Summit Bios

2008 MARRIAGE COMISSION SUMMIT
Richard Albertson
Richard Albertson is the Founding President of Live the Life in Tallahassee, Florida.
The mission of Live the Life is to strengthen marriages and families. In 2003,
Governor Jeb Bush appointed Richard to the Florida Commission on Marriage and
Family Support, and he was elected Chairman. He serves on the City Mobilization Team for the
Marriage Co-Mission, and the national Board of Marriage Savers. Richard served as Chairman of
the Florida Commission on Responsible Fatherhood from 2001-2003. He is the author of the
Start Smart premarital curriculum. Richard organized 70 pastors to come together to adopt a
Tallahassee Community Marriage Policy in 1999. Since the implementation of the policy, the
divorce rate in Leon County has dropped 27%, the number of annual divorces filed is at the
lowest point in over 20 years, and the number of couples receiving premarital preparation has
increased 28%. Richard’s background includes working for two U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan
and George H.W. Bush.
Ted Baehr
Ted Baehr is the founder and publisher of Christian Film & Television Commission®
and Movieguide®, as well as a noted critic, educator, lecturer, and media pundit.
His life’s purpose is to educate audiences on how to use discernment in selecting
their entertainment. Ted has written numerous books. He was president of the organization
that produced the CBS television version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch and the
Wardrobe, boasting 37 million viewers and winning an Emmy Award. Ted produces at least 430
radio and television programs every year and sends MOVIEGUIDE(r) TV reviews to 11 million
subscribers. He also produced hundreds of programs for PBS television. He presents the $50,000
Kairos Prize to the best new writers of redemptive scripts and the Epiphany Prizes for finished
movies and television programs every year at the Annual MOVIEGUIDE(r) Faith & Values Awards
Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry. He is Chairman of the Advisory Board of the
Christian Institute for the Study of Media, at the Center for the Arts, Religion and Education
(CARE), at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) at the University of California at Berkeley. He
has received many renowned awards.
Julie Baumgardner
Julie Baumgardner, MS, CFLE, is the Executive Director of First Things First,
a one of a kind, grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening families in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. The success of the FTF initiative has sparked interest in
duplicating the FTF model in cities across the country. Julie has worked in the fields of
marketing and counseling for more than 20 years. Prior to joining First Things First, she was the
marketing director at East Ridge Hospital and Valley Hospital where she was also a social worker
and program director for the child & adolescent program.
Julie frequently speaks on family, parenting and marriage issues. Her weekly column on
family issues in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press reaches thousands. Julie serves on the boards
of a number of community and national organizations. She and her husband Jay have been
married for 19years and they have a fifteen year old daughter, Ashley.
David Blankenhorn
David Blankenhorn is founder and president of the Institute for American Values, a
nonpartisan organization devoted to strengthening families and civil society in the
U.S. and the world. Blankenhorn is the author of Fatherless America (Basic Book,
1995), The Future of Marriage (Encounter Books, 2007), and the recently
published Thrift: A Cyclopedia (Templeton Foundation Press, 2008) and the co-editor of eight. A
frequent lecturer, Blankenhorn’s articles have appeared in scores of publications, including the
New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Public Interest,
First Things, and Christianity Today. He has been profiled by the New York Times, USA Today,
CBS Evening News and other news organizations, and has been featured on numerous national
television programs, including Oprah, 20/20, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Charlie Rose,
ABC Evening News, and C-SPAN’s Washington Perspectives. In 1977, he graduated magna cum
laude in social studies from Harvard, where he was president of Phillips Brooks House, the
campus community service center, and the recipient of a John Knox Fellowship. In 1978, he was
awarded an M.A. with distinction in comparative social history from the University of Warwick in
Coventry, England.
Michael Boerner
Michael Boerner is the founder and CEO of Unity Media Group - an organization
established to provide safe and trusted video answers to life’s questions through
multiple distribution methods. His vision to creatively utilize the power of the
media to connect with people is culminated in Unity’s brand-new Internet site,
www.iQuestions.com.
In addition, Michael is a national award-winning film and video producer who regularly
speaks and trains at conferences in the arena of public relations and media communications. He
has created media for a number of organizations, including Campus Crusade For Christ, Promise
Keepers and best-selling author, Dr. Gary Smalley. Michael was appointed by the governor of
Idaho to the Governor’s Coordinating Council for Families and Children and has appeared
nationally on CNN, Fox News, ABC Radio Network News, “Family News in Focus” and CBN in
connection with innovative media outreaches.
Michael and his wife, Natalie, have been married for 18 years and live in Boise,
Idaho. They have four daughters.
Wellington Boone
As a nationally recognized platform speaker for Promise Keepers and the author
of the best selling popular Christian books, Your Wife Is Not Your Momma,
Breaking Through, My Journey With God and The Low Road to New Heights,
Wellington Boone's primary goal is to lead people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Wellington Boone was ordained into ministry in 1973, the same year that he married his
childhood sweetheart, Katheryn, whom he met in Germany during his high school years. He
incorporated Living Word Evangelistic Association in approximately 1983, and later changed the
name to Wellington Boone Ministries with the encouragement of his leaders. His first church
that is still in existence and under his covering is Manna Christian Fellowship of Richmond,
Virginia which was incorporated in 1985. The Fellowship of International Churches was started
in 1994 when the founding pastors conferred on Pastor Boone the title of Bishop.
Bishop Wellington Boone's goal is to please God by a lifestyle of holiness and humility, to teach
and preach who God is through study and revelation from the Word of God, and to reproduce
himself through planting churches and making disciples. He relates to pastors and leaders as a
father to his children. In time, they come of age as leaders themselves and plant their own
churches and establish ministries.
Ron L. Braund
Ron L. Braund is a Family Business Consultant, Behavioral Health Professional and

