Board of Directors
Janet Michel
Founder and President
Janet has worked in the non-profit sector since 2000 with various organizations, focused on bringing hope into Latin America. Her professional background, prior to 2000, has been in administration and sales.
Joe Bottorff, D.Div
Board Member Emeritus
Joe is a retired pastor of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, presently serving as Assistant to the Superintendent of the Central District. His involvement with missions in South America began several years ago. Joe has been with Bridges of Hope since it’s beginning in 2007, as a member of the Board of Directors and regularly travels with his wife, Georgia on mission trips to Central and South America. He is also owner of DOC Real Estate, Inc. in Greenwood, IN.
Heather Bottorff
Board Member
Heather Bottorff has been involved as a volunteer with Bridges of Hope for several years, participating in fundraising initiatives and on international trips. Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Therapy. She is the Managing Broker for DOC Real Estate, Inc. in Greenwood, IN. She is involved as a lay leader in her local church, sings in the choir, and has three children.
Ed Kilroy
Board Member
Ed began serving with Bridges of Hope International in 2014 on a humanitarian team. He currently serves as the lead for the Humanitarian Projects Leadership Team. He holds a B.S. degree in Journalism from Ball State University. Ed serves in children’s and homeless ministry at Bridgeway Community Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. Ed, his wife, and three children have a passion for serving others.
Joe Lee
Board Member
Joe graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Biology and a M.S. in Information Systems. He currently owns and manages an after-school math and reading center in Fishers, Indiana, providing academic support to about 200 students. He and his family attend Grace Church in Noblesville. Joe joined the Board of Directors in 2015 and has traveled on mission trips to El Salvador and Colombia. He participates in short-term missions and other missional opportunities.
Julio Valencia
Board Member
Julio Valencia is from San Salvador, El Salvador. He is married and has two children. His bilingual skills, administrative background, spiritual guidance, and cultural perspective has contributed to the growth of Bridges of Hope in El Salvador since 2011. Julio holds an earned degree in Electrical Engineering. He is the founder and Pastor of Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana Soyapango of Assemblies of God. In 2017, he was elected as Executive Director of Liceos Cristianos Rev. Juan Bueno. The Christian school network is comprised of 37 schools throughout El Salvador with an enrollment of approximately 14,000 students and 800 professionals on the staff.
Bridges of Hope Staff
Dave Michel
Humanitarian Projects – International & Domestic Support
Dave was a Pharmaceutical Representative for Abbott Laboratories for 30 years. He has served with Bridges of Hope International since 2007. He has traveled on numerous International Medical and Humanitarian trips and currently serves on the Leadership support team. Dave is also a member of the Billy Graham Rapid Response team, a Chaplain Ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Dave and Janet are members of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, Dallas, Texas.
Dana Heiniger
Administration
Dana began serving with Bridges of Hope in 2007 as the Administrator of the organization. She has a B.A. degree from Taylor University. Dana serves in children’s ministries at Grace Church, Fishers campus.
Ed Kilroy
Director of BOH Inner City
Technology Team
Teegan Heiniger
Teegan is currently a plumbing and HVAC Field Engineer at R.T. Moore. He enjoys being outside in God’s creation whether that be climbing, fishing, camping, or playing sports. Teegan serves in Production Arts at Grace Church Fishers running sound and playing the bass guitar. He has also served with Bridges of Hope in Guatemala, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
Claire Michel
Claire is currently a student at Taylor University studying Public Relations, Marketing, and Spanish. She enjoys running, baking, and spending time with her friends and family. Claire has served at Taylor as the Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, a small group leader, and President of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She has also served on several mission trips with Bridges of Hope in Guatemala, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic.
International Leadership Team
Efren Senior Locarno Florez
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR COLOMBIA
Gerardo Aparicio
International Leadership Team Panama
Gerardo Aparicio was born in Panama, but at 12 months old moved to Chicago with his family and lived there until 1997, when he returned to Panama with his family. He is a graduate of the Technical University of Panama, with a Computer Systems Degree. At present he is a Pastor and loves teaching the Word of God. His passion is to challenge individuals to pursue a personal relationship with God, in order that they might experience their purpose for why they are on this earth. He is passionate about engaging others to use their God-given talents, abilities and gifts to serve God and others. Gerardo is a great asset to Bridges of Hope International as he is fluent in English, has a heart to serve others, and is a very effective administrator and team player. He is married and enjoys living and serving near his parents, who are missionaries in Panama.
Nanci Raquel Cruz
International Leadership Team Guatemala
Nanci Cruz is from Guatemala City, Guatemala, and began serving with Bridges of Hope International as a translator in approximately 2013. Nanci is a part of our International Advisory Council. She has been married for 12 years and has two children. Nanci is the local representative for Bridges of Hope in Guatemala. Her responsibilities include communicating with our local partners, researching potential new partnerships, and providing logistical support. She studied for five years at the University of San Carlos Guatemala as a professional translator and interpreter. She chose her career in order to help others communicate effectively cross-culturally. Nanci says: “God is a big part of my life because without Him, I couldn’t be the person that I am now.” Her favorite hobby is rock climbing, because “I feel free when I do it.”
Tamara Quintanilla
International Leadership Team El Salvador
Tamara Quintanilla graduated from Universidad de El Salvador with a Bachelor’s Degree in foreign affairs. She also has a Master’s Degree in project management from Universidad Nebrija, Spain. Tamara has professional experience in International Cooperation, both public and NGO, and has always been involved in community development through a variety of community projects aimed at improving peoples’ lives. Her goal is to be a positive influence in all of her personal and professional actions.
Medical Advisory Council