HEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF

Mike Landers, Chairman of HEF (El Dorado, AR)
Associated with HEF since 1981

How did he find himself involved with HEF?
"I have been involved with HEF since its inception, as my mother, Frances Landers, was the founder of the organization.  I took my first trip to the Haitian mountains in 1994.  My wife, Susan, has been active in HEF for many years and has traveled with Frances to Haiti several times.  Our son, Dr. Jason Landers, and his wife, Laura, accompanied Frances and me on trip there as well.  Jason participates in medical mission trips to Haiti.  Our son Bryce Landers and his wife, Elizabeth, also have been supportive of the effort."

About Mike: "Susan and I have four wonderful grandchildren who live in Northwest Arkansas."

Susan Turbeville, Executive Director of HEF (El Dorado, AR)
Associated with HEF since 1979; on the staff at HEF since 2001

How did she find herself involved with HEF?
"While growing up in the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado, AR, Frances and Gardner Landers began going to Haiti.  Our church was very involved with many aspects of their medical mission…fundraising and packing supplies.  This was my first experience with Haiti.  Soon after, Frances began her ministry of education and once again, as a youth in the church, I heard about what the Landers were doing and took interest.  In early 2001, a good friend of Frances wanted her to have an assistant and offered to pay for a part time employee.  I was looking for a part time employment opportunity and am thrilled to have had the blessing of working with Frances as I did.  She taught me so much about faith and HOPE and that education is Haiti’s best chance out of poverty!"

About Susan:  She has been married to Joe Turbeville since 1986 and they have two children, Emile and Trey.  We are very involved with our church.  I also serve on the school board in
El Dorado.  

Mary Jo Oliver, Treasurer of HEF (El Dorado, AR)
Associated with HEF since 1979

Life outside HEF:  Retired, Formerly owned a glass business with her husband, Kenny

How did she find herself involved in HEF?
"As a member of First Presbyterian Church, El Dorado, I was inspired and engaged by the work the Landers were doing in Haiti.  Through our Sunday School classes and other groups, my daughters and I begin to seek ways of helping by packing supplies for the Landers' trips and helping to raise money for their mission.  As the size and scope of the mission grew, I offered to help Frances by doing tasks such as making deposits and securing help with promotional materials.  After HEF became a 501(c)(3) organization, there were numerous accounting jobs to be done and I stepped in to relieve Frances of these responsibilities. (She was so good at writing her famous letters and we wanted her to invest her time in communicating the word about Haiti.)  Trips to Haiti and the people of Haiti really "sealed the deal" as far as my love and passion for this organization and its work."

About Mary Jo:  Mary Jo is married to Kenneth Oliver Jr.  They have two daughters:  Susan, married to Joe Turbeville, and Sylvia, married to Sean Brady.  She has four grandchildren: Emile Turbeville, Trey Turbeville, Mary Helene Brady, and John Anderson Brady.

Chris McRae, Secretary of HEF (Fort Smith, AR)
Associated with HEF since 1986

How did you find yourself involved with HEF?
"I grew up in the same Presbyterian church in which Frances was am member.  Hef has been ingrained in me since I was a child.  My first trip to Haiti was with Frances in 1986.  At that time, I grew to know and love the Haitian people very much.  The rest is history."

About Chris: Presbyterian Elder Chris McRae is a member of Central Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Previous to his position as Director of Solar under the Sun, Chris is a technical installation instructor for Living Waters for the World's Clean Water U. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for Haiti Education Foundation; and is a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Committee member. He has been very active in Habitat for Humanity, serving as the first Habitat for Humanity Project Director for the New Orleans Area 1988-1991.  Chris is also trained as a Commissioned Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Rob Crittenden, member of the Board of Directors (Roanoke, VA)
Associated with HEF since 1994

How did you find yourself involved in HEF?
"When our family first moved to Roanoke in 1993, we joined Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church.  RCPC was already involved with HEF and had decided to fund the building of a school, now called the Allison School, in Larevoir, as part of a large fundraising effort.  One mission trip had already been taken; I joined the next three, leading the second and third ones.  I really admired the work that was being done and found Pere Albert to be the greatest person I had ever met.  I loved the fact that HEF uses 100% of all donations for direct Haitian aid, as the administrative fees are covered by two donor families.  And HEF’s work was the most palpable example for me of how the power of God can work through two ordinary human beings. I wanted to be part of such a great mission."

