YRCC Staff

Josh Lainfiesta

Josh is a newcomer to Northwest Arkansas and the City of Fayetteville. Him and his family moved to the area in the fall of 2020, and he began his position as the Director of the YRCC in August of 2021. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of California State Long Beach with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Recreation with a concentration in community recreation. He is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional with the National Recreation and Park Association and has over 13 years of work experience in the local government recreation field. He has a variety of experience in the field including volunteer management, after-school programming, youth and adult sports, special events and managing multiple recreation centers.

In his free time, Josh loves spending time with his wife and his two children, going to beach, listening to music and playing board games and sports. He is very grateful to be the Director of the YRCC and is very excited for the future of the center.

Jeff Poole

Jeff Poole is a University of Arkansas alumni and graduate of The Second City Training Center’s writing, conservatory, and directing program. Previously Jeff worked as the director of The SCTC Kid and Teen program where he ran programming for over 1000 students a year. He has directed, performed, or taught workshops at The Second City, iO, The Playground, Loyola University, The Alliance Theater in Atlanta, and countless schools and universities across America.

Emilie Stagoski

Emilie, a St. Louis, Missouri native, made her way to Fayetteville and the YRCC in the fall of 2020. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University in Global Studies. Throughout college Emilie found herself working in Texas at a summer camp. While at camp, Emilie realized her passion for relationship building and youth development. After graduation Emilie worked with international high schoolers in a boarding school program and went on to be a summer camp director herself before coming to the YRCC.

Emilie loves the outdoors and being active in all kinds of sports and activities. She is excited to work with the YRCC and the Fayetteville community. She hopes to foster discussions and relationships amongst members of the community and encourage cultural learning while providing opportunities to create life-long memories.

DeMarcus Wiggins

DeMarcus Wiggins is a University of Arkansas Alumni and a member of the Arkansas Razorback Football family. After the 2000 season, DeMarcus decided to hang up his cleats and focus on his academics. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology K-12 with a concentration in social work. DeMarcus then dedicated his life to the mental health field, and for the next 23 years he served the community in various capacities such as developing work readiness programs for teens, mental health counseling, mental health therapy, and many other services that provide direct communication with community resource partners. DeMarcus has committed his life to the community, and plans to continue striving for advocacy of young people that struggle with poverty.

In his free time, DeMarcus enjoys spending time with his wife and his two daughters, going fishing with friends, playing sports, listening to music, and guiding young people to successful futures. DeMarcus has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1998, and plans to develop exciting programs for teens at the YRCC. He is also currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Western Governors University and plans to own a local business in Fayetteville.