Leadership
Leadership & Staff
WORSHIP TEAM
Board of Directors
John Harris
Chairman, Board of Directors
John earned a BS in electrical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He has worked as a civil servant since 1982 at the Naval Air Development Center, now the Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, MD.
John served in both Latin America and Europe as a short term missionary. He met his wife Tita in England while working with Operation Mobilization among Asian immigrants. He later worked with church planting teams in Spain and with Muslims in Philadelphia.
John has been on the board of The Mission since 2015 and has served as board president and secretary. He currently serves as an elder at Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville, MD. He and Tita have three children and three grandchildren.
Richard Myers
Founder, Vice President &
Executive Director
Richard received a BS in business management and AS in education from Colorado Technical University. Richard’s started his career started as a U.S Marine working as an electrician on A-6 and F-18 aircraft. His career has been divided and he has spent over 20 years in the aerospace industry, working with both Boeing and McDonnell Douglas on multiple development programs and flight test on various aircraft. Richard spent eight years in the private sector running and operating his own successful business. He has spent the last 10 years working for the Defense Department, writing NAVAIR contracts, currently specializing in Engineering Services with AIR 2.5.
As one of the founders of The Mission, Richard for the last 10 years has been its executive director and handles responsibilities that encompass all aspects of The Mission including operations and funding.
When Richard isn’t managing The Mission or counseling the needy in our community, he is at home in Leonardtown with his wife Brenda and their three black labs. They are very active members of Faith Bible Church.
Daniel Winters
Treasurer
Daniel received a BS in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University. He started as an accountant for Dairy Farmers of America and is currently with Seakeeper Inc. managing the financial needs of foreign entities. Daniel has been managing The Mission’s the financial needs since October of 2017.
Daniel has been involved with various ministries including youth and kids’ ministries with the churches he has attended. He currently serves on the worship team at Living Word Community Church. He met his wife, Abigail, at Chi Alpha at Penn State where they both served on the group’s worship team.
When not working, Daniel enjoys playing board games, card games, and sports, such as volleyball, basketball, football, etc. and just relaxing at home.
Gerald Knull
Secretary
Jerry was born in West Germany and his family immigrated to the United States, to New Jersey, when he was almost 7 years old. He grew up in New Jersey, where he met his wife Sherry, and they will celebrate their 50th Anniversary in December 2022.
Jerry served 6 years in the U.S. Navy in the Naval Nuclear Power program as an Electronics Technician and a Reactor Operator, serving 3 ½ years aboard the USS Long Beach, CGN-9. After his discharge, Jerry worked for almost 36 years at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Maintenance and Work Management, retiring in November 2013. In 2000, Jerry completed his BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix Online campus.
From March 2014 through June 2021 Jerry worked as a consultant in the United States and overseas in the United Arab Emirates for ACA Incorporated, a family company headed up by a long-time industry friend, Jon Anderson. This adventure included various projects for a number of United States nuclear plants and DOE facilities, as well as spending a year at the Barakah Nuclear Plant in Abu Dhabi Emirate helping develop the Preventive Maintenance program for Units 1 and 2, both of which are now operational.
In 2017, Jerry began volunteering at The Mission in between work assignments, and presently Jerry and Sherry are volunteering at The Mission Food Pantry. Also, since 2017, Jerry became involved as a Director for Northwest Haiti Ministries, a Christian school ministry in Northwest Haiti, founded by Michael and Sheree Shores in 2010. Due to failing health, Michael asked Jerry to take over as President of Northwest Haiti Ministries in late 2018. Jerry has been President of the ministry since early 2019. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2020, and now Jerry and Sheree Shores lead the ministry, which has been blessed to grow to > 330 students, grades Pre-K through 9th grade, with > 30 teachers and staff.
Jerry and Sherry attend and are active at Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville, where Jerry leads the Senior Bible Study.
John Fluhart
John Fluhart is a local native to Southern Maryland. From an early age John joined the Plumbing Union Number 5 and worked various projects for 23 years. Twelve years ago, John started All Mechanical and Plumbing LLC and has built his business which now employs multiple employees. In addition to attaining his Master Plumbing certification, John also holds Master destinations in Electrical, HVAC and Gas, with a total of 68 Masters certifications. He recently joined The St. Marys’ County Plumbing Board.
In 2016 John Joined Faith Bible Church and has been an active member and his gift is in mechanical and building, and generosity. He has lent his expertise on multiple occasions to the needs of Faith Bible. Doing stonework, redoing storm Leaders, and helping with the some of the requirements for the newly built playground.
From 2016 forward John has been a huge supporter of The Mission from donating turkeys, to saving The Mission 10s of thousands of dollars in plumbing, electrical and HVAC work for both the Robert E. Myers Center and the Steve L. Kessler Center. John on the weekends can be found many times working at The Robert Center as this project continues it progress.
John’s wife Corrie and daughter Alexis are also involved in Faith Bible doing Daycare on Sunday Morning.
When John isn’t working, he is spending it with his family on their farm.
Staff & Volunteers
Jean Cooper Carter
Client Services Director
Jean holds a B.S. in social work from the University of Maryland as well as certifications from the university in Crisis Intervention, Critical Incident Response. She also has a certification in Life Coaching. Jean also has experience working with addiction and held a CAC-AD Addictions certification. She has been in field for over 25 years and has worked with displaced youth, adult homeless, persons with disabilities, and crisis women’s programs. She has run shelters and supportive housing programs in the county.
