Reverend Gail Sutton, Calling to Action: Faith-Based Organizations to Help with Disaster Relief

Gail Sutton is the First Lady of Jackson Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. Gregory A. Sutton is Senior Pastor. She desires to operate totally in the will of God by not only being a hearer of His Word, but also a doer of His Word. She has hosted a Christian television show called “In His Hands” that aired weekly on Atlanta’s WATC – TV57. Reverend Sutton was given a vision twelve years ago to start a women’s ministry, “Women of Helping Hands” which has adopted schools in the community.

Bonnie also started Project Seraphims, a nonprofit organization consisting of three primary programs: Seraphim Learning Center – an early development academy; School of Seraphims – a private, Christian elementary school with special programs for children with learning disabilities; and House of Seraphims – a center for homeless women and children.  As the wife of a Pastor, First Lady Gail strives to walk in a countenance that reflects the presence of the Lord in her life.  She has a sincere heart for God’s people and she believes, “God never asks about our ability or inability…just our Availability!”

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Dr. Bob Winford, Political consultant, commentator, and strategist

Since 1967 Bob Winford has been political consultant and strategist for more than 650 campaigns. He has written and produced hundreds of radio and television commercials, and authored more than 12,000 political brochures, flyers, tabloids and newspaper advertisements.

Bob has traveled with presidential candidates as political advisor, photographer, and writer, working in the Iowa Caucuses, and political events from Florida to California. He has said, “I am especially interested in tough, contested races and prefer local campaigns where grassroots politics reign.” Many candidates have attributed his volunteer recruitment program as the key to winning on Election Day. Candidates seeking political office are successfully using the method and are intrigued by his his political creativity and its application to print and electronic media.

Bob has a B.S., a Master of Arts, and an Oxford University Doctorate in Philosphy. He co-hosted “Morning in America,”, a Monday – Friday 6am-9am News/Talk radio show originating in Washington, D.C., and was broadcasting live when the World Trade Center Towers were hit on 9-11. He is a member of the popular “Arm Chair Politics” radio show originating from station WKUF, Kettering University, Flint, Michigan.

Bob has spoken at rallies and film festivals promoting major Billy Graham Crusades. He is a guest speaker at political rallies, workshops, conventions, and forums throughout the United States and is a political commentator on radio and television.

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Chuck Eckenberg Telecommunications

“Uncle Chuck” Eckenberg has over 30 years executive experience in the telecommunications industry. He has held executive management and senior consulting positions with AT&T Canada, Sprint USA, Reliance InfoComm (Mumbai India) and ComNet USA. His experience encompasses the buildout and launch of numerous inbound/outbound telemarketing centers worldwide which entailed the seamless interface to other departmental activities on a global basis.

Chuck’s expertise in preparing advertising and direct response marketing initiatives has endeared him to major national, international and Fortune 1000 corporations. Additionally, Chuck holds a BA degree from the University of Nebraska and is an ex-Marine.  Currently semi-retired, he provides direction to individuals and groups experiencing fast growth challenges.

Chuck speaks at industry seminars and conferences about digital video broadcasting and developing webinar programs. His hobby as an avid amateur Texas Hold-em poker player led to the development of a radio talk show during the 2007 & 2008 Harrah’s World Series of Poker shown on ESPN. Chuck hosted his own radio talk show on KLAV1230 radio in Las Vegas called ”Poker Talk Today”.

Chuck is currently the CEO of www.sell.ibuzzpro.com, a voice broadcasting software company serving the SMB marketplace to help businesses to develop leads and new customers for their respective organizations through the use of internet based software and solutions platforms. Uncle Chuck is welcome addition to the Operation Restoration board.

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Franklin A. McMinn, Political and Business Consultant

Franklin A. McMinn is an accomplished consultant and leader in local and state government affairs. His mission is to facilitate the communication of Operation Restoration disaster relief plan with State legislators and members of Congress. His goal is to introduce solutions (procedures and regulations) that will help change systems to save thousands from losing their homes.

Franklin A. McMinn has been a lobbyist for a variety of GA businesses and served the members of NFIB and the GA Chamber of Commerce. He has been instrumental in impacting Economic Development in West Georgia counties by connecting key leaders in business, financial institutions and government agencies for the purpose of planning Atlanta Metro expansion into previously agricultural areas.

