Our Staff

Mimi Sabates – Executive Vice President/Business Development

Mimi Sabates is the Executive Vice President for Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.), a Teen ProActive Driving School. The nonprofit’s mission is bringing safe driving awareness across the nation, to both teen students and their parents in an engaging, hands-on driving experience. Previously, she was the Business Development Director for Legacy Talent and Entertainment, an entertainment management agency. Past experience includes serving as the Local Marketing Director for the NBA Charlotte Hornets, and as the Promotions and Merchandising Manager for the Charlotte Checkers Hockey Team. In addition, she has previously owned several successful NASCAR Busch Series teams. In the past 25 years Mimi has served on many nonprofit boards that relate specifically to youth services such as The Allegro Foundation and SeriousFun Camp, Victory Junction, Best Buddies and St.Jude.

Steven Barriger – Chief of Staff

Steven Barriger is the Chief of Staff for the nonprofit.  He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a LtCol in 2023 after nearly 28 years of active service.  During his time in the Marine Corps, he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom twice, spent 14 years stationed overseas, including Okinawa, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and Stuttgart, Germany.  His experience includes Operations Officer, Commander’s Action Group Director, and Squadron Commander of over 200 Marines.  He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Florida.  He and his wife Erin have been married for almost 27 years and they have three adult kids.  He enjoys nearly all outdoor activities and spending time with their English Bulldogs Leia and Kylo.

Allison Lush - Logistics

Hometown: Gaffney, SC

She began working for Doug in 1999 at Doug Herbert Performance Center, and has been one of his employees ever since! From working in the warehouse, filling parts orders, and shipping, she did it all! She even worked Doug’s merchandise trailer on the NHRA circuit. Fast forward to the present, and she still works for Doug at B.R.A.K.E.S. Currently, her role is taking care of the instructor’s and staff’s transportation and lodging needs. “Getting to know the instructors and becoming familiarized with some of their great talents has been a great privilege, and they really bring a lot of laughter and joy to what I do.” She also was fortunate enough to know Doug’s sons, Jon & James, so being able to be a part of B.R.A.K.E.S. means a lot to her and she is so proud to be a member of the team! She resides in Blacksburg, SC.

Jane Johns – Registration and Volunteer Coordinator

Hometown: High Point, NC

She came to work with B.R.A.K.E.S. after participating in the program with her sons, leaving her former gig at The Speedway Club Member Services department. She gets her daily inspiration from working with great men such as Doug and Matt, meeting new faces and hearing peoples’ stories and being a part of the B.R.A.K.E.S. mission.

In her spare time, you will find her in the stands on a Friday night cheering on her husband and sons’ high school football team, the Mount Pleasant Tigers, as well as Wrestling and Track.

A 1984 graduate from East Carolina University. Jane and her husband, Mike, have 3 sons and live in Concord, NC.

Terri Pitcher - CFO

Hometown: Troutman, NC

Terri is an innovative, results-driven accounting professional with over 21 years’ experience. Terri manages the Accounting Department at B.R.A.K.E.S. overseeing the day-to-day activities, financial modeling, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, internal controls, treasury management, P&L and B/S.

Terri was born in Charlotte, NC. Terri earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Catawba College (cum laude). She currently lives in Troutman, NC with her husband Michael and daughter Kaycee. She enjoys barrel racing, riding horses, and watching her daughter play fast pitch softball.

Tonya Phillips - General Accounting Specialist

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Tonya offers more than 36 years of experience in management & public accounting. She has extensive experience in bookkeeping, customer service, and administrative support. Her vast knowledge, experience, and skills serve as the fundamental basis for the daily maintenance of B.R.A.K.E.S. general ledger accounting.

Tonya is a Charlotte, NC native. Aside from accounting, Tonya is also heavily involved in her family, with two members serving as career Police Officers, Fire Fighter and three daughters who are Teachers. Tonya’s hobbies include caring for her grandchildren, church activities, and cooking.

Melissa Paysor – Registration/Administrative Assistant

Hometown: Springfield, OH

She came to B.R.A.K.E.S. with a desire to help others, which has been a big part of her life. She has worked in customer service for years and really enjoys working closely with others.

She has lived in Concord, NC with her husband and three teenage children for the past 13 years. Staying home with the kids was a priority until going back to work full-time recently. Her hobbies include home interior painting, arts and crafts & gardening.

On the weekend, she enjoys going to Marching Band Competitions with her husband Rick and daughter Mary, to watch her daughter Brooke and son Ricky perform. And just hanging out with the family.

John Becker – Logistics Support

Hometown: Panama City, FL

John grew up in Northern California, and served in the Air Force from 1968-1972. He worked for Hewlett Packard from 1974-2004 as an electrician and project manager. After retiring in 2004, he and his wife of 42 years, Kathy, moved to their retirement cabin in the mountains of Northern California.

In Old Station, California, he served as the captain of the volunteer fire department from 2004-2018. He then moved to North Carolina in 2018.

His hobbies are fishing, golfing, hunting, and hiking. He has 3 kids and 4 grandkids. Matt Reilly is married to John’s daughter, Amy.

‘Pops’ was a cone kicker at the first B.R.A.K.E.S. school in 2009, and has since become an office favorite!