Meet the Mobilization Team
Adam Zentz
Candidate Advisor
Adam Zentz Candidate Advisor
Now this is a story all about how
I ended up where I am now
I'd like to take a minute so you can see
How I became a Candidate Advisor with ELIC
In northern Colorado, born and raised
In the mountains is where I spent most of my days
Then I went to eastern Europe where I met my wife
We moved to Chicago, what a crazy life!
I got an Intercultural Studies degree
and a passion for helping people get overseas
So back to Colorado went my family and me
and I've been serving ever since here at ELIC
I like to hang out with my two little boys
Always getting into trouble and making lots of noise
I like to keep aquariums and read a good book
I like to write sometimes and I'm a pretty good cook
Fun Fact
I have about 2,000 followers on Pinterest. Don't act like you're not impressed.
Blake Larson
Director, Recruiting
Blake Larson Director, Recruiting
I'm originally from the south and served with ELIC during my college years at the University of Arkansas (go Hogs!). My lovely wife Meredith and I have two children, Quinn and Duke, and have lived in Colorado since 2011. In my current role, I absolutely love developing creative strategies and building strong networks of partners to mobilize more people overseas. I enjoy traveling, going on dates with Meredith, Instagramming pictures of our crazy, cute kids, rooting for the OKC Thunder, and of course, rewatching the greatest movie of all time, Jurassic Park.
Brandon Thoele
Logistics & Administrative Specialist
Brandon Thoele Logistics & Administrative Specialist
My love for overseas work began on a youth trip to Venezuela in high school. Since then I have traveled to 42 countries, including five years teaching with ELIC in Lanzhou, China and gaining a Master’s Degree in TESOL. Now that I’ve joined the home office, I love that I get to prepare and equip teachers to serve overseas! I am married to my wonderful wife Vivo who is from North-East India (we actually met in China :-). When I’m not working you might see me behind a drum-set, on a breathtaking mountain top, or scuba diving in the open sea.
Brent Bovitz
Candidate Advisor
Brent Bovitz Candidate Advisor
Last year the door opened for me to join the ELIC family and use my passion to provide people with the opportunity to go overseas. The best part of my job is getting the opportunity to hear so many people's stories from all over the country and laugh with complete strangers. I'm married to the most beautiful woman on this planet and our favorite thing to do, hands down, is to get out into the mountains for at least a weekend and enjoy adventuring out in the wilderness.
Brian Post
Mobilization Specialist
Brian Post Mobilization Specialist
After 30 years of working in local church ministry and education in Colorado, Switzerland, and Germany, I've come to join the ELIC team. As a mobilizer, I enjoy casting the ELIC vision to various audiences and helping those who have a heart for overseas work pursue that calling. I've been married for 36 years, have four children, and one grandson. My hobbies include personal fitness, guitar and mandolin performance, reading biblical Greek, German, and history.
Collin Quigley
Senior Director, Mobilization
Collin Quigley Senior Director, Mobilization
I am an outdoor nut who grew up in small-town Colorado. I love hooking up my camper, grabbing my wife and some good food, and heading to the mountains. I have a passion for a good pot of chili, warm tortillas, and a hot fire. My joy in life is to see people combine their gifts with their passions and do something they never thought they could do. I smile the biggest when I see this happen. I have written a children’s book, attended cooking school, seminary, and lived in Morocco for a 4-year stint. I love to ski, camp, hike, bike, or anything outdoors. If it were not for my wife, I would be living in a van down by the river. My kids are awesome. I am not a cat person…but do like my dog.
Haley Jones
Candidate Advisor
Haley Jones Candidate Advisor
My story with ELIC started when I was just a kid -- my family packed their bags and moved us to China to teach with ELIC. I couldn’t be more pleased that they did! I grew up in China until college, and I still consider it to be my home in so many ways. My husband, daughter, and I now live in Colorado, and I am thrilled to be working at the ELIC home office mobilizing others who want to go overseas.
The desire to travel hasn’t left me, and my husband and I celebrate all the different locations that we’ve been to by collecting mugs and coffee brewing methods from each place. We now have about 7 different coffee-making contraptions, and more mugs than we’ll ever be able to use!
Heather Winchell
Senior Manager, Long-term Programs
Heather Winchell Senior Manager, Long-term Programs
I grew up in Texas and still maintain that Blue Bell is the best ice cream EVER. I made my way to Colorado during college and spent some time in China before settling down here in Fort Collins. My husband Joel and I, along with our two sons Micah and Hudson, can often be found at a local park or playing in the mountains. As a candidate advisor with ELIC, my passion is to come alongside people that want to make a lasting impact overseas. I'm one of those people that really does enjoy talking to people I don't know all day long—including you! Good company, good conversation, and good coffee—that's my sweet spot.
Jenny Jessup
Mobilization Specialist
Jenny Jessup Mobilization Specialist
This Colorado girl loves people. As a mobilizer, I get to cast vision and challenge people out of the ordinary to new experiences. Some of my new experiences and unknown facts include: Selling soup, dip, and fudge mixes for a small business I managed in high school – Souper Kids. Studying Biology in college. Living in China with ELIC for two years. Developing the skill of collecting way too many mementos and therefore, re-gifting like a pro. Wait, did I say that out loud? Ultimately, I’m passionate about connecting people – we’re all separated by 6 degrees after all.
