SOS Staff
Philip Walkley, Executive Director
Originally from Jonesboro, AR, Philip first volunteered with SOS in 1998 while attending the University of Mississippi. He also served on SOS college summer staff as a Team Leader in 2002. After graduating from Ole Miss, Philip interned with a campus ministry for a year and then served as a youth minister for four years in Grenada, MS. In 2007 he was hired as the Executive Director of SOS and made the move to Memphis. He regularly speaks at conferences and retreats on the subject of gospel-centered ministry among the marginalized. He is also a contributor to the 2016 book, Gospel Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide published by Crossway. Philip, his wife Kelsea and their three kids are residents of Binghampton, where they have lived since 2007. Philip loves running and cycling really early in the morning, eating ice cream, completing jigsaw puzzles, and he is an unashamed choir nerd.
Marlon “Big Dog” Brown, Assistant Construction Director
In 2004 Big Dog joined the SOS staff team as a Construction Manager for the summer and shortly after was hired as the Assistant Construction Director on full time staff. He is the former Mr. Millington (TN) High School and a college basketball star and still uses his sweet jump shot to school college summer staff on the parking lot basketball court at SOS. Marlon fulfills many rolls around SOS including assistant construction director, exposing folks to the life in our partner neighborhoods, and leading work teams. Marlon spends his free time reading, scuba diving, playing golf, and using his silver pickup truck to deliver goods to the less fortunate. In 2009 he married the love of his life, Jackie and together they enjoy bike rides & scuba diving.
Kelly Coon, Camps & Registration Coordinator
Kelly joined the SOS staff team in December of 2012. Here at SOS, she lends her talents to recruit, register, and manage all the details of hosting groups of campers. She has been married to Levi since 2015 and they have two darling girls, Mara and Julia. Kelly is a proud native Memphian who loves cooking/eating/talking about food, playing outdoors with her little ones and scavenging local antique stores.
Jordan Griffin, SOS Builds Director; Camp Director
Jordan is an Arkansas Native with tons of Memphis pride! Jordan attended Arkansas State University where he met his wife Katie. Jordan and Katie decided to move to Memphis to begin their life together after they fell in love with the city in college through a campus ministry that landed them right in the bunks of SOS. Jordan has spent the last 10 years of his career investing in the city of Memphis through youth ministry, mentoring, and academic opportunities. He has also worked as a volunteer chaplain for local high school teams over the years through FCA. Jordan spends his spare time hanging out with his wife, friends, and family while taking care of his two dogs Harvey and Bennie.
Laura Haltom, Director of Accounting & Finance
After a short hiatus from the SOS full-time staff team, Laura decided she couldn't stay away! She served on SOS staff for ten years before moving with her family to Georgia in 2020. The Haltoms returned to Memphis in 2023, and Laura's excited to be back in the city she loves serving with the organization she loves! She met her husband, Drew, as summer staffers in 2006, and they have two children -- Graham and Jude. When she's not at SOS, you might catch Laura out on a walk in the neighborhood or at a ballfield cheering on her kids.
Mark Newman, Construction Director
Mark joined the full-time staff team in October 2016. He moved here with his wife, Lauren, from Knoxville, TN on their one-year wedding anniversary excited for the new adventure of Memphis, SOS, and Occupational Therapy school for Lauren. Mark and Lauren first met at and attended the University of Tennessee. He served as a maintenance technician for a property management company in Knoxville and is excited to bring his skills and what he’s learned to SOS to serve Memphis. He enjoys being outdoors, playing and watching sports (especially UT football!) and building great community with friends.
Brian Richards, Camp Director; SOS Academy Director
Brian grew up in the Memphis area, but gets his love for pizza from his Chicago hometown roots. Studying applied mathematics at the University of Tennessee drove him to a life of ministry and he has never looked back. Before joining the SOS full time staff, Brian worked in youth ministry for 8 years. Brian spends his free time in search of delicious food, cruising the open road on his motorcycle, coaching track and field, and finding any way to be active.
Kayci Ross, Office & Operations Manager
In 2008, Kayci, a native Texan, crossed the mighty Mississippi with her husband, Josh, and two sons, Truitt and Noah. They live in Binghampton with their dog, Grizz. Before joining the SOS team, she served as an Executive Assistant at Choose901 and Office Manager for the Levitt Shell. In her free time, she speaks at conferences for ladies and teen girls. She loves Mexican food, the Grizzlies and anyone that will let her eat chocolate. She is thrilled to be part of the SOS team!
Board of Directors
Class of 2023
Casey Condra, Orion Federal Credit Union
Noel Fenderson, My Town Roofers
Thomas Marino, First Horizon Bank
Douglas Turner, Janet Jones Realty
Class of 2024
Shun Abram, Send Relief; Binghampton Community Church
Brent Armstrong, Diversified Conveyors International
Will Frazier (Treasurer), Memphis Research Group
Mac Plosser, Lewis Thomason Law Firm
Gwin Smith, Rutledge Investment Company
Linda Smith, Philanthropist
Class of 2025
Michael Davis, Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Emily Gray, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
Catherine Gross, World Relief Memphis
Van Thompson (Board Chair), Barnhart Crane & Rigging
Michael Williamson, Diversified Conveyors International
Board Member Emeritus / Founder of SOS
Tom Marino, Poplar Foundation