Join Our Team

Mark Lavigne | President

Mark Lavigne is the President of the Board of Directors for Expanding The Table, as well as the Committee Chair for the Long Range Planning Committee. He has been a critical part of Expanding The Table over the past year. He is involved with the cooking team, and sandwich-making team, serving on the truck, and he is an active member of the Board of Directors.

Mark has been a long-time member of the Summerville community and is very active within his neighborhood Homeowners Association. He is a retired Air Force Officer with over 20 years of service. He also taught general math, algebra, geometry, and science at Givhan’s Achievement Academy for 17 years.

Mark’s connection to the community and his connection to the parents and youth he assisted at the Givhan’s Achievement Academy provide deeper insight to the population Expanding the Table services. He treats everyone with respect and is here to help and assist them.

Sue Smith | Vice President

Sue is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Engineering. While in school, she supported herself by working as a chef and head cook in a fine foods restaurant, later building her career as a project and construction manager for Crown Castle, a telecommunications company. After many years of hard work, she retired and moved to Summerville to be closer to her oldest sibling and escape the Pennsylvania winters.

It was through Ashley Ridge Church that Sue learned about Expanding the Table and felt led by the Holy Spirit to get involved. Drawing on her restaurant experience, she now volunteers her time preparing and serving meals, especially at Doty Park on Friday evenings. Sue’s hope is that each meal not only fills stomachs but also nourishes souls, and she looks forward to helping Expanding the Table continue to grow and serve the community.

Kim Tabor | Treasurer

Kim moved to Summerville, SC in August 2022 from Detroit Metro Area after living there her whole life. She retired after working 25+ years in the automotive industry. Kim has an MSF degree and is a Certified Six Sigma Blackbelt. In her free time she has a small cottage baking business, Cakes and Other Sweet Things, which makes custom cookies and cakes. Kim served on the board of Steppin’ Out/ AIDS Walk Detroit for 14 years. The 501c3 organization provided funding to agencies that provided direct care assistance to people living with HIV/ AIDS. Kim also served in the capacity of Volunteer Coordinator (over 400 volunteers), Vice President and President.

Tarsha Lester | Secretary

Tarsha Lester is a native of North Little Rock, Arkansas. After serving over 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, upon retirement in 2024, Tarsha and her husband, Steve, chose Summerville, South Carolina as their forever home.

Seeking to continue to serve, Tarsha became a certified private mediator and began
volunteering with Expanding the Table, preparing meals, and assisting with grants
services.

In addition to her 20+ years of leading diverse organizations with varying skillsets, Tarsha also has vast experience volunteering and serving on the executive board of nonprofit organizations in the field of supporting unhoused people and aiding those in need. She leverages these skills to serve her community through ETT, believing that every person should have a genuine opportunity to succeed in order for the community to thrive.

Peter Hazel | Member At Large

Peter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and spent most of his first 23 years growing up in New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Structural Engineering and later met his wife, Kelly, while on a job assignment in New York.

In 1993, they welcomed their first child, Sydney, followed by Mason and Jack. In 1996, the family moved to Summerville, South Carolina, where they have happily made their home. A proud dog lover, he and his family share their home with four dogs.

Outside of work, he enjoys running, playing golf, spending time with his dogs, reading, and watching classic movies. He currently works for Jacobs Engineering, based in Greenville, and remains a loyal Philadelphia sports fan at heart.

Steve Lester | Member At Large

Steve Lester is a U.S. Air Force Retired Chief Master Sergeant that has held multiple
strategic positions including Major Command Functional Manager, Superintendent and First Sergeant. After his retirement he has been a Leadership Instructor, Operations Manager, Learning and Development Manager and a Veteran Business Consultant. Steve served as a Voting Member on the Air Force Board of Nursing Services as well as President and Vice President of Operation Warmheart, a nonprofit organization focused on helping military and civilian members in need, and holds multiple degrees including a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development.

By joining the Executive Board of Expanding the Table, he hopes to help the organization though his experience of innovation, forward thinking and nonprofit leadership while maintaining the focus of helping members of the local community in need.

Karstan Mc Elfresh | Member At Large

Karsten McElfresh serves as Secretary for Expanding The Table and Committee Chair for the Volunteer Committee with Expanding The Table. He and his family have spent many hours working on this mission. He has driven the truck, served, and been the team lead on many occasions.

Karsten owns Natural Tendencies Landscape Professionals and Terra Bella Garden Center, both located in North Charleston. Karsten’s experience with small business has enabled him to develop meaningful and lasting relationships with the many customers, vendors, and other local businesses in the Greater Charleston area. His business experience has been a valued asset to Expanding The Table.

Karsten McElfresh has lived in the Lowcountry since 2005. Karsten met his wife, Christie at the University of Kentucky.  They reside in North Charleston with their three children: Kate, Caleb, and Karlie. Karsten enjoys traveling with his family, eating out, coaching youth sports and attending Ashley Ridge Church with his family.

Board Member Responsibilities

To remain an active member of the Expanding The Table Board of Directors, each board member is expected to:

• Make a personal contribution of $250 per quarter or secure $1,000 in annual donations each fiscal year.
• Attend Board meetings. Members who miss more than three meetings annually may be asked to resign.
• Volunteer with Expanding The Table at least three times per quarter (food truck, meal preparation, or special events).
• Support all fundraising events by volunteering and/or helping sell tickets.
• Invite at least one guest speaker to a Board meeting during your term.
• Promote Expanding The Table by sharing our mission, events, and social media posts.
• Identify and present at least one potential funding opportunity to the Board.
• Keep Expanding The Table brochures and business cards available to share within the community.