Bob Swertfager

President

Bob is a partner at Solve Technologies, an IT Consulting Company, and lives in Kennesaw, GA with his wife Cindy. He is a Mission Team Coordination Member at Mars Hill Community Church and has been taking trips to the Dominican Republic through his church and in partnership with FCA since 2016. In 2021, he stepped up to the roll of acting president of the Board and counts it a privilege to be able to be take an active role in support of the ministry of FCA DR.

Mike Shaheen

Founder

Mike and Jodi Shaheen moved to the Dominican Republic in 2011 with their two children, Wyman and Gracie, to establish the foundation Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the DR. They lived and served alongside the coaches and communities in the areas of Boca Chica and San Pedro de Macoris for 6 years while growing and discipling the FCA DR staff. The Shaheens currently reside in Mableton, Georgia where they continue to raise awareness and partners for FCA DR.

Jake Ware

Board Member

Jake lives in Atlanta with his wife Amy and two children. He is a lawyer and sports agent, representing pro athletes, including baseball players from the Dominican Republic. Jake has spent a lot of time in the DR, including interning at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo after college; he also speaks Spanish. He is honored to be a part of bringing awareness to the ministry of FCA DR since 2016.

Tom Swartz

Board Member

Tom and his wife Brenda live in Corinth, TX. Tom met the Terreros in the Summer of 2022 while on a vision mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Tom works full time as the area director for Texoma Valley in North Texas. Before receiving a call to go into ministry, Tom worked 32 years in public education as a coach and teacher and spent the majority of his career as an administrator. Throughout his career he was always was involved FCA. Brenda works in the airport logistics business for a major worldwide company as a Senior Bid and Proposal manager. Their children are all grown and in the workforce. Their grandchildren are 8 and 2. The Texoma Valley Board, the area, along with Tom, are committed to help grow the ministry in the DR and praying daily, giving, and going annually.

Jeff Hughes

Board Member

Jeff is has lived in Loganville, GA for 28 years with his wife of 29 years, Sabrina. They have two children, Connor (26) and Caroline (21). Jeff has spent 20+ years in the financial services industry and almost 7 years in the community and property management industry. Both kids played college sports and Jeff had been coaching in their community for 20+ years. Jeff became an FCA Community Baseball coach in 2009, has gone on and led mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and supported and volunteered with FCA since then. In 2020 while on a coaches marriage retreat with FCA, a conversation began that led to Jeff leaving his career and go on staff with FCA full-time. Jeff joined the FCA DR board in 2022.

Rey Essex

Board Member

Rey is an entrepreneur, mentor and investor living in Greenville, SC with wife Tricia. They have four kids; Laura (NYC), Clare (recent college grad), Ben (University of Georgia) and Will (Elon University). Rey met Director Miguel Terrero on a school baseball trip with YWAM in the Dominican Republic in 2016 where they literally were able to see “eye to eye” (at 6' 8")and became good friends. Rey joined the FCA DR board in 2021 so that he can be even more involved in supporting this fantastic mission.

Board Members

Michael McCatherine

Board Member

Michael leads innovation at Chick-fil-A, helping the organization transform its ideas into business value. He resides in GA with his family and is honored to play an active role in the ministry of FCA DR.

Bob Swertfager

Board Member

Bob is a partner at Solve Technologies, an IT Consulting Company, and lives in Kennesaw, GA. He is also a Mission Team Coordination Member at Mars Hill Community Church and counts it a priviledge to be able to be take an active role in support of the ministry of FCA DR.

Alex Thykeson

Board Member

Alex lives with his wife, Ansley, in Atlanta, Ga and works as an Analyst for Georgia-Pacific. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he has ever since become an avid Bulldawgs fan. Alex attended Wesleyan High School where he played outfield for Coach Mike Shaheen and was a member of Shaheen’s bible study during his time there.

Clint Tykeson

Board Member

Clint is retired after 21 years as a Lt Col USAF pilot and 26 years as a Delta Air Lines Captain. He currently volunteers at a Wesleyan School and serves on the FCA DR board, along with his son Alex, helping to spread the word and passion about the ministry of FCA in the Dominican Republic.

Jake Ware

Board Member

Jake is an attorney practicing law in midtown Atlanta. He worked for a summer at the American Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Rebulic, and is honored to be a part of bringing awareness to the ministry of FCA DR.