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Board of Trustees

	Paul Anthes Paul Anthes is currently the President and owner of the Financial Advisory Corporation. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and wealth advisor. He serves on the Board of Directors for Logical Choice Technologies in Atlanta, is on the Board of Trustees for Indiana Wesleyan University, and is involved with Kingdom Advisors, an organization for Christian financial professionals. Paul brings his skills in teaching, investing, finance, and strategic planning to Bethany’s National Board of Directors. He and his wife are the proud parents of two children, a son and a daughter, adopted through Bethany.
	Catherine Behrendt Catherine Behrendt is the Programming and Community Director and host of Take Five & Company for WZZM13, the ABC television affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a familiar television personality for more than 20 years, she brings her expertise in broadcast media, writing, public relations, advocacy, and advertising to Bethany’s National Board of Directors. Catherine and her husband are also proud parents of a son and a daughter who were adopted through Bethany.
	Dr. Anthony Bradley Dr. Anthony Bradley is visiting professor of theology at The King's College in New York City and a research fellow at the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Bradley holds a bachelor of science degree from Clemson University, a master of divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a doctor of philosophy degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. As a research fellow, Dr. Bradley lectures at colleges, universities, business organizations, conferences, and churches throughout the U.S. and abroad. His writings on religious and cultural issues have been published in a variety of journals, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Detroit News, and World magazine. The National Board of Directors is honored to have him as a member.
	Betty Buitenwerf Betty Buitenwerf served on Bethany’s South Central Iowa Board of Directors from 1996 to 2008 and as President from 1996 to 2000. Betty received her law degree from Drake University Law School and currently serves as the Legal Counsel, State Court Administration, Iowa Judicial Branch. Her previous employment included Director of Human Resources and Legal Counsel for Central College in Pella and Employee Relations Representative for MidAmerican Energy Company in Des Moines. Her various employment positions have allowed her to lead, direct, and make policy decisions in an administrative capacity. We welcome her expertise as a member of Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Rev. Cortez Cooper Rev. Cortez Cooper is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, having served churches in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, California, and Virginia. He is a graduate of Davidson College (B.S.) and of Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and has an honorary doctorate from King College. He served for five years as Coordinator of Mission to North America for the PCA, and was the first President of Knox Theological Seminary. He has lectured in Russia, South Korea, and France. He has also been a board member of King College, Covenant College, Knox Theological Seminary, the National Association of Evangelicals, and Peacemakers. He recently began his sixth interim pastorate in eight years in churches located in Mississippi, Maryland, Missouri, and Virginia.
	Tom Despard Having served on Bethany’s Board of Directors for Central Pennsylvania and/or its Finance and Development Committees for more than 20 years, Tom Despard has a solid understanding of the communities Bethany serves in Pennsylvania and of the overall agency, especially branch leadership and management. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in civil engineering, Tom is a real estate entrepreneur and is President of Despard Associates, LLC. He has been involved in general construction and homebuilding, and more recently in real estate development, brokerage, and investment. His areas of interest that enrich Bethany’s National Board of Directors include writing, building, real estate, rescue, innovation, and advancement.
	Garth Deur Garth Deur graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a BA degree and earned his MBA from Grand Valley State University. He has been the President and CEO of the Bank of Holland since 2007. His previous employment includes the Prince Corporation/JCI, Landmark Capital, and the Gentex Corporation. Garth has held leadership positions in his church as well as on a Christian school foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, and a local economic development corporation. Garth’s varied interests in finance, fund-raising, sales, public relations, and marketing enrich Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Harvey Koning Harvey Koning has been an attorney with Varnum LLP since 1996 and previously worked in Atlanta, Georgia. Harvey received degrees from Calvin College and Harvard Law School. Throughout his lifetime, Harvey has seen firsthand the benefits of foster care, adoption, and child sponsorship. In addition, Harvey brings his experience in finance, law, and fund-raising to Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Herb Lantinga Herb Lantinga is CEO of Notions Marketing Corporation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Herb previously served on Bethany’s National Board of Directors from 1989 to 1998. We are pleased to have him serve again, as he brings unique skills and expertise in finance, sales, and marketing to his role on the National Board.
	Ronald J. Lubbers Ron Lubbers lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he is the Director of Finance/CEO of Display Pack, Inc. He also has his own company–R. J. Lubbers, LLC–a CFO services firm. Ron has held several positions in the accounting and auditing fields and has taught economics and finance courses at the college level. Recently, he assisted Calvin College in forming a venture to commercialize the intellectual properties that are given to the college and that their professors develop. His experience in finance, his leadership roles in the community, and his commitment to support Bethany’s mission are invaluable assets to Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Peggy McKey Peggy McKey served nine years on Bethany’s Mississippi Board of Directors. She and her husband have also served as shepherding parents and foster parents. Peggy received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Mississippi and a master of science degree from the University of Tennessee. She retired in 2003 as the administrative assistant to the Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary. Peggy has held leadership positions with the Presbyterian Church, Farm Bureau, Educating Africans for Christ, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and 4-H Clubs. Her talents, training, and interests include education, finance, fund-raising, writing, construction trades, theology, and public relations. We are honored to have Betty on Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Arnie Morren Arnie Morren is the President and owner of Nagel Construction in Moline, Michigan. He is a graduate of Calvin College and the University of Michigan. As a businessman and owner of his own company, Arnie brings his interest in education and experience in the construction trades to his service on Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Linda Olmsted Linda Olmsted previously served on Bethany’s Board of Directors in Colorado, serving as its Chair during her last three years. She is currently employed at Meridian Health Labs, LCC. As a small business owner for 18 years, Linda has experience in finance, real estate, construction trade, and fund-raising. Bethany’s National Board of Directors is honored to have her also bring her vast experience in serving as a local volunteer and community leader.
	Sally Swets Sally and her husband live in Holland, Michigan, and have two adopted children through Bethany. Sally is a full-time homemaker, a tennis coach, and an active member of her church. Her previous membership on a Christian board is highly valued by Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Dr. Robert L. Stevenson, Jr. Dr. Robert (Rik) Stevenson, Jr. is the Pastor of City Hope Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also currently serves as an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and at Grand Valley State University. His previous employment includes Bethany Pentecostal Church and Fuller Seminary. Dr. Stevenson has earned degrees from Penn State University (undergraduate studies); Fuller Theological Seminary (two master’s degrees); and Southern California School of Ministry (doctorate degree). His vast understanding of theology and his experience in local community work enrich Bethany’s National Board of Directors.
	Jack Van Der Ploeg Jack Van Der Ploeg is the retired President and Chairman of the Board of Zero Zone, Inc, a commercial refrigeration company in Wisconsin. He also currently serves on their board and on the board of two other small companies in Wisconsin and is part owner of a water distribution company. Jack spends much of his time working as a board member with Partners Worldwide, both in Gonaives, Haiti, and with Dynabloc USA, a small company with which he is working to sell earth-compression machines for building low-income housing, orphanages, and schools in underdeveloped parts of the world.