Board of Directors
WILFRED JOB – CHAIRMAN
Wilfred Job is a United Methodist pastor in Dallas, Texas. He went to High School in India, undergraduate studies in Europe and graduate work at Southern Methodist University and Dallas Theological Seminary. While studying at SMU, Wilfred served as the President of Global Connections, Student Senator and Resident Scholar of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Later he served as the staff of SMU Wesley Foundation. Wilfred is associated with Rotary International and worked as a staff member at the Rotary Club of Dallas. Wilfred is the International President for a UN NGO, Executive Director of the International Disciples Foundation and Executive Board Member of the International Leadership Group. He serves as a Chairman and board member of several National and International non-profit Organizations.
RON NIKKEL – SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE CHAIRMAN
Ron Nikkel serves R & R Advocates as our Senior Strategy Advisor. He is also the President Emeritus of Prison Fellowship International, the global criminal justice ministry that was initially founded by the late Chuck Colson. Under Ron’s leadership of 31 years the organization grew from being an organization in the USA into a global network of Prison Fellowship organizations in 127 countries. Ron’s work for justice and human dignity spans the globe and has taken him into prisons and parliaments in every region of the world. His areas of specialty include Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Faith and Public Policy, and International Development.
In addition to his work with PFI, Ron has served as chairperson of the United Nations Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (1988-1996) and Vice President of the International Association of Volunteers in Criminal Justice (1983-1986). He currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Centre for Religion and Diplomacy in Washington DC as well as on the Boards of a number of other international and national non-profit organizations.
Ron is a Canadian citizen who has been living near Washington DC for more than thirty years. He holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and English (BA) and a graduate degree in theology (MPS). A recipient of numerous awards for his work in Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice advocacy Ron also holds two honorary degrees – Doctor of Sacred Letters. (DSLitt) and Doctor of Laws (LLD).
CALEB CURRY
Caleb Curry began working on radial aircraft engines at the tender age of ten, disassembling engines and cleaning parts for $1.00/hr.! During high school and college he worked part-time and summers at Radial Engines, Ltd., coming on full time in 1997 as General Manager. Having grown up in the business, Caleb brings a wealth of antique engine experience as well as enthusiasm to see Radial Engines, Ltd. grow and expand its product line. Caleb lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Rebekah and their two daughters.
MARK JOHNSON
Mark is the Executive Vice President of Grace Management Group. Grace manages a portfolio of companies comprised of home fragrance Brands in varying market segments. Some of the Brands include VOTIVO, Greenleaf, Bridgewater Candle Co. and The Willowbrook Company. Mark’s primary role at Grace Management is overseeing the U.S. Key Accounts, the International Sales Division (represented in over 90 countries), Strategic Brand Partnerships and Business Development. He originally joined Grace Management in their laboratory utilizing his formal science education background. Prior to his role as EVP, Mark spent 4 years in Product Development and 4 years in the Manufacturing Division. Before joining Grace Management, Mark worked in the medical field of Organ & Tissue Donation for a division of Baptist Hospital/Wake Forest. Specific areas that Mark personally handled were surgically removing human tissue for transplant, consulting families about donation options and educating medical professionals on the donation process. Mark served as a Director on the founding Board of ReBirth East St. Louis (2008-2013). Currently he serves as President of the Bridgewater Foundation (2006 – Present) and as Associate Director on the Greenleaf Foundation. Mark also serves as Director on the Board of Athlete and Entertainers for Kids (2014 -) Mark is married to Kathy and they have 5 children. One is adopted from Russia and another is adopted from their local community. He considers it a privilege and honor to have the opportunity to work for and with so many talented and inspiring people. He is driven by the desire to continue to learn and grow from those around him. Mark hopes to pass on the benefits that he has received from many positive role models in his life. Having lived in 6 different States and traveled to over 30 countries he has been taught to enjoy new experiences. Mark graduated from Taylor University with a Biology Degree and played his favorite sport there too.
