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Merrillville Team

Meet Your Team

Dave Kristofzski

Foster Care Manager

Dave Kristofzski is the Foster Care Manager for the Merrillville office. He has a Bachelor’s of Science and Masters of Social Worker degree from Indiana University. He is currently a licensed social worker actively pursuing clinical licensure. Dave loves fishing, Notre Dame & Chicago Bears football, and spending time with family. Dave and his wife Amber have four children, including two identical twin girls, who keep them very busy!

Danielle Bilderback

Foster Care Advocate

Danielle began her journey into foster care when she and her husband, Chuck, became foster parents in 2018. After adopting three boys over the years, Danielle is thrilled to be able to speak to others about serving vulnerable youth and families in her role as a Foster Care Advocate in the Merrillville area. She also enjoys teaching a women’s Bible study at her local church and is a seminary student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has a passion for the performing arts and can be seen onstage around the region, sometimes even with her boys! 

Additional Staff to Support Foster Parents

Hailey Rotkovich

Jacenta Tisby

Amanda Mckee

Moriah Fowler

Mykel Jackson

Our Merrillville Location

Currently serving these counties: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke

Services

Foster Care, Family Preservation Services

Address
8915 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
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219.663.8640

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Leadership

Kristina Johnson Nussbaum

Vice President of Advancement

Kristina Nussbaum, VP of Advancement, oversees fund development and marketing for Josiah White’s. She has over 15 years of experience in non-profit fund development and has earned her certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She also has over 15 years of experience in marketing, in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, and has taught marketing classes at Trine University and Indiana Wesleyan University for over 10 years. In 2013, she launched her own side hustle, Rebel Chameleon, providing small and medium-sized businesses with marketing strategies, strategic planning, content marketing, and leadership curriculum development. She holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and is passionate about serving in the nonprofit sector. She is married to Tim, and they are proud of their grown daughter, Hailey, who serves as a trauma nurse in Fort Wayne. Kristina enjoys her dogs, chickens, and traveling. You can connect with her by emailing kristina.nussbaum@whitesrfs.org or calling 260-569-4790.

Leadership

Shari Smith

Director of Executive Operations

Shari Smith has served at Josiah White’s since 2017 and is currently the Director of Executive Operations. In her dynamic role, she acts as the primary link between the Board and staff, represents the organization in the community, and supports the CEO in overseeing daily departmental operations. Shari holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries and has dedicated much of her career to administrative leadership in Christian non-profits. She is deeply passionate about the students and staff of Josiah White’s. She also brings a creative spirit to her work and enjoys spending time with her husband and their three kids, painting and drawing, and reading in her free time. 

You can connect with her via email: shari.smith@whitesrfs.org

Leadership

Tracey Riggle

Vice President of Family Services

Tracey Riggle, Vice President of Family Services, leads the foster care and community based teams with a deep passion for families to lead healthy and thriving lives together. She has dedicated her life’s service to roles both in Residential and Family Services at Josiah White’s. She holds a Masters degree in Social Work from IUPUI and is committed to best practices in all service areas. Having life experience growing up in a home with foster and adoptive children has provided a unique perspective in working with the whole family. Tracey has lived in the Wabash area for over thirty years with her husband and two children.  She enjoys gardening and spending time with her grandson.

Board of Trustees

Lisa Ford

A native of Wabash, IN, Lisa Ford holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Taylor University and a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Ball State University. Having grown up between Wabash, IN and Ramallah, Palestine where Lisa attended the Friends Girls School, and where her parents served as educators, Lisa’s desire to teach cross culturally took her to the American School of Kuwait and Damascus Community School, both with US Embassy affiliations.

Lisa founded the KFSAC (Kuwait Foreign Schools Activities Conference) Speech & Debate Association and the EMAC (Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference) Speech & Debate Association, and also coached students through like tournaments in Athens & Thessaloniki for the Pan-Hellenic Forensics League. Additionally, she directed the schools’ theatre programs and led student groups throughout the Middle East for Fine Arts Festivals and youth sporting events.

In the United States, Lisa taught at the East End Alternative School in Woodbridge, Virginia, White’s High School & Southwood High School in Wabash, IN and Peru Jr. High School in Peru, IN. She also served as PTO President for Wabash City Elementary Schools. She served on the board of the Wabash Area Community Theatre, and as a member of Tri-Kappa Sorority, Wabash Musicale, and the Wabash Chapter of the ISO (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra).

