About OnRamp
OnRamp is a 501c3 non-profit corporation founded in Texas in January 2017 for the purpose of helping individuals and families in the Brazos Valley who are in urgent need of reliable transportation. We work with local charities and religious organizations to identify ideal candidates who have demonstrated sincere effort to become self-sufficient, but who lack reliable transportation or the funds to procure it. Our donors, partners, and volunteers help us find and purchase reliable vehicles which we donate to our clients, along with a full year of free maintenance to help each client on their journey towards self-sufficiency.
In 2021, our Brazos Valley OnRamp helped launch an affiliate, OnRampDFW, serving the Dallas/Ft Worth area.
Our Process
The OnRamp process always begins with an advocate who nominates potential clients to our ministry. If the nomination is approved, each client completes an application and undergoes an interview accompanied by their advocate. OnRamp carefully evaluates every applicant. If accepted into the program, every client must complete a custom list of action steps before qualifying for a vehicle. These could include receiving financial literacy training, opening a bank account, seeing a counselor, or a host of other possible steps that help each client make progress towards his or her goals. Once action steps are complete, OnRamp raises funds to purchase, prepare, and then donate a great vehicle for free to the client. At this point, the client enters OnRamp’s “first-year care” where we maintain the vehicle free of charge for twelve months so long as the client meets a few standard conditions. During this year of maintenance, our Client Care team continues to connect with each client and provide resources and connections to help build savings, deepen relationships, and accomplish goals.
Our Staff
Blake Jennings
Founder and President
Stephanie Mason
Operations Director
Cassidy Somervill
Communications Director
Cassidy and her husband, Jordan, moved to the Bryan-College Station area in 2017 thinking it would be a temporary home. But they fell in love with the community. Cassidy and her family are members of Brazos Fellowship where she volunteers in the children’s ministry. She serves as OnRamp’s Communications Director, helping the organization communicate well with clients, advocates, and the community at large. She and Jordan have been married for 4 years and have two young daughters.
Taylor Carlson
Care Director
Taylor, a graduate of Biola University’s Music in Worship program, brings significant experience in vocational ministry. Taylor has partnered with multiple nonprofits and charities, including OnRamp over the years, to care for families in need. “I have a desire to help people meet Jesus in practical ways. It’s hard to focus on your spiritual health if your physical, mental, and emotional health are in distress." She has served OnRamp as an advocate, a Client Care Committee volunteer, a member of the Board of Directors, and now as a staff member. Taylor has lived in College Station since marrying her husband, Brandon, in 2017. In 2023, they welcomed triplets into their family!
Our Board of Directors
Catherine Cole - Board Chair
Dr. Cole has 20 years of practice experience in the faith-based, nonprofit sector leading domestic anti-poverty programs, tackling international short-term assignments including fraud examination, and strategic and financial planning. Still a social worker at heart, her passion is helping individuals and organizations be their best through data and evidence. Catherine was thrilled to join OnRamp’s Board of Directors after leading a capstone project through the Bush School of Government and Public Service. She brings an enthusiasm for bridging social justice and performance. Catherine feels the grace and love of God daily through her husband Keith. They live in Bryan with their two sweet, but naughty, puppies Estee Lauder and Jessie Jane.
Matt Ege - Treasurer
Matt brings his expertise in auditing, process, and controls to the role of Treasurer for OnRamp. He is currently an Associate Professor of Accounting with TAMU’s Mays Business School where he teaches auditing and executes research related to auditors, audit committees, and regulators. He completed his undergrad and Masters degrees at TAMU and a PhD at the University of Texas. In addition to raising their three children, Matt and his wife Kim serve in a variety of ministries and organizations in the BCS area. Matt is excited about helping alleviate poverty in the local community through the provision of (1) reliable vehicles and (2) other resources that enable financial self-sufficiency.
Donald Delgado - Secretary
A Bryan native and Texas A&M University and UT Law alum, Donald practices law at West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, P.C., the firm that set up OnRamp pro bono. Donald brings immense legal experience to our board which will help build an even stronger foundation for future ministry. He's also a first-generation college graduate and fluent Spanish speaker. Most importantly, he is passionate to share the grace of God with families in need through the gift of reliable transportation.
Ryan Poehl
Ryan serves as the Community and Care Pastor of Grace Bible Church’s Southwood Campus. He brings to OnRamp nearly two decades of ministry experience particularly focused on caring for people and families in need and connecting them with resources in the community and in the church. Before moving to his current role, Ryan led Grace’s Youth Impact ministry which partners with parents of under-resourced youth to aid in developing their students into followers of Christ who will be the leaders of our community. He brings that passion for discipleship and service to OnRamp’s board and focuses his efforts on building our partnerships with sponsoring organizations who bring us clients. Ryan and his wife Andrea are proud parents of twins.
