Leadership

Al Lackey, President

Al Lackey has served as President of Kids Alive International since October of 1996. As President, he oversees the worldwide ministry of Kids Alive in seventeen countries across Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and the Pacific Rim.

Al graduated with a B.S. degree from John Brown University and a Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Prior to joining Kids Alive, Al served for 17 years as Executive Director of Cedar Lake Conference Center in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Al and his wife Anita live in Valparaiso, Indiana, and have three adult children and nine grandchildren.

“My experience as a child of a missionary pastor taught me a lot about the provision and faithfulness of God. As a teen, my involvement in our youth group and a mission trip to the island of Dominique strengthened my weakening faith and sowed a seed of love for the needy children of the world. Each time I visit one of our ministries and hold one of our children in my arms, it rekindles my passion to give hope to children who have no hope.” Al Lackey

Jed Hamoud, Board Member

Jed Hamoud was born into a poor nomadic Bedouin tribe in Lebanon in 1950. At age 7 Jed went to live at Kids Alive’s Near East Boys Home (Dar El Awlad) in Beirut. While there, he graduated from high school and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Jed lived at the Boys’ Home through his second year of college in 1971, at which time he immigrated to the US.

Jed graduated from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, with a BA in Mathematics. For the last 18 years, he has worked in IT management positions. Most recently he has been in demand as a speaker at colleges, schools and churches about Arabs, Islam and current events in the Middle East, with emphasis on opportunities for Christians to be “peace makers”.

“I am a product of Kids Alive and have always maintained close ties with them. I am where I am because of the Lord and what He has done through Kids Alive® International.” Jed Hamoud

Cliff Peterson, Board Chair

Cliff Peterson spent 23 years with BP/Amoco, where he focused on human resources management, organization capabilities and strategic planning. He worked with Youth for Christ for 4 years, and currently is Vice President of Operations for Miller International, an apparel company. He also consults with Sage Quest Consulting for profit and not-for-profit organizations.

In 1999 Cliff joined the board of Kids Alive International-US, but in 2003 he resigned his board position to join the staff of KAI-US as Vice President of Operations. In that role he helped create the strategies, procedure and policies for each of the KAI-US managed countries. In 2005, Cliff accepted the invitation to rejoin the Kids Alive® International-US board. He has traveled to several of our ministry sites and feels a daily connection with Kids Alive.

“Understanding the conditions and plight of many people in the world, children are the innocent bystanders. If we can just help a few to survive, grow up, know Christ and make a difference where they live, we are truly at the heart of the great commission.” Cliff Peterson

Linda Bailey, Board Member

Linda Bailey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota.  While her career has opened doors in the business world, she has continually worked with children in church programs, AWANA, Sunday School, youth group, public school teacher’s aide, home room parent, teaching art literacy, tutoring, Young Life, camp counselor, and horse camp counselor. 

She has worked for the Pear Bureau Northwest for 30 years.  As VP Operations, she has worked closely with the administration of five Northwest non-profit pear organizations and the boards and committees that establish the policies and budgets for our staff to carry out.  The marketing of pears encompasses the whole world, as pears grown in the Northwest are marketed throughout the United States and 38 countries.   Her respect for the fine industry in which she works, prepared her for what she desires to accomplish as a board member of Kids Alive.  She knows what a qualified and ambitious staff can accomplish when there is passion in their work.  This is what she says that she sees in all the staff and missionaries at Kids Alive International.

“As you grow older you realize what truly brings satisfaction and purpose in life.  It’s not the accumulation of things and money as the world would have you believe.   It’s a growing relationship with our heavenly father, and a desire to invest in things that are important to Him.  Children are a gift from God, and we are fools to be complacent about leaving children abandoned and starving in the streets.  Kids Alive is passionate about saving children, one child at a time, all over the world.  I want to be a part of that worthy action.  I want to give my time, my energy and my resources to the children loved by God.  My loving family supports me in this vision, and I pray they will carry on, as my parents inspired me.  Please join us.” Linda Bailey

David Rodgers, Board Member

Dave Rodgers became acquainted with Kids Alive® International through the support of Calvary Church of Valparaiso, Indiana – the church where he and his wife, Debby, attend.

Dave has been married to Debby for 30 years and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. Dave attended both Indiana University and Valparaiso University, and has been an auto dealer in Valparaiso for over 20 years.