Currently, Lisa serves on the Missions Committee of Wabash Friends Church, on the Board of Trustees at Taylor University, on the board of WBCL Christian Radio, and as a Community Volunteer for the City of Wabash, where she and her husband, Steve, rear their three sons, Robert, David and Grant.

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Board of Trustees

Laura Key

Mrs. Laura Key served at Taylor University from 1997 to 2025, retiring as the Director of Advancement and Donor Services.  Laura and her husband, John, live in Swayzee, Indiana, where John retired as the Executive Director of CSI Ministries and is currently the Associate Pastor of Maple Run Friends Church.  Laura and John’s previous experience includes being former houseparents at Josiah White’s and running a group foster home through Josiah White’s.  They have two grown children and two grandchildren. 

Leadership

Brandee Estes

Vice President of Human Resources

Brandee Estes, Vice President of Human Resources, leads the efforts of the Human Resources team. With over twenty years of experience in Human Resources, Brandee has brought a renewed focus on staff culture and morale. In addition, she brings expertise in talent strategy, professional development, HR compliance, and benefit administration. Brandee holds a Master of Science in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, along with an HR certification of Senior Professional in HR (SPHR) from the Human Resource Certification Institute and a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) certification from the Society of Human Resource Management. Brandee has lived in Wabash County since 2000 with her husband, Jeff and they are active members at their church. You can connect with Brandee on LinkedIn.      

Leadership

Matthew Purkey

President & Chief Executive Officer

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Matthew Purkey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007, serving multiple deployments while completing a B.S. and M.S. in Human Services. His life changed during a humanitarian mission to Haiti in 2010, sparking a passion for service that led him from military duty to nonprofit leadership.


Since then, Matthew has held executive roles at multiple United Way’s and led a national veteran-serving nonprofit with operations in 48 locations. A TEDx speaker and Ph.D. candidate in Strategic Leadership, Matthew also holds certifications from Harvard Business School, Deloitte University, and the Center for Creative Leadership.


Honored with multiple “40 Under 40” awards, he has served on numerous boards of directors such as The Fisher House and The Victory Project, and volunteers with Team Rubicon. Matthew is proud to call Wabash home, with his wife Amanda and their three children: Micah, Ezekiel, and Gabriel.

Board of Trustees

Paul McCann

Treasurer

Mr. Paul McCann is the Founder and CEO of Red Earth CPA. Paul’s business journey has bounced between accounting and finance with the most notable stint in the jungles of Peru. His time as a microfinance specialist encouraged him to think developmentally about business’s role in society, particularly how business can be used as a force for good. Outside of work, he spends much of his time outside with his wife and four children, playing the sport of the season, hiking, skiing, or biking.

Leadership

Josh Bowyer

Vice President of Residential Services

Josh Bowyer, VP of Residential Services, leads the residential team with over 15 years of experience in a variety of roles at Josiah White’s. Josh understands what teenagers need to be successful both in treatment and back in their home communities. Josh is a tireless advocate for his students and his employees. He holds a BA in psychology from Hanover College and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. You can connect with Josh at josh.bowyer@whitesrfs.org

Board of Trustees

Greg Hinshaw

Dr. Greg Hinshaw is Superintendent of Yorktown Community Schools in Yorktown, Indiana. He is an alumnus of Ball State University. A public school educator since 1996, he has been a school administrator since 2001. A public school superintendent since 2008, he is a past president of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. A member of Bear Creek Friends Church, near Winchester, Indiana, since childhood, he previously served twelve years as presiding clerk of Indiana
Yearly Meeting of Friends. Dr. Hinshaw is a strong believer in the mission of Josiah White’s in helping to transform lives through Jesus Christ.

Board of Trustees

Pat Byers

Mr. Pat Byers Pat is the General Superintendent of Indiana Yearly Meeting since January 1, 2021. He has served as assistant superintendent of Indiana Yearly Meeting since 2014 and prior to that served at Wabash Friends Church in various capacities. Pat is married to Sara and they have five kids, ranging in ages from 26 to 14. Pat enjoys leading worship at church with his guitar, being outside, Colts football, IU Basketball, and spending time with family.

