Meet the CASA of Southeast MS Staff
Frances Allsup, Executive Director
Frances comes from Hokes Bluff, Alabama! Go Eagles!! Married to Jimmy with children, Adam and & Katie (aka – “Teach”). Being raised on a cotton farm with wonderful parents and a loving home, my passion has always been to reach out to others and share with them the possibilities that the world has to offer them. No mountain is too high!
Learning about CASA, the incredible volunteers and the difference it makes, I began my journey to the unknown world of advocating for abused children.
My vision for CASA’s future would simply be that child abuse be a thing of the past. However, until that mission is complete, I will continue to recruit and train volunteers to make an everlasting impact upon those whom are harmed at the hands of abuse.
Jonathan Mills, Director of Operations
Jonathan comes to us from Baton Rouge, LA. After high school, he became an EMT with Acadian Ambulance Services while deciding what he wanted to do professionally.
After graduating from LSU with a bachelor’s in business, he moved to the coast where he worked with Zachry at Chevron in their HR department. After several years working in human resources, he went back to school to follow a passion to help children in need.
After gaining an associates in Human Services from MGCCC, and a bachelor’s in psychology from MSU, he joined the staff with Jackson County CASA. Jonathan also sits on the Board of Directors for both the Department of Human Services at MGCCC and the Health and Prescription Services of Jackson County. He is also a Board licensed and certified pharmacy technician.
Amber Ehlers, Advocate Supervisor
Amber is a native of the Jackson County area with a background primarily in retail. Amber is one of seven children and has sixteen nieces and nephews who keep her extremely busy. She has been very involved in activities at Grand Bay Community Church and especially enjoys working with the youth groups there. She is excited to begin her work with the CASA program and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of the children the program serves. Amber’s interests include playing the guitar, photography, reading, and any type of nature and outdoor activities.
Haley Aziz, General Admin
Haley Aziz is a dedicated mother of two children and a loving wife. In addition to her family responsibilities, she is also passionate about baking and often spends her free time experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Haley joined CASA of Southeast Mississippi in March of 2024. She is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children in the community who are in need of support and guidance. Haley’s compassionate nature make her a valuable asset to the CASA team, where she works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of vulnerable children are heard and their needs are met.
Lynne Broussard, Advocate Supervisor
Lynne Broussard, our newest CASA advocate supervisor, makes her home in Lucedale, but she grew up in Gautier. Lynne is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus. She began her career teaching high school English and was welcomes to team CASA in early February 2025. She currently runs an animal rescue and enjoys rescuing animals in need. Lynne is married to her high school sweetheart and enjoys spending time with her fur babies. Her hobbies include writing fiction and enjoying all things pop culture. She has been working hard to complete the required pre-service training and looks forward to learning more about the juvenile court process and how to help and support volunteers as they accompany children on this journey. Please drop by to introduce yourself and say hello to Lynne the next time you are here for court or a foster care review.
Desiree Moran, Program Developer and Community Outreach Coordinator
Desiree Moran is a 24-year-old Program Developer and Community Outreach Coordinator at CASA, where she’s passionate about making a difference in her community. A proud graduate of Jones College in Ellisville, MS, Desiree earned her associate degree and quickly put her heart into service and advocacy work.
When she’s not planning events for volunteer recruitment or connecting with the community, you can find Desiree enjoying life on the water, experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes, or spending time with her fiancé, Evan, and their two beloved dogs — Macie the Great Dane and Toby, the feisty “rat dog.” Driven by compassion, curiosity, and creativity, Desiree brings energy and heart to everything she does.
Brenda Lancaster, Director of Supervisors
Brenda is a graduate of Delta State University, with a degree in Home Economics Education. She was born in the Hills of Mississippi and spent her childhood in the Delta. After graduating from college she moved to the Gulf Coast where she taught for twenty-four years in the Pascagoula School District.
In 1983 she married Conal Lancaster and they started a business, JC Lancaster and Associates, a marine surveying company. In 2004 she retired from teaching and worked as the office manager for the family business. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed their homes in 2005, she, her husband and mother, Virginia Minyard, moved to Pensacola, Florida. Although Florida was wonderful, it was not home. Two years later they returned to Pascagoula.
While looking for a new challenge, Brenda found CASA. Her educational background in Family and Consumer Science and classroom experience provides a solid foundation for advocating for abused and neglected children. Her goal is to help these children find a safe and permanent home.
Beverly Goff, Advocate Manager
Beverly has been volunteering for numerous organizations for most of her life. Among those organizations are the Cub Scouts, 4HClub, The American Cancer Society, and Advocates for Freedom.
Beverly lives in Hurley with her husband Victor and their two beautiful children, Daniel and Madison. They live on their farm, “The Lazy G.”
In 2014, Beverly came to CASA. Since her arrival, Beverly has advocated for 15 children from 6 different families. In 2019, Beverly received the prestigious Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellency (GIVE) award. Beverly joined our CASA staff in August of 2020. Beverly is dedicated to the CASA mission, and being a role model for her children.
Adrian McCullum, Finance Officer
Adrian McCullum is a familiar face at CASA of Southeast Mississippi. He previously served on the CASA of Jackson County Governing Board for over five years, holding key leadership roles as both Treasurer and President. Adrian stepped down from his position as Board President to join the CASA staff full-time, where he served as Program Assistant for three years.
In 2016, while still on staff, Adrian completed pre-service training and became a CASA volunteer advocate. He went on to successfully serve two cases, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving the lives of children in foster care.
“I am excited to be part of the CASA team while serving a cause that is near and dear to my heart—making a difference in a child’s life,” Adrian shares.
Outside of his work with CASA, Adrian is active in his community. He enjoys traveling, cooking, and is a devoted New Orleans Saints fan. He’s also a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, where he contributes his time on several leadership committees, supports fundraising efforts, and sings in the choir
Karen Horn, Community Outreach
Karen has been a resident of Ocean Springs for most of her life. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi University for Women with a degree in health care administration and worked as a medical lab technician for much of her professional career. Most recently, Karen was the owner of Horn Island Grill in Gautier. She has three daughters, Kristin, Hannah, and Lauren and attends Mosaic church. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, going to the beach, and traveling to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. She looks forward to working with the volunteers to plan in-service and continuing education events and planning recruitment events to attract addition volunteers in the counties the CASA program serves.
Lynn Lemoine, Advocate Supervisor
Lynn Lemoine is married to Brent Lemoine, and they are from Louisiana. Together, they have seven children and five grandchildren. Lynn enjoys vacationing in different states and learning about their history. She moved to her current location 12 years ago and started a ministry for addicts. Lynn and Brent attend Mercy Ministries Church in Lucedale, MS, where they reside. She enjoys working in their yard, planting flowers, cooking, and reading. Lynn’s passion is helping men, women, and children when they are in need.