Meet the MissionNext Board and Staff

MissionNext Board Members
		Kathy Hicks Operation Mobilization (GA) Kathy Hicks was raised in a Christian family in Southern California, and served with her husband, Rick, at Forest Home Christian Conference Center for 20 years before the Lord called them into full time missions in 1996 as "Finishers." Rick became President of Operation Mobilization USA, and Kathy worked in the personnel department, eventually developing the Custom Short Term Department that arranges specialized short term trips for individuals, couples and families. Shortly after the start of Finisher's Project (now MissionNext), Kathy was asked to serve on the Leadership Team, and did so until 2007. In 2009 Kathy was invited to join the Board of Directors of MissionNext. Kathy and Rick co-authored "Boomers, Xers and Other Strangers: Understanding the Generational Differences that Divide Us" published by Focus on the Family, and Kathy wrote "Scaling the Wall: Overcoming Obstacles to Missions Involvement" published by Send the Light. Both Kathy and Rick speak on various topics in a variety of settings, and enjoy international travel in their roles with OM. Kathy and Rick live near Atlanta, Georgia, and have one grown daughter, Cora, who lives in Southern California.
		Nelson Malwitz MissionNext (CT) Nelson projects himself as the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, he was raised in New Jersey in a Christian family. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and served in positions of research and development in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with about 15 US Patents and has formal training in methods of Creative Problem Solving. In 1976 he was city co-chairman of the Here's Life America Campaign in Connecticut. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church (WHCC) in Bethel, CT in 1982. He has served in many capacities in the church including as an adult Sunday School teacher and Elder of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project as a national ministry of WHCC. The initial launch was in the form of Finishers Forums. Soon after a web presence was created as a connecting tool. Finishers Project is now one ministry under the new corporate umbrella, MissionNext, along with MissionXplore, Mission:TEACH and BAMmatch. Nelson is now working with leaders in other nations to expand the reach of the MissionNext movement internationally.
		Liz Mulhern Ellwood Management (CO) Liz lives in Eaton, Colorado with her husband Dick. Their married life together began in 1977 as teachers in Alaska. They have 3 married sons and 2 wonderful grandsons. Liz previously worked for Food for the Hungry (FH) helping churches, businesses and organizations develop partnerships with global communities in over 20 countries. Dick currently works for FH as a Ministry Partner representative. During their first half they were involved in teaching, the banking industry, software development and real estate. They have always exercised their heart for ministry through serving with the Phoenix Rescue Mission, Prison Fellowship, homeless ministries, Helping Hands in Africa and their local church. Liz continues to be involved in managing their real estate investments. She joined the MissionNext Board of Directors in January 2011 and has a passion for helping others finish well.
		Don Parrott MissionNext (AZ) Don Parrott stepped into the leadership position of MissionNext with a background uniquely preparing him for this role. After working as a Missions Pastor in the Pacific Northwest, Don and his family served overseas, primarily in Argentina, then ministered as the mobilization director for a mission agency. From that position he took the leadership of Paraclete Mission Group for several years, moving into the President/CEO role of MissionNext in 2006. The author of "I Want to Make a Difference Now," Don is also speaker and coach in The Journey Deepens Retreats. Married to Ele since 1973, they have four grown and married children and eight grandchildren…hoping for more! Don and Ele live in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.
		Jeff Springer Navigators (FL) Jeff grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and trusted Christ in 1970 through the ministry of the Navigators while he was serving in the U.S. Army. He holds an MBA and worked in hotel/hospitality administration and development for 35 years. Since 1998, Jeff has served as the Regional Director for the Navigators’ Church Discipleship Ministry in Florida. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami. He and his wife Claudia, a high school English teacher, have three grown children and five wonderful grandchildren.
		Russell Warren Director (TX) A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a military veteran and a retired airline pilot, Russ, along with his wife, Donna, served for two years with Operation Mobilization on board the evangelistic outreach ship the M/V Doulos. He first joined MissionNext in 2003 as the Finishers Representative for Operation Mobilization, serving there until 2009. Russ currently spends most of his time working in the jail ministry in his community. He also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for a community outreach program called arlingtonanswers.com. This is a web-based program that seeks to make the community aware of helpful services available to the public and is directed toward those who might not look directly to the church for help. He is also involved in small group development at Grace Community Church in Arlington, Texas. Russ and Donna have been married since 1992 and, between them, have eight children and fifteen grandchildren. They both love to travel and experience new cultures and have seen much of the world together.
