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.

Scott Boehner

Scott is the owner-operator of “Thingamabaubles Toy Store” in downtown Nappanee. He enjoys creating art in his free time, whether with physical media or digitally through graphic design. Scott and his family live in Nappanee. His wife, Alysia, manages an insurance agency. His daughter, Leona, goes to school in town and loves gymnastics. They love being part of the community both as business owners and as a family. Their favorite part of town is walking their dogs through the city parks.

Sharon Dutkowski

Sharon is a full-time professor at Grace College in the Behavioral Science Department.  Some of the courses she teaches are Human Development throughout the LifeSpan, Grief & Loss, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Aging & Social Problems.  Sharon has over 25 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations.

The first 15 years of her career, she worked at Community Partners in NH, a Community Mental Health Center, as the Director of Programs.  Most recently, Sharon worked at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in South Bend, IN, as the Director of Operations. "I am excited to be a part of the Family Christian Development Center. The FCDC has a strong tradition in the community based on Biblical principles. I look forward to serving the community & building a bright future."

 

PJ Miller

PJ is the owner/operator of MCIRV and Randolph Trucking in Nappanee. He and his wife, Sara, volunteer at FCDC and are very invested & connected to the WaNee community. PJ cares to help those in need by sharing his creative ideas with his fellow board members to lead the FCDC.

Chris Morris

My wife, daughter, and I moved to Nappanee in 2020 to work at Gulf Stream Coast. Four months in I suffered a heart attack! One month later, I suffered a stroke. My family fell on hard times because I was the only one working. We then found out about FCDC. The Center helped my family navigate through these hard times.  FCDC gave us food from their pantry, clothing from the Clothing Closet, and assisted us with some bill payments. My family will forever be Grateful!  I truly believe in the mission of helping others and I now dedicate my time and effort to lifting and encouraging others through their struggles during hard times. FCDC is truly the definition of God's love, the volunteers, staff, and my fellow board members are the hands & feet of Jesus.

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.

 

Anna Rich

A local attorney, Anna, moved to Nappanee with her husband in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the community. She was drawn to the strong sense of family and connection that defines the area, where neighbors truly look out for one another. Anna is passionate about giving back and supporting the town she proudly calls home. Outside of work at the Deputy Prosecutor’s Office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.

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.

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