Board of Trustees

Barb Lochner

Mrs. Barb Lochner is a licensed registered nurse. Mrs. Lochner worked for Wabash-Miami Home Health Care and Hospice in Wabash, Indiana, for over 20 years. Prior to retiring, she was program coordinator for Tobacco Free Coalition Wabash County to educate in the county schools and assist pregnant women who want to quit smoking. Previously she worked for WIC and the Bowen Regional Mental Health Center for 11 years. Mrs. Lochner received her BSN from Indiana University.  She has served on White’s Board for over 20 years and also serves as Chair on the LLC Board.  “Since moving to Wabash in 1981, I have been so impressed with the Christ-centered, compassionate, dedicated individuals who work for White’s and serve wounded children and families. This is also my passion, for our children are our future, and we must make a difference for eternity.” Mrs. Lochner serves in her church and she lives in North Manchester, Indiana, with her husband, Kevin.

Board of Trustees

Ken Perkins

Mr. Ken Perkins is a retired Senior Business Development & Sales Training Officer at First Farmers Bank & Trust, Kokomo, Indiana. Mr. Perkins has been a long-time supporter of Josiah White’s. He joined the Board in 2019. Graduating from Indiana University, Mr. Perkins worked as a Sales Manager for Moorman/ADM Feeds and First Farmers Bank & Trust as a loan officer and trainer. He has also volunteered at Wabash Friends as the Finance Chairman and Mission Committee member. He and his wife, Beth, live in Wabash.

Board of Trustees

Tom Cochran

VICE PRESIDENT

Mr. Tom Cochran has been in Pastoral ministry for 25+ years. His ministry experience has been as Lead Pastor, church planting, youth ministry, coaching and assessing church planters, missionaries, and leaders in preaching, planting, and leadership development. Along with his wife Sarah, he has been a foster parent and advocate for children. Together, they started New Journey Community Church in Wabash, IN and began to minister to not only Josiah White’s staff but also students. Tom resides in Palm Bay, Florida where he serves as the National Director of Church Engagement for Destiny Rescue (an international missions organization that rescues and restores children from sex trafficking). Tom travels extensively and speaks across the US for Destiny Rescue as well as serves as pastor for their teams serving in multiple countries. He believes in and loves the mission of Josiah White’s. Tom is grateful to be a small part of what God is doing through this ministry as we invest in young lives to see them reach their full potential.

Board of Trustees

Kelly Stouffer

Mrs. Kelly Stouffer is the Vice President of Human Resources at Ford Meter Box in Wabash, Indiana. Mrs. Stouffer has an undergraduate degree from Franklin University in Employee Assistance Counseling. She also has a certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Cincinnati. Mrs. Stouffer has worked in human resources for over 20 years. She has served on White’s LLC Board and Josiah White’s Board for 20 years. “Every child should have the opportunity to get from birth to adulthood while feeling safe, secure and loved. In troubled families the one hope is Christ-like, loving adults intervening and this is Josiah White’s!”. She lives in Wabash, Indiana, with her husband.  

Board of Trustees

Roger Stichter

Dr. Roger Stichter has been a professor of accounting at Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, IN for more than 27 years and will retire May 2026. In 2013 he was awarded the Indiana Outstanding Educator Award by the Indiana CPA Society and awarded the Alva J. McClain Excellence in Teaching award from Grace College in 2018. Dr. Stichter also worked as a CPA in public accounting, was the corporate controller for Miller’s Merry Manor, and the CFO for Josiah White’s. As an educator, he said he has “the special privilege of impacting young people for Christ and potentially affecting the future generations my students will parent.” He currently also serves on the Indiana CPA Society Board of Directors. He and his wife of 40+ years, Jane, have seven children together and live in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Board of Trustees

Dwight Elliott

Secretary

Pastor Dwight Elliott is a tenured pastor. Pastor Elliott joined the Josiah White’s Board August 2018 and serves as the Secretary of the Board. He has supported Helping Hands, Peru, Indiana, a food pantry for the community, and Converse Lion’s Club as secretary. Pastor Elliott gives his time to Josiah White’s “to make an impact on their lives for the Kingdom of God!” Pastor Elliott resides in Marion with his wife, Lori, and their four children.