MissionNext Staff And Volunteers
		Tom Adelsman Agency Relations Director (WA) Tom is a graduate of Bethel College and Seminary (BA Music Ed, M.Div., D.Min), St. Paul, Minnesota and has been active in full-time ministry since 1974. He has served in a variety of capacities over the years including music ministry, church administration, missions, and graduate school leadership. Global missions continues to be Tom's primary area of interest and passion. He's excited to be serving with MissionNext as Agency Relations Director. Tom and Connie have three married children and a grandson.
		Brad Benson Vice President of Program Development (OR) Brad joined MissionNext, in July, 2012, and is responsible for program development of the various Web portals, including Finishers Project, MissionXplore, MissionTeach, BAMmatch and others that may be initiated in the future. Brad is assigned to MissionNext from Wycliffe Bible Translators, where he serves in a secondary role as a Management Consultant to Recruitment Ministries. Brad Benson joined Wycliffe in 2004 as the NW Regional Mobilization Director, later serving in various roles including National Regional Recruitment Director, Director of SE Regional Recruiting, Director of NE Regional Recruiting and Director of a short-term ministry called the Global Service Program through its development and launch. Prior to his involvement in full time missions work, Brad has served in various church roles including leadership, short-term missions, teaching, and discipleship and served on the school board of a Christian school. He also worked at Intel Corp for 22 years in management in IT and engineering. Brad is co-owner of North Valley Electric, LLC which he helped form in October, 2010 and provides general business consulting and IT support for the company. Brad completed BSEE, MSEE degrees from San Diego State University and an MBA from the University of Oregon. Brad lives in Hillsboro, Oregon with his wife, Rita. They have two daughters, Jenny and Kelly, son-in-law, Nick and grandson, Jack.
		Dan Cilli Director, Finishers Project (GA) After a short stint in the US Army from ’67-’69, Dan had a diverse 34-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration. Since retirement in 2003, he has been a contracted aviation safety consultant, conducting seminars from Canada to the Caribbean. Dan has cultivated his passion for missions over the years by participating in numerous 2-week summer mission trips to Europe and South America. Contemplating “another” retirement and the desire to finish well, he was providentially pointed in the direction of the Finishers Project website where he filled out a profile. The result was the discovery of exciting potential matches for a more lengthy cross-cultural partnership. But it was after attending The Journey Deepens in 2012 that he began vigorously promoting the services of the Finishers Project to other like-minded Baby Boomers. It did not take much prompting for Dan to recognize a calling to serve with Finishers. Dan and his wife Cheri (a MissionNext Journey Guide) live in the Atlanta area near three of their four children and two of their four grandchildren.
		Cheri Cilli Journey Guide (GA) Cheri (along with her husband Dan) joined MissionNext in March, 2013. Married since 1970, she was a stay-at-home mom during the formative years of her four children. As the children commenced their college education, she took on additional roles, first as a school bus driver and then six years with Campus Crusade for Christ, New Life Resources distribution. A busy mom, Cheri still found time for cross-cultural outreach to Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, Quechua Indians in the Andes Mountains, impoverished families across the Mexican border, and ministry to battered women in a local Georgia shelter. Her favorite ministry, however, has been continuous involvement with various church youth groups for more than a decade. Cheri’s new desire is to encourage those who have reached out to MissionNext for direction in their journey to serve the Lord.
		Willis Creighton National Forum Coordinator (AZ) Willis joined MissionNext as the National Forum Coordinator after seven years with an International mission agency in administration and mobilization. Three of those years were in the UK at their International Office. He brings many years of business trade show, convention and conference planning to this position at MissionNext. His interests include world travel, trains, planes and automobiles. Church experience includes Deacon boards, mission committees, pianist and organist and small group leader. His Bible education was received at Peace River Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada. Willis and Beth celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2012 and reside in Tempe, AZ.
		Alice Durham Mission:TEACH Customer Service Rep (SC) Alice grew up in a small town in the upstate of SC and attended North Greenville University where she majored in Religious Education. After college, she served in Mission churches and taught school in Cherokee, NC, Washington, DC and a small country church in NC before returning to her home county 20 years ago. Her love of missions was planted in her heart as a child in Sunbeams and she still has her first mission books! Alice is active in Bible Fellowship, nursery, Global Missions Conference and volunteer work in her church and says that she strives to serve the Lord with whatever he puts in her path, because she has seen that from each experience in the past, God has prepared her for the next. With 25 years of customer service in a hospital and a corporate office, Alice brings her experience to serve as Customer Service Rep for Mission:TEACH. Alice has two sons and one daughter and six grandchildren.
