Graduate from Oklahoma State University in Business Administration, with a marketing major. Currently, am an Allstate Agency Owner for 21 years in my hometown of Ponca City, OK with 4 fantastic staff members.
My husband and I fell in love with mission work in Rio Bravo, Mexico through lifelong friends and have been attending and leading teams since 2008. The amazing accomplishments of these students broke my heart right from the beginning of this journey. I cannot imagine having the drive to complete schoolwork on dirt floors, in very small space with poor lighting, and unlivable conditions in our culture, yet they desire to complete their education for the sole purpose of supporting their family unit.
I am honored to be a part of something that will change the lives of young people!
Name: Lawrence M. (Larry) Acton
Board Position: Member At Large (Inaugural President & Founder)
B. S., Bethel University, McKenzie, TN
M. D., Memphis Theological Seminary
D. D., Oklahoma City University
Recently retired from 64 years in the ordained ministry, most recent appointment being Jasper United Methodist Church of Jasper, AR. Has been a part of over 120 short-term mission teams to Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, all of the Central American countries, Russia, Bosnia, Slovakia, Poland, Cuba, England, South Africa and Kenya plus numerous locations in the USA
Name: Norma Hilda Liñan Reyes
Board Position: Program Coordinator
Following high school in Rio Bravo, studied at the Normal School in Victoria City, Tamaulipas, Mexico to became a teacher (1979), followed by graduate studies to become a Language teacher (1979 to 1982)
Taught elementary school in San Luis Potosi state while pursuing graduate studies, followed by 25 years teaching in the Club 20-30 Elementary School of Rio Bravo. Has been a volunteer in the Manos Juntas (Hands Together) Association in Rio Bravo (a mission program of the United Methodist Church) for 15 years.
Name: Thomas A. (Tom) Hanke
Board Position: Vice-Chair
B. S. Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University
Thirty-two years in process design engineering in petroleum production and refining for Conoco and ConocoPhillips, retiring in 2012
