Staff

Since joining the CIS Chatham County team as the organization’s first student support specialist in July 2014, Tych has served in a number of capacities with the agency – most recently as Director of School Based Programs. Starting April 1, 2020 Tych will assume the role of Executive Director. His focus will be aimed at supporting the 7 CIS school and community based programs, by continuing to build on their strong tradition of youth and family support. Tych will also assist with social media communications, expansion support, and community engagement as well as program oversight and personnel management.

Tych arrived in North Carolina just under 10 years ago from Topeka, Kansas after completing his Masters of Business Administration at Washburn University. Tych has held a wide variety of roles throughout his professional career, and joined the CIS Chatham County team after two years as an Operations Assistant with the University of North Carolina football team. Tych has been a teacher, coach, and mentor, and is excited for the opportunity to utilize his people skills and passion for community development. In his free time, you can find Tych firing up the grill, playing with his 13 year old pitbull named Slim, and enjoying the outdoors with his wife Courtney.

Perla Ayala serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Communities In Schools of Chatham County, where she oversees the organization’s financial operations, human resources, compliance, technology, and administrative functions. As a first-generation college graduate, Perla earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and is passionate about combining strong financial stewardship with a mission-driven approach to serving students and families.

Originally from Washington State, Perla moved to Siler City at a young age and is a proud graduate of Chatham County Schools. She attended Siler City Elementary, Chatham Middle School, and Jordan-Matthews High School, graduating in 2010. Her connection to Communities In Schools began as a student volunteer through the Hablando Claro and Cuidate family advocacy programs, making her return to the organization a meaningful full-circle journey.

Since joining CIS Chatham County, Perla has helped strengthen the organization’s operational infrastructure while supporting sustainable growth and ensuring resources are managed responsibly to maximize impact for students. She believes that strong operations behind the scenes allow staff to focus on what matters most—helping young people succeed in school and in life.

In addition to her work at CIS Chatham County, Perla proudly serves as a Board Member for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, where she collaborates with local business and community leaders to promote economic growth, leadership, and opportunities throughout Chatham County. She is passionate about building strong partnerships that benefit both students and the broader community.

As a proud wife and mother of two children attending Chatham County Schools, Perla has a personal connection to the community she serves. Her experiences as both a parent and nonprofit leader reinforce her commitment to ensuring every student has the support and opportunities they need to thrive. She is also passionate about mentoring first-generation students and encouraging young people to pursue higher education and leadership opportunities, believing that a person’s background should never limit their future.

When she is not reviewing financial reports or leading organizational initiatives, Perla enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and giving back to the community that helped shape her. She is guided by the belief that “Everything is possible if you believe in yourself” and remains committed to helping Communities In Schools of Chatham County expand its impact for generations to come.

There is more to bettering a child’s life; she realized that the overall well-being of the family as a whole is essential. She now dreams of empowering children’s lives and helping families strive for a better future. The family is the most important foundation in a child’s life!

She has served in many different roles throughout her career; including nine years of experience working with children and families in this community. Eva is a strong believer that it is essential that we put our care and love into our children today because they are our future tomorrow! If we grow successful children and families, then our world will be better and full of wonderful things.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it” –Abraham Lincoln.

Lydia is the Community Service and Restitution Program Manager, holding a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and bringing thirteen years of experience in human resources. With a big heart for helping people navigate challenges and thrive, she is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth and families.

She and her husband—her college sweetheart—have proudly called Chatham County home for the past three years. Together, they are raising two daughters who attend high school locally. Outside of work, Lydia enjoys word searches, true crime stories, and “thinking like a proton—always positive!”

In her role with Chatham County, Lydia is passionate about supporting young people who have made mistakes, guiding families through difficult times, and strengthening community partnerships. From connecting youth with meaningful worksite opportunities to engaging families and community members, she combines compassion, experience, and a can-do spirit to create lasting impact each day.

Travis is a life-long Chatham County native, and first became involved with CISCC in 2009 as a surveyor for what was then Chatham County Together’s! Plain Talk/Hablando Claro program. In 2010, Travis joined the permanent staff at CCT! as the Program Assistant for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program, and served in several capacities until 2015, when the winds of change blew.

Travis stayed close to home and mission, and continued to empower youth and other community members through various projects and through work with other organizations. As of March 1, 2021, Travis returned to CISCC as the Community Service and Restitution Program Manager, and now looks forward to bringing his passion and perspective for youth services to the CIS Chatham team in his new role as GYS High School Success Coach at Jordan Matthews High School. As Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

I grew up in Chatham County and attended Siler City Elementary, Bonlee Elementary, Chatham Middle and graduated from Jordan Matthews High School in 2007.

Growing up, the most challenging part for me was learning the academic part and the language at the same time. Being an immigrant showed me first hand the difficulties and the lack of resources that families can experience on a daily basis. This is a reason I am committed to be a tool to help our community. Understanding that our children do not learn the same way and their needs are different is essential to be able to guide them to success.

My favorite quote is from the book Horton Hears a Who! By Dr. Seuss “A person’s a person, no matter
how small.”

Erica was raised in Chatham County and grew up in Siler City, where she attended Virginia Cross Elementary, Chatham Middle School, and graduated from Jordan-Matthews High School in 2020. She continued her education at Guilford Technical Community College in High Point, earning her degree in Human Services in 2022.

A proud alumna of both Chatham County Schools and Communities In Schools (CIS), Erica brings a unique and personal perspective to her work. Having faced barriers as a student and received support from CIS herself, she understands firsthand the impact of having a caring adult and access to essential resources. This experience inspires her daily commitment to serving students and families.

Erica has remained deeply rooted in her community, serving as a K-12 Substitute Teacher and as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison/Basic Needs Coordinator with Chatham County Schools. Along with assisting in other initiatives revolving children and community.
Today, Erica is committed to advancing the mission and vision of Communities In Schools. She is passionate about empowering students to overcome obstacles, stay engaged in school, and realize their full potential. Through her work, she strives to build a stronger foundation for equity, support, and long-term student success.