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The Board

Just because a child’s parents are poor or uneducated is no reason to deprive the child of basic human rights to health care, education and proper nutrition.
– Marian Wright Edelman

Here you will read about the incredibly faithful (crazy?) people on the board of Six Baer Essentials.  Their journey to now is a testimony to their passion for life and reaching out to those less fortunate than themselves.

Tom Baer

In preparation for this role in Ethiopia, God has given him experience in repairing everything from bicycles to excavators, small business ownership and management, and construction. Prior to moving to Ethiopia, Tom pastored a church in upstate NY, and attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Since September 2009, Tom has been engaged in learning Amharic,the Ethiopian national language, and working on various projects connected to the ministries of the Baer family.

Tom has served in many different roles in the church, including finance, trustees, VBS leadership, and choir. He was also a member of a Gospel quartet for several years before leaving the Western New York area to attend Seminary. He has worked with Habitat for Humanity, Rails to Trails, the Jamestown Audubon Society, and has spent a winter in Florida working with the Nomads, a United Methodist Group. He has served internationally in Haiti (2004 and 2005), and traveled to Kazakhstan (2003) and Ethiopia (2008).

Tom holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Jamestown Community college, and has taken classes in Christian Studies at both Asbury Seminary and Elim Bible Institute.

Sally Baer

A diversified career includes retail management with Eastern Mountain Sports and Timberland, project management with ACNielsen working with Kraft General Foods, L’Oreal and Maybelline and executive recruiter for Fortune 100 companies has helped prepare her for a role as project manager and developer of the Six Baer Essentials in  Ethiopia.

Sally has spent years researching and taking classes in Education and in the last 7 years, general Christian Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary and Elim Bible Institute. To compliment her Masters degree in Sociology from SUNY Stony Brook (1994), Sally will completed a certificate in Christian Ministries from Elim Bible Institute in June 2010. Sally also has numerous certificates in the area of holistic health, massage therapy, and Doula (Birth assistance).

Sally has served internationally in Ukraine (1995), Haiti (2002 and 2004), England/France (1985) and has traveled to Kazakhstan (2003) and Ethiopia (2008) to complete two international adoptions. Sally has served in a food pantry, small group ministries, and taught adult Christian Ed courses.

Christine DeLoach

Christine DeLoach is a Global Business Development Manager at Cisco Systems. Prior to joining Cisco, she held numerous roles with increasing responsibility in sales and operation at GTE and Verizon Business.

Christine has served as Corporate Relations Committee Chairperson of the New York City chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Christine has provided pro-bono consultative services as a team leader for the Harlem Small Business Initiative, part of the William J. Clinton Foundation Economic Opportunity Initiative in New York, NY in conjunction with NBMAA, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the New York Stern School of Business.

Christine holds a Bachelor in Science in Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business in Dallas, TX.

Christine resides in Chicago with her son Nathan, age 4, adopted from Ethiopia November 2008.

Justin Darling

Justin Darling is the Hydro. Supervisor – FERC Compliance for the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). Prior to this position Justin served for 16 years in various positions, with the most recent position being Chief of Police for the City of Delphi, Indiana.

Justin is a non-vocational pastor at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana where he and his family have attended for the past 16 years. Justin currently serves as President of the Delphi Public Library Board of Directors and has served on the Boards of the Carroll County Local Emergency Planning Council, 42^nd Royal Highlanders and other organizations

Justin holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Ball State University, a Bachelor Degree in General Studies with Certificate in Emergency Management from Indian University and is pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University.

Justin is married to Melissa who is a stay at home Mom and home educator. He has four children: Hannah 14, Elijah 12, Israel 7 and Abeba 3 who was adopted from Ethiopia in January 2009.

Robin Rankin

Robin Rankin is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to four children, three of which are Ethiopian born. Along with being a Mom, Robin has a strong passion for giving voice to and serving the underprivileged.

Prior to making the decision to be a stay-at-home mom, Robin worked as Office Manager at her husband’s small business in Troutman, NC. Her responsibilities included all Human Resource and Bookkeeping functions. Prior to that, she worked in Project Management at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC for 6 ½ years.

Robin volunteers at her church, and is on the Orphan and PLACE Ministry teams. She is also a registered Assistant Boy Scout Leader and has earned her Powderhorn Adult Leader Award.

Robin graduated in 2000 with an Associates Degree in Arts from Central Community College in Charlotte, NC and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration/Marketing from Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Robin is married to David Rankin, owner of Moulder Services, Inc, in Troutman, NC. She has three step-children: DJ 29, Debby 26, and Shawn 23. Four children currently at home: Matthew 11, Sy 8, Selam 5 and Della, 4.