Board of Trustees

Emily Boardman

Emily Boardman is the Chief Financial Officer for The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc. She holds a Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Accounting from Manchester University and began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2007, she joined Crossroads Bank and returned to her hometown of Wabash. In her time with Crossroads Bank, Ms. Boardman held positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. After eighteen years in the banking industry, she joined The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc. in 2025. Ms. Boardman is a former President of the Indiana Bankers Association Future Leaders Division Advisory Board, former President and Treasurer of the Wabash Rotary Club and former Chairman of the Grow Wabash County board. She currently serves on both the board of the Wabash Rotary Club and the board of Grow Wabash County as secretary. Ms. Boardman joined Josiah White’s board in 2022. Emily and her husband, Jeremy, have two children, Casey and Colleen. They attend Wabash Friends Church where they serve in the children’s ministry.

Board of Trustees

Brandt Downing

President

Mr. Brandt Downing is the Chief Operations Officer at First Farmers Bank & Trust. Mr. Downing has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hanover College. He has served on the board for over 10 years. Mr. Downing was past Chairman of the Finance and Investments committees an now serves as President of the Board. Mr. Downing’s father and grandfather have both served on Josiah White’s Board. He is actively involved in Northview Christian Church and coaching youth sports. “I hope, through my involvement, I am helping show Jesus’ love to the youth Josiah White’s serves. Josiah White’s is transforming these kids’ lives through Christ, and I want to assist in that.” Mr. Downing lives in Kokomo, Indiana, with his wife and children.

Affirm

Employee Code of Conduct

As a distinctly Christian ministry, for over 165 years our mission has been to enrich the lives of children and families through emotional healing, personal development and spiritual growth. We are best able to achieve this through Christian staff who constantly strive to demonstrate the love of Christ through their actions, words and overall lifestyle.

It then follows that all employees who serve as members of Josiah White’s community agree to uphold certain foundational standards through their behaviors, attitudes and lifestyle choices at work and in their personal lives. Living in accordance with these standards shall serve to unify us as a “community of believers.” As a member of Josiah White’s “community,” we believe employees should strive to live in harmony with the following foundational standards as evidence of their life committed to growth in Christ and sound judgment based on Christian principles:

We believe as followers of Jesus Christ, we are responsible for our faith journey and strive to pursue a life of service to Jesus Christ in our personal life and while at work. We believe the investment in our spiritual life is critical and we strive to make time regularly for prayer and communion with God. Opportunities for Christian fellowship, worship, learning, and celebration while at work are opportunities not to be overlooked, but to be sought out as ways in which we can demonstrate our commitment to growing in our faith as part of the Josiah White’s Community.

We believe every human life is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions. Therefore, we must seek ways to act out of love and respect for each other, encouraging and building up one another, not causing one another to stumble. We believe that to achieve this, employees must practice a lifestyle that demonstrates purity to those around them (Romans 13-14 & I Corinthians 10:31-11:1).

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture.

We believe there is great power in the spoken word and therefore all lying, profanity, gossip, obscenity, and other negative uses of language diminishes our work with the children, families and our coworkers.

We believe employees must demonstrate a teachable spirit, an ability to share love for others, a willingness to live contentedly under authority, and a commitment to follow the Matthew 18 principal when an issue arises with fellow employees or management.

We believe in the power of our example and that our minds and bodies should be used in God-honoring ways, living our lives as Christian role models and conducting ourselves in a way that will not raise questions regarding our Christian testimonies. Because our example is powerful and because most of our service population is impacted by some form of substance abuse, we especially recognize the dangers and negative implications of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse among staff. Therefore, we seek to minimize or refrain from the use of alcohol and tobacco and we agree to completely abstain from the illicit or non-medical use of drugs, narcotics and other harmful substances. When an employee is representing Josiah White’s or is in the course of representing Josiah White’s business, he or she is expected to refrain from the use of alcohol and tobacco.

We believe our life serves as a Christian Witness to the children and families we serve and our commitment to expressing Christian values is critical even when making entertainment and recreational choices outside of work. Therefore, we actively avoid forms of leisure, entertainment and recreation that are incompatible with holy living and seek activities that are consistent with our pursuit of Christ- like living.

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrew 13:4).

We further believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and that activities that give the appearance of sexual immorality should be avoided by staff.

