david l.neely - president & ceo
Mr. Neely has traveled extensively throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Asia, and Canada. He dedicated the Billibo Community School in Kenya in early January 2012 as a part of the Maasai Community Development Project sponsored by Affecting Change International. Neely has been a guest speaker at the Infopoverty World Conference of the United Nations since 2006.
Having lived and worked in East Africa for eleven years, Neely held a number of leadership positions within the nonprofit community, including Executive Director of Brackenhurst International Conference Center in Kenya, Logistics Coordinator for the Northern Frontier Cluster of the International Mission Board in Southern Sudan where his team ran a local hospital and airstrip, Northern Uganda, and Northern Kenya, Director of Operations and Development for Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, to name a few.
Early in his professional career, Neely held positions in municipal and federal government, the petroleum industry, and owned two privately held businesses. Most recently he served as Operations and Outreach Pastor of Blue Valley Baptist Church for nearly 14 years.
Neely received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education, Training, and Development from the University of Oklahoma, and he also holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary.
Having lived and worked in East Africa for eleven years, Neely held a number of leadership positions within the nonprofit community, including Executive Director of Brackenhurst International Conference Center in Kenya, Logistics Coordinator for the Northern Frontier Cluster of the International Mission Board in Southern Sudan where his team ran a local hospital and airstrip, Northern Uganda, and Northern Kenya, Director of Operations and Development for Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, to name a few.
Early in his professional career, Neely held positions in municipal and federal government, the petroleum industry, and owned two privately held businesses. Most recently he served as Operations and Outreach Pastor of Blue Valley Baptist Church for nearly 14 years.
Neely received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education, Training, and Development from the University of Oklahoma, and he also holds a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary.
jeff herman - executive director
Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Jeff Herman moved to Baldwin City, KS in 1975 to attend Baker University. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and went on to serve in various capacities and assignments before separating from service at the rank of Commander. After leaving the Navy Jeff entered the corporate world and went on to gain 10 years of corporate recruiting and technical sales experience. He also owned a technical staffing agency during this time.
Jeff was most recently a partner and co-owner of American Companion Care, LLC where his primary role included Chief Business Strategist & Analyst providing corporate oversight, structure and vision. He also developed, directed and managed Public Relations, e-Marketing, Information Technology and Human Resource initiatives. The company received the "Small Business of the Year Award" for 2009 and Jeff was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" for 2011 by the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Begun as a startup in 2002 and then growing to over 125 employees the company was strategically acquired by SeniorBridge of Humana, Inc. at the end of 2012.
Jeff currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations and he enjoys participation in social and professional business networking events. He is an avid golfer and has become a sought out keynote speaker for group luncheon events while presenting to various civic, non-profit and professional organizations.
Jeff resides with his wife (and former business partner) Sheril in Olathe, KS . Both have been active Sunday School teachers, leaders and volunteers for the past 30 years.
Jeff was most recently a partner and co-owner of American Companion Care, LLC where his primary role included Chief Business Strategist & Analyst providing corporate oversight, structure and vision. He also developed, directed and managed Public Relations, e-Marketing, Information Technology and Human Resource initiatives. The company received the "Small Business of the Year Award" for 2009 and Jeff was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" for 2011 by the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Begun as a startup in 2002 and then growing to over 125 employees the company was strategically acquired by SeniorBridge of Humana, Inc. at the end of 2012.
Jeff currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations and he enjoys participation in social and professional business networking events. He is an avid golfer and has become a sought out keynote speaker for group luncheon events while presenting to various civic, non-profit and professional organizations.
Jeff resides with his wife (and former business partner) Sheril in Olathe, KS . Both have been active Sunday School teachers, leaders and volunteers for the past 30 years.
Kara Neely - Operations and communications
Born in Kenya to missionary parents, Kara grew up in the highlands of Kenya. Having been exposed to a multitude of cultures in her formative years, Kara has traveled extensively and has studied international relations at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. She has served in the United States Navy, and is currently studying Chinese and Korean language while majoring in East Asian Cultures at the University of Kansas. Most recently she has been a ESL teacher in Seoul, South Korea for 13 months. She currently works as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She has interned and presented as a project manager for ACI at the United Nations World Conference for InfoPoverty and is the youngest daughter of ACI's founder and president, David L. Neely.