Angela Crossin, Board Member

Angela Crossin is an attorney and mediator with her own law practice, specializing in legal issues facing the elderly.  Angie also is a part-time instructor at Purdue University Calumet, and is active in community service with Kiwanis.

Angie serves as Co-Chair of the Estate Design Committee for the Kids Alive Ministry Advancement Program, and has served for two years as Chair of the Kids Alive Turkey Trot 10K Run Committee.

Sherry Schaub, Board Member

Sherry began his professional career in industry after earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University. Subsequently, he worked with four multinational companies and obtained postgraduate degrees that included a Master’s in Management from Northern Illinois University and a PMD from the Harvard Business School. Sherry has served in numerous vocational and community activities including: Past chair of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; Trustee of the Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies at Arizona State University; and Vice Chairman of the National Association of Retarded Citizens Foundation Board. Sherry is happily married to his wife Carol with whom he now lives in Lawrence, and often enjoys time with his two daughters and five grandchildren.

Since returning to Lawrence in 1999, Sherry has been active in consulting, serving as outside director of two manufacturing companies, and he continues working with organizations domestically and internationally in Leadership Development and Strategic Planning. Among his most meaningful and satisfying efforts, Sherry also devotes a significant portion of his time as Chairman of Kids Alive International, where he serves those who are part of this 91-year-old organization that was originally founded to care for children and continues its mission today of “Rescuing Children at Risk” in third-world nations.

Jon Costas, Board Member

Jon Costas has been a Valparaiso resident for more than 30 years and has been involved in his community in many ways. He began with a part-time job at his family’s grocery store, Costas Foods where he worked as a high school student.

Jon went on to earn a B.A. from St. Joseph’s College. He met wife Sharon when the two played together in the Christian rock band “Isaac.” Within six weeks of meeting, the two were engaged and married a year later in 1980.

Along with his brother Jay, Jon managed and expanded the family business while father William P. Costas served as Indiana State Senator. This service led Jon to law school. “I saw what my dad was doing and felt that it was a great way to connect with people, learn from them, and make a difference,” he said.

After graduating from Valparaiso University School of Law, Jon joined Indiana’s largest law firm, Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis. Although the position represented prestige and opportunity, Jon sought more personal interaction. This interest led to the family’s return to Valparaiso. “Valparaiso was home and we’ve never regretted returning,” said Jon.

Back in Valparaiso, Jon established a successful law practice and focused on the newly-formed area of “elder law” which specializes in the needs of older people. Jon is one of just 15 attorneys in the state of Indiana to be accredited by the National Elder Law Foundation. “I’ve found it to be very satisfying to help people through difficult times and to help them care for their families,” Jon said.

Jon was elected to the Valparaiso City Council in 1985. He was elected Mayor of Valparaiso in 2003, winning with approximately 56% of the vote.

Jon's energy allows him to find time for outside interests. He has traveled with his children on service team trips to help build orphanages and strengthen communities in Greece, Albania, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. He stays physically fit by challenging himself in athletic competitions, such as the 30 triathlons and three Iron Man competitions he’s completed. Most recently Jon has been busy leading the “Conservadellics,” a band formed with City Administrator Bill Hanna and fellow musicians from Jon’s church. The band performs around the city at fundraisers and community events, including a regular gig at the Franklin House.

Jon and Sharon Costas have four children, Ashley, Evan, Hayley, and Tyler. They live on Valparaiso’s east side and attend Calvary Church.

Scott Melby, Board Member

Biography coming soon!

Keith Dickerson, Board Member

Biography coming soon!

Walt Golembeski, Board Member

Biography coming soon!

Randy Hall, Director of Development & Major Donors

Randy Hall possesses more than 20 years of experience in the fields of development and communications, most recently leading the Annual Giving efforts for Valparaiso University and previously leading the Donor Communications department at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. Hall has been an active member of the Valparaiso community for more than seven years, coaching youth soccer and serving in various teaching roles at Calvary Church, Valparaiso. He and his wife have been involved in the ministry of Kids Alive for five years and are excited to be a part of expanding this ministry full time. In his new role, Hall will focus on partnering with local and national churches and community members to advance the mission of Kids Alive International which is dedicated to rescuing children at risk around the world.