Board of Directors

Liz Coley and her husband, Chad, have five children, three of whom are adopted. Over the past eleven years, she has served as a children’s minister in Jackson and Nashville. She recently “retired” to spend more time caring for her family. She also helps lead West Tennessee Orphan Alliance, which is an adoption ministry in the Jackson area.

Wes Gristy is a pastor from West Texas who currently resides with his wife and two kids in Jackson, TN. He is a graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary, has fifteen years of church ministry experience, and is a frequent short-term mission team leader to El Ayudante.

Donald Jordan was born and raised in Jackson, TN and graduated from Union University with a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. He’s currently a clinician at Pathways, an employee for the local non-profit Area Relief Ministries in the areas of education and development, and adjunct faculty at Union University in areas of faith and social work. He’s also an avid blogger at mosthopeful.com.

Megan Klipfel was born and raised in Jackson, TN and graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC with a BA in Spanish, minor in Sociology, and concentration in Latin American Caribbean Studies. She worked for a year as an Americorps VISTA and is currently a student in UT Knoxville’s Accelerated BSN program.

Mark Northern is a resident of Bells, TN and joined El Ayudante’s board in 2002. Mark attends Christ Community Church in Bells where he has served on the Board of Trustees and as its Chairman. Mark is married and has four sons. He is the Vice President of Logistics for Pictsweet in Bells.

Allen Watts is a resident of Brownsville, TN and has served on El Ayudante’s board since its incorporation in August of 1998.  Allen attends Brownsville Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Allen is married and has two sons. He is Director of Tennessee and Texas Operations for Pictsweet in Bells.