Meet Our Staff

Randy Beall

Executive Director

Randy is a 2nd generation Sheet Metal Worker and a 30 year member of Sheet Metal Workers LU 85. He has served the membership of SMW 85 as Executive Board Member, Organizer, and Business Representative. Randy also served as a Trustee to the Health and Welfare and Pension funds for over 16 years. In September of 2016 he was elected as Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer for the Atlanta & North Georgia Building Trades. He also serves as President of the charitable training organization the Georgia Building Trades Academy.

Randy and his wife Melissa have one son, Jonathan, who is studying for his PhD at Medical University of South Carolina. He and Melissa live in Barnesville and faithfully attend Way of the Cross Baptist Church in McDonough, where he teaches Adult Sunday School and leads the choir.

Kristina "Kristy" Smith

Program Director

Kristina is best known for empowering youth to become leaders in the Atlanta community through education, job training, volunteer service, and leadership development. She previously served as the Youth Manager for the City of Atlanta as well as the Director of the YouthBuild Atlanta Program. Kristy has collaborated closely with partners such as North America’s Building Trades Union, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, and Atlanta Public Schools Adult Education to ensure academic pathways to employment. She brings to GABTA 17 years of executive management experience as the former Chief Operations Officer for Umbrella Staffing and the Executive Manager for Walgreens Pharmacy.

Kristy obtained her Masters in Technology Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland School of Engineering and her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Mass Communications from Clark Atlanta University.  She is a native of Atlanta and lives with her husband, son, and two cats. In her free time, Kristy enjoys boating, dancing, and traveling.

Frederica White

Program Manager

Frederica has over 30 years of experience in the areas of skilled management, leadership, customer service and community outreach. She has previously worked alongside City of Atlanta Council Members to provide resources, jobs, and training to residents and provided administrative support to elected officials at the U.S. General Services Administration during the Obama Administration. Frederica also gained experience in various areas of commercial and residential construction which led to her becoming foreman for five years. 

Frederica is a native Texan (Go Cowboys!), and she has a daughter, son, and four grandchildren. In her free time, Frederica enjoys singing, nature, bowling, and spending time with family.

LaDena Chisum

Success Coach

LaDena Chisum has been a certified Life Coach since 2017 and is a dedicated youth advocate.  LaDena came to GABTA YouthBuild from YouthBuild Lake County in North Chicago, Illinois. LaDena - known to the students of YouthBuild as "Coach L" - believes in coaching students to become the best version of themselves. Her coaching style infuses transparency, non judgement, and authentic passion for young adults. She believes in coaching from the sidelines like in sports, not being in the middle of the "field" or "court" with students.  By being on the sidelines, she is able to aid the team and give advice and assistance that helps players win. Coach L stands alongside the students of YouthBuild and stresses the idea that mistakes don’t stop the journey, they give an opportunity to make a better choice the next time. Her motto is, "It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish."

Ralph Dickerson

Construction Manager 

Louis Partain

Career Placement Specialist

Louis brings to GABTA YouthBuild years of experience with Atlanta’s local construction trades unions. He has been a member of IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades) Local 193 since 1982 and retired in 2019. Throughout his career, Louis served as Recording Secretary and President of IUPAT Local 193 and Business Representative of District Council 77. He also held the positions of Trustee on the District Council 77 Finishing Trades Institute and Vice President of District 3 of the Ga AFL-CIO. Louis also has ties to the North GA Building and Construction Trades Council and the Atlanta North GA Labor Council. 

Louis is an Atlanta native and continues to reside in the suburban Atlanta area with his wife of 36 years. He has three wonderful children, and in his free time, Louis enjoys camping, fishing, sports, and engaging in community service.

Kristi Mullins

Career Placement Specialist

Kristi comes to GABTA YouthBuild from the Cobb County School District where she gained ample experience in helping students change their lives for the better. She prides herself on her ability to develop and maintain partnerships in the public and private sectors as well as her motivation to work with young people to achieve their interests and goals.

Kristi graduated with honors from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Anne Little

Administrative Specialist

Anne Little joined the Atlanta & North Georgia Building Trades Council in July 2008.  She serves as the Administrative Manager & Recording Secretary for the Council and as the Administrative Specialist for the Georgia Building Trades Academy, Inc. She and her family are all Union members.  Anne is a member of Millwrights Local 1263, her husband and son are members of IATSE Local 479, and her daughter is a member of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 72

Anne obtained her Associate of Science degree in 1999 from Georgia State University with an emphasis on business management.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling. 

Storm Murray

Social Media Manager

Storm has worked on multiple social media campaigns for various trade union organizations including IBEW #1316, Insulators Local #48, Operating Engineers Local #926, and the Atlanta & North GA Building Trades Council. She loves helping young people find their passions and achieve success which she strives to do in both her academic and nonacademic work environments.

Storm lives in McDonough, GA with her partner Brian and their cat Waffle. She is currently pursuing her PhD in English Rhetoric and Composition at Georgia State University. She obtained her Master’s in August of 2021 from Georgia State and her BA from Wesleyan College in 2019. In her free time, Storm enjoys reading, watching tv, traveling, art, and attending conventions.