OnRamp has discovered both through research and experience that a diverse Board of Directors yields better decisions and greater impact. Diverse life experiences, skills, ages, and racial and socio-economic backgrounds are crucial to discerning how best to serve people in need. This week, God blessed OnRamp with the addition of three diverse and highly skilled Board members who I’m thrilled to introduce to you…
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.
TAYLOR CARLSON
Taylor, a graduate of Biola University’s Music in Worship program returned to her home state of Texas after a few years in California. She now serves as the Care & Community Outreach Director at Brazos Fellowship where she and her husband, Brandon, have attended since their marriage in 2017. In her role on staff at the church, Taylor partners with multiple ministries and charities, including OnRamp, 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. Care Network bridges this gap, and helps people meet Jesus by helping them meet these needs.” She has served OnRamp as both an advocate, bringing clients to OnRamp, and a Client Care Committee member, interviewing and screening new clients.
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.
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After a week of intense racially-motivated violence in our nation (shootings in Buffalo and California), we are grateful to get to partner as a diverse group bonded together by the love of Christ and the desire to serve the hurting. I love this board! And fun fact: I’m not on it! For the sake of integrity and accountability, I stepped down from the board when I went on staff so that there is a clear distinction between staff and volunteer board leadership. These folks are my bosses, and I am privileged to submit to them!