		Paul Erdmann Vice President of Operations (AZ) Paul joined MissionNext in December, 2006 with 27 years of experience in business and non-profit management. The first 3 years were spent in managing and the next 18 years as owner of a retail lumber yard in Paullina, IA. The most recent years were as the COO/ Business Manager for Urban Impact Ministries in New Orleans, LA. Paul and Colleen were “finishers” when God called them into ministry in the inner city of New Orleans – they just didn’t know it! Paul’s role is to manage the business and financial side of the MissionNext ministry. Paul and Colleen have four grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and four precious grandchildren!
		Colleen Erdmann Bookkeeper (AZ) Colleen joined MissionNext, along with her husband Paul, in December of 2006 bringing 24 years of experience in bookkeeping to the office. The first 18 years she worked alongside her husband in their business, taking care of the books for Paullina Building Center in Paullina, IA. From June of 2001 until November of 2006 she did bookkeeping and a multitude of other office duties for Urban Impact Ministries and Castle Rock Community Church in New Orleans, LA. Paul and Colleen have been married since 1973 and live in Chandler, AZ.
		Dave Estill Executive Assistant to the President (AZ) Dave was raised in the Missouri Ozarks where the Lord saved him at age 14. After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1973, he entered the US Air Force. He met his wife Barb during his first assignment in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They moved 11 times and lived in Alaska, England and Panama, among other places. During that time they were blessed with two girls, Christine and Robyn. Dave managed business activities and industrial operations on the bases. In Feb 2003, Dave and Barb finished the first half of their life in Colorado Springs. When Dave retired from the Air Force as a Colonel, they moved to the Phoenix area. Since that time Barb has worked as a nurse-auditor and Dave has been working in real estate and is President of Client Options, LLC. Dave spent 6 months in Louisiana doing hurricane recovery work with the state medical examiner. They have four wonderful grandchildren and reside in Gilbert, AZ.
		Paulette Fitch Partner Support Coordinator (SC) Paulette began her ministry with Finishers Project in 2000 when Nelson Malwitz, the founder, hired her to be his part-time Administrative Assistant & Office Manager. It didn’t take long for her to realize that with the incredible growth of the organization, "part-time" was not going to be sufficient! She currently serves as Partner Support Coordinator for MissionNext, training new partner agencies and offering assistance to the recruiters. She and Ed have been married for 35 years. They have two adult married sons; Marc and his family live in CT; Kevin and his family live in a neighboring town in South Carolina where Ed and Paulette reside. She enjoys being Grandma to five beautiful young grandchildren!
		Mike Gallagher MissionNext Recruitment Consultant (TX) Mike worked in retail for 27 years and was a member of Wycliffe Bible Translators for 28 years. He has been a Ministry Associate for Freedom in Christ for 12 years, is a licensed Pastor and has been involved with MissionNext since its founding. He is now using his years of experience in recruiting for WBT to serve as Recruitment Consultant for MissionNext. He and his wife Joy have been married since 1961. They have three sons and three granddaughters.
		Bruce Horton BAMmatch.com Director (CT) During the turbulent 1960’s Bruce did not have a clear direction for his life. It took ten years, a patient Christian wife, and deep conversations with a friend before he opened his heart and mind to the Lord and went into full time missionary work. He and his wife Linda led corporate gypsy lives, living in seven states around the country. But even with all the moves, they were able to plug into vibrant churches with outstanding leaders such as Kent Hughes, Gene Getz and Stuart Briscoe. Their community group at College Church in Wheaton, IL was composed of Christian couples involved in Christ-centered businesses or missions organizations. All these experiences deepened their understanding of Biblical truths and strengthened their faith in the Lord. Bruce and Linda have been married 43 years and have two married daughters and six grandchildren. Bruce says, “Serving as leader of the Business as Mission efforts with MissionNext is both a privilege and a joy, knowing that the Lord has prepared me for the role.”
		Ron Landers Journey Guides Coordinator (FL) Ron has lived much of his life outside of the U.S. He and his wife Linda were missionaries in Portugal for 15 years. They now sense the Lord's leading to stay near family in the U.S. and so focus their attention on cross-cultural ministry (among international students) and mobilizing Americans for missionary service. He directs MissionNext's "Network of Journey Guides", a coaching service to people on their journeys toward missionary service.