Jolene Dykstra
Mobilization Coordinator
Jolene Dykstra Mobilization Coordinator
Born and raised in the Great White North (a.k.a. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), Jolene has taught and led teams in eight countries on three continents and is currently based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. When she’s not out teaching, Jolene scours as much of Canada’s 9.9 million square kilometers as she can to find the best English teachers available for overseas adventures. A long-suffering but exuberant Oilers fan, she loves photography, having people over, and Starbucks!!
Julia Cichowitz
Mobilization Specialist
Julia Cichowitz Mobilization Specialist
Curating Spotify playlists, discussing social theory, or reminiscing about life in Uganda can easily distract me. I am enthused by the enneagram, a good book, a song to dance to, a trail to hike, a river to raft, a mountain to ski, and a person to talk to. I find any excuse to wear my penguin suit, play games, subscribe to a podcast, watch A River Runs Through It, or call my siblings. I believe avocados belong in everything, Biola is the best school and sociology the best major, and that you should work overseas.
Kailey Loper
Candidate Advisor
Kailey Loper Candidate Advisor
Being a Nebraska native, I recently traded the cornfields of my homeland for the vast beauty of the Rocky Mountains. My passion for people is undeniable. I love the depth that lies within each person’s unique story. My role at ELIC is a dream, as I am able to cross paths with so many individuals who desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Be fully prepared for deep laughter, attempts at accents, movie trivia, and encouragement. Let’s make an impact in this world together!
Kyle Wormser
Candidate Advisor
Kyle Wormser Candidate Advisor
I was born in Colorado, have lived in Hawaii, Montana, and Southern California and am currently back "home" in beautiful Colorado. My favorite things in life include connecting over a delicious meal with my incredible wife, being goofy with my 2 kiddos, collecting Patagonia jackets, fly fishing on an open river, and practicing simplicity. In the words of famed Nacho Libre (accent included), "I luv my lyyfe."
Additionally, with 10 years management experience, multiple years working as a life-alignment counselor, and an M.A. in Spiritual Formation, I'm passionate about helping both people and systems operate according to their highest potential. I love the energy, camaraderie, creativity, and spiritedness of our department and am enthusiastic about championing leaders to live their unique calling.
Laura Heckman
Senior Manager, Short-term Programs
Laura Heckman Senior Manager, Short-term Programs
Native to Colorado, naturally, I love all things outdoors including hiking, camping, and backpacking. But my favorite thing is to be with my husband and son spending quality time together. I consider myself to be pretty right-brained—I love to do artwork, sing, and play the piano. Before being with ELIC, I worked in fields like sports marketing and retail management but love what I get to do now!
Fun Fact
I was once trampled by my high school football team as they ran onto the field. #iwasokay #justhurtmypride
Lauren Kemp
Project Manager, Mobilization
Lauren Kemp Project Manager, Mobilization
I grew up in Oregon, went to school in Chicago, and taught with ELIC in Laos for 4 years before moving to Colorado to work in the home office. Having met my husband, Andrew, while teaching overseas, we share a love of travel, experiencing different cultures, and trying new, global cuisines. On the weekends I can typically be found scouring Craigslist for mid-century modern furniture in need of refinishing or on a hike in the mountains with Andrew and our 2 dogs. I love my current role because I get to help mobilize people to be a part of something that’s bigger than themselves.
Madison Cawthon
Logistics Coordinator
Madison Cawthon Logistics Coordinator
After 22 years of living in Texas, I moved to the Rocky Mountains to start living my best life. 2 years ago I started working for ELIC and you could describe my role here as my "dream job" as it encompasses all the things I'm passionate about—cultures, languages, travel, education and people. And coffee :) We drink a lot of coffee here. When I’m not working, you can usually find me enjoying quality time with friends, spending time outside, or working on building the ultimate Spotify playlist.
Rae Schrick
Candidate Advisor
Rae Schrick Candidate Advisor
An advocate of all things good, I am passionate about diversity, inclusion, and street tacos. In 2015, I taught English in Northern India and found that I learned the most while I was teaching and that every person has a place and every story is worth hearing. I love mobilizing others to experience that same phenomenon. You can catch me listening to music that makes me feel things, educating others on the Bee Crisis (look it up, seriously), and telling my puppy Wylie how much I love him.
Sarah Arbogast
Logistics & Administrative Specialist
Sarah Arbogast Logistics & Administrative Specialist
Having lived in the two best states in America, North Carolina and Colorado, I don’t have much to complain about. Traveling the world, eating Thai food, playing ukulele, and backpacking are some of my favorite things. But my biggest accomplishments in life include, getting a BA in Psychology from Queens University of Charlotte, beating Panic at the Disco in ping pong, eating mussels in Brussels, and becoming a master at acquiring visas for our teachers overseas. Send me your passport photo and I can tell you if it will be accepted or denied.
Wes Jones
Candidate Advisor
Wes Jones Candidate Advisor
My name is Wes and I'm a Candidate Advisor with our long-term programs. I love what I do! The best part about my job is the fact that I get to help guide people on a journey that the Father has set before them. I get to come alongside them to help with the practical pieces of preparation, but I also get the opportunity to speak truth and see a person or family grow in their faith as they prepare to go overseas.
For fun, you can find me wrestling with my 4 boys, and watching movies with my lovely wife Melanie.