As the Client Services Manager for The Mission, Jean operates The Mission dayroom and does needs assessments, counseling, referrals; and advocacy. She assists with obtaining employment. Over the years, she has served on the Department of Social Services Child Abuse Review Board, St. Mary’s County Alcohol Alliance Board, the Domestic Violence Board for the Family Advocacy Center, and the Tri-County Youth Services Partnership for Homeless Youth Age 18-25. Jean received the Community Partnership Award from the Southern Maryland Community Network in 2019 .
Brenda Myers
Director of Events & Purchasing
Brenda has an extensive 30-year health care background capped off working as a top surgical technician at Eisenhower Medical Center a top 100 hospital. While there, she worked and led teams in general orthopedic, sports orthopedic, neurosurgery, vascular, urology, gynecology and reconstructive procedures, which earned her a nomination for the Jackie Lee Houston Performance Excellence Award. She has taught and trained surgical students. She has many certifications, including DCD Organ Procurement Certification. Brenda has also attended and passed all requirements and received her certification to manage assisted living facilities in Maryland. In Brenda’s years in the medical field, she has also successfully managed two separate medical offices.
Brenda has been with The Mission since day one. She organizes volunteers and has operated and organized every major Mission event for six years. She has supervised and taken care of all health department requirements for The Mission. She also assists Richard Myers, the executive director in the day-to-day operation of The Mission.
When Brenda is not working at The Mission or in surgery at the Surgical Center in Leonardtown, she is home with her husband and three black labs.
Jerry & Sherry Knull
Food Pantry & Donation Center
In 2017, Jerry began volunteering at The Mission in between work assignments, and presently Jerry and Sherry are volunteering at The Mission Food Pantry. Also, since 2017, Jerry became involved as a Director for Northwest Haiti Ministries, a Christian school ministry in Northwest Haiti, founded by Michael and Sheree Shores in 2010. Due to failing health, Michael asked Jerry to take over as President of Northwest Haiti Ministries in late 2018. Jerry has been President of the ministry since early 2019. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2020, and now Jerry and Sheree Shores lead the ministry, which has been blessed to grow to > 330 students, grades Pre-K through 9th grade, with > 30 teachers and staff.
Jerry and Sherry attend and are active at Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville, where Jerry leads the Senior Bible Study.
Leslie Funk
Newsletter
Leslie is a former newspaper reporter and former teacher at The King’s Christian Academy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Chicago and her master’s in journalism at the University of Michigan.
After 14 years covering government and environmental issues in Lancaster, PA, and suburban Philadelphia, she spent 10 years raising two daughters with her husband, John. Once the girls were in school full time, she returned to the workforce, teaching a journalism course at St. Mary’s College of Maryland for a year and then joining the faculty at The King’s Christian Academy, which her children attended. She taught Bible to high school freshmen and English language arts to middle schoolers and high schoolers.
She retired from KCA after 11 years but writes for nonprofit organizations and pens fictional works. Her current project is a children’s book. Leslie loves spending time with her husband. Together, they enjoy cycling around St. Mary’s County and kayaking on the waterways around the Chesapeake Bay. They attend Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville.
Jason & Amber Collins
Donor Relations
Jason and Amber Collins are both locals of Southern Maryland. Although Jason Collins was born in Montgomery County, he moved to St. Mary’s in 1992. He graduated from Chopticon High School in 2005. Jason has a career in IT as a Network Engineer. For a time, Jason has worked several contracts in various DOD and Federal facilities in Maryland. As well as enjoyed travel across the country during his career in support of many commercial entities. Jason is the resident Network Engineer at FBC, in addition to serving on the finance committee.
Amber can trace her county roots back to the 1700’s. She has a passion for writing and teaching. She pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education, and it is well utilized when she is homeschooling her children. She has served in various volunteer roles including support groups for mothers and homeschooling groups.
After meeting in 2010, Jason and Amber quickly got married and have been blessed with five beautiful children. They are active members of Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville and enjoy hosting a biblical parenting group in their home each week. Some favorite family activities include hiking, camping, watching movies, playing board games, and reading.
Meredith Sharron
Haircuts
Spencer Arthur
Resident Director of the Kessler Center
Spencer Arthur was born in Orange, California and raised in the Tampa, Florida area. He graduated cum laude from Southeastern University with a BA in Theology and minors in Biblical Greek Translation and Missions in 2018.
Spencer has worked in the realm of ministry under multiple capacities ranging from facilities assistant to youth intern, as well as serving as a camp counselor for the ELCA (Florida Bahamas synod). He has also taken part in several missions trips to Central America for both evangelistic and service related outreaches.
In Memoriam of
Founder, Senior Pastor & Board Member
Robert Myers
Robert received an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and a B.S. in business administration from Regis University. He was a retired 20-year veteran, having served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. Robert also retired from the Department of the Navy in June 2021 after 19 years as a senior contracts specialist, procuring major weapon systems and engineering services for the Navy.
Robert was in the mission field and led various ministries for 36 years. He led outreach activities on Tustin Maine Corps Air Station, supporting overseas pastors during his numerous West PAC deployments to the Philippines. He also led evangelistic activities on the USS New Orleans and USS Peleliu. Over a one-year period, he carried out an evangelistic ministry which consisted of walking a 12-foot cross all over St. Mary’s County and Washington D.C.
Robert was one of the founders of The Mission and, for the last four years, pastored The Mission church, which is mainly made up of the homeless and working poor of St. Mary’s County.
Robert will be greatly missed by The Mission, its board members, its volunteers and, especially, its congregation.