I first connected with Bridge Ministries when I was asked to volunteer at a Sunday Celebration event at my church in 2003.  It wasn’t an auspicious beginning to my relationship with Bridge.  I felt awkward and challenged on how to relate to people who appeared so different from me.  But through that event, I became acquainted with three roommates served by Bridge Ministries who lived just two blocks from our church.  Our relationships blossomed, they became some of my closest friends, and eventually became members of our church.  Their joyous faith strengthened mine and I’ve come to recognize how alike our spiritual journeys are.  So when I was asked to join the Board of Directors at Bridge in 2006, I agreed and for the past 14 years have been blessed to work with the most amazing staff serving the most amazing people I have ever known.

President of Professional Benefit Services, Inc. of Issaquah, WA. 

I have been interested in and worked in various disability ministries for much of my life.  During 1973 to 1980, I was a vocational counselor at a special education school in the Highline School District.  I desire all to understand the love and value God has for all people He has created.

While Pastor to Children and Families at Newport Covenant Church, I helped host several fellowship events for Bridge friends.  More recently, I have volunteered with the Friend to Friend program and joined the Board of Directors in late 2017.  I continue to encourage my church to learn and grow as a Beacon Church.

I have worked in Microsoft and the IT industry for the last 25 years.  Under a combination of nefarious deeds, yearning to give back to the community and the return to a more meaningful life with the Lord, I began volunteering at Bridge Disabilities Ministries in 2010, helping in the IT department before joining the board in 2012. My experience with the Bridge family over the last decade has shown me the compassion and miracles the Lord can provide, and at the end of the day… Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I am restless to serve. During the past 50+ years, God has given me several opportunities to serve as a volunteer in churches, schools, hospitals, a homeless shelter, and various other organizations. Myself being a paraplegic due to polio, my passion of course is to volunteer at organizations that work for people with disabilities. Bridge Disability Ministries has given me such an opportunity.

In the early 90’s a church bulletin insertion introduced me to Bridge. I have been a visitor and supporter for a few years and sporadically volunteered since ~2006.  I joined Bridge board in 2008.

My volunteer work coincided with joining the board in Jan of 2015. My heaviest involvement has been in the area of spiritual connections, redefining leadership, refining vision and partnering with churches and faith communities to assist them in becoming places of belonging.

The comprehensive scope of Bridge compels me because it identifies physical, spiritual, legal and housing needs of adults with disabilities. In meeting the needs of a vulnerable population, the organization extols the personhood, dignity, and humanity of every individual. Its longevity in the non-profit sector reflects stability in leadership and sustainable practices that make serving on the board a deeply rewarding experience. In serving our community, we are actually creating communities of belonging, increasing access and accommodation as well. I love being a part of a culture like Bridge that sees disability as a valid way of being human and fully alive to the possibilities of God!

After a 31-year career in small package transportation I looked for opportunities to serve the Lord, and our community. I was involved with a few projects for various non-profits but unfortunately began to have heart troubles. In January of 2017 I suffered a cardiac arrest. There were a number of miracles that kept me alive that night and I survived thanks to the grace of God. The miracles didn’t stop there. Over the next three years I continued to survive a number of close calls. There were simply too many to be mere coincidences. Then in 2020 my heart began to fail and the doctors determined I could only live with a heart transplant. Again the Lord intervened and I am here by the grace of God. The Lord clearly has a plan for me for the remainder of my time on earth. Not knowing what his plan was, I was excited to be invited to join the Board at Bridge. I hope to use my talents and time to support the mission of Bridge Ministries.