MARK SPENCER
Mark Spencer is an experienced litigation attorney whose trial and appellate practice encompasses the areas of employee benefits litigation, insurance litigation, healthcare litigation, employment litigation and appellate law with a heavy emphasis on ERISA litigation. Throughout his extensive career, he has handled more than 250 federal court cases and in excess of 60 federal appeals. He is a frequent speaker on the specialty topics of ERISA and insurance litigation at the state and national levels. He has also been interviewed by the media for his analysis on U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
DON TATRO
Don Tatro is a founding and managing partner at Real Shield, a real estate appraisal company. Real Shield contracts thousands of residential real estate appraisals in over 5 states. Don works with local, state and national media executing strategic communications and public affairs initiatives. He has worked on various state and federal political campaigns as a public relations strategist and is a partner in a commercial real estate group. Don is a board member of the Rights and Resolutions Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to assisting in the negotiation, release and relocation of individuals arbitrarily deprived of basic human rights and freedoms abroad.
Prior to moving to Dallas, Don worked for over 5 years in the United States Senate. Three of the years included serving as press secretary for United States Senator Tom Coburn in Washington, DC. He is also a member of the Senate Press Secretaries Association, an avid team roper, a proud father and husband.
International Board of Advisors
DOUGLAS JOHNSTON
Douglas M. Johnston is president and founder of the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy.
A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Dr. Johnston holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University and has served in senior positions in both the public and private sectors. Among his government assignments, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Director of Policy Planning and Management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and planning officer with the President’s Office of Emergency Preparedness. He has taught courses in international security at Harvard and was the founding director of the university’s Executive Program in National and International Security. Dr. Johnston is a Captain in the Naval Reserve and, at the age of 27, was the youngest officer in the navy to qualify for command of a nuclear submarine.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Johnston served as Executive Vice President and COO of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. In addition to his managerial duties, he chaired the Center’s Preventive Diplomacy Program and its Maritime Studies program. His publications include Religion, the Missing Dimension of Statecraft (1994); Foreign Policy into the 21st Century: the U.S. Leadership Challenge (1996); Faith-based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik (2003); Religion, Terror, and Error: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Challenge of Spiritual Engagement (2011 Book of the Year Award); and Religion and Foreign Affairs: Essential Readings (2012).
In 2011, Religion, Terror, and Error won the “Book of the Year Award” by Foreword Reviews, the rating agency for universities and independent publishers. In October 2014, Dr. Johnston was honored by Georgetown University on the 20th Anniversary of the publication of his earlier work Religion, the Missing Dimension of Statecraft. In February 2015, he received the inaugural Distinguished Scholar Award for Religion and International Affairs from the International Studies Association.
Dr. Johnston’s hands-on experience in the political/military arena coupled with his work in preventive diplomacy, has guided the work of ICRD since its inception. Under his leadership, the Center 1) helped end the 21-year civil war in Sudan; 2) eased religious tensions between the Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist regions of Kashmir; 3) opened back-channel communications to promote improved relations with Iran; 4) secured the release of the 21 Korean missionaries by the Taliban in Afghanistan; and 5) engaged 2700 madrasa leaders in Pakistan in reforming their curriculums and pedagogy in order to develop critical thinking skills among the students and to inspire greater adherence to the principles of religious tolerance and human rights (particularly women’s rights). In 2008, Dr. Johnston was identified in a leading Christian journal as “The Father of Faith-based Diplomacy.
TODD BURNS
Todd Burns is an American film producer, entrepreneur, and attorney. Todd started out as an AVID editor early in his career. After doing practically every role on a film set in physical production during college at UCLA – he moved into legal and business affairs during law school. Upon graduation from law school, Todd partnered with Steve McEveety and John Shepherd as a Co-Founder in Mpower Pictures and advised numerous funds and individuals in their media investments. Mpower Pictures is known for producing What Women Want, Passion of the Christ, Braveheart, among other films and documentaries. Todd managed Bear Grylls among others- as well as consulted numerous new media companies on capital, creative, and execution. Todd received a JD, MBA from Pepperdine and a BA from UCLA. He has spent time working overseas in London, Romania, and throughout Asia. He is on the board of several international non-profits.