Tiffany Thompson
Tiffany brings her experience as a former OnRamp client to both our Board of Directors and our Client Committee where she helps our team understand how best to care for those we serve. She helps lead the Brazos Valley chapter of Pretty Brown Girl, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering Black and Brown girls by encouraging self-acceptance while cultivating social, emotional & intellectual well-being. She loves to lend her hand to any individual, group or organization in the community who needs it, and lives by her grandfathers favorite mantra, “In order to be a good friend, one must show themselves friendly.”
Crystal Grimes
Crystal brings two decades of service to the OnRamp board. After serving as a Marine in Iraq, she completed a Criminal Justice degree from Sam Houston State and now serves as an Investigator with the Department of Family and Protective Services where she’s able to be a voice for children and families that may feel voiceless. She is also a member of New Jerusalem MBC in Bryan where she sings in the choir. She serves as Chair of the Connection and Social Action committee of Rho Phi Omega, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She hopes through OnRamp to be even more of a light to families experiencing dark times.
Austin Rogers
Austin earned his bachelor's degree in Cinema & Media Arts from Biola University and went on to receive a master of fine arts degree in Creative Writing from Western State Colorado University. After a five-year stint as a licensed real estate agent, Austin shifted careers to finance writing. He now writes public articles for the investing website, Seeking Alpha, as well as for the subscription-based investment research service, High Yield Landlord, combining his passion for writing with his interest and experience in real estate. One of his biggest non-financial writing projects has been the book, The Third Temptation: Rethinking the Role of the Church in Politics, which exhorts Christians to play a greater role in poverty relief. Austin lives in his namesake city of Austin, Texas, with his wife Heather and their two terrier mutts.
Some of our Volunteers
Bettye Bullock - Client Care
Bettye is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor with a degree in social work. She worked with families of children with disabilities as a case manager and advocate for over 30 yrs. Her role was to empower families by providing assistance with accessing community, state/federal programs, and advocacy in the schools. She provided training with the TX Dept of State Health Services Case Management Program. Bettye was a Debriefer for first responders after natural disasters. After retiring from the state, Bettye worked with hospice as a Medical Social Worker providing support to families and patients during this emotional time. God gave her this opportunity to pray and minister with patients and their families. Bettye joined OnRamp as an interviewer with the Client Care Committee which gives her the opportunity to use her knowledge and skills to empower OnRamp clients.
Rami Cerone - Vehicle ACQUISITIONS
Rami volunteers as the Head of Vehicle Acquisitions for OnRamp, which is the perfect blend of his love for cars and his knack for serving people. Rami graduated from Texas A&M University in 1995 and shortly thereafter opened an Italian restaurant in downtown Bryan. For the past 27 years, Caffè Capri has been a staple in the community, offering a place for great food and good conversation. Rami first met Blake through their mutual love of Miatas and he has been blessed to provide his expertise and feedback to OnRamp since the beginning. Rami loves being a part of OnRamp’s ministry because it gives him a way to serve the Lord and others while enjoying one of his greatest passions: cars. Rami is happily married to Erin and is a proud father of his teenage daughter, Rossi. The Cerone family resides in Bryan, Texas.
Jeremy Smith - Vehicle REPAIRS
Jeremy developed a passion for cars at a young age. He learned the basics of auto repair at age nine from a very patient neighbor, and pulled his first engine by age eleven! He has worked in the automotive industry his entire adult life. He is a master level technician, able to tackle the most complex electrical and computer failures. He owned his own repair shop for six years, and is now blessed to have a strong career with Christian Brothers Automotive as the General Manager of the Bryan/College Station stores. He began to serve with OnRamp three years ago, helping to assess and coordinate vehicle repairs for OnRamp’s ever-growing fleet of donated vehicles. For his service, Jeremy received the 2022 Lighthouse Award from Christian Brothers Corporate, a national recognition that was well deserved.
Joe DeWolf - Vehicle ACQUISITIONS
Joe serves as one of the primary vehicle locators and buyers for OnRamp, which fits well with his job as owner of Cen-Tex Ridefinders, a small dealership in Central Texas (they can be reached at Centexridefinders@gmail.com). Born in Bamberg, Germany and raised in a U.S. Army family, Joe enlisted in the Army and served in Bosnia, Korea and three combat tours to the Middle East during his 20+ years in the service. He is the recipient of two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Valor for heroism in combat. Joe retired in 2017 after 21 years and now resides in Colorado and Texas with his wife of 22 years, Chrissy. Joe’s interest in cars was inherited from his father. When he was injured by an IED in Iraq in 2007, he purchased a BMW during his recovery, used it for the summer, then sold it for a quick profit. This led to his current career and his service to OnRamp.