Dr. Kathy Crockett is the founder of a professional development company where she creates customized trainings and seminars for students, non-profit organizations, churches, and corporate groups globally. She specializes in leadership, team building, business strategy, conflict, organizational change, communication, career assessments, and wellness. In addition to her work with leaders, Kathy is also the author of the Courageous Book series published in 2014, 2016, and 2020. Kathy graduated from Texas A&M University and completed graduate work at Texas Tech University. She also has an MS in Leadership and has had formal training from the Center of Creative Leadership and the World Business Executive Coaching organization. Kathy completed a year-long leadership coaching program with Dr. John Townsend and facilitated the Franklin Covey seminar entitled Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results. She also recently completed an executive certificate program in Leadership through Cornell University. She has been married to the love of her life, Steve, for 26 years. They have two daughters, Calley and her husband Heston, and Maddy, who bring much joy to their lives. They are involved in mission ministries at their church.
Tessie Devore – Board Vice President
Tessie Güell DeVore is President of Bible Media Group and VP of Publishing for OneHope. She’s an award‐winning writer, whose career started in marketing and public relations when she was named the youngest account executive for Kaplinger & Associates. In this role, she supervised various national campaigns, including the USA tour of the Spanish version of Evita, the famed Broadway play. She was named one of the Top 100 Hispanic Journalists and Media Personalities by PR Newswire in 2002. In 2005, she was recognized as one of the “30 Emerging Voices Who Will Lead the Church in the Next Decade.” She was the first Chairwoman of the American Bible Society’s (ABS) Latino Advisory Council. Her board experience includes Oral Roberts University, ABS, Forum Of Bible Agencies/North America, and Mission Mutual. She is a book publishing industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in English and Spanish and has been responsible for multiple New York Times bestsellers. She has been married to David since 1996, and they have two sons: one is David from David After Dentist (viral video) and the other is a true genius!
Charles Steadham – Secretary
Charles is a Civil Engineer in practice for nearly 40 years, and is honored and proud to be supporting God’s work with Courage for Life. Charles is also involved with the nationwide Saints Prison Ministry, which visits State and Federal prisons and reaches out to inmates though sports, testimony and the sharing of the Gospel. Charles has also led numerous Bible studies, enjoys diving even deeper into Gods word through inductive Bible studies, and is also a supporter of his community as a volunteer with Cobb County (Georgia) EMA and other local charities. Charles enjoys photography, history and exploring old, historical buildings and railroads.
Board of Directors
Tonya Carruthers is a corporate human resources professional whom has quickly become a sought-after speaker and teacher for women and youth ministries. Tonya has the ability to see things strategically and speak with the wisdom God provides. She helps people use what they have to get where and what they want. She works daily to help people find purpose and be positioned for greatness.Tonya Carruthers has led HR functions at corporations such as Interstate Batteries, Walmart, JCP, and Pizza Hut. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration and Human Resources from Texas Women’s University. She is a faithful wife to Daryn Carruthers and devoted mother to sons Daryn II and Micah.
Kathleen Cooke
A global media executive, producer/actress, writer, and speaker, Kathleen Cooke is a founding partner and the EVP at Cooke Media Group, (cookemediagroup.com) where she oversees casting and is a producer and creative director. She is a former teacher and university adjunct professor and the co-director of the global Biola Media Conference, the National ASCEND Women’s Conference and founded Christian Women In Media Hollywood. She presently leads and is the co-founder of The Influence Lab and Influence Lab Women (InfluenceLab.com) where she mentors and inspires media/entertainment leaders and artists to empower their lives by the integration of their faith and work, and to redefine Christian media strategies to change the culture. She’s on the advisory boards for the National Salvation Army, Hollywood Prayer Network, Courage For Life, and 4WordWomen. Her devotional, Hope 4 Today: Stay Connected To God In A Distracted Culture challenges readers to engage with Bible reading 4 or more times a week and watch their life flourish. She is married to her “first” husband, Phil Cooke, and they are blessed with two daughters, son-in-law, and two grandchildren
Bob Fink
Bob recently retired after thirty-nine years in consulting with large health care systems throughout the southeast. In addition to various volunteer work, he also serves as the Vice President of Investments and on the Board of Directors of the Gift of Hope Foundation. Bob and Suzanne, his wife of thirty-one years have three adult children, three grandchildren with the fourth due in late February. His passions include travel, golf, skiing, biking and multiple outdoor activities.
Robbie Goss
Robbie Goss is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with offices in Tampa, Florida. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management from New Mexico State University and also graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. Robbie later received a M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University. In 1990, he started a counseling center as a means of linking the local church with professional counseling services. Prior to starting The Christian Counseling Center, Robbie was a youth minister, college minister, and associate pastor. He has also pastored a church for 10 years. Robbie’s hobbies include biking, golfing, and working out.
Suzanne Niles
Suzanne Niles works in publishing, the entertainment industry, and public relations. She is presently the Director of Relationship Development for BroadStreet Publishing and a producer with Beautifully Flawed Productions. Suzanne co-authored Fast Friends, The Amazing Power of Friendship, Fasting, and Prayer with Wendy Simpson and has been a contributing author on six devotionals. Suzanne studied at Moody Bible Institute and has had the privilege of serving with various ministries including Franklin Graham and World Compassion. She spent five years on staff with The Salvation Army’s production team SAVNtv. Suzanne’s goal and purpose in life are to be a prayer warrior on behalf of others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is married to her high school sweetheart Bob, and they have three amazing adult children, a wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and five precious grandchildren.
Angie Steadham
Angie is the Operating Leader of AIMC, LLC and has worked as the Executive Assistant to the president of AIMC, LLC, Mike White for more than 20 years. She has also worked alongside Ann White hosting various fundraising events and serving foster children and group homes in the North Georgia area. Angie is an avid student of God’s Word and is passionate about encouraging others to find their hope, healing, and inspiration in their relationship with God and the study of His Word. Angie has raised three daughters on her own and has one grandson, Levi Gabriel. When she is not working or spending time with her family, Angie enjoys exercising, scrapbooking, reading, and cooking. She currently resides in Acworth with her husband Charles Steadham. And together they attend First Baptist Church of Woodstock.
Bryan Tyson
Bryan Tyson focuses on civil litigation, appellate litigation, election law, and government. He primarily represents governments, candidates, and companies in election and campaign finance matters. Previously, Mr. Tyson served as the Executive Director of the Georgia Public Defender Council, a role that has been described as the managing partner of the largest criminal defense firm in the state. He was appointed to that position by Governor Nathan Deal. As Executive Director, he was responsible for overseeing more than 500 attorney employees, 200 attorneys working under contracts, and 400 staff and investigators in 43 judicial circuits across the state. He secured funding increases of more than $11 million, ended litigation against the agency, and professionalized agency operations. He also personally visited every judicial circuit where GPDC operates. Before serving at GPDC, Mr. Tyson was an associate at a litigation boutique, where he focused on civil and appellate litigation in state and federal court. With other lawyers in the firm, Mr. Tyson advised the Georgia General Assembly during its 2011 redistricting process and was appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General to assist in securing federal approval of all three redistricting plans adopted by the legislature during its special session. He has represented clients before the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to admission to the bar, he worked in the Georgia General Assembly, most recently with the office of the minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. Following his work in the Georgia General Assembly, Mr. Tyson served as a policy aide to former Third District Congressman Lynn Westmoreland in Washington, D.C.