Author. As a consultant & life coach, Dr. Braund facilitates business leaders and
their families in personal development, change management, and succession
planning. Clients include large privately held companies where the owners share a commitment
to purpose-driven goals and leverage their resources for service to others. He is the author or
co-author of four books including Understanding How Others Misunderstand You, a book and
workbook describing behavioral styles to improve relationships with others; and The Strong-
Willed Child or Dreamer?, a book for parents to discern the crucial differences between a strong-
willed child and a creative-sensitive child.
Ron and his wife, Ginger, have two sons and a daughter-in-law, Rich, Adam & Anna. All
reside in Marietta, Georgia.
Ken and Dee Canfield
Dee
Dee Canfield, M.S. is the Associate Director of the Love and Respect Marriage
Intensives (LRI). Building on Dr. Eggerichs model, Dee has developed process based training to
help couples identify triggers and identify strategies to address their marital problems. The Love
and Respect Marriage Intensives are delivered in a three day format with the primary focus of
helping couples avoid divorce and enhance marital quality.
Ken
Dr. Ken Canfield, Ph.D. is the senior researcher for Love and Respect. Ken evaluates Love and
Respect Conference and program effectiveness. In addition he has developed several measures
which assess personal, couple and congregational strengths respective to the Love and Respect
model. Ken is the founder of the National Center for Fathering and is director of the Boone
Center for the Family at Pepperdine University.
Dee and Ken have been married 32 years and have five children, two sons-in-law and
four grandchildren. They live in Malibu, California.
Don “Bubba” Cathy
Don M. "Bubba" Cathy is senior vice president of Chick-fil-A, Inc. and president of
Dwarf House, Inc. Chick-fil-A is one of the largest privately-held restaurant chains
in the country with more than 1,340 restaurants. Mr. Cathy is responsible for the
administration of the Dwarf House and Truett's Grill concepts which presently operate 14
locations in metro Atlanta. As a family dining concept for Chick-fil-A, the full-service Dwarf
House and Truett’s Grill restaurants offer table and counter waitress service, self-service dining
and a drive-thru window.
Mr. Cathy oversees "WinShape Homes®, long-term foster homes, WinShape
WildernessSM, a team building program, and WinShape RetreatSM, a marriage enrichment
center.
Mr. Cathy remembers working at the original (Hapeville) Dwarf House at the age of
seven singing jingles and later, while attending school, working in various restaurants. He joined
the Chick-fil-A, Inc. corporate office staff in January of 1976 as a construction apprentice,
operated a Chick-fil-A mall Restaurant for four years, and worked in several corporate positions
before being named a senior vice president of Chick-fil-A, Inc. in 1995.
Mr. Cathy graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a bachelor
of science degree in marketing.
Mr. Cathy is a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where he teaches a
newlywed Bible study class with his wife. He is married to the former Cindy Kirkland and they
have six children: Mark, James, Rachel, Seth, Luke and Matthew.
Marvin and Jeanett Charles
Marvin
Marvin and Jeanett Charles are the co-founders of Divine Alternatives for
Dads Services (D.A.D.S.). Marvin has overcome a personal history of his own
as a foster child, a homeless man and a pimp in various states. He was reunited with his
biological mother and later that year, his father, when he was 43 years old. Marvin had the
courage and determination to move beyond his own history with drugs and alcohol, unlawful
behavior, homelessness and promiscuity. At the age of 43, after having seven children out of
wedlock, he began to realize that his life needed to be committed to God and to the kinds of
good works that require honesty and hope in the face of hopelessness. In less than a decade,
Marvin moved from getting clean and sober to having a personal mission to help other men and
their children so that they can move beyond the ill effects of fatherlessness.
Jeanett
Jeanett was raised by a single father in an era when this rarely happened. She also struggled to
be free from drugs and irresponsibility. Marvin and Jeanett learned to be voices for their
community. D.A.D.S. was created in 1998 in Marvin and Jeanett’s living room in Rainier Valley. In
2004, D.A.D.S. opened a storefront office. Jeanett with a quiet strength and steadiness holds the
men accountable for their responsibilities in making change happen. As their problems begin to
be resolved and become more manageable, some men marry and create a home for their
children. Some men become the custodial parent of their children or grandchildren.
Alot of the men find God....the rest is simply magnificent!
Stephen Clouse
Stephen Clouse is the Founder and President of Stephen Clouse & Associates,
Inc., a strategic communications and major gifts fundraising firm established
in 1991. Stephen pioneered a highly personalized, multiple media video
fundraising system and method that has raised tens of millions of dollars for dozens of non-
profit organizations through capital campaigns, annual fund appeals and special projects. These
campaigns are designed both to boost immediate net fundraising revenue and accelerate the
rate at which major donors are identified and cultivated.
Stephen Clouse & Associates has been recognized professionally for outstanding video
production and has been a recipient of the prestigious Telly, Addy and Campbell Awards.
Stephen personally produced/and or coached videotapings with President George H. Bush, Vice
President Dan Quayle, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Honorable Jack
Kemp, Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr., Honorable Bill Bennett, Honorable Ed Meese, Honorable
Jeanne Kirkpatrick, Senator Bob Dole, Senator Fred Thompson, Senator George Allen, Senator
Rick Santorum, Senator Tom Coburn, Rush Limbaugh, Cal Thomas, Charleton Hesston, Michael
Reagan, Steve Allen, Dean Jones, Pat Boone, Ben Stein, Steve Forbes, CEO Forbes Magazine, Jim
Kilts, CEO Gillette, Larry Kudlow, Charles Koch, CEO Koch Industries, Herman Cain, Walter
Williams, David McCullough, Milton Friedman, and many other national figures.
Stephen and his wife, Ellen, have five children and reside in Ashburn, Virginia.
Daniel Cobb
Daniel Cobb, CEO/Creative Director. As the founder of DBA, Daniel has proven
results in non-traditional advertising and interactive media. Daniel introduced
branded entertainment marketing in 1998 with Merck, Glaxo and Pfizer for the
promotion of online medical solutions at HenryFord.com. The resulting ABC/TV7
special, “Minds of Medicine,” has been among the highest-rated series on prime time
syndicated television (and the only Emmy Award winning infomercial on record). The TV/Web
integration strategy delivered 27 times higher ROI than traditional direct mail. Daniel recently
developed AxiomTV, one of the world’s first Internet-based television networks for premium
video on demand. Daniel established partnerships with Paramount Pictures, VeriSign, ClearPlay,
Dove.org, Amazon.com, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and many others for development of new
entertainment marketing strategies online. Other DBA clients include: Domino’s Pizza, Cars.com,
Citizens Bank, HAP, Allegra, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ameritech, IBM, Crowne Plaza, Continental
Airlines, Ford/Mercury Dealers, Saturn and GM.
Bill Coffin
Bill Coffin, the Special Assistant for Marriage Education, joined the Administration
for Children and Families/HHS in 2002. Working with the Assistant Secretary he is
helping to orchestrate an important culture change, where those who marry will
have better access to the knowledge and skills necessary to form and sustain a
healthy marriage. In recognition of his work, he was awarded the 2006 Smart Marriages Impact
Award.
Bill spent most of the previous 3 decades with the Navy, initially on active duty and then
as a civilian in the Navy's Family Support Program Headquarters in DC.
In the late 90s, Bill served as the Marriage Preparation Coordinator for the Archdiocese of
Washington and as a consultant to the U.S. Bishops Committee on Marriage and Family Life. He
co-authored a book chapter on Preventive Interventions for Couples.
Bill is a graduate of Fairfield University in CT and has two master’s degrees, one in
Human Relations, and the other in Counseling. Bill and his wife, Pat, just celebrated their 40th
anniversary. Pat is a reading specialist in an elementary school. They have four children and six
grandchildren.
Ron Coughlin
Ron is Chief Client Officer of Strottman, a leading youth and family marketing agency that
specializes in creating brand experiences through custom premium innovation. Ron is a frequent
industry speaker/published research author on “Understanding how to market to the Gen X
mom” and “What marketers need to know to connect with today’s youth”.
His most important accomplishment is his marriage to Cheri for 27 years and his four
wonderful children Ronald, Jr. (24), John and Tom (22), and Christie (18). Ron and Cheri are
active members of St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Irvine, CA and are responsible for the
Marriage in the Lord Program.
Ron is a member of the Board of Directors of Children’s Hospital of Orange County and
the President of the Orange Coast Chapter of Legatus, an international Catholic CEO
organization. Ron spearheaded the successful national grassroots effort contributing to the
success of BELLA, the movie.
Ronnie Crudup
Ronnie C. Crudup, Sr., is the Regional Bishop for the Mid-South Diocese of the
Fellowship of International Churches and Senior Pastor of New Horizon Church
International, an exciting, rapidly growing church in Jackson, Mississippi. He is
regarded as a compassionate pastor, prolific Bible teacher, dynamic preacher, and
visionary leader who proclaims a message of consecration and empowerment to the masses
around the world.
Bishop Crudup earned a Bachelor of Science from Jackson State University and a Master
of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the Founder and President of New
Horizon Ministries, Inc., CEO of the Mississippi Faith-Based Coalition for Community Renewal
and Chair of 100 Concerned Clergy of Jackson.
Bishop Crudup and his wife, Jacqueline J. Crudup, has been married for over 33 years.
They are the parents of four children: Ronnie Jr., Nadia, Hillman, and Arlintha and three
grandchildren, Amari, Ayinde and Nya.
Bryan and Lanette Crute
Dr. Bryan E. Crute began his public ministry in the 1980s on the campus of
Virginia State University. After graduating from VSU, he founded The Institute
for Leadership Development (iLEAD) in 1993. He holds a Masters Degree in
Organizational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, from Regent University.
In 1995, Dr. and Mrs. Crute moved to Atlanta to start a church. In 1997, the church
embraced the "Purpose Driven" strategy, and changed its name to Destiny Metropolitan
Worship Church. In 2000, Destiny was presented with a Church Health Award from Purpose
Driven Ministries, and since then, Dr. Crute has partnered with Pastor Rick Warren to teach
church health sessions at Saddleback Church's Purpose-Driven Church Conference, and has also
trained hundreds of church leaders abroad.
In October 2008, Destiny was the named #6 Fasted Growing Church in America by
Outreach Magazine and today, has over 6000 members.
Dr. Crute, his wife Lanette, and their three children are driven by his powerful life
mission, which is to help people maximize their potential for God’s glory.
Jim Daly
Jim Daly has been with Focus on the Family since 1989, starting as an Assistant to
the Chairman, and then Vice President of three divisions: International, where he
represented Focus in 70 countries; Marketing; and Public Affairs. He became a
Group Vice President in 2003 and Chief Operating Officer in 2004. In March 2005
Jim became the successor to Dr. James Dobson as President and CEO.
Jim is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, earning a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration in 1984. In 1997, he completed his MBA in
International Business at Regis University, Denver, Colorado.
Jim has been married to his wife, Jean, since 1986 and they have two sons, Trent and
Troy. The Daly family resides in Colorado Springs
Diann Dawson
Diann Dawson serves as the Director of the Office of Regional Operations within
the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. A senior level director and principal advisor to the Assistant
Secretary regarding field operations, she provides leadership and direction to ACF's ten regional
offices responsible for federal oversight and implementation of more than 60 human service
programs to promote the well-being of children and families.
Ms. Dawson has been instrumental in helping ACF work to strengthen and rebuild
families through the Healthy Marriage Initiative. As part of her present role, Ms. Dawson
effectively guides regional support of Healthy Marriage Initiative goals across the country. Ms.
Dawson also provided the leadership to create the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative
(AAHMI) along with her executive staff in 2003, laying the foundation of a national family
strengthening movement for African Americans.
Ms. Dawson received her J .D. degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic
University of America in Washington, D.C. She holds a M.S.W. degree with a concentration in
community organization and social planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and a B.A. from Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Bill Eyster
Bill Eyster is the Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at FamilyLife. Bill joined the
FamilyLife team in April 2006 following a 22-year career with Pratt & Whitney, a
division of United Technologies Corporation. While at Pratt & Whitney, he held
many business and operational leadership positions, rising to the role of general manager of
Pratt & Whitney Engine Services, Inc.
In his free time, Bill has put his faith-based principles to practical use as a Sunday school
teacher and Bible study leader for married couples. In his role as mentor, he has led men's
accountability groups and worked with youth in new believers' classes and Disciple Now events.
Currently, Bill is a board member for Pine Cove Ministry camps. He has previously served on the
United Way board in Wichita Falls, Texas and was president and board member of the United
Hospital Foundation, also in Wichita Falls.
Bill received both a bachelor's of science degree and a master's degree in business
administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Bill and his wife, Tracey, have been married for 20 years. They have two children.
Jared Faellaci
Jared Faellaci has spent the past 14-years in Business Development and Sales
working in the High Technology sector. He has worked for MCI, ScanSource,
Midgard, Epicor, Oracle, and most recently Deloitte where he has been serving since July 2006
as a Business Development Manager supporting their National M&A IT practice and their Oracle
Southeast Consulting practice.
Jared has a Bachelor's and Masters from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in
Pastoral Studies and Theology, respectively.
He is actively involved in various Marketplace Ministry outlets (Atlanta’s High Tech
Ministries, Sub-urban.org, Lake Forest Ranch, Wiregrass Hope Group, and his Band of Brothers)
with the goal of being God’s “broken tool” and mouthpiece in His perfect toolbox serving in the
marketplace to help encourage, build, and equip men to be stronger husbands and fathers. He
truly believes that life is lived in relationship, and one of his greatest desires is to live daily by
giving himself away to others as God’s passionate servant-leader in the marketplace.
Through Jared’s own personal story and “broken” journey, God has been growing,
developing and deepening a passion and vision for dynamic, relevant, connecting
marriage/family ministry in local communities inside and outside of the Church. With this
growing passion and vision, God has crossed and connected him with Bill Reif, a long-time
Marriage & Family veteran in the Wiregrass Area (Dothan, AL), to support, extend and serve
him, using his gifts in casting the vision for building stronger marriages and families in the
Wiregrass Area.
David and Teresa Ferguson
Dr. David and Teresa Ferguson have shared a Biblical message of health and
relevance for more than twenty-five years. Their passion for seeing the Great
Commandment of loving God and loving others lived out among God’s people has led them to
impact thousands of ministers and their laity. As co-directors of Great Commandment
Network/Intimate Life Ministries, they direct a multi-disciplinary team who serves more than
35,000 churches in the United States and abroad with training and resources through the
strategic partners involved in the Great Commandment Network of denominations, movements
and ministries. David serves as co-director of the Center for Relational Leadership who provides
training and resources in church, business and community settings. Teresa serves Intimate Life
Ministries and the Center for Relational Leadership as a conference speaker, small group
facilitator and mentor for church and business leaders.
David has a M.Ed. from Texas State University and two doctoral degrees from Oxford
Graduate School. He is a member of the Oxford Society of Scholars.
David and Teresa have been married for more than forty years and have co-authored
several books and numerous articles. They reside in Austin, Texas and have three adult children
and six grandchildren.
Bud and Jane Fray
After studying at Southwest Theological Seminary and pastoring churches for six years, Bud and
Jane Fray were called to mission work. They served 17 years in Zimbabwe in making disciples
and planting churches. The International Mission Board then asked them to serve in South
Africa, which they did for 11 years. In 1984, they were called to Ouachita Baptist University
where Bud served as Chairman of the Religion Department. The 28 years they served as IMB
missionaries provided their foundation for being “world Christians” with a heart for the glory of
the Lord and spiritual discovery. Bud went on to serve as Missions Professor and Professor of
Spiritual Formation at Southwestern Theological Seminary for 5 years where he and Jane were
part of a nucleus of young ministry servants of Jesus who went on to minister to many
unreached people groups. Bud and Jane have four children, two of which were born in the USA,
and two which were born in Zimbabwe.
Jeff Fray
Jeff Fray, Ph.D. is a psychologist and is Chairman of the National Steering