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Josiah White’s as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the Josiah White’s clients, fellow staff members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Josiah White’s in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement (Mathew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; I Thessalonians 5:22).

I affirm that I am a Christian, I have read and agree with Josiah White’s Code of Conduct, and I agree to make lifestyle choices that are consistent with Josiah White’s Code of Conduct. I understand that my employment at Josiah White’s is contingent upon me living a lifestyle that is consistent with this Code of Conduct.

Affirm

Statement of Faith

Hello prospective employee! Josiah White’s exists to offer hope and transformation through Christ to children and families. As members of a Christian organization, each employee must recognize that living a life in accordance with the standards presented in the Statement of Faith found below is necessary as it serves to unify us as a Community of Believers set out on the same path. Therefore, all individuals who are interested in applying to work at Josiah White’s must first agree with and abide by Josiah White’s Statement of Faith.

The Statement of Faith is as Follows…

Remaining true to our Quaker heritage and Josiah White’s vision, Josiah White’s primary reason for existence is to offer hope and transformation to children and families through Christ. As such, we have firm beliefs about the Christian faith and how we must act in accordance with our beliefs.

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. Josiah White’s board of directors serves as Josiah White’s highest, human interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application for the purposes of our agency’s faith and beliefs, practice, policy and discipline at work.

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God (II Timothy 3:15).

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 10:30).

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:33), in His virgin birth (Luke 1:35), in His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), in His miracles (John 2:11), in His atoning death through His shed blood (Ephesians 1:7), in His bodily resurrection (John 11:25), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and in His personal return in power and glory (Revelation 19:11).

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 3:16-19).

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christ-follower is enabled to live a Godly life (Romans 8:13-14).

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, that they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28).

We believe that children are a heritage from God and a blessing from His hand. We are therefore accountable to Him for raising, shaping and preparing them for a life of service to His Kingdom and to humanity. We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Ps 139).

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female, and that these two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24).

We believe that God created marriage to be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity is to occur exclusively within that union. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18-25).

As Christians living out our faith, it is unsurprising that our beliefs influence our behavior, attitudes and lifestyle choices. As Christian professionals, we will not compromise our commitment to our professional code of ethics while providing superior care to our clients who possess differing values or beliefs.

I affirm that I am a Christian, I have read and agree with Josiah White’s Statement of Faith, and I agree to make lifestyle choices that are consistent with Josiah White’s Statement of Faith. I understand that my employment at Josiah White’s is contingent upon me living a lifestyle that is consistent with this Statement of Faith.

Leadership

Matt Riggle

Vice President & Executive Director, Recovery Services

Matt joined White’s in 1992 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Southern Illinois University. While working full-time at White’s, Matt earned a Master of Counseling from Grace College. In addition, he is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), a licensed clinical addictions counselor (LCAC), and a nationally certified master addictions counselor.

Matt began his extensive residential career at White’s as an assistant houseparent. In 1994, he was promoted to the position of residential counselor. He became the shelter care coordinator in 1998, supervising the staff and students in emergency shelter care, and in 2002, he assumed additional supervisory responsibility for the 15-bed WISP Unit, now known as White’s Refocus Unit. From 2004 until 2011, Matt served as a residential coordinator. From 2011 to 2017, he served as a senior residential therapist, providing clinical services to students in White’s substance abuse program. Matt’s leadership within the substance abuse program has transformed it over the years, making it a leading residential program in the state for addiction recovery.

Matt is now the Vice President & Executive Director, Residential Services, at White’s. Matt’s commitment to his faith and serving are at the core of all he does, and he is eager to lead others to do the same, in their own capacity.

Leadership

John Trimble

Director of Spiritual Life

John graduated from Clemson University in 1990 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Certified Public Accounting. Soon afterward, he earned his certified public accounting license. In the beginning of his professional career, he worked as an accountant at progressive levels specializing in audits, taxes, and real estate. Throughout that time and during all of the 90s, John and his wife served as youth sponsors for their church, Woodruff Road Christian Church, in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

In 2001, John felt a deeper calling for ministry that led him back to school to complete a Master of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Beginning in 2002, he held the positions of youth pastor, associate pastor and, most recently, lead pastor in churches located in Texas and Michigan.  He and his wife, Trish, also became the proud parents of two daughters – Abigail Grace and Madeline Elizabeth – during this time. Their family’s walk with Christ continues to blossom and grow.

