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: John is an 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 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 Alford Branch: Alford is the Pastor of Holmes Chapel Presbyterian Church since 1984. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry degree, Masters of Ecclesiastical Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Biology. Among his accolades are: Commissioner to Synod of Sun; Board of director of Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home; Served as church growth consultant to several presbyteries; served on Monticello school board of education. Above all, he is husband and father of 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
Doug Roszel: Doug grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Flora and Doug have been married for 41 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. Doug retired in 2007 after 35 years as an IT professional and consultant. In addition to being a Solar 1 instructor, Doug is a Living Waters for the World, Clean Water University 103 Installation instructor. Doug has been on three trips to Haiti to complete numerous solar and water site surveys and install solar-powered Living Waters systems. Flora and Doug have been members of First Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville for twenty-six years where Flora is the Business Administrator.
Bill Mendenhall: Bill is a lawyer practicing in Jackson, Mississippi, and an elder in Fondren Presbyterian Church. He is passionate about improving conditions in Haiti, where he has participated in five Living Waters for the World installations and three SUTS installations. Bill currently serves on the Haiti Network Coordinating Committee for Living Waters for the World. He is a former President of Stewpot Community Services and a past member of Leadership Jackson. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi World Trade Center.
Valerie Knox—Solar School Registrar, office@synodsun.com
Gerry Tyre - Interim Synod Executive, gtyer@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 moderator 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.)