Committee of the Marriage CoMission. He received his Masters in Christian
Counseling from the Psychological Studies Institute and his Doctorate in
Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee. As the lead consultant
to the WinShape Foundation of Chick-fil-A, Inc., Dr. Fray has assisted in developing the
foundation’s strategy to positively influence the marriage movement in America. He has had
extensive clinical experience with couples and individuals, and serves on the Board of Empire
Construction as the lead officer for corporate People Building Solutions. Jeff and his wife, Gail,
and their three sons live in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Susan Dutton Freund
Susan has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Middlebury

College in Vermont. She spent eight years with Intel Corporation as a long-range
planner and program manager. In 1996, she founded Dutton Consulting, a
nationwide firm providing strategic planning for businesses, non-profits and churches.
Since May of 2005, Susan has served as the Executive Director of thinkmarriage, a non-
profit healthy marriage initiative. She served as Chaplain for women at the Brown County Jail for
seven years, and is an associate pastor in The Vineyard community of churches. Susan serves on
the Board of Directors of Laugh Your Way America.
Susan and her husband, Bob, have two sons and a daughter, and live near Green Bay,
Wisconsin.
Kris Fuhr
Kris Fuhr is the Vice President of Theatrical Marketing for Provident Films, the
studio that brought the surprise hit Facing the Giants to theaters in 2006. She
recently led the charge on the smash inspirational movie FIREPROOF which has
changed thousands of lives across the country. A West Point graduate and a former Army
Intelligence Officer, Kris earned an MS in business from Boston University. As a Brand Manager
at Kraft Foods, she led several businesses and worked in new product development. Later, she
was Vice President of Theatrical Marketing at Big Idea Productions, where she oversaw the
theatrical release of JONAH –A VEGGIETALES MOVIE. She now lives in suburban Chicago with
her family. An Army wife for 17 years, she is currently praying for the safe return of her
husband, LTC Dan Fuhr, and his men from their deployment to Afghanistan.
Terome and Ronda Fulmore
Terome and Ronda Fulmore are the co-founders of Communities of Western

Washington African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (CWW-AAHMI) which
was founded in 2006 and are Certified Marriage Educators through the
University of Bridgeport, California. They have been married over 15 years and are proud
parents of three beautiful children and currently reside in Federal Way, Washington.
This dynamic team has a desired passion and vision from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ to strengthen families by continuing to advocate for lifelong visions for marriages,
fatherhood involvement and youth intervention while securing their hope and well-being.
While embracing diversity throughout their community, their approach to strengthen families is
to meet their needs through marriage and family education, collaboration and mobilization
which will continue to make them self-empowering as a husband, wife, father or mother.
Terome and Ronda have put together a strategic community network system that has
documented and proven success.
Eric and Jennifer Garcia
Eric and Jennifer Garcia are the co-founders of the Association of Marriage and
Family Ministries (AMFM). AMFM (www.amfmonline.com) exists to lead a
marriage and family ministry movement in the local church by training,
equipping, resourcing and encouraging all those called to this vital area of
ministry.
Together they served for seven years as lay leaders on the marriage ministry team at
Scottsdale Bible Church, in Scottsdale, Arizona. They launched the Couple-to-Couple Mentoring
Ministry and led the team for those seven years. Today they continue to train other churches
how to organize and launch a successful couple’s mentoring ministry. A new venture for the
Garcias has been hosting the new online marriage enrichment community at
www.40daylovedare.com through AMFM. This site is a support community for those going
through The Love Dare book after seeing the movie Fireproof. It has grown very quickly to be
one of the largest online marriage enrichment communities.
The Garcias have been married seventeen years and have four children. Their oldest,
Hudson is fourteen, Erika is twelve and their twin boys, Elliot and Wesley, are ten.
Tim and Amy Gardner
Tim is the founder and director of Relational Intelligence, LLC, a human services
firm dedicated to relational wellness in both the home and the workplace. He is
also the President & CEO of Marriage Ministries, Inc., serving not only as the
director of day-to-day operations, but also as the primary creator and author of MMi resources.
He is a licensed counselor and a nationally recognized teacher and author on marriage
and family relationships. His most recent work was a collaborative effort with the team at PREP,
entitled Winning the Workplace Challenge: Getting Along and Getting Things Done.
A native Texan, Tim has earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology, a Masters in Counseling, and a
Doctorate in Ministry (and for fun he earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, along with his two
boys). He has been married to his best friend, Amy, for over twenty years and they are blessed
to have two teenage boys and one pre-teen daughter.
Amy not only serves as CEO of the Gardner Family, but she also works as the Director of
Operations for Marriage Ministries, organizing schedules and managing the office. Frequently,
Amy joins Tim for co-speaking engagements, adding her own unique insights and passion as
together they present God’s model for marriage.
David Goodnow
David Goodnow, whose career spans four-plus decades in journalism and media
relations, was recruited to join CNN Headline News in 1982 as one of its original
national and international anchors. Working at the anchor desk until 2000, his
newscasts were seen in 21 of the 24 world time zones.
He was the first US broadcaster to report the death of Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev
in 1982 and anchored live coverage of Desert Storm and the Iraqi capitulation. At CNN, he has
written and produced various extensive reports on military history and the breakup of the Soviet
Union. He served in the US Army and writers at several networks have sought his advice on
aspects of military history. An Indiana native and consultant, he writes a newspaper column on
the media and occasionally leads discussions at various college journalism seminars.
David and Brandy Hall
David
David Hall, MA is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern who works as a
therapist with Ebenezer Counseling Services in Knoxville, TN. David is also a Sex Therapy Intern
with the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists (ABCST). He has been a conference speaker
addressing issues of healthy teen sexuality, same-sex attractions, and singleness. He was a
contributing author to the book Soul Virgins with his mentor, Dr. Douglas Rosenau. He is a
graduate of Psychological Studies Institute. David is newly married to his beloved, Brandy.
Brandy
Brandy Hall, MA is a Professional Counseling Intern with a degree specialization in Christian
Spirituality from Psychological Studies Institute. She has experience in working with addiction,
grief, and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. Brandy works as a therapist with Ebenezer
Counseling Services in Knoxville, TN along with her husband, David.
Terry Haecker
For 25 years, Terry Haecker has served in the Austin, Texas market as an Advertising &
Marketing Consultant for KXAN - NBC Affiliate, KLBJ590AM News Talk - ABC Affiliate and as Sales
Manager for KIXL 970AM - Christian News Talk where she constructed strategic marketing and
promotional opportunities for local businesses.
During the last 12 years, Terry has worked on many projects to serve marriage and
family in the Central Texas area by informing local businesses of the need to sponsor and
support marketing efforts to inform the general public about area churches who were providing
marriage and family support and classes.
Most recently, she has made the leap with Committed Communications to serve the
Church Sector in a Central Texas Marriage Initiative by again utilizing community businesses to
sponsor COMMITTED.net and all its promotional properties.
Terry has been married to Gary for 24 years. They have three grown children and three
grandchildren. Gary and Terry are active in their church assisting in relational care and coaching
for marriages.
William R. Harvey
Dr. William R. Harvey has served with distinction as President of Hampton

University since 1978. He has created a monumental legacy during his more than
twenty-five year tenure – one of the longest tenure of any sitting president of a
college or university in the country. His commitment to expansion and innovation in academic
programs has resulted in 77 new academic programs being implemented under his watch.
An astute businessman, Dr. Harvey is 100% owner of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of
Houghton, Michigan. He applied his business acumen to the needs of Hampton University when
he initiated a University-owned commercial development consisting of a shopping center and
246 two-bedroom apartments.
Dr. Harvey’s financial leadership is indicated in the financial growth and stability
Hampton has achieved during his twenty-eight years as President. The University has balanced
its budget and achieved a surplus during each of those years. The endowment, which stood at
$29 million when he became President, now exceeds $250 million. The University’s first capital
fundraising campaign in 1979 had a goal of $30,000,000. That campaign raised $46.4 million.
The most recent campaign had a goal of $200 million and raised $264 million.
Along with his duties as President, the corporate boards that Dr. Harvey serves on, or has served
on, are Fannie Mae, Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Signet Bank, Newport News Shipbuilding,
Wachovia Bank (Mid-Atlantic Region), Newport News Savings Bank, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
of Houghton, Michigan, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and the Harvard Cooperative
Society. He is a member of Virginia Association of Higher Education, Peninsula Chamber of
Commerce, Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, and the Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Pi Phi
fraternities.
Dr. Harvey is married to the former Norma Baker of Martinsville, Virginia, and they have
three children—Kelly Renee, William Christopher, and Leslie Denise—and three grandchildren,
Taylor, Gabrielle, and Lauren.
Gerard Henry
Gerard Henry is the creator and former host of the highly rated Black
Entertainment Television, Inc. (BET) Gospel music video show, “Lift Every Voice:
featuring up-close and personal interviews with leading Gospel Artists and
Preachers in the nation.
After 9 years, Henry has moved on to launch a multi-media experience through his
latest brand, “Speak Life!” This is a vehicle to not only speak to the hearts and minds of youth
and young adults across this nation, but mobilize many who desire to make a lasting impact on
the next generation. Henry is also a sought after speaker, host, and consultant.
Gerard, his wife Terry, daughter Baylor Leanne, son Benjamin Jeremiah, and daughter
Bria Lyn reside in Atlanta, GA.
Randy Hicks
Randy Hicks is the president of Georgia Family Council (GFC), a non-profit research
and education organization committed to strengthening families and promoting
civil society by shaping laws, influencing public opinion, and equipping marriage
and family advocates. GFC is working to reverse the trends of family fragmentation in Georgia by
establishing community-based marriage and family initiatives across the state. His organization
creates awareness of the profoundly harmful consequences of family breakdown and promotes
policies and strategies for reversing family and community decline.
As a longtime student of the social effects of family breakdown, Randy works with local
and national policy leaders to elevate marriage, family and community-based collaboration in
our cultural and public policy discourse. He currently serves on the Georgia Supreme Court’s
Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California and a
Master’s Degree from the Biola University in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Marilyn, reside in
Suwanee, Georgia with their five children.
Larry Jacobs
Larry Jacobs is Vice President of The Howard Center for Family, Religion and
Society and Managing Director for the World Congress of Families. Larry
organizes the World Congress of Families which unites thousands of people of goodwill who
recognize that the family is the fundamental unit of society and coordinates the efforts of pro-
family groups from more than 60 countries. Larry is the founder of Jabez Consulting which
provides strategic assistance to companies and pro-life pregnancy centers. Larry spent 8 years
at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), culminating in his position as Manager of Product
Safety, Environmental and Public Affairs. In 2006 he was named an American Swiss Foundation
“Young Leader.” In 2003 he was named as one of the “Top 40 Leaders Under 40” by the
Cincinnati Business Courier. He has two Master’s degrees from Yale University, in Economics and
Natural Resource Policy, and a Bachelor of Science degree cum laude from Allegheny College
Jeff Kemp
Jeff is dedicated to strengthening families and is passionate about casting a vision

