Dr. John E. Bauer
Bethesda Lutheran Communities President & CEODr. Bauer has served as Bethesda Lutheran Communities’ President and CEO since 2008. He provides executive leadership, takes a lead role in fundraising and serves as the principal face and voice of the organization. Prior to becoming President and CEO, Dr. Bauer served as Bethesda’s Merger Integration Project Manager and Interim Chief Operations Officer. He was a member of Bethesda’s Board of Directors for 10 years, serving as its chair for the last five.
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Michael DeDominick
Bethesda Lutheran Communities Ministry ConsultantMichael is a ministry consultant for Bethesda Lutheran Communities. Michael helps his friends with disabilities connect with Christ in a variety of ways. Ask him about it sometime.
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Mark Hagen
Bethesda Voices Corporate Director of Public PolicyBefore moving to the Bethesda Institute in June 2010 Hagen was Corporate Director of Public Relations and Legislative Affairs. He is a member of the Policy and Advocacy Team at Lutheran Services in America-Disability Network – a team that advocates for a more efficient Medicaid system that embraces consumer choice and community-based supports.
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Thomas Heuer
Bethesda Institute
Curriculum Project ManagerThomas has both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from Concordia University – Nebraska. As Curriculum Project Manager for the Bethesda Institute, he oversees the development of Cross Road Journey, a series of Bible study courses designed to meet the spiritual needs of people with intellectual disabilities. With experience both as professional and parent, Tom brings a unique perspective to the world of disability services.
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Ellen Hierl
Bethesda Institute
Educational Consultant
Ellen provides training and consultation services to Bethesda’s staff and to external customers. She is the author of numerous video productions; a writer for Sidelines, an e-newsletter; a training curriculum developer; and recently served as a writer for the corporate website. In addition, Ellen is a presenter at workshops in the field of intellectual disability services. Currently, she serves as the chairperson of the Milwaukee Training Initiative board.
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Matthew Hobson
I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here
Co-Author
Matthew graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis with a General Studies degree. He was the co-author of the book I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here, about his life of being severely mentally handicapped to being a college graduate. Since his book was published, he has spoken to various groups at colleges and universities.
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Rev. Dr. Hollie Holt-Woehl
Lutheran Seminary
Adjunct Professor
The Rev. Dr. Hollie Holt-Woehl completed a Ph.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling in 2007, with particular emphasis on the congregation. Ordained in 1993 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), she has served congregations in rural, urban, and suburban settings. Dr. Holt-Woehl is an Adjunct Professor at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, teaching the course, “Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families.” She also serves as an intentional interim pastor in the Minneapolis Area Synod (ELCA). Read more.
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Connie Horn
Bethesda Institute
Educational ConsultantConnie Horn came to Bethesda in 1987. In Connie’s current role as an Education Consultant, she provides training and consultation services to Bethesda’s staff and to external customers. She is a script writer for instructional videos; a writer for Sidelines, an online periodical for trainers; and a training curriculum developer. She also provides training to other agencies to assist with plans of correction and overall quality service development.
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Albert Van Kleeck
Albert Van Kleeck ConsultingAlbert Van Kleeck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Empire State College; a Masters Certification in Leading Management Teams from Cornell University and a Masters Certification in Project Management from Villanova University. Mr. Van Kleeck’s experience includes I/DD and Mental Health Services; Vocational Rehabilitation; Supported Employment; Day Habilitation; and a variety of Residential Supports both ICF and Waiver.
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David Morstad
Bethesda Institute Executive Director of the Bethesda InstitutePrior to becoming Executive Director of the Bethesda Institute, David served in a number of different roles with the organization since 1977, most recently as Vice President of Communications. He’s a widely published author of educational resource materials. In 2010 he received the Henri J.M. Nouwen Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
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Quiet Waters Outreach
www.quietwatersoutreach.org
503-620-8288
info@quietwatersoutreach.org
Quiet Waters Outreach is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to shining the glory of God to people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers in Oregon since 1997. This ministry serves 2,500 people annually through the operation of two Bed & Breakfasts providing day and overnight respite care and helps local area churches implement Christ-centered outreach programs. Contributors to this blog are comprised of employees, volunteers, and caregivers directly involved with Quiet Waters Outreach.
Ben Stuckey
SonRise Camp Program Director/ Religious Life Director
My name is Ben Stuckey and I am the Program Director of SonRise, and the Religious Life Director for Central and South Eastern Indiana. I know it sounds like I have a lot of titles… it does not make me important, it just means I wear many hats. I have been with SonRise / Bethesda for 2 years January 4th, and LOVE IT! I have Pastored 2 congregations, one in Birmingham, Alabama and one in Anderson, Indiana.
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Cathy Ficker Terrill
The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities
CEO
Cathy Ficker Terrill has been a professional in the field of disabilities for 35 years and is currently CEO of the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities. She has a Masters Degree in Disability Policy. She is currently an Adjunct profession at the University of Illinois in Chicago and Elmhurst College.
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Kelly Thran
Bethesda Lutheran Communities Corporate Director of Business Development and InnovationThran is responsible for technology evaluation and continually developing Bethesda’s system of supports towards a person-directed approach. Before assuming her current position, Thran served as an operations officer and regional director for Bethesda. Thran also served as a regional director for Mosaic and Good Shepherd Communities before its affiliation with Bethesda in 2009.
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Rev. Charles Werth
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Vice President of Religious Life and
Church Relations
Chuck is responsibile for strengthening Bethesda’s relationship with Lutheran churches, assisting with the development of outreach materials and directing the work of Bethesda’s Ministry Consultants throughout the country. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and completed graduate study in German history at the University of Oregon.
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Lynn Wiles
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Employment Specialist
Lynn Wiles is a veteran job developer and employment specialist, as well as a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor. Most recently, she worked as a private contractor to Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind for many years before becoming part of the Bethesda team in July 2011. She sits on the board of the East Multnomah County One Stop Career Center and started the Portland Metro Area Job Developers Network which now has more than 200 member agencies.
