Meet the NGAF Clinic Team
Tripp Ritchie
Executive Director
Tripp is a retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. He retired after 25 years of military service with multiple command and combat tours. For his second career Tripp chose community service. He co-founded the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, Inc. then added Director of Family Support Services, Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina, and finally became the Director of the Autism Center, Navicent Health, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, GA. A highlight of his community service experience occurred in 1995, when Tripp received the "Jefferson Award" from the American Institute for Public Service, at the United States Supreme Court. His military-community team’s work supported low income, minority citizens with intellectual disabilities. Tripp earned his BA in Psychology from Eastern Washington University and MS in Logistics Management from Florida Tech.
“Do well by doing good.”
Sarah Rice, M. ED
Clinical Director,
M. Ed., CCC-SLP
Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2013. She then attended the University of West Georgia, where she graduated with a master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 2015. Throughout her educational experience Sarah had the opportunity to gain hands on experience in clinical settings such as WellStar Kennestone’s outpatient neuro-rehabilitation clinic, the University of West Georgia Comprehensive Community clinic, and Piedmont Mountainside inpatient rehabilitation. These clinical experiences served to provide Sarah with invaluable knowledge in working with both children and adults.
Sarah started her career as the Speech Language Pathologist at Blue Ridge Elementary from 2015- 2019. In June of 2019, Sarah accepted the position at the North Georgia Autism Foundation. This experience continues to challenge and grow her tremendously as a Speech Language Pathologist. Sarah is certified to provide speech therapy to all age groups. She has extensive knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of: articulation disorders, phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language impairment/ delay, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Stuttering, Apraxia, and Social/ Pragmatic Communication.
It is Sarah’s firm belief that everyone deserves a voice! Therefore, she strives to ensure that all her clients receive evidence-based therapy to achieve their most functional voice!
Lauren Davis
Programs and Development Leader
Lauren graduated from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a minor in Family Studies in 2017. She is now attending Liberty University to obtain a master’s degree. While attending college, Lauren was able to volunteer with many local centers to gain hands-on experience with the community settings. These experiences helped equip Lauren to work with adults, children, and families.
Lauren began her Human Services career at Avita Community Partners as a Social Services Technician in Blairsville, GA. Lauren served as a Supported Employment Specialist assisting individuals in finding, obtaining, and maintain gainful employment. Lauren is excited to serve the community and members of the North Georgia Autism Foundation, while growing in her human services career.
Lauren will provide Family Support Services and guide fundraising initiatives. She seeks to engage and encourage everyone she encounters on a daily basis.
Meet the Staff
Meet the Community Enterprises Team
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Brian Stahl: Artist
Art Gallery
Brian started showing artistic ability at an early age around the age of 3. Brian's pre k teacher Ms. Jennifer Keener ask the class to draw a rainbow. Brian picked up several crayons with the colors of the rainbow and in one sweep made a rainbow. He continued to do many other drawings and paintings. When he was in second grade he went to a homeschool group Timothy Ministries. He worked with clay media that was equally impressive to his teachers.
Brian reentered school in middle school and made several attempts for front cover of the annual. He did get to have a part in the school paper with drawing anime cartoons for the paper.
He has studied numerous books and has self taught himself through studying how to improve his techniques. While attending school at Warm Springs, his art was placed on display in the local gallery.
Brian continues to draw daily to improve his skills as an artist. He enjoys drawing, painting and photography. His art is available online and in the NGAF Art Gallery.
Erik Eide:
Artist
Art Gallery
Erik is an aspiring artist who enjoys painting on canvas. He has produced a very popular turtle postcard that is available at the Gallery or online.
Erik is from Durham, North Carolina where he attended public schools and graduated from Orange County High School in 2016. After graduating from high school Erik enrolled at Alamance Community College where he completed his studies in Healthcare Services in 2017.
Over the years Erik has participated in Special Olympics swimming, tennis, basketball, golf, baseball and bowling. He spent several years in Scouting achieving the level of Eagle Scout. Erik has great respect and appreciation for all animal life and nature.
Erik’s hobbies include reading, watching movies, enjoying water activities, travel, nature and caring for elderly people.
Erik believes that we all need to give back to complete the circle of life.
Mason Arntzen: Instructional Assistant
Georgia Bridge Academy
Mason first started assisting in education in the fifth grade, participating in an initiative called "Book Buddies'', a tutoring program that served in promoting early literacy by having fifth graders read books to younger students. It was a somewhat limited environment, being scheduled for an hour a week, but was still an enjoyable introductory experience.
In High School, he continued this work in a more formal capacity, volunteering in a joint effort between Kennesaw Mountain High School's Magnet program and neighboring schools. There, he worked as an after school tutor for mathematics and science at McClure Middle School, and as a teacher’s aide at Bullard Elementary, spending the first half of his school day assisting with a 1st grade classroom, grading papers and tutoring students in lieu of standard classes.
After leaving the magnet program, he went on to study computer science at Kennesaw State University for 2 years, before withdrawing due to health issues.
Outside of work, his hobby is competitive gaming, which he was first introduced to in 2013. Since then, he has participated in E-Sports as a competitor, commentator, and organizer.
Chase Schofield:
Administrative Assistant
Art Gallery
Chase was born in Boca Raton, FL before moving to Copperhill, TN, where he has lived most of his life. Chase graduated from Copper Basin High School in 2018. He played football for 3 years at Copper Basin High School, Go Cougars! Chase is the youngest of 3, with an older brother and sister. Chase attended Middle Tennessee University, studying history. Chase enjoys watching football and basketball, as well as National Geographic for information on wildlife and nature. Chase’s goals are to get a job to make money of his own. He plans to save his money for housing and to retire one day.