for a regional and national marriage movement. He has led Families Northwest
since 1993, where he and his team network with leaders from all segments of
society - business, community, church, government, and media. He received a
Bachelor’s in economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA with honors from Pepperdine
University.
Jeff and his father, Jack, are one of only four sets of father/son NFL quarterbacks. As he
speaks throughout the United States, Jeff passes on dynamic lessons learned during eleven
years in the world of professional athletics. Persevering through the highs and lows of pro
football gave him a valuable perspective on life. He is committed to honor God with his best and
use his leadership and speaking opportunities to strengthen men and women in the crucial area
of family life.
Jeff and his wife, Stacy, make their home in Redmond, Washington with their sons Kyle,
Kory, Kolby and Keegan.
Alex Kendrick
Alex Kendrick has served as the Associate Pastor of Media at Sherwood Baptist
Church since 1999. He oversees the television and motion picture ministry, and
teaches a televised Bible study program called Home Connection to audiences in
the South Georgia region.
In 2002, Alex founded Sherwood Pictures with the blessing of senior pastor Michael
Catt, and began production on their first movie Flywheel with his brother Stephen, who also
serves on staff. Alex wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the film with the help of 60 church
volunteers. After an overwhelming response to the film in 2003, he partnered with his brother
once again to write and produce Facing the Giants. Alex once again acted and directed the film,
which was picked up and distributed by Provident Films, a branch of Sony Pictures. In 2007, Alex
and Stephen wrote the screenplay for Fireproof, and shot it in Albany with Alex directing and
Stephen producing
Alex and his wife Christina have been happily married for 13 years, live in Albany,
Georgia and have five children.
Stephen Kendrick
Stephen Kendrick has served as Associate Teaching Pastor at Sherwood Baptist

Church since 2001. He oversees the church’s prayer ministry, directs major events
and works on movie productions. He is a screenwriter and the producer of the
movies, Fireproof and Facing the Giants.
In the spring of 2008, Stephen and his brother, Alex, co-wrote The Love Dare book which
challenges married couples to a 40 day journey to lead their hearts and build their marriages on
unconditional love. Shipping over 1 million copies in a matter of weeks, The Love Dare hit #1 on
New York Times bestsellers list (paperback / advice) and became Broadman and Holman
publishers’ fastest selling book in their 100 year history.
Stephen and his wife Jill have four children and reside in Albany, Georgia.
Alveda King
Dr. Alveda King is founder of King for America and a pastoral associate with
Priests for Life, a major pro-life organization. King for America is a faith based
organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of people spiritually,
economically, intellectually and socially. Alveda is the daughter of the late slain civil rights
activist Rev. A. D. King and his wife Naomi Barber King. Her work as a civil rights activist and
voice for life, marriage and family spans the nation and the globe. She is a devoted mother,
grandmother and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Alveda believes that faith in God,
expressed through Agape love, and not faith in government bureaucracy is the key to providing
life empowering solutions to the issues of the day.
Debbie Kling
Over the last decade, after raising three children, Debbie has applied her
leadership skills in serving the industry of public event facility management. She
began her career in facility management at Boise State University; later, on behalf
of the Governor of the State of Idaho, served as Executive Director of Team Idaho, providing
leadership and oversight to the National Governors Association 2002 Annual Meeting and the
Western Governors Association Annual Meeting, 2001. Most recently, Debbie served as General
Manager of Qwest Arena. The arena is home to three professional sports teams, ECHL hockey,
NBADL basketball and AF2 football, and hosted concerts, seminars, family shows and trade
shows.
Her love for community and touching the lives of others lead Debbie to serve on the
boards of the Community House, Junior League of Boise, Learning Lab, Success by Six and the
Downtown Boise Association.
Debbie and her husband Jim have three wonderful children with spouses and three
grandchildren.
Peter Larson
Peter J. Larson, Ph.D. is the Vice President of Life Innovations, the international
headquarters of the PREPARE/ENRICH Inventories and Program. He is a licensed
psychologist, receiving his doctorate in Clinical Psychology and an MA in
Theology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, CA. Before joining Life
Innovations, he specialized in premarital counseling and couples therapy as the Director of
Research and Clinical Services for the Smalley Relationship Center.
He is the co-developer of the Couple Checkup inventory and a co-developer of the new
Customized Version of the PREPARE/ENRICH Inventories. He has published numerous journal
articles and has co-authored the Couple Checkup book (2008), the PREPARE to Last program
(2007), and the PREPARE/ENRICH Marriage Mentor Program (2004).
Peter and Heather Larson have been married 13 years, and have 3 children: Adam (7),
Kate (6), and Anna (5).
Dave & Dawn Lind
Dave and Dawn Lind are the founders of Focus On Purpose - a Christian
marriage coaching business offering telephone coaching, workshops and
assessments. They coach pastoral and lay leadership couples to discover and
focus on their God-given joint purpose as a “Team of Two”. The Linds are certified marriage
trainers for Christian PAIRS® and Leading From Your Strengths® Assessments. As national
speakers and workshop leaders for the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries, they
oversee the AMFM Couples in Leadership Team. As founders of Healthy Christian Marriages,
they coach pastoral couples to lead marriage initiatives and conferences. Dave, a senior pastor
for 27 years, has a master’s degree in ministry and was featured in Leadership Journal Magazine
as a “turn around church” pastor. Dawn, with a master’s degree in education, is an ICF
professional certified life coach. Married for 33 years, the Linds have three sons (two married,
one in college) and a grandson. They reside in beautiful Vermont.
John and Debbie Lowe
Pastor John B. & Debbie Lowe have actively been hosting marriage conferences
in their church and abroad since 1983. Being just one signature away from
divorce, they both surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Since then, marriage
and the family have been the emphasis of their ministry.
They enjoy traveling to countries like, France, England, India, Mexico and the Ukraine to
teach ministers and congregations on marriage and the family. In their local church, they have
ongoing ministry to marriages through Intimate Encounters Marriage Intensives. For over 23
years they have taken their youth through a program they developed called “The Covenant of
Purity”. This program is designed to protect young people from the consequences of sexual
immorality while teaching them God’s principles for sex and intimacy. The Lord has used Pastor
John B. & Debbie in a mighty way to bring hope and restoration to families at home and around
the world.
Andrew and Terri Lyke
Andrew and Terri Lyke are leaders in Christian marriage preparation,

education and enrichment since 1982. They have served thousands of
married couples through their programs. They have nationally presented keynote addresses,
workshops, retreats and seminars on Marriage and Family issues to church, community and
business audiences.
The Lykes are national trainers of curricula used in the Healthy Marriage Initiative, i.e.,
FOCCUS and Exploring Relationships and Marriage with Fragile Families. They have written
articles for local and national publications on Christian Married Life. Terri and Andrew regularly
write for Catholic News Service.
They are also founders of Arusi Network, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that
educates African Americans on the skills and benefits of Christian marriage. Andrew is also the
Coordinator of Marriage Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
They were married in 1975 and are the parents of two young adults.
Bob Maday
Bob and his now deceased wife, Bev, are co-founders of WinShape Marriage
Retreat. As a special project director at Chick-fil-A, Bob’s leadership is ground
breaking. He directs much of the philanthropic effort at the company and leads a
division including the Truett’s Grill and Dwarf House restaurants. During his 30-
plus year career in the restaurant business, Bob has seen how healthy employee relationships
go hand-in-hand with productivity.
Bob was a leader in the founding of the Marriage CoMission, was an early pioneer in
organizing community marriage initiatives, and now provides direction for the advisors and
board development for the Foundation.
Bob has three married children and seven grandchildren. Bob’s recent marriage to Vicki
Wheeler has added two daughters and the eighth grandchild to the family. Bob and Vicki reside
in Jonesboro, Georgia.
Fran Magoni
Fran M. Magoni, M.A. is the new Director of the Marriage and Family Initiative in
Columbus, GA. Prior to being selected to head up this new marriage initiative, Fran
was the Director of the Center for Servant Leadership at the Pastoral Institute and
worked with businesses, universities, churches, organizations, and schools to educate and train
others about servant leadership. She coordinated mentoring, training and community service
for the students in the Servant Leadership Program at Columbus State University. Additionally,
Fran worked with churches and community organizations, conducting family enrichment
programs and teacher training workshops. She has taught Sunday school and/or Bible studies as
a volunteer for 25 years, and is a former Learning Specialist with Group Publishing. Fran is a
graduate of Mississippi State University and has her M.A. in Christian Education from Asbury
Theological Seminary. Fran and her husband Mark have three daughters and live in Columbus,
Georgia, where Mark is the Pastor for Midland United Methodist Church.
Linda Malone-Colon
Doctor Malone-Colon's areas of expertise include teaching, administration,

counseling, consulting, and training and research. She teaches courses in the
Psychology Department at Hampton University and taught a new course on Black
Marital Relationships in the spring 2003 semester. She developed the University Counseling
Center at Hampton University and was the Director of the Center for approximately eight years.
In this capacity she also counseled students, faculty and staff with psychosocial concerns and
provided psycho-educational workshops on and off campus. She is a professional development
and diversity consultant and presents workshops and management training for private industry
and state and local government agencies. Her past research focused on identifying coping
strategies used by African Americans in coping with the stresses of racism. As a result of this
research, she co-authored a chapter in the Handbook of Tests and Measurements for Black
Populations (1991, edited by Reginald Jones). She is currently engaged in research and
scholarship aimed at identifying protective and risk factors for African Americans in developing
satisfying and stable marital relationships
Jim McBride
Jim McBride joined Sherwood Baptist Church in 2003 as executive pastor,

overseeing operations, church staff, and finances for the church and for Sherwood
Pictures. Jim also managed the $4.6 million Generations Campaign that closed debt
and initiated a sports and recreation complex.
A leader in the Albany community, Jim was general manager for Coca-Cola, overseeing a
$25 million operating budget. The CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated publicly recognized
Jim for his Christian leadership. For two years, he chaired the Leadership Albany board and
continues to help develop leaders in Albany’s business community. From 1979-1985, he served
in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Jim currently is working on his first book about rites of passage for Christian children. His
acting credits include the role of Bobby Lee Duke in Facing the Giants and Butch Bowers in
Flywheel, both Sherwood Pictures productions.
Jim and his wife, Sheila, have four children: Victoria, Buddy, Tommy and Sarah.
Jeff and Debby McElroy
The McElroys are founders of the international non-profit organization, Forever

