NHCDA Board of Directors

John is the Co-founder of New Hope Community Development of Acadiana and serves as the NHDCA’s volunteer coordinator, Director of Development and manages the Jr. High programming. John and his family move to Lafayette in 2004, and he began working with at-risk children in the Four Corners area of Lafayette in 2008. He has been a pastor for nearly 20 years, and is currently the pastor of New Hope Church. Prior to starting New Hope, John served as an associate pastor at Trinity Bible Church in Lafayette and associate pastor of Cross View church in Antioch, IL. John holds a M.A. degree in Biblical Languages from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO. He and his wife Kristine have been married for 30 years, and together they have five children.

Kristine is the Co-founder of New Hope Community Development of Acadiana (NHCDA) and has 30 years of children’s ministry experience, having served as a children’s pastor and kindergarten teacher. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in Urban Ministry from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA and holds a B.A in Bible from Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. Kristine and her husband John have been married for 30 years and have five children.

Ray is the Quality Systems Manager & Safety Program Manager for Digital Machining Systems. He is an exercise physiologist by training and loves helping people with their health and wellness. Ray has been involved in men’s ministry and has served as a team leader for small groups for a number of years. In his voluntary role with NHDCA, he coordinates the yearly community picnics and transportation for the Saturday Bible club. He is married to Virginia, and they have a son named Alex.

Madrona is married to Larry Brown and has two children and four grandchildren, and she serves as the Office Manager and Bookkeeper at her and her husband’s family business. She has attended both UL- Lafayette and LSU-Eunice majoring in Business Administration. Madrona and her husband have also run a successful AAU boys basketball team for four years.

Bob is a highly decorated Air Force Veteran; He also serves as the current Secretary for a recovery program at the state level. He is a past Chairman and webmaster of a parish-wide recovery Information Service; directed numerous conferences supporting individual and family recovery programs. He advocates for Men’s spirituality work and has been a men’s small group leader and retreat coordinator. He also has been a Secretary with Civitan in Albuquerque, NM.

Bob has earned a Masters degree in Information Technology with American InterContinental University.

Leroy is a Vietnam War Veteran who served with the 132nd Assault Helicopter Company. He retired from Bell South after 37 years of service as a network technician and has been volunteering as a tutor for New Hope two days a week. Leroy has been a longstanding volunteer in the community, including serving on the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board. He and his wife Fannie have been married for 45 years.

Carr has spent most of his life working in sports and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Golf Association, a post he has held since 1995. Early in his career, he was a basketball coach at several universities, and from 1986-1994 served as the Director of Athletics for Motlow College in Tennessee. He holds both a bachelor and Master of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Tennessee.

Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a Juris Doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. He has been a non-profit “legal aid” attorney for 30 years, serving the low-income and the elderly. He is currently serving on six various non-profit boards or committees. Since 1974, he has resided in Lafayette, and currently resides in North Lafayette with his wife Donna. They have two adult children.

Ben holds a bachelors degree in Public Relations from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and is the President & CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. Within the tourism industry, he serves on the board of the Louisiana Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (LACVB), Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA) and Southeast Tourism Society (STS). He became familiar with New Hope during his time spent as Director of Community Development for Lafayette Consolidated Government. He is very active in the community and currently serves as Chairman of the United Way of Acadiana Board and is a member of the Downtown Lafayette Unlimited (DLU) board. Past board involvement includes: Junior Achievement, Faith House, Acadiana Regional Development District Board, the Junior League Advisory Board, Leadership Institute of Acadiana Board of Directors and the Juvenile Justice Children & Youth Planning Board. He was a founding member and Charter President of the705, Young Leaders for a Better Acadiana and was named a 20 Under 40 Recipient by Chase Bank and the Daily Advertiser. In addition, he has coached basketball at Our Lady of Fatima for 20 years, and founded the Hub City Hoops, a local AAU basketball organization. He is married to the former Ashley Bertrand, and they are the proud parents of one son, Briggs.