		Nelson Malwitz Founder & Chief Innovations Officer (CT) Nelson projects himself as the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, he was raised in New Jersey in a Christian family. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and served in positions of research and development in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with about 15 US Patents and has formal training in methods of Creative Problem Solving. In 1976 he was city co-chairman of the Here's Life America Campaign in Connecticut. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church (WHCC) in Bethel, CT in 1982. He has served in many capacities in the church including as an adult Sunday School teacher and Elder of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded Finishers Project as a national ministry of WHCC. The initial launch was in the form of Finishers Forums. Soon after a web presence was created as a connecting tool. Finishers Project is now one ministry under the new corporate umbrella, MissionNext, along with MissionXplore, Mission:TEACH, and BAMmatch. Nelson is now working with leaders in other nations to expand the reach of the MissionNext movement internationally.
		Eric Mayerson Director of Product Delivery, BAMmatch.com (CT) A native to New England, Eric grew up in Fairfield, CT and earned his bachelor's degree in business from the University of New Haven. He founded Project 1:27 at Walnut Hill Community Church as an outreach to the church and surrounding communities with a focus on assisting single parent families and the elderly. Eric has recently come on staff with BAMmatch after more than 20 years in the business world, to guide the overall delivery and development of the BAMmatch website. Eric resides in Brookfield, CT with his wife Wendy; they have two children, Jacob and Sierra.
		Marion Olsen Marketing Director (OR) Marion is a highly-driven, results-oriented marketing professional with over a decade of experience successfully leading and mentoring marketing teams in the corporate world. Marion earned an MBA from Marylhurst University and a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Oregon. She has spent the majority of her career in small to midsize companies, including two start-up companies, and finds great joy in growing small start-ups into successful thriving companies. However, she felt called to leave the corporate world and apply her business skills to fulfill the great commission. She is highly passionate about missions work and is excited to be a part of the MissionNext team.
		Byron Olsen Director of Web Development, MissionNext (OR) With more than a decade of web development and design experience and 16 years of corporate information technology experience, Byron brings a unique combination of skills to the MisisonNext team. Byron considers himself an early adopter of all things technical and makes sure he devotes time outside of his daily action items to stay up on technology trends and new industry developments. In addition to corporate experience, Byron and his wife Marion are very entrepreneurial and have started several side businesses throughout their careers. The most notable, being a web design and development business, Level Design, specializing in Joomla web development. However, while operating this business, God continued to work on their hearts and their lives and clearly showed them how they could use their business-developed skills to further his kingdom. For several years, they felt the call to focus their efforts on ministries and missions and while they developed several church websites, they felt God asking for more and them desiring to go deeper. As God continued to prepare them and help them hone their skills, he also continued to prepare an agency that was right for them and highly needed those skills. Enter, MissionNext.
		Don Parrott President/CEO (AZ) Don Parrott stepped into the leadership position of MissionNext with a background uniquely preparing him for this role. After working as a Missions Pastor in the Pacific Northwest, Don and his family served overseas, primarily in Argentina, then ministered as the mobilization director for a mission agency. From that position he took the leadership of Paraclete Mission Group for several years, moving into the President/CEO role of MissionNext in 2006. Don has authored an insightful and helpful book, "I Want to Make a Difference Now." Married to Ele since 1973, they have four grown and married children and eight grandchildren…always hoping for more! Don and Ele live in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.
		Ele Parrott Social Media Coordinator (AZ) Ele Parrott and Don married in 1973. Together they have ministered in Christian camping, in local church ministries, overseas in missions and currently in the leadership of MissionNext. They share four grown children and eight grandkiddos. Ele is a passionate Christ-follower among her family and also in MissionNext. In addition to managing all of MissionNext's Facebook and other social media connections, she is Director of Coaches and a speaker for The Journey Deepens Retreats, and she facilitates workshops at Finishers Forums. The author of "Transforming Together" published by Moody, Ele also invests time in counseling and spiritual mentoring.