When John heard about this position at White’s, he saw an opportunity to serve God through an avenue other than local church ministry. White’s Director of Spiritual Life and Staff Chaplain role matched John’s God-given gifts of leadership, relationship and education and became known to him and Trish at just the right time in life.  They relocated to Wabash, Indiana, from South Carolina and are excited to begin this endeavor!

Leadership

Mike Haarer

Vice President & Executive Director, Compass Rose Academy

Mike Haarer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Indiana. He has worked in the field of adolescent residential treatment since 2004 when he began working with youth in court-ordered residential treatment. In 2012, he and a team launched Compass Rose Academy as a new private division of Josiah White’s, an organization with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1850.

Mike earned a BA and MA in Counseling from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN as well as a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Regent University. A focus of his doctoral studies included research in the area of gender studies as well as in the intersection of faith and sexuality.

Mike studied under Psychologist and Author Dr. John Townsend, completing three years of his Counselor Training Program, concentrated on emotion-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy. Mike currently serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University Irvine’s Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling. He has enjoyed teaching Ethics, Foundations of Mental Health Counseling, Research and Internship Supervision as well as leading process groups for incoming Masters in Counseling students.  

Mike chaired the Best Practices Committee for NATSAP from January 2019 – January 2023. Mike enjoys facilitating panel presentations at NATSAP Annual Conferences, attending and supporting the NATSAP Leadership Summit, and also presents on a variety of topics at local, regional, and national conferences. He trains residential staff on topics such as trauma informed care, attachment, and the Teaching Family Model.

Mike has experience serving on boards including his current role on the board of the local United Fund in Wabash, IN. In that role, he enjoys helping to bring light to other non-profit and mission-oriented agencies serving those in his local community.

Mike has served as the Executive Director of Compass Rose Academy since its founding in 2012 and lives on the Wabash, Indiana campus along with his wife, Emily, and three daughters, Corabelle, Olivia, and Regina. Beginning in 2020, Compass Rose Academy built a new campus which allowed them to update their facilities and also expand their enrollment capacity. Their beautiful new campus surrounded by Indiana farmland earned statewide recognition for its architecture and design, receiving the AIA Citation Award for New Construction in projects over $5 million. 

Leadership

Kurt Gard

Vice President & Executive Director of Family Services

Kurt Gard began his journey with White’s in 2012 as a family therapist. He now serves as the Vice President & Executive Director of Family Services. In this position, Kurt is responsible for all foster care and community-based services.

He received a Master of Social Work from IUPUI in 2012 and is a licensed clinical social worker. Prior to entering the field of human services, Kurt served in leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. He enjoys learning new things, fishing, being outdoors and mechanics. Above all, Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife, Melinda, and his three children.

Leadership

Kevin Trotter

Vice President of Advancement

Kevin joined White’s in 2018 as the Vice President of Advancement, overseeing Marketing, Communications, and Development.

Kevin began his professional career in 2000 as a police officer in Fishers, Indiana.  He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and continued to serve Fishers Police until 2012.  Before leaving the police department, Kevin co-founded My Cyber Guardian Educational Services, Inc., in Noblesville, where he served as the full-time operations manager before moving his family to the Tampa Bay area in 2013 to be part of planting Harvest Bible Chapel in the Tampa community.  In addition to launching this church in Tampa, Kevin joined Bethany Christian Services of Florida where he most recently served as the executive director for Florida and Alabama. Kevin earned his Master of Science in Human Services from Walden University and his Bachelor of General Studies from Indiana University.

Kevin and his wife, Misty, have six children. They were licensed therapeutic foster parents in the state of Indiana and adopted three of their six children through Indiana’s foster care system.  Kevin and Misty are passionate about Christ, shepherding people and serving children and families.

Leadership

Michael Horn

Chief Operations Officer & General Counsel

Michael Horn, Chief Operations Officer and General Counsel of Josiah White’s, leads a number of talented department heads responsible for finance, quality/compliance, and other operations. Based on extensive experience managing people and process, Michael works with the Josiah White’s team to reduce risk, improve efficiency and promote sustainability. He holds a juris doctorate from Indiana University, a master’s degree from Ball State University and a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University.