are his dog Clara and the sport of baseball.

Favorite Tool: Ratchet…it works in many ways and gets the job done.

Deanna Ward

Program Manager - TDS - Fort Myers / Punta Gorda

Deanna joined the ToolBank Disaster Services (TDS) team after Hurricane Ian devastated the west coast of Florida. She has always had a passion for tools and fixing things, so it was a natural fit to join the ToolBank team and incorporate those skills with the ability to help people. Deanna has a real estate background, so after the hurricane hit, many of her listings and homes of friends and neighbors were destroyed. Getting involved with TDS in her area was the perfect way for her to give back to the community and get tools in the hands of volunteers to help with the cleanup and rebuild efforts.

Favorite Tool: Screw Gun…super versatile tool that can build and deconstruct just about anything!

James Ramos

Program Manager - TDS - Sacramento

James joined the ToolBank Disaster Services (TDS) team in January of 2023 to help with our expansion into California. He is a Sacramento native and graduated with a BA in Sociology from Sacramento State. He was introduced to the ToolBank by his stepfather who is the Executive Director of the West Slope Foundation. ToolBank helped set up the foundation with a mini ToolBank to aid in wildfire relief efforts. James loves to work out, play golf, softball, and fish. He looks forward to helping the California communities rebuild after years of devastating fires and other natural disasters.

Favorite Tool: Impact Driver

Our Investors

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ToolBank Awards

WATCH THE 2022 TOOLBANK NATIONAL AWARDS

ToolBank "Affiliate of the Year" - Golden Hammer

ToolBank USA has created the ToolBank Affiliate of the Year Award to recognize outstanding performance and/or accomplishments of an Affiliate who exemplified the mission of the ToolBank by supporting their member agencies and partners. In a coordinated effort, the Board, staff and volunteers worked together to fulfill a need in their community to provide the right tools, training, and/or conduit to get it done.

2022 Winner: Cincinnati ToolBank

Wilkinson Millenary Volunteer Award

ToolBank USA has created the Wilkinson Millenary Volunteer Award (WMVA) to honor those individual Volunteers who make a substantial impact to the ToolBank Nation. The WMVA will be awarded to individuals who give 1000 Hours of Volunteer Service at an affiliate ToolBank or ToolBank USA

History: ToolBank USA has created the Wilkinson Millenary Volunteer Award(WMVA) in honor of longtime Volunteer and Supporter of the ToolBank, Erik Wilkinson. Erik started volunteering with the ToolBank when it was an all-volunteer organization, giving of his time to provide home repairs to low-income seniors in South Atlanta, keeping them warm, safe, and dry in their own homes. Today, 25 plus years later, he continues to assist ToolBank USA with several IT projects and upgrades, helping ToolBank prove its impact by putting the right tools in volunteer hands! His effect on the ToolBank success is beyond measurement but is always deeply felt.

2022 WINNERS: Rick Dove (ToolBank USA), Paul Hendrix (Phoenix ToolBank), Dave Peterson (Charlotte ToolBank)

Rupert Barkoff Exemplary Affiliate Director Award

The Rupert Barkoff Exemplary Affiliate Director Award has been established to honor an affiliate Director who has demonstrated outstanding and dedicated leadership and service to their affiliate ToolBank.

History: Rupert M. Barkoff, age 71, passed away in June of 2019, in Atlanta, GA and at the time was serving as Pro Bono legal counsel for the ToolBank USA board. Rupert spent his entire career as an attorney with Kilpatrick Townsend (originally Kilpatrick & Cody), joining in 1973 upon moving to Atlanta following law school graduation. He was a pioneer in the field of Franchise Law, demonstrating expertise in franchisor and franchisee practices, both nationally and internationally, with frequent trips to Australia to support new business concept development. Everyone who encountered Rupert remarked about his gentleness, intelligence, and sense of humor. Rupert joined the ToolBank family in 2011 as a national ToolBank board member and used his franchise expertise to help make the ToolBank a network of affiliates.

2022 Winner: Dan Stewart from the Charlotte ToolBank

Bobby Mason Award for Technology Innovation

The Bobby Mason LFNt Award for Technology Innovation honors the affiliate who most positively impacted the ToolBank network by either sharing a technological innovation or participating in the technological advancement of the network as a whole.

History: The award for technology innovation is named after Robert “Bobby” Mason, who in 2009 built the first network-wide tool tracking platform for ToolBank, known as LFNt. LFNt served as an essential inventory management tool for the network for over a decade, thanks in large part to Bobby’s oversight, architecture, and many help ticket fixes. Bobby is remembered in the ToolBank network for his outsized cowboy hat, his outsized pickup truck, and his outsized personality – but most of all for his outsized dedication to the ToolBank mission, which motivated him to donate countless hours volunteering as ToolBank’s IT support. In creating this award, we hope never to forget Bobby’s impact on the ToolBank and the many communities it serves.

2022 Winner: Atlanta ToolBank

Dan Webber ToolBank Brand Ambassador Award

ToolBank USA has created the DAN WEBBER TOOLBANK BRAND AMBASSADOR AWARD to honor those individuals who go above and beyond to promote and advocate for the ToolBank.

HISTORY: Dan joined the ToolBank Board of Directors in April of 2009 and always remained heavily involved with ToolBank. He served as treasurer from 2011-2013 and then served as board president from 2014-2015. As soon as Dan left the board, he started the ToolBank Executive Advisory Board, where he led a group of past ToolBank USA board members to help advocate on behalf of the ToolBank network. Dan was the epitome of service, gratitude, and optimism. ToolBank could go on and on about the work that he did on behalf of the ToolBank. He has left an indelible mark on the ToolBank network, and his legacy of service, and love of the ToolBank will live on forever. ToolBank will always be grateful to have had Dan as one of our best brand ambassadors.