Frank has served as the National Director of Dealer Seminars for one of the world’s largest direct sales organizations, as Executive Director for a statewide healthcare association and as a VP of Business Development for a startup radiology software company. He attended post-graduate work at University of Georgia, received his B.S. in Marketing with honors from MTSU and graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. His company, Northstar Group Consulting, Ltd. packages guaranteed loans for businesses through banks that participate in SBA and USDA programs. He is a passionate leader, political activist, humanitarian, motivational speaker, educator, and businessman.

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Fred Watson, Cause-Marketing Consultant, Founder of the International Campaign for Victory over Violence USA

Fred Watson passionately supports Operation Restoration because of the associated and resulting violence: domestic, crime, vandalism, and the most heartbreaking, suicide.  He has designed training and community mobilization tools which enroll diverse cultures to socio-economically work together, resolve conflicts and reduce community violence.

The name brand has been adopted by governors, mayors, universities, colleges, school systems and communities to include USA and abroad: GA, AL, MI, TN, CA, AK, MA, D.C., England, Japan, France, Russia, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fred’s mission, to engage youth and adult survivors of all forms of violence, has resulted in participation of a reported 12 million people over the past 15 years.

His cause marketing efforts include “Just Say Wait-True Love Waits” (S. Baptist) “Just Say No” (former First Lady Nancy Reagan), Missing Children On Bags (United Grocers Assoc.) and Atlanta Religious Mobilization Against Crime (ARMAC), the latter involving 149 churches, mosques and synagogues in collaboration with education, law enforcement and social service groups. as well as numerous business and local officials.

Fred has consulted entities such as U.S. Military, AT&T, Boys & Girls Clubs, Charitable Connections, other businesses, and local officials. He is founder of Dads on Duty Crusade and hosts a live weekly TV Show.  Fred chairs Victory Music, Entertainment & Communications Italy, UK and Africa.  Past and present Georgia Governors designate May as “Victory Month” statewide. He has been awarded the International Liberty Award, the Gandhi Foundation USA Service Award among others.

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Cal Crutchfield, Executive Director, Transition House

Under Cal Crutchfield’s leadership over the past 10 years, Transition House has consistently been recognized for its rehabilitation and support of homeless men, women, and children.  Transition House now provides services to 123 homeless clients, 90 of which are Veterans.

Cal has dedicated his life to serving those who have experienced traumatic hardship and the less fortunate.  His work has resulted in growth from 4 houses to 22 facilities and family style living units with donated funds exceeding $1 million.  Cal’s first exposure to substance abuse, was in 1971 when he was appointed Director (NCOIC) of the Military’s first “Drug Treatment and Control” program at Fort Hood, TX.

The facility treated over 50% of all Vietnam veterans who were tested positive for drugs and were returning from war.  Since then he has developed empowerment prevention programs to change behavior, creating and promoting curricula and models for national prevention and education.  Cal’s papers have been published in professional journals.

Cal has a a Masters of Science Adult Education & Community Services and a Bachelors of Science in Human Relations & Business Administration.  Cal supports Operation Restoration to serve veterans, to prevent homelessness and to provide education so that people will have the tools to make informed decisions.

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Carlton Young, Author and Motivational Speaker

Carlton N. Young, is an author, motivational speaker, and the founder of Life Empowerment Network International.  He has a Doctor of Biblical Studies Degree from the North Carolina College of Theology.

During a 22-year duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, Carlton was awarded the “Soldiers Medal for Heroism.” for action in a Vietnam combat line unit. He also served in the first Gulf War.  A plethora of uncontrollable circumstances led to Carlton’s 3-year life as a homeless man with a small son.  Today, he travels across the country sharing his story of survival on the streets – a heart wrenching story also chronicled in his book titled “From Home to Homeless to Success”.

Carlton inspires people how to survive difficult situations and teaches the principles of positive attitude, perseverance, self-love, and most of all – faith.  He encourages people to find success in each endeavor.  Carlton is a living example of how one can make “lemonade out of lemons”.

Carlton supports Operation Restoration because of his association with the homeless community. “Homelessness does not just affect people with addictions, mental illness or those dealing with domestic violence. Today it’s not who is homeless; rather who are now at risk of being homeless?” He believes that the most effective bailout in our nation today is an investment in the minds of those facing the loss of their jobs and their homes.

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