Leadership
Executive Team
Jonathan Evans
CMCA President
Education:
B.A., Washington Bible College
M.Div and Master of Theology, Capital Bible Seminary
Jon joined Good News Jail & Prison Ministry as the third President in the 54 year history of the organization in September 2013.
Karen Swanson
Education:
B.A., Calvin College and Cornerstone University
M.A., Western Michigan University
Ed. D., Curriculum Leadership, Northern Illinois University
Karen has been the Director of the Correctional Ministries Institue (CMI), Wheaton College Billy Graham Center since 2005.
Vanessa Gardner
CMCA Vice President
Education:
M.A., Criminal Justice
Ordained Pastor & Chaplain
Continuing Education: Wheaton College–Pastoral Counseling & Reentry Certifications
Vanessa Gardner is the Centralized Claim Management Coordinator for Client Dedicated Avant Specialty Benefits. Vanessa has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Correctional Ministry and specializes as a Community Liaison.
Romney Ruder
CMCA Treasurer
Education:
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership, Pepperdine University
M.B.A., Texas A&M University
B.S., Illinois State University
Romney Ruder is the President of Lifeline Global Ministries, dedicated to working with the incarcerated and their families (http://lifelineglobal.org).
Ilinda Jackson
Education:
B.A., Biblical Studies
B.S., Organizational Leadership
M.A., Applied Behavior Studies
Under supervision as a LPC and LADC
Ilinda Jackson is Regional Chaplain for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Pastor of the Secret Place Community Church, and founder and CEO of Raising the Standard Ministries, Inc.
Evelyn Lemly
CMCA President Emeritus
Education:
B.S., North Carolina State University
M.B.A., Columbia Business School, Columbia University
Evelyn Lemly is the CEO of Kairos Prison Ministry International (“Kairos”) serving over 500 communities in ten countries utilizing over 30,000 volunteers.
Advisory Council
Don Allsman – CEO/ Completion Global, Inc.
Charles Anderson-CEO, Epiphany Life Change
Doug Cupery – Director of Church Mobilization, Crossroads Prison Ministries
Tim Curington–Executive Director, Prison Alliance
Vance Drum – Prison Seminaries Foundation/ret. Dir. of Chaplaincy Operations, TX DOJ
Johnny Frambo – Retired, Chief of Chaplaincy Services, Florida DOC/Prison Seminaries Foundation
Melanie Griffin– Director, Prison & Ministry Connect, Global Leadership Network
William Harrison– Executive Director, New Creation
Mark Inch– Retired Secretary of Corrections, state of Florida
Peter Kim – Licensed Social Worker, Lake County Health Dept, Associate Director, CMI
Stacey Palmer– President/CEO, Prison Fellowship Canada
Sammy Perez– Sr. Director Grass Roots & Reintegration, Prison Fellowship
Joe Pryor-President & CEO, Crossroads Prison Ministries
Jeff Shafer – Founder, CEO Commongood Capital
Greg von Tobel-Founder/President, Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministry