Leadership
SUTS is sustained by the work of grassroots volunteers from churches, presbyteries, and synods who partner with people in countries where clean, reliable energy is desperately needed
Meet our Board:
John Cronk: Elder at St.Thomas Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX. He has participated in Rebuilding Together Houston (RTH) for 15 years, serving as Team Leader for past 6 years. John has served 5 terms on Committee on Ministry in Elizabeth and New Covenant Presbyteries. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1960 with a BSChE and from Rutgers in 1970 with an MBA. John has devoted 45 years to the industrial gas industry. He is a graduate of Solar 2.
Reverend Susan Rose: Susan currently serves as the Campus Minister for United Campus Ministry at the University of Arkansas. She graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary, Summa Cum Laude. She lives in Springdale, Arkansas with her husband, Dave, and two sons, Kenneth and Blake. When she's not "doing ministry," Susan enjoys reading, cooking and hiking.
Reverend Tom Ulrich: Tom is currently serving as co-pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, AR with his wife Cathy. He has served as chaplain at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR where he continues to teach courses as an adjunct instructor. Tom earned a undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech in mathematics and physical education, as well as a master's degree in mathematics. He attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA for his divinity degree. Tom is a Solar 1 instructor and has lead mission trips in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico as well as Haiti.
Mark Tew: Mark earned a BSEE and MS in Engineering Science from the University of Mississippi. After working in the aerospace industry for 3 years, he received the PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He taught electrical engineering for 25 years at the University of Mississippi, retiring in 2004. Since then he has worked as an instructor at Living Waters for the World's Clean Water U and contributed to the Clean Water Systems Handbook. He is an instructor in Solar 2 and contributes to the Solar Power Handbook. Mark was a team member at SUTS's first 2 installations at Arcahaie, Haiti, and Institute Racine, Port Au Prince, Haiti. Mark can be reached at mark@solarunderthesun.org.
William F. Galbraith: Bill is serving as the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Arkansas. Previously, he served pastorates in Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He is a graduate of Rice University, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary. Bill is the Theological Education Fund's Regional Resource Person for the Synod of the Sun. He serves on the boards of Lyon College and Mo-Ranch Camp and Conference Center and is an ex-officio member of the boards of Vera Lloyd Children's Home and the Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Bill is married to Sybil and they have two daughters and five grandchildren.
David Gill: David has been the Executive Director of Ferncliff Camp since 1997. He is a Presbyterian minister and previously worked with Heifer International for 12 years. Ferncliff is one of the faster growing PC(USA) camp/conference centers and has developed a national reputation for mission, sustainability and creativity. David is a graduate of Solar 1 and has lead 25 mission teams to Honduras and Dominican Republic. David is married to Vicki and they enjoy their three children and four grandchildren.
Reverend Leah Hrachovec: Leah is our board chair and serves as associate paster at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, OK. She earned a B.A. from Grinnell College in Iowa and worked as an intern for the PCUSA for two years. She graduated from Columbia Seminary in 2005 and currently serves as a minister commissioner for Synod of the Sun. Leah has a solar powered mobile in her bathroom window which reminds her to give thanks for the Light of Christ every morning!
Reverend Wil Howie: Serves as Executive Director of Living Waters for the World a mission outreach of Synod of Living Waters. LWW trains and equips people with the skills to bring clean water to those in need throughout the world. Wil served as pastor of two churches in north Mississippi. He holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Mississippi College, a Masters degree in Education/ Counseling Psychology from University of Southern California and a Masters degree in Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He is married to the Rev. Michele Howie.
Christianne Garber Chase: Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Enid, OK; past Moderator of Cimarron Presbytery and chaired its Committee on Ministry as well as Committee on Justice and Reconciliation. Currently, she acts as the presbytery's Ordination exam reader. Christianne attended an international conference on immigration/migration issues and is an ex-officio board member of Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services. She is a life-long resident of Enid, OK and serves on the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Valerie Knox—Solar School Registrar, office@synodsun.com
Solar Under The Sun Staff:
Ashley Broadhurst: Administrative Director, ashley@solarunderthesun.org
Raised in High Point, North Carolina, Ashley Broadhurst went to Appalachian State University and has recently moved to Las Vegas, NV from Washington, DC. Her background is in the Quaker faith, where she was recorded as a minister in 2005. Though she started out working with youth, she relishes the opportunity to work with all ages, play Bridge, and hone her painting skills!! Ashley loves serving our neighboring communities, whether traveling internationally (Haiti, Mexico,Honduras, Trinidad, etc.) or right in our own backyard. In fact, she's been on over 30 mission trips! She serves as a Solar 1 instructor and a member of the Living Waters For The World Haiti Network Coordinating Team. Ashley is married to John, and they have two boys, Clint & Michael. When not hanging out at church, she & John love the outdoors - hiking, kayaking, and camping – and watching UNC play any sport!
Chris McRae: Executive Director, chris@solarunderthesun.org
Presbyterian Elder Chris McRae is a member of Central Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Previous to his position as Director of SUTS, Chris is a technical installation instructor for Living Waters for the World's Clean Water U. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for Haiti Education Foundation; and is a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Committee member. He has been very active in Habitat for Humanity, serving as the first Habitat for Humanity Project Director for the New Orleans Area 1988-1991. Chris is also trained as a Commissioned Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)