About Rob:  Rob is married to Beth Crittenden, and they have two children:  Katie Crittenden, recently married to Brandon Morris (they are Seattle residents) and Matt Crittenden, who is a college student in Virginia.  Rob and Beth are owners of two wine import and wholesale companies in the mid-Atlantic.  Rob loves about anything outdoors, particularly hiking, backcountry camping, whitewater, and cycling.  And he is still quite involved with Boy Scouts through a troop in the Blue Ridge Mountains Council in Virginia and is a member of BRMC’s Board of Directors.

George Brandon, member of the Board of Directors (Calabash, NC)
Associated with HEF since 1997

How did you find yourself involved with HEF?
"I have taken several trips to Haiti, most of which I have led.  I am active in HEF because God called me to do so.  I knew this from the first day I visited the people of our parishes in Haiti.  I haven’t always been obedient to that call, but I’m trying."

About George:  George lives in Calabash, NC, with his wife Sue.  He spends most of his free time fishing.  He attends Calabash Presbyterian Church.

Don Miller, member of the Board of Directors (Westlake Village, CA)
Associated with HEF since 1999

How did you find yourself involved with HEF?
"I have been a member and Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westlake Village, California since 1999, serving in the areas of Finance and Mission Outreach.  My first mission trip was three weeks after becoming a member of WPC.  This work has led me to Haiti six times to establish healthcare capabilities for the people in the mountains south of Port-au-Prince.  From the first mission trip the work of Haiti Education Foundation and the leadership of Pere Albert and Frances Landers inspired me and continues to provide me with opportunities to do the Lord’s work in Haiti. 

I serve on the Board of Haiti Healthcare Partners.  In 2005 I led a small team of volunteers to Mississippi to help in the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.  I also serve on the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County (California} and contribute to the construction of homes as a member of the ‘Wednesday Crew’."

About Don:  Don and his wife, Martha, have lived in Westlake Village, California, since 1998. They have four sons.  Three of the four sons are grown and living on their own.  Two sons are married with grandchildren.  Son number four is a junior at the University of Oregon.  As ‘empty nesters" (or nearly so) Don and Martha can focus their energy on the many mission opportunities.

Vicki Lambert, Financial Secretary (staff)
Joined HEF staff:  April 2010

How did you find yourself involved with HEF?
"When I first came to work for the Haiti Education Foundation, I only knew of Frances Landers as the wife of my ophthalmologist and Susan Turbeville through mutual friends. Susan approached me after the earthquake in Haiti asking me if I was willing to help them out with the abundance of correspondence they were receiving at that time.  I have since learned lots and still have lots to learn about the Haiti Education Foundation, but with PRIDE I am quick to respond to others that I am affiliated with the Haiti Education Foundation."

About Vicki:  Vicki is a member of Norphlet United Methodist Church.  In the past, she was the Executive Assistant to Madison Murphy of El Dorado, AR, and Executive Assistant to Beth James at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.  She is married to Jimmy Lambert, has three children (Tiffany Meadows, Amy Margis and Nicolas Lambert) and two grandchildren.

Seth Lovell, member of the Board of Directors (Charlottesville, VA)
Associated with HEF since 2002

How did you find yourself involved in HEF?
“In 2002 as a junior in high school I traveled with John Reed and a mission team from Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church to Cherident, Haiti. Tinkling Spring has a rich history of involvement with HEF, funding the building of a tech school in Cherident in 1995. After spending four days in Haiti with Pere Albert as our host, and celebrating Easter in Cherident I was hooked. I fell in love with the people of Haiti, and have since then continually looked for opportunities to stay involved with HEF, and with the people of Haiti.

About Seth: Seth is the Director of Youth Ministries at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.  He was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, and is a graduate from James Madison University.  Seth served six years in the Virginia Army National Guard, spending a year in Afghanistan and a year in Iraq.  Seth is married to Brittany Lovell, who is an emergency room nurse.  Together, they have one daughter, Kylie.  Seth is an avid sports fan, having coached high school basketball and tennis, and loves to follow University of Virginia sports and Baltimore Ravens football.  Seth and Brittany love traveling, hiking, and rooting for their favorite sports teams together.