		Steve Person Partner Services Director (WI) Steve grew up as a “PK” first in Texas and then in several communities in Iowa, graduating from Storm Lake High School in 1968. He is a 1972 graduate of Mt. Hood College in Gresham, OR with an associate’s degree in Funeral Service Education. He returned to college in 1995 and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, NE. After working 40 years as a licensed funeral director, Steve was looking for a career change and a way to fulfill a twenty-year-long leading of the Lord into missions. Although he is new with MissionNext, he is excited to be involved in this ministry and to be used of the Lord in the area of assisting individuals with their visions and goals in missions. Steve and his wife Dori married in 1990 and live in Walworth, WI. Dori is the Director of Human Resources for Inspiration Ministries, a campus that is home for about 80 residents with disabilities. They are very proud of their 6 children and 11 grandchildren. Along with family, Steve enjoys his aviation hobbies – flying his ultralight, flying radio-controlled airplanes, skydiving and the EAA Convention each year in Osh Kosh, WI, as well as trapshooting, and being a tour guide for an 1880’s mansion on Lake Geneva, WI.
		Bob Pittman Mission:TEACH Director (FL) Bob was born in Mexico to Dick and Kay Pittman, early pioneers with Wycliffe Bible Translators. His parents went on to open most of Wycliffe’s work in Asia and the Pacific. As a result, he went to 12 schools before finishing high school. This gave him the desire to help other missionary kids not have to go through this. He served at Faith Academy in the Philippines for 13 years and then helped start Hillcrest International School in Indonesia where he served for five years. He also served with the CHED department in Dallas from 1991 to 2006, the last six years as International Coordinator. He then moved to serve with CHED in Asia. He is convinced that children’s education is critical for completing the task of Bible translation; his role as Mission:TEACH Director allows him to help fulfill that mission.
		Bill Poff Web Developer (VA) Bill is a finisher himself having sold a successful dot com business and now serving the Lord with MissionNext. He donates his considerable expertise to the web development efforts of MissionNext and its mobilization websites.
		Dan Reis MissionXplore Director (AZ) Dan has come on board with MissionNext to work with the Gen-Xers – those in their 30's and 40's. His life verse is Matt. 28:19 which says "go and make disciples of all nations…" Dan has a BS in Accounting and M.Div. from Phoenix Seminary; he has spent his working years in small business as an executive & corporate CPA with Deloitte & Touché and in overseas missions, combining the secular and the sacred. He and his wife worked in missions with Youth With A Mission for almost ten years including six years in India. Dan and his wife Chelle met in a church college group in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been together ever since. They have a daughter Sarah who is married to Matt and a younger son Shoun who is in High School.
		Cathy Richey Director, The Journey Deepens (KS) Cathy grew up in rural Oklahoma and met Jesus Christ at age 16. She says, “I remember missionaries coming monthly to our small school when I was eight years old, and thinking ‘someday I want to be a missionary’." After working in the corporate medical world for over twenty years, God began changing her circumstances to allow her to become more involved in missions. Each time she made a short term mission trip, she watched God's incredible hand as He would draw people to Himself, while allowing her to participate with Him. Cathy knew He was bringing together His years of preparation in her life to allow her to take the next step with Him in the form of a missions role. “What a privilege it is to be living during this season, as His harvest is ripening, and He is deepening journeys. My prayer is to be passionate about knowing and loving Him, and seeing others meet our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ, and journey with Him!”
		Dale Saylor Technical Consultant (SC) Dale comes to MissionNext with experience in computer programming and teaching. Dale and his wife Mary Lu live in Boiling Springs, South Carolina where he teaches at area colleges. Dale enjoys helping others and learning about new technology.
		Alan Schell Vice President of Business Development (WA) After completing a career as the CEO of a manufacturing company in the analytical chemistry field, Alan brings his business management experience to his role as Vice President of Business Development for MissionNext. Saved at age 22, he has been involved in church leadership and missions in various capacities for many years. So when he was able to retire from his business career early, he and his wife Terri began to ask the Lord how He would like them to invest their time in His kingdom work more fully. Through a Finishers Forum and the online Service Profile, they were led to join the MissionNext team. They are excited about being a part of God's work to bring in a fruitful harvest.
		Terri Schell Communications Editor (WA) Her homeschooling career of 17 years now over, Terri has picked up her pre-children career of copy editing by joining the MissionNext team. She’s also engaging in ministry through MOPS and her church’s missions program. An Alaskan by birth (and at heart), she now lives on Whidbey Island in Washington state, where the surrounding mountains and water make her feel at home. She’s been married to Alan since 1977, and they have 5 adult children, whom they are counting on to provide them with some grandchildren someday!

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