Families, Inc. Since 1989, they have spoken to millions around the world in their
quest to strengthen marriages and families. Their ability to weave humor, drama, teaching and
music throughout their delivery commands their audience’s attention, while their transparent,
honest style inspires their audience’s trust. They use their unique delivery to speak not only to
this generation of families, but also to the teenagers that will become the leaders of the future
families of this country. Jeff & Debby have worked hard to maintain their “everyman” status in
their attempt to change this culture one “couch potato couple” at a time. Their Marriage Tune
Up DVD series and Covenant Praise worship CD have helped marriages across the country,
Russia, and eastern Africa.
Most recently, Forever Families has been involved with three exciting projects:
The PREPARE To Last nearly/newlywed preparation resource that the McElroys created in
collaboration with CoMission partners PREPARE-ENRICH and Marriage Today; Relationship
Discipleship, a consulting division to help churches develop a comprehensive marriage and
family ministry strategy; and it’s newest project - Relationships, Inc., a web-based program
designed to help corporate America strengthen the relationship skills of its employees.
The McElroys live in Knoxville, TN, and are the proud parents of the two coolest kids in
the world – Kristen, age 17, and Trevan, age 13.
John McGee
John McGee has served as the Director of Marriage Ministry at Watermark

Community Church in Dallas, Texas for the last 6 years. He received his
Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary finishing the
program in 2002. He and his wife Pam have been married for 13 years and have 4
energetic children ranging from ages 3-9.
Mike and Harriet McManus
Mike and Harriet McManus are Co-Chairs of Marriage Savers, a ministry whose
goal is to help churches and communities cut their divorce rate and raise their
marriage rate. They have helped the clergy of more than 200 cities adopt a
Community Marriage Policy, an agreement across denominational lines, to make marriage such
a priority in their churches that divorce rates fall.
Mike
Mike McManus, 66, a Duke graduate, was TIME magazine’s youngest correspondent in 1963. He
worked in Latin America initially and then in Washington. Since 1981, he has written a weekly
syndicated column, "Ethics & Religion." He wrote a book, Marriage Savers: Helping Your Friends
and Family Avoid Divorce, published in 1995. Its last chapter tells how one city, Modesto, CA,
became the first city to adopt a "Community Marriage Policy", as the result of a speech Mike
made in 1986 to local pastors, in which he suggested how the city could cut its divorce rate in
half. That city's divorce rate has since plunged 50%. Other cities slashing divorce rates in half are
Austin, Kansas City, KS, Salem, OR and El Paso.
Harriet
Harriet McManus married Mike Oct. 16, 1965. She was a homemaker, helping three sons grow
into maturity. She was the first editor of Marriage Savers and edits every column Mike writes.
Together, they began a marriage ministry in their home church, Fourth Presbyterian Church of
Bethesda in 1992. They pioneered the training of couples with healthy marriages to be Mentor
Couples who prepared 288 couples for marriage from 1992-2001. It was so rigorous that 55
couples decided not to marry, a big 19% of the total. But of the 230+ couples who did marry,
there have been only 7 divorces. That’s a 3% divorce rate over a decade, or a 97% success rate.
That’s marriage insurance.
Jeff McMichael
Jeff McMichael, M.D. is a family practioner and partner in his medical practice, FamilyCare
Specialists, in Knoxville,Tennessee. He received his BA at the University of Tennessee and
Medical Degree at East Tennessee State University/Quillen College of Medicine. He completed
his residency in family practice at Florida Hospital in Orlando, FL. He played middle linebacker
for the Vols while under coach John Majors. He and his wife Valerie are parents of five children
ages ranging from 16 to 9 years of age. They both have developed a passion for a healthy
marriage and family by witnessing the dramatic transformation in Jeff's parent's marriage from
married to divorced to changed lives through Christ to remarried again.
Mark Merrill
Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First, a widely respected
national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families and
establishing them as a top priority. Family First promotes principles for building
marriages and raising children through three successful programs. All Pro Dad helps men
become better fathers through NFL seminars, All Pro Dad days and daily emails while the newest
initiative, iMOM is a technological cup of coffee for all moms, providing information and
encouragement when and where they need it with a daily espresso minute, weekly learn a latte
ispecialists, pillow talk and drive time CDs.
Mark is the host of the Family Minute with Mark Merrill, a national daily radio program
that reaches 6,000,000 people each week. The broadcast is heard on mainstream stations in 29
states, as well as XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio and American Forces Network.
Before founding Family First in 1991, Mark practiced law in Florida for seven years. He
received his Bachelor of Arts degree as a Phi Beta Kappa in 1981 and his Juris Doctor degree
from the University of Florida.
Mark, his wife Susan, and their five children Megan, Emily, Hannah Grace, Mark, Jr. and
Grant live in Tampa.
Susan Merrill
Susan Merrill has served as the program director of iMOM since its launch in
2007. As the mother of five children ranging in age from 13 to 18, Susan knows
the joys and challenges of motherhood firsthand. She uses that real-life
experience to help women around the world raise children grounded in wisdom, health,
purpose, and relationships.
Susan oversees all iMOM programming including iMOM.com, iMOM Mornings, the
Espresso Minute daily email, and the Pillow Talk journal. She is also a dynamic and engaging
speaker on a wide range of parenting topics.
A graduate of the University of Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance,
Susan was a corporate lending officer and regional marketing manager for Bank of America. She
and her husband, Mark, and their children – two of whom are adopted – live in Tampa, Florida.
Jack Myrick
Jack Myrick is Founder and President of Myrick Enterprises, a restaurant

development group with interests in 10 Sonic Drive-Ins in the Atlanta area.
Jack serves as a Director for the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative with activities
in the Corporate and Faith Community. He is the Author of 2 books: The Shipbuilder and The
Merchant which are business parables helping people reach their potential in business and life.
He is happily married to his wife Linda of 25 years and the proud father of three amazing
daughters. They reside in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Mary Myrick
Mary Myrick is the Director for National Healthy Marriage Research Center. As an
Accredited Public Relations Professional (APR), Ms Myrick is the Founder and
President of Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI) an Oklahoma-based project management
firm (with offices in the DC area; Denver, CO; and Texas). The firm serves as the lead agency for
the NHMRC, funded in part by the Administration for Children and Families. PSI has earned a
reputation as a leader in the healthy marriage field, with national, state and local clients from
the public, private and non-profit sectors. She and her team of over 100 employees provide a
variety of services including strategic planning, project management, program development,
technical assistance, event planning and public relations. The firm is currently developing a
research based national media campaign on healthy marriage for young people ages 18-30, with
an interactive web portal as a key component.
Public Strategies began working in the healthy marriage field in 1999, and in 2001 was
awarded a competitive contract by the Department of Human Services to manage the Oklahoma
Marriage Initiative (OMI). The OMI is nationally recognized as the nation’s first statewide,
comprehensive effort to deliver information and education services designed to strengthen
relationships and marriage, with a focus on low-income families. In addition, Public Strategies
provides technical assistance to several other agencies and organizations conducting marriage
related projects including but not limited to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission,
MDRC (Supporting Healthy Marriage), Mathematica Policy Research (Building Strong Families)
and Pal Tech (Hispanic Healthy Marriage Initiative).
Michael and Heidi O’Brien
Michael
Michael O’Brien is probably most known from his 7 year tenure as lead
singer of the Christian band Newsong, but he has actually been in the music
ministry for about 20 years now and has built a reputation as an incredibly gifted singer/
songwriter with a heart for ministering to the body of Christ.
Sensing that God was calling him to step out of his secure position with Newsong,
Michael started all over again. His newest CD, Something About Us, is filled with 14 original love
songs that come out of a pure and holy devoted love solely between a man and a woman. Laced
with silky smooth vocals and lush string arrangements performed by the Irish Film Orchestra
(Dublin, Ireland) this CD is a must have.
Michael and his band now travel around to do “The Tour De Romance,” a date night for
couples.
Heidi
Back in 1999, Heidi was involved in quite a personal battle herself. Being diagnosed with
Bipolar/Manic depression and being admitted into Vanderbilt Psychiatric Ward for a two-day
evaluation, she remembers one statement one of the doctors would say to her. He stated, “Mrs.
O’Brien….It is a lot easier to check yourself in a mental hospital, than it is to be angry at your
husband”.
As Heidi and Michael worked diligently to get help, Heidi began to write short stories on
things she was thankful for in her journal. Historically, her journals were used for venting her
frustrations and resentments towards Michael and life in general, but God was challenging her
to think about things that were pure and holy. Eventually, she completed her first book
“Blankets Tea and Crazy People” that was released this past summer.
In the last several years, Michael and Heidi have been given many remarkable
opportunities to share this story of restoration on National Television and Radio Broadcasts
across America.
Gary J. Oliver
Gary J. Oliver, Ph.D. is a university and seminary professor, psychologist, author,

