Mission and Vision
Mentoring Alliance exists to mobilize godly people into the lives of kids and families, to provide tangible help and eternal hope.
Who We Are
As a team, we strive to embody these core values in everything we do:
Leadership Team

President & CEO
Kevin East
Compelled by his love for Christ, and desire to impact kids and families from differing backgrounds - especially those from hard places - Kevin stepped into the role of President & CEO early in 2013. Kevin is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and Louisiana State University and has an extensive background in ministry, both in church and non-profit settings.
Likes: Working a chainsaw, mowing the lawn, date nights with Stephanie, cheering his kids on at their cross country races and everything about Christmas
Strengths: Visionary, dynamic communicator, motivator, cancer survivor

Vice President of Operations & Expansion
Matt Edwards
Matt served in personal ministry for 20 years in healthcare settings in Chicago before moving to Texas and serving as the COO for a large Christian camp ministry. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler. He and his wife, Karen have been married for more than 30 years and have two daughters, Samantha and Leah.
Likes: Family, friends and meeting new people
Strengths: Leadership and encouragement

Regional Vice President of East Texas
Preston Reece
Preston served in camp, youth and kids ministry before joining Mentoring Alliance more than nine years ago. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Alayna have two children, Oliver and Eden.
Likes: Time with family, reading, the outdoors and staying active
Strengths: Strategic, learner, achiever, competition, relator

Vice President of Program Development
Anne Ferguson
Anne has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, focused on issues that impact children and families. She is a graduate of Baylor University and is a true Waco native.
Likes: Baylor sports, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family
Strengths: Strategic, problem solving, advocate, passionate

Vice President of Marketing & Development
Mark Lamb
Mark has dedicated his career to relational ministry, previously working for organizations serving foster children and refugees. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Erin, have two daughters, one of whom came to their family through foster care.
Likes: College football, reading, traveling, hiking and making breakfast on Saturday mornings
Strengths: Strategic thinker, builder and justice seeker

Director of Mentoring Alliance After School
Morgan Jarman
Morgan has served in missions, camp ministry, student ministry and sports education. She is a graduate of Ferris State University and Dallas Baptist University. She and her husband Taylor have a daughter named Margaret.
Likes: Trying new restaurants, traveling, reading and listening to podcasts
Strengths: Administration, leadership and communication

Director of Mentoring Alliance Summer Camps
Ian Wade
Ian joined Mentoring Alliance in 2016 and has served in both part-time and full-time roles. Aside from non-profit work, Ian serves as the pastor at Grace Alone Church in Tyler. He and his wife, Fausthyara have four children.
Likes: Classic Disney movies on VHS, amusement parks, playing drums and learning new things
Strengths: Visionary, communicator and community influencer

Human Resources Manager
Chia Pierson
Before going into ministry full-time, Chia served in the Army for 13 years as an engineer and project manager. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Chia and her husband, DeMarcus have three sons and pastor a local ministry.
Likes: Murder mysteries, joke battling with her son and doing ministry with her husband
Strengths: Critical thinking, developing processes and stand-up comedy

Finance Director
Jamie Cooper
Jamie enjoys getting to combine her accounting skills and passion for ministry at Mentoring Alliance. She is a graduate of The University of Texas.
Likes: Longhorn football, the beach, reading a good book and multi-course dinners
Strengths: Spreadsheets, hospitality and finding humor in any situation

IT & Facilities Manager
Rob Williams
Throughout his career, Rob has served in many different capacities including vocational youth ministry, business and technology. He is a graduate of Liberty University. Rob and his wife, Teresa, have been married for more than 20 years and love traveling together.
Likes: Traveling, music and cooking
Strengths: Organization, process management and problem solving

Program Director, Greater Waco
Garret Ward
Before coming to Mentoring Alliance, Garret worked for a summer camp ministry. He loves seeing people built up in the gospel to then create more disciples. He and his wife, Anna, have a daughter named Rose.
Likes: City league softball, national parks, college football and a good Reese’s
Strengths: Harmony, consistency, context and connectedness

Director of Mentoring Alliance Mentor Connect
De' Onte Garrett
De’onte has dedicated his life to aid in breaking the cycle of the fatherless home. He is a graduate of Harding University and he and his wife, Gabrielle, have one son named Joshua.
Likes: The state of Arkansas, working out, playing Spades, Dominoes and pool, and spending time with family
Strengths: Versatile, passionate, public speaking, personality and drive

Marketing Director
Brittany Sartain
Brittany brings a strategic marketing background across various industries, from agency, retail and healthcare. She is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and Texas Tech University. Brittany and her husband, Logan have two cats, Andy and Jack.
Likes: Photography, animals, sports, traveling and leading worship with her husband
Strengths: Detail oriented, strategic, achiever

Art Director
Steve Gardner
Before joining Mentoring Alliance, Steve worked marketing and multimedia, including graphic design, photography and videography in the corporate sector. He is a graduate of Syracuse University.
Likes: Reading the bible, mentoring, crossfit, photography and hiking
Strengths: Visual storyteller, extrovert and detail oriented
Board Of Directors

Board Chair, Gaston & Lindley, PLLC, Partner
Justin Lindley

Board Treasurer, Providence Consulting Group, Principal IT Project Consultant
Chris Craddock

Board Secretary, Clements Fluids Management LLC, CEO
Megan Tarrant

Cornerstone Brokerage LLC, Owner/Partner
Andy Guinn

Merrill Lynch, Managing Director
Ken Lackner

PARK 4 Investments, President
Roy Martinez

The Genesis Group, President
Jim Nipp

Community Volunteer
Vicki Raabe

Zach Sheets

National Christian Foundation, Texas President
Susan Wommack

Caregivers Home Health Texas, Co-Owner, President/CFO
Jet Schuler

Board Programs & Safety Chair, Gold Eye Clinic, Ophthalmologist
Dan Gold, MD
Community Volunteer
Leslie Rhea
Advisory Board
Dr. Rick Rogers
Greater Tyler
Dr. Stan Ward
Greater Tyler
Tara Hinton
Greater Tyler
Thomas Neuhoff
Greater Tyler
Bill Evans
Greater Tyler
Rowdy Nutt
Greater Tyler
Jeff Millslagle
Greater Tyler
Shannon Glenney
Greater Tyler
Charles Burns
Greater Tyler
Dr. Johnita Ward
Greater Tyler
Dr. Stan Ward
Greater Tyler
Victoria Calderon
Greater Tyler
Dawson Barksdale
Greater Tyler
Jon Jenz
Greater Tyler
Kevin Rushing
Greater Tyler
Susan Wommack
Greater Waco
Leslie Rhea
Greater Waco
David Sykora
Greater Waco
Kemi Ingram
Greater Waco
Ashton Gustafson
Greater Waco
Everett Phipps
Greater Waco
Ben Doskocil
Greater Waco
Sterling Hill
Greater Waco
Erin DuBois
Greater Waco