Board of Directors
Ike Elliott, Chairman. Ike has worked with Global Hope since 2000. Ike is a communications executive with a calling to help abandoned children. A native of Ohio and Virginia, Elliott earned his B.S. in computer science from James Madison University, and his M.S. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University . Ike’s management credentials include leadership roles at MCI from 1989 through 1997, and presently is Senior Director of Business Strategy at Level 3 Communications.
Romica Iuga In partnership with Global Hope, Romi has served as the President of ‘Fundatia Caminul Sperantei’ (our Romanian sister foundation) since 1998. He has been a pastor at ‘Speranta’ (Hope) Baptist Church in Arad, Romania since 1993. He married Doroteea in 1996 and they have two children, David and Octavia. In addition to being a pastor Romica is also President of the Arad Baptist Association (which has 110 member churches) and a member of the Baptist Council of the Baptist Union of Romania.
Randy Jessen, Independent Director and Founder. Randy and his wife Sue founded Global Hope in 1996 after adopting their daughter, Ana, from Romania. Randy is a Methodist Minister, currently serving at Wilson United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Randy also served as a Dean at the Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Randy wrote a wonderful book about his experiences adopting Ana named “Ana’s Voice,” which you can find at www.authorhouse.com.
Scott French, Director of U.S. Operations. Scott and his wife Cathy have served in various capacities supporting Global Hope since Scott served on a mission team to Romania in 2003. Scott officially joined the board in April 2009 and is supporting US Operations. Scott is a professional IT consulting manager and has served in leadership roles for several leading companies. Scott has his own company and performs IT and Management Consulting services for government and non-profit organizations. Scott is also actively involved in the Walk to Emmaus movement and with his Church – Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette, Colorado.
Jacci Knight, Director of Romanian Operations. Jacci has been involved with Global Hope since 1998, when she went on her first mission to trip to Arad, Romania. In September of 1999 she became Global Hope’s first long-term missionary, working for over four years with the children in Arad. She now works in radio broadcasting in Colorado Springs and polishes her Romanian language skills by serving as the Director of Romanian Operations for Global Hope.
John McKibbin, Independent Director. John McKibbin joined the Global Hope Board of Directors in early 2006. He is a Chemical Engineer and a long-time supporter of Global Hope, having taken several mission trips to Romania with members of his family.
Will Johnston, Independent Director. Will and his wife Kathy have served as volunteers with Global Hope for several years, helping to coordinate the Global Hope mission teams. Will is a senior engineer with Level 3 Communications.
Dr. Don Bolich, Independent Director. Don and his wife, Sallie, have been active in the support of Global Hope since its inception. He is a retired dentist and has served a number of non-profit organizations. Don has been a member of the Global Hope Board of Directors since 2008.
David Jurcak, Independent Director. David’s involvement with Global Hope began in 2008 when his wife Kerry participated in a short-term mission trip to Kenya. Since then, David has played an active role in fundraising for Global Hope and brought over a decade of experience in board service and governance. David and Kerry have two children and reside in the Anthem Highlands community in Broomfield, CO. In his free time, David enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing golf.
Larry Beer, Director of Kenyan Operations. Larry has been involved with Global Hope since 2007 and served on a mission trip to Kenya in November 2009. Larry is Operations Director at OpenWorld Learning, a Denver non-profit that provides leadership and technology education in primarily disadvantaged schools. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology, Larry served nine years in the Air Force as a Behavioral Scientist, educator, and student pilot. During his service he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and volunteered time mentoring children. Larry’s wife, Melissa, shares his passion for helping children and has previous work experience as an adoptions specialist.
Advisors to the Board
Sue Jessen, Co-founder. Randy and Sue Jessen are co-founders of Global Hope. They have been working with Romanian mission ministry since 1991.
Sue’s background is in the area of mental health. She worked for over ten years at Fort Logan Mental Health Center in Denver, Colorado. She provided care for emotionally disturbed children, worked with school systems, and was an individual therapist. She now is the primary care giver for their daughter Ana. Ana has extensive developmental delays from her first five years in the Romanian system. She also received a small amount of contaminated blood as an infant, which infected her with the virus that causes AIDS.