consultant and Executive Director of the Center for Relationship Enrichment and
Professor of Psychology and Practical Theology at John Brown University in Siloam
Springs, Arkansas.
He received his B.A. from Biola University, an M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary,
a Th.M. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in psychology from the
University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Dr. Oliver has over 30 years experience in individual,
premarital, marital and family counseling, did his M.A. and Ph.D. research in marriage
enrichment and for over 20 years has had an extensive nationwide teaching and training
ministry with a specialization in marriage counseling, marriage enrichment and emotional and
relational intelligence (ERQ™). In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Oliver has over ten
years experience serving on the staff of churches in California, Nebraska, Colorado and
Arkansas. He is also the founder and Associate Professor of the D. Min. in Marriage and Family
Counseling at Denver Seminary.
Dr. Oliver has authored or co-authored over 20 books including two books with his late
wife, Carrie – Mad About Us: Moving from Anger to Intimacy With Your Spouse published by
Bethany House and Raising Sons…and Loving It! published by Zondervan. He is also the author
of over 150 articles in national magazines and journals, is a regular contributing columnist for
HomeLife magazine
William Owens
William Owens is President & CEO of Higher Standard Enterprises, Inc. He has
written seven books and has been an entrepreneur practically all of his adult
life. His wife, Selena, penned her first book, Keep the Vision Alive: Make, Don't Break, the Man
of Vision in 1992 and followed with Helpmeet a few years later.
The Owens’ embarked on their writing career more than 18 years ago and the publishing
industry fifteen years ago. To date they have written over 12 books and published over 15.
Recently they have started a political organization called, Americans For Real Change. ARC is a
collaboration of individuals who are committed to engaging and educating our youth about our
history or constitution and on how to debate their beliefs in an effective and relevant manner.
William and Selena, have four children and have been married for 23 years. They contribute
their success to unweaving commitment to each other, courage, and confidence in the God-
given vision.
Nathan and Jane Phillips
Nathan
Nathan Phillips, LPC Battlefield Ministries, Inc. Nathan is a graduate of Samford
University and earned his master's degree in Community Counseling from Georgia State
University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the CEO of Battlefield Ministries, Inc., a
non-profit ministry he and his wife, Jane (see below biography), founded in 1995 which focuses
on helping Christian couples and families learn how to not only stay together but to enjoy each
other while doing so. He has over 20 years of experience in counseling and is an accomplished
speaker and facilitator. He and his wife, Jane, counsel together and also lead marriage retreats
nationally and internationally. Nathan is a lead intensive therapist with the National Institute of
Marriage and a member of the adjunct faculty at WinShape Retreat.
Nathan and Jane were married in 1982 and live in Rome, Georgia with their two sons,
Isaac and Andy.
Jane
Jane Phillips, BME. Battlefield Ministries, Inc. For 20 plus years, Jane has worked alongside
licensed mental health professionals within various mental health settings. Upon graduating
from Samford University with a bachelors in music education, Jane began working as a music
therapist on a psychiatric unit in a hospital and then moved on to an adolescent treatment
facility where she was part of a team of professionals specializing in helping troubled teens. Jane
now serves as a primary staff member at Battlefield Ministries, Inc.
Jane consistently accepts the invitation to meet an individual in their dark valley and
walks through that difficult place to find healing on the other side. As she ministers both at
home and abroad she finds that from the prostitutes in India to the missionaries in Africa,
people are hurting around the world. In addition to working with Battlefield, she is adjunct
faculty at WinShape Marriage Retreat and is an influential speaker and facilitator in women’s
ministry.
Brian Pikalow
Dr. Pikalow worked on the staff of the UCF Football Team. Currently he serves as
the Team Chaplain for the Orlando Predators professional football team. After
earning a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Pikalow earned his Master of Divinity
degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served with Dr. Jay Strack of Student
Leadership University, assisted Pat Morley with his book “Young Man in the Mirror,” founded
the “Yes, I Believe In God” 40-Day Challenge, is now Family Pastor at Asbury United Methodist
Church, Maitland, FL, and completed his Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degree from Asbury
Theological Seminary in 2008. He and his wife are trainers for Intimate Life Ministries with Dr.
David Ferguson. He is happily married to Samantha and he has 3 sons. He was named after the
football player in the movie, “Brian’s Song.”
Chip Pohl
Chip Pohl serves the Cathy Family as the Manager of the Family Office. In this role,
Chip is responsible for continuing the efforts to bring structure and coordination
to the processes of the Family Office.
Chip came to Chick-fil-A in 2007 after a 30+ year career with Gold Kist, one of Chick-fil-
A's principal chicken suppliers. Prior to Gold Kist, Chip started his career with the accounting
firm, KPMG, where he worked with Buck McCabe. He attended the University of Georgia and
was an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Chip and his wife, Wanda, have been married for 37 years and live in Marietta, GA. They
have two married sons, a married daughter and four grandchildren. Chip is an Atlanta native and
Wanda is originally from Statesboro, GA. They are active at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in
Marietta Georgia and are involved in several church and para church ministries.
Tim and Beth Popadic
Tim and Beth have served in full time ministry over the last 18 years. Tim is the
Pastor of Marriage and Family at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens,
FL (www.gochristfellowship.com). Tim and Beth cofounded www.24forlife.com
which is philosophy of relational preparation designed to impact marriage and families in the
church. They launched the first ever Community Marriage Policy for the state of CT back in 1999,
and recently launched the Palm Beach County Healthy Marriage Initiative in 2008. As the
President of the South Florida Association of Christian Counselors (www.sfacconline.net), Tim
has organized a strategy and movement to raise up over 1000 marriage mentors over this next
year through their launch of www.southfloridamarriage.net. They have been married for over
15 years and have 4 incredible sons. Their life mission and passion is to impact every church and
every marriage.
Gary and Barb Rosberg
Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg are award-winning authors, popular radio hosts, and
beloved marriage conference speakers. Together, Gary and Barb are co-
founders of the national ministry America’s Family Coaches. Through a unique process called
The Great Marriage Experience, the Rosbergs equip couples and churches with the resources,
events, and tools they need to keep their marriages growing stronger for a lifetime. Gary and
Barb directly address the needs and current issues of marriages today and deliver remarkable
insight packed with honest answers and Biblical truth
Timothy Russell
Timothy Russell is the President of the Memphis Center for Urban Theological
Studies (MCUTS). Russell has served as Associate Pastor of the Covenant
Fellowship Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA and Pastor of the
Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls, PA. Russell has also worked for Prison
Fellowship Ministries as the Program Director for Western PA. He served at Geneva College as
the Director of Financial Aid from 1990-1995 and as the College Chaplain from 1995-2005.
Russell holds a B.A. in English/Education from Geneva College and a M.Div. from the Reformed
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. Russell is currently a Ph.D. candidate in
Historical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Russell and his
wife Katherine attend the Second Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Memphis where he has served as
the Scholar in Residence. He serves also as Adjunct Professor at Reformed Theological
Seminary.
Richard Schirmer
Richard has an extensive background in bringing non-traditional marketing methods

