Board of Directors
Dr. Lisa Orn
President
Dr. Lisa Orn is a board-certified family medicine physician at Goshen Physicians Family Medicine Nappanee. Dr. Orn treats patients from newborns to those needing end-of-life care. Her experience includes pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health and osteopathic medicine.
Dr. Orn has previously served on the Board of Directors for The Center and was the driving force behind the creation of the Baby Immunization Program in 2000.
Virgil Yoder
Vice President
Virgil is the Executive Vice President of Kountry Wood Products in Nappanee, Indiana. He oversees the daily production operations, new product development, and leads all company expansion efforts.
Virgil and his wife Amy have 5 children, enjoys spending time with family, camping, hunting & traveling. He is very appreciative to live and raise a family in the Wanee community and feels privileged to serve on the FCDC board.
Hannah Taylor
Secretary
Hannah Taylor lives in Nappanee with her husband, Ethan. After dedicating ten years to teaching special education, she followed her passion for helping others and began a new chapter as a realtor. Hannah loves being part of the community she calls home and values the many helpful programs and opportunities that FCDC offers. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Waylon and Pearl.
Holly Landis
Treasurer
Holly is working with the Early Childhood Coalition, a part of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. She is thankful to live in this community because it is one that is always willing to step up and take action, be neighborly, and supportive of one another. She loves serving on the FCDC Board of Directors because it is rewarding to give back to the community she loves so much.
Gene Zercher
I am grateful to have been a part of the Wa-Nee Community for many years. During my 41-year tenure as a Science teacher at NorthWood High School, I had the privilege of teaching a range of subjects including Human Anatomy and Physiology. In addition to my teaching career, I have also enjoyed the challenge of coaching, with 42 years of experience on the football field and 26 years coaching boys basketball. Currently, I am entering my 19th year coaching girls basketball. My wife, Paula, dedicated her career to guiding and nurturing students at Nappanee Elementary School as a guidance counselor. Our children, Charlie (and his wife Trish), Amy, and Ben, benefited from the community's excellent education and nurturing environment, as do our grandchildren, Jack, Ava, and Will.
As a follower of Christ, I strive to embody His love in my daily life, though I often fall short. Nevertheless, I believe that living out His love is the greatest witness I can offer, and I saw joining The Center's board as an opportunity to further this mission and serve in the community.
Darcey Mitschelen
As a life-long resident, I have witnessed from its inception the growth of The Center’s impact and its continuous efforts to meet the needs of the community while serving with the intention to help individuals and families not only rise above their current situation, but to help them move forward into a place of self-sustainability and self-efficacy. It is this mission of The Center that speaks to both my heart and spirit.
I spent 26 years in sales and marketing in the RV/Marine manufacturing industries that continues to provide the ability to develop partnerships to assist in my workforce development responsibilities. I hold a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Counseling & Humans Service from Indiana University, South Bend and a dual major MA in Adult & Continuing Education and Executive Development for Public Service from Ball State University. Additionally, I have an PhD from Purdue University in Curriculum & Instruction in Career & Technical Education where my research centered on employer engagement in apprenticeship programs. I currently serve as the CEO for WorkOne Northern Indiana.
My husband, Chuck, and I have 3 married sons and 11 grandchildren, all of whom reside within the Nappanee/Wakarusa area and are active volunteers in a wide range of avenues.
Cheryl Paine
Cheryl Paine is a Consumer Loan Officer with Lake City Bank located in the Nappanee branch office. She has served in many roles with LCB throughout her career, including her current role as a VP. “I am grateful to be a part of the FCDC governing board of directors. This is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community.
Rev. Ed Geleske
Trustee Emeritus
Ed is a retired pastor and served on the North Indiana Council of the United Methodist Church Camping Ministry from 1981-1990 and the leadership team of Mission and Outreach for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1992 – 2006. He has served on the FCDC Board of Directors since 1997. Ed has a variety of hobbies including photography, exploring the world of tech, fishing, and astronomy.
A Letter from the Board President
Dear Community, Friends, and Family,
As we step into a new chapter at the Family Christian Dev’t. Center, with new leadership and direction, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared over the years. From humble beginnings, we have grown in ways we never imagined. Through this growth, we’ve built countless relationships and have deepened our understanding of what it means to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Through the years, we have come to truly understand what it means to be “hands and feet” of Christ. Our volunteers and employees embody this calling every day. They are the hands that fold and organize clothing, helping mothers find the perfect item for their children. They are the hands that provide immunizations, offer a comforting touch to a young mom, and help load groceries for families in need. They are the hands that handle paperwork, track supplies, manage finances, and ensure our schedules run smoothly. They are the hands that comfort a hurting client, offering a hug & a listening ear.
They are the feet, too—whether vacuuming our floors, carrying food to families, or performing the many behind-the-scenes tasks that keep FCDC running. These may seem like small, everyday actions, but they are vital in allowing us to serve those in need.
As a board, we continually marvel at the gifts and talents of our team. God has blessed us richly in so many ways. However, this season has not been without its struggles. With rising costs in groceries, housing, and job insecurity, the needs in our community have increased. Our donations have declined, and we found ourselves relying on a line of credit just to meet the demand for services.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we are once again in a position to keep our doors open and continue to serve those in need. We are grateful beyond measure for the support we have received! As we look ahead, we are committed to being good stewards of the resources we’ve been given, ensuring that this situation does not repeat. We do not believe it is wise stewardship to rely on loans or lines of credit, so we are taking steps to ensure the future financial stability of FCDC.
To that end, we are asking for your help. We invite you to partner with us through monthly or quarterly donations. Your recurring gift, no matter the size, will help us maintain stability in our finances and allow us to continue our vital work in the community. We are also deeply grateful for those who will support us in prayer, as God honors the power of prayer.
As it says in II Corinthians 9:7-8: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
We are exceedingly grateful for all your support.
Blessings to you all,
Dr. Lisa Orn, Board President