to traditional entertainment and consumer brands. From developing strategic
alliances and promotions with Walt Disney and other Fortune 500 firms (Kodak,
McDonald’s, Office Depot, American Express, Porsche, Coke) to serving as VP/Partner at Motive
Marketing (recognized by Ad Age Top 50) that has launched major non-traditional campaigns for
two of the five top-grossing feature films in the past five years (The Passion of the Christ, The
Chronicles of Narnia). He now serves as the principal partner of DBA West where he leads non-
traditional and non-conventional campaigns for consumer, entertainment and cause-oriented
brands. By leveraging a proprietary blend of non-traditional (e.g. digital, partnership, and
entertainment-based strategies), DBA West is able to interweave consumer tipping point
strategies into the traditional advertising mix – an enormous benefit as advertisers face an
increasingly complex, costly and fragmented advertising market.
Leah Ward Sears
Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears has achieved a distinguished position in Georgia’s
history. She was the first black woman to serve as a superior court judge in Georgia
when she was elected in 1988, and the first woman and youngest person ever to serve on the
Georgia Supreme Court when she was appointed by Governor Zell Miller in 1992. In retaining
her appointed position as a Supreme Court Justice, she became the first woman in Georgia to
win a contested state-wide election. In July 2005, Justice Sears became the first woman to serve
as the Chief Justice of the Court.
During her tenure, Chief Justice Sears has spearheaded two major initiatives: the
Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Children, Marriage, and Family Law and the
Committee on Civil Justice. The Commission on Children, Marriage, and Family Law was
established to address the legal and administrative issues stemming from the increasing
fragmentation of Georgia’s families, while the Committee on Civil Justice was established to
develop, coordinate, and support policy initiatives to expand access to the courts for poor and
vulnerable Georgians.
Chief Justice Sears received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, her law
degree from Emory University School of Law, and a master’s degree in appellate judicial process
from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining the bench, she was an attorney with the law firm
of Alston & Bird.
Chief Justice Sears is the proud mother of Addison and Brennan, the wife of Haskell
Sears Ward, and the daughter of Colonel Thomas E. Sears and Onnye Jean Sears.
Gary Smalley
Gary Smalley is one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on marriage
and family relationships. He is the author & co-author of 55 best-selling, award-
winning books and DVDs, which have sold over 12 million copies.
In 40 years Gary has spoken to over two million people in live conferences and has
appeared on national televisions programs such as, ‘TBN’, ‘Oprah Winfrey’, ‘Fox News &
Friends’, ‘Larry King Live’, ‘NBC Today Show’, ‘James Robison Show’ as well as numerous
national radio programs such as ‘Sean Hannity Show’, ‘Focus on the Family’, Oliver North, and
many more.
Gary is president and founder of the Smalley Relationship Center providing research,
relationship coaching, conferences nation-wide, books, videos and small group curriculum. Gary
and his wife, Norma, have been married for 44 years and live in Branson, Missouri. With their
three married children, Kari, Greg, and Michael, they have 9 grandchildren.
Greg and Erin Smalley
Greg
Dr. Greg Smalley earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from
Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University in Southern California. He also holds two
masters degrees. One is in counseling psychology from Denver Seminary and one is in clinical
psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology.
Dr. Smalley is the Director of Marriage Ministries for the Center for Relationship
Enrichment on the campus of John Brown University. He is also an assistant professor of
marriage and family studies at John Brown University. Dr. Smalley is the founder and board
member of the National Institute of Marriage, a marriage ministry located in Branson, Missouri.
Dr. Smalley specializes in working with couples in crisis or on the brink of divorce. He
also helps lead marriage seminars around the world and helps train pastors, professionals and
lay leaders how to effectively work with married couples.
He has appeared on both television and radio programs, including Focus on the Family
and Hour of Power. He is the author or co-author of eight books including The DNA of
Relationships, The Marriage You've Always Dreamed Of, Men’s Relational Toolbox, Life Lines:
Communicating with Your Teen, Winning Your Wife Back and Winning Your Husband Back.
Erin
Erin Smalley earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Grand Canyon
University in Phoenix, Arizona. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse for several years. She
also holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Evangel University in Springfield,
Missouri.
Mrs. Smalley has written several articles for Parent Life Magazine and Marriage
Partnership Magazine; as well as published work with her husband Dr. Greg Smalley. They are
both on staff at the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University. She remains
active with speaking engagements, focusing on issues that involve both women and marital
issues. She recently co-authored her first book, “Grown Up Girlfriends”, with her friend, Carrie
Oliver. Her second book, written with her husband, will be released in January ’08, entitled
“Before You Plan Your Wedding, Plan Your Marriage.”
Erin and Greg reside in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with their two daughters, Taylor and
Madalyn, and son, Garrison.
Michael and Amy Smalley
Amy and Michael Smalley specialize in teaching couples the principles of loving
well and loving for a lifetime. Their popularity as nationally renowned marriage
builders and couples’ coaches quickly grew through their signature
straightforward, no-nonsense advice. The Smalley’s message inspires, motivates and challenges
people to thrive in their most important relationships.
Their love story began while they were undergraduates at Baylor University in Waco,
Texas. After graduation, they went on to earn master’s degrees in clinical psychology from
Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael and Amy currently serve as Executive Directors of the Smalley Marriage and
Family Center in The Woodlands, Texas. The center provides pre-marital and crisis marriage
intensive coaching and live marriage and parenting seminars.
The Smalleys have enjoyed 14 years of marriage and make their home near Houston,
Texas. They have three children, Cole, Reagan, and David.
John and Jamee Stanley
John
After a successful 25-year career in the YMCA, John founded The Legacy Group, a
consulting and management firm that provides counsel to philanthropists and helps them
navigate charitable giving. As the president of The Legacy Group, John has overseen charitable
gifts in excess of $60 million from clients.
John’s counsel to philanthropists and nonprofit leaders is grounded in an ability to discover an
individual’s passion to make a difference, then, more than simply providing guidance, John and
his team help in execution. He is a leading authority on philanthropic advising, organizational
planning and is a recognized leader among his peers. Wisconsin Leadership Institute awarded
him Collaborative Leader of the Year in 2006.
John is a philanthropist himself, giving through his family’s foundation and serving it as a
trustee. He serves on the Board of Nativity Jesuit Middle School, an inner city school serving
Latino boys. He is a philanthropic advisor for the Family Wealth Alliance; a Philanthropy World
Magazine’s Advisory Board member and serves Camp Manito-wish YMCA as a member of the
Leadership and Financial Development Committees. He and his family live in Milwaukee and
Dallas.
Jamee
Jamee is Senior Researcher for KDM Consultants. She oversees the firm’s Donor Network
Analysis products. She has degrees in both social work and interior design and runs her own
design business. Jamee and John have been married 27 years and together enjoy their faith
journey with the Ignatian Associates. They are part of the Marriage Enrichment team at St.
Anthony on the Lake Parish where Jamee is active on the Parish Council and the Christian
Formation Committee. They live in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Their daughter Karen, 26, is a
program director at YMCA Camp Seafarer on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and their son,
Micah, 24, is a benefits analyst at Diversified Insurance Services in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Karen Stanley
Karen has a passion for the mission of the YMCA. She has spent the past two years
as a full time director with the program team at a YMCA Camp Seafarer in North
Carolina. She is sharing the YMCA mission through adventure travel programs and
local outreach.
Karen has been a wilderness tripper and a member of the YMCA Camp Manito-wish
community for most of her life. Karen was part of the Borealis Paddling Expedition in 2005 and
2008. In 2005 they paddled 1200 miles in 90 days to the Arctic Ocean and raised over $75,000
to endow a campership at YMCA Camp Manito-wish. Karen feels the Borealis Paddling
Expedition has given her an opportunity to take a stronger role in spreading the YMCA message.
You can read about this incredible journey on the web at www.borealispaddlingexpedition.com.
She has bachelor's degree in Recreation Management and Women's Studies from the University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Shawn Stoever
Shawn Stoever, Ph.D. Senior Director, The WinShape Foundation. Originally hailing
from Houston, TX, Shawn Stoever received his doctoral degree in Counseling
Psychology from the University of North Texas where he specialized in marriage and family
therapy. As Director of Training for the Smalley Relationship Center, Shawn experienced
tremendous professional growth at the organization named for one of the country’s best-known
authors and speakers on family relationships, Dr. Gary Smalley. He currently serves as a Senior
Director for the WinShape Foundation, a non-profit ministry of Chick-fil-A, Inc. overseeing
WinShape Marriage, WinShape Retreat and WinShape Wilderness programs.
Shawn admits that despite his extensive education and training on the subject of
marriage, he didn’t become the expert he is today until he met his wife Christina. Together,
Shawn and Christina have shared more than 13 years together and have four wonderful
children, Taylor, Cade, Avery (with the Lord), and Cody.
Jeff Street
Jeff Street is the co-founder and President of VIA Consulting Group. He has 15+
years of experience in building complex business and technology solutions. These
successful solutions have resulted in helping companies, governments, countries
and individuals make more informed and effective decisions. Jeff has consulted in various
industries such as Health, Banking, Telecommunications, Government, Insurance, International
Development and Education. He received his BS from Morehouse College in 1990, and
immediately after graduating served two years in the U.S Navy (during Desert Storm/Shield).
Jeff serves on numerous boards and is very passionate about expanding the Kingdom of
God. With the help of like minded believers he has recently engaged in co-founding the
following organizations: The CoMission Against Diseases of Poverty, Faith and Family Church
and Speak Life.
Jeff married Tracy, the woman of his dreams, in 1993. Jeff, Tracy and their two
daughters, Kennedy and Reagan, reside outside of Atlanta, GA.
Michael Sytsma
Michael Sytsma is a pastor at heart having served as staff pastor for several years
before founding Building Intimate Marriages, Inc. In addition to the marriage and
sex therapy he provides, Michael also teaches a number of masters level courses and leads two
marriage workshops. His Passionate Intimacy workshop is a unique sexual enrichment workshop
for Christian couples that has been empirically supported. Michael also co-founded Sexual
Wholeness, Inc., an organization that trains pastors and therapists in addressing sexuality from a
Biblical perspective. Michael has a Marriage and Family Therapy PhD from the University of
Georgia, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, a Certified Sex Therapist and an
Ordained Minister in The Wesleyan Church. Michael and Karen have been married since 1985
and have two sons, Josiah and Caleb. Karen is a Registered Nurse currently working as a nurse at
the school Caleb attends
Mitch Temple
Mitch Temple is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and holds two graduate
degrees. He served over 23 years with churches full-time and 10 years in a Private
Practice and as a Professor. Author of 4 published books with another, The Marriage
Turnaround, releasing with Moody Publishing in January 2009. He is currently Director of the
Marriage Department at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mitch's department
is responsible for creating Focus marriage initiatives and resources for couples. Focus reaches
over 200 million people worldwide each week. He is Co-Producer for a new Marriage DVD series
by Focus on the Family (set to release February 2009) and Creator/Director of a national satellite
Marriage Event, Focus on Marriage, airing February 2009.
Mitch Temple has been married to his wife Rhonda for 26 yrs. They have two sons, a
married daughter, and their first granddaughter who was born in April 2008.
Jeff Thibault
Jeff Thibault is the Director of Operations and Training for StrongFamilies. For two
decades, Jeff was both an area and then Metro Director for Young Life in the
Phoenix area. He brings a blend of organizational and management skills that make him a key
part of the StrongFamilies team. Jeff holds his Masters Degree in Christian Leadership from
Fuller Seminary and was a high school football coach for 12 years. What an asset it is to have a
“coach” on our staff as we develop StrongFamily Coaches! Jeff and his wife, Debbie, have been
married since 1985, have four children and live in Chandler, AZ. Jeff is also presently serving as
pastor of family and marriage ministries at North Bible Church in Scottsdale, AZ, where he
implements many of the StrongFamilies principles and concepts.
Joyce A. Thomas
Joyce A. Thomas is the Regional Administrator for Region II of the Administration

for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS). Region II is based in New York, New York and includes
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As Regional Administrator, Ms.
Thomas partners with state, local, community based organizations, and Native American tribes
to promote economic independence and healthy development of children and families.
Ms. Thomas provides executive leadership and direction to ensure coordination and
integration of activities among Head Start, child care, foster care and adoption, child support
enforcement, youth services and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs. Ms.
Thomas serves as National Lead Regional Administrator for the Office of Community Services
and the Faith Based and Community Initiatives within ACF. She is one of the founders and co-
chairs of ACF’s African American Healthy Marriage Initiative. Previously, Ms. Thomas served as
the Regional Administrator for ACF’s Region V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and thirty-five Tribal Nations. While Region V Administrator, Ms.
Thomas also led the federal Regional Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Prior to her employment with the Administration for Children and Families Ms. Thomas
served as the Commissioner of the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services. As
Commissioner, she implemented major changes in the child support enforcement, TANF and
Medicaid programs and played a major role in the creation of Connecticut's innovative School
Readiness legislation. Ms. Thomas has developed particular sensitivity and expertise in re-
engineering human services. She directed Connecticut's largest administrative agency,
overseeing an annual budget of over $3 billion and 2,400 employees. Before her appointment as
Commissioner, she served as the Regional Administrator for the DSS in the State's southwestern
region.
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Ms. Thomas was awarded a BA in Social
Work, and an MA in Counseling, with a minor in Spanish.
Ms. Thomas is married and has one daughter.
John Trent
Dr. Trent is founding president of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to

strengthening marriage and family relationships worldwide. Dr. Trent is a
bestselling author and popular speaker with over 25 years experience serving and
strengthening families. John has spoken to over 100,000 people in over 65 major cities in the
past five years alone, as well as 750,000 men at Promise Keepers conferences. He has authored
and co-authored more than a dozen award winning and best-selling books – including The
Blessing, The Language of Love, Heartshift, and Breaking the Cycle of Divorce. His most recent
books include The 2 Degree Difference, Superhero Swamp, (a children’s book), and Skinny
Rabbits.
Dr. Trent has been married to his wife, Cynthia, for 29 years. They have two daughters,
one recently graduated from college and the other a senior in high school. They live in
Scottsdale, Arizona.
Matthew Turvey
Matthew Turvey, Psy.D. is the Director of Strategic Alliances for Life Innovations, the
creator and distributor of the internationally-recognized PREPARE/ENRICH
relationship assessment inventories. His research on the place of marriage and
family wellness in the workplace has received attention in the Wall Street Journal and numerous
regional news sources. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Turvey has worked in numerous clinical
and executive settings. He has been married to his wife Nicole for eleven years, and they have
three young children - Braeden, Alexis, and Drew.
John Vining
John Kie Vining’s ministerial experience includes serving as an evangelist, pastor,

college instructor, and professional pastoral counselor. He graduated from Lee
College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical-Historical Studies. He received his
Master of Arts degree in Biblical Literature from the Assemblies of God Graduate School. His
Doctor of Ministry degree is from Columbia Theological Seminary. The major area of Dr. Vining’s
graduate training is pastoral care/counseling. He is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God
(Cleveland). He is a licensed professional counselor in Tennessee. He has served as the Director
of Counseling and Testing, Lee College, and Director of Counseling at the Church of God Center
for Ministerial Care.
Presently, he serves as the Director of Family Ministries for the Church of God. He is the
author, editor, or contributor to more than a dozen books including: Spirit-Centered Counseling;
When Home Is Where the Hurt Is; Covenant Marriage; Family Ministry Foundations; Fire, Faith,
and Family: A Portrait of Spirit-Filled Families; and Servant Church. He is married to Dr. Su Ann
Vining, and they are the parents of three daughters.
Bruce and Joyce Walker
Bruce and Joyce Walker fulfill their calling to strengthen marriages and families
through the Center for Relational Care (CRC) based in Austin, Texas. Together with a staff of
pastoral and professional counselors, they provide counseling services using Intimacy Therapy, a
Christian counseling model developed by Dr. David Ferguson of Intimate Life Ministries. They
conduct marriage intensives each month in Austin, at WinShape Retreat in Rome, Georgia, and
at the Refuge at River Falls in Amarillo, Texas.
Bruce is ordained and holds a doctorate in psychology and counseling from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is an approved supervisor of LPC’s and LMFT’s in
Texas. He co-authored two books with Dr. David Ferguson—Discovering Intimacy and Relational
First Aid. For many years prior to serving in ministry, Bruce worked for IBM and Conoco, while
Joyce taught in public and private Christian schools. The Walkers’ have one son, Andrew, who
lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Clarence and Ja’Ola Walker
Drs. Clarence and Ja’Ola are a couple that minister together teaching Biblical
principles to families, singles and youth. They have been married and ministering
for over 33 years across denominational and ethnic lines. They have a special
burden and expertise with the African American family and are spiritually, professionally and
experientially equipped for ministering to families and the Body of Christ.
They are excellent role models for married life with sound Biblical teaching that is down
to earth, practical and clear so that anyone can understand as the Holy Spirit teaches through
them. As Pastors and Evangelists for many years they have a fresh Word for the people of God
Clarence Walker Ministries (CWM) is the preaching, teaching and music aspect of their calling.
Their purpose is to build and restore relationships by sharing Biblical Principles for successful
marriage, emotional and spiritual enrichment. The Walkers have appeared nationally on many
radio and television programs including the 700 Club, and are featured speakers at conferences
and seminars throughout the United States.
Ronald and Doris Warford
Dr. and Mrs. Warford are Certified Marriage, Family & Relational Trainers for
Intimate Life Ministries. They provide Marriage, Parenting, Single Adults, Youth
and Leadership training in the Relational Message of “Loving God and One
Another”. They have helped established ongoing marriage and family ministries in churches in
several states. They enjoy conducting marriage and leadership workshops nationally and
around the world.
In addition to their staff position with Intimate Life Ministries, Ronald has been an
ordained Elder at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for the past eight years where he and
Doris serve as trainers and teachers of the 11 week Intimate Partners Marriage Enrichment Class
and Marriage and Relationship Sunday School class. They are passionately involved with the
African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI), have served as members of the Advisory
Board of Public Human Services, Board of Director of Respite Care for the physically disabled,
and are members of the Board of Directors of Metro Atlanta Urban Young Life. Dr. Warford is a
member of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and is a contributor to the Youth Bible “Impact”
by Student Leadership University and Dr. Jay Strack. Doris, MBA, has served along side her
husband as a Pastor’s wife, taught Women Bible Study Fellowship, served as Christian
Elementary School administrator and teacher, and counsel at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. They
are both charter members of Marriage CoMission and work closely with Dr. David Ferguson and
the church sector.
Dr. Ronald and Mrs. Doris Warford have been married for more than thirty-seven years.
They reside in Decatur, Georgia with their grandson, Casey. They have three adult children-
Stevon, Rolanda, and Tori- and six other grandchildren.
W. Bradford Wilcox
W. Bradford Wilcox is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia

and a member of the James Madison Society at Princeton University.
He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. at
Princeton University. Prior to coming to the University of Virginia, he held research
fellowships at Princeton University, Yale University and the Brookings Institution.
Mr. Wilcox's research focuses on marriage and cohabitation, and on the ways that gender,
religion, and children influence the quality and stability of American family life. He has published
articles on marriage, cohabitation, parenting, and fatherhood in The American Sociological
Review, Social Forces, The Journal of Marriage and Family and The Journal for the Scientific
Study of Religion. His first book, Soft Patriarchs, New Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and
Husbands, (Chicago, 2004) examines the ways in which the religious beliefs and practices of
American Protestant men influence their approach to parenting, household labor, and marriage.
Mr. Wilcox is now researching the effect that gender norms, children, commitment, and religion
have on the quality of contemporary American marriages.
Professor Wilcox has received the following two awards from the American Sociological
Association Religion Section for his research: the Best Graduate Paper Award and the Best
Article Award (with Brian Steensland et al.). His research has also been featured in The
Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and
numerous NPR stations.
Professor Wilcox teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in statistics,
family, and religion.
Carlis V. Williams
Carlis V. Williams serves as the Southeast Regional Administrator for the

Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) in Atlanta, Georgia and the Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant
Secretary for Program Integration and Corporate Initiatives in Washington, DC. ACF
provides comprehensive and supportive programs for vulnerable children and families
which include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Welfare, Child Care, Child
Support Enforcement and Head Start. The region consists of eight southeastern states:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Tennessee. As the Regional Administrator, she also provides executive leadership for
emergency preparedness and response, and serves as the National Lead Regional
Administrator for ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative and Co-lead for the Office of Family
Assistance.
Ms. Williams is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Secretary Award for Distinguished Service; and Clark Atlanta University Dean’s
Public Sector Award in recognition of her extraordinary achievements for the well-being
of children and families in the southeast community.
Jeff Wright
For the last 13 years Carl Jeffrey Wright has been CEO and principal of the largest
independent African American religious media firm, UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.).
UMI has been the leader in independent (non-denominationally affiliated) urban
Christian and positive media content for nearly 40 years. (www.urbanministries.com )
Jeff’s personal background includes over 15 years in the Fortune 50 companies Johnson
& Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Jeff has been a licensed minister in the Baptist church
since 1988. A lawyer, Jeff is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, and is admitted
to the Pennsylvania bar and the U.S. Supreme Court bar. He has an MBA in finance from
Columbia University and graduated with honors from Fisk University. He is the author of the
book and curriculum God’s Vision or Television? How Television Influences What We Believe.
He’s also featured in the book SACRED BOND – Black Men And Their Mothers, by Keith Michael
Brown.
Jeff serves on the board of The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Fuller
Theological Seminary, and Urban Outreach Foundation. He also serves as board president and
CEO of Circle Y Ranch (Bangor, Michigan), one of the few African American owned and operated
Christian camps in the country. Jeff has four children and is married to Lakita Garth Wright, the
noted social commentator, media consultant, and professional entertainer.
Lakita Garth-Wright
Lakita is the author of the book and curriculum, The Naked Truth: About Sex, Love
and Relationships. Lakita is a versed and noted speaker on various issues such as
race relations, politics, feminism, and HIV/AIDS and is one of America’s leading
abstinence advocates.
Lakita has testified before the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Senate in Washington
D.C. on teen pregnancy prevention. She has contracted and consulted internationally on the
continent of Africa and in the Caribbean as well as with over a dozen United States' federal,
state, and county health departments on teen pregnancy, AIDS/HIV, STDs, and the impact of the
media on adolescent behavior. She has appeared on television shows such as, The View, The
Tyra Banks Show, Montel Williams, Inside Edition, Nightline, MTV, and BET. As well as magazines
and, periodicals such as Vogue, Seventeen, Vibe, Essence, the Washington Post.
She has consulted and hosted UPN's Emmy-nominated show "The Truth About Sex," The
Bernie Mac Show and My Wife and Kids.
After attending the University of Southern California and earning a Bachelor's of Science degree
in less than four years, Lakita received an honorary doctorate degree from Aspen University.
Lakita is married to Carl Jeffrey Wright and they have one son.
Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band
Based out of Knoxville, TN, United Pursuit is a new up-and-coming band formed
out a years of friendship and living out life together. Community living lead to
dreaming together, and the United Pursuit Band was formed. Led by worship
leader/songwriter Will Reagan, United Pursuit is formed of young adults who's passion is
worship and dream is to see this generation awaken to the love the Father, and in turn would
arise and shine with the Glory of the Lord…
Band Members:
Will Reagan: Knoxville, Tennessee

Nathan Fray: Knoxville, Tennessee
Chloe Leavers: Colwyn Bay, Wales
Shane Shibe: Seattle, Washington
Jim Yagow
Jim Yagow is the Board Chair for thinkmarriage and the Grants Manager for
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For twenty years, Jim was the Executive Director
of Camp Luther in northern Wisconsin. He has developed and managed the
granting programs for Thrivent Financial and its foundation since 1996 and runs
his own consulting firm called Grantseeker Solutions. He has his M.S. Ed. from Northern Illinois
University. Jim is also an adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin system. Jim and his
wife, Jan, have four children and live in Freedom, WI.

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2008 MARRIAGE COMISSION SUMMIT

Ron L. Braund is a Family Business Consultant, Behavioral Health Professional and

Ken and Dee Canfield

Don “Bubba” Cathy

Marvin and Jeanett Charles

Bryan and Lanette Crute

David and Teresa Ferguson

Bud and Jane Fray

Jeff Fray, Ph.D. is a psychologist and is Chairman of the National Steering

Susan Dutton Freund

Susan has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Middlebury

Terome and Ronda Fulmore

Terome and Ronda Fulmore are the co-founders of Communities of Western

Eric and Jennifer Garcia

Tim and Amy Gardner

David and Brandy Hall

Dr. William R. Harvey has served with distinction as President of Hampton

Jeff is dedicated to strengthening families and is passionate about casting a vision

Stephen Kendrick has served as Associate Teaching Pastor at Sherwood Baptist

Dave & Dawn Lind

John and Debbie Lowe

Andrew and Terri Lyke

Andrew and Terri Lyke are leaders in Christian marriage preparation,

Doctor Malone-Colon's areas of expertise include teaching, administration,

Jim McBride joined Sherwood Baptist Church in 2003 as executive pastor,

Jeff and Debby McElroy

The McElroys are founders of the international non-profit organization, Forever

John McGee has served as the Director of Marriage Ministry at Watermark

Mike and Harriet McManus

Jack Myrick is Founder and President of Myrick Enterprises, a restaurant

Michael and Heidi O’Brien

Gary J. Oliver, Ph.D. is a university and seminary professor, psychologist, author,

Nathan and Jane Phillips

Tim and Beth Popadic

Gary and Barb Rosberg

Richard has an extensive background in bringing non-traditional marketing methods

Leah Ward Sears

Greg and Erin Smalley

Michael and Amy Smalley

John and Jamee Stanley

Joyce A. Thomas is the Regional Administrator for Region II of the Administration

Dr. Trent is founding president of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to

John Kie Vining’s ministerial experience includes serving as an evangelist, pastor,

Bruce and Joyce Walker

Clarence and Ja’Ola Walker

Ronald and Doris Warford

W. Bradford Wilcox is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia

Carlis V. Williams serves as the Southeast Regional Administrator for the

Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band

Will Reagan: Knoxville, Tennessee

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