God’s Servants at Lake Yale

Lisa Summers
Title:
Director of Guest Services
Favorite Scripture:
Hebrews 13:8
About:
Hi All, I am Lisa! I have been serving at Lake Yale Baptist conference Center since 2014, and I am the Director of Guest Services. I look forward to working with you on your event. Within our community, I attend First Baptist Church of Umatilla. I love going to a weekly Bible Study and serving within the church. I also enjoy reading, eating at local restaurants, walking for exercise, and hanging out with friends. What gives me hope each day is that in our forever changing world, "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

Gail Keeling
Title:
Assistant Director of Guest Services
Residency:
Rare Native Floridian
About:
I’m a Florida native, and have lived in Central Florida all my life. My husband and I have a large family (1 awesome son, 5 amazing daughters, and 2 incredible sons-in-law). Our girls are all grown and live in California, Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Our son is still at home and in high school. My first grandbaby is due in October, so I see a lot more trips to Gainesville in my future! 😊 As a family we enjoy traveling, hiking and just spending time together! I feel so fortunate to have joined the Lake Yale team December 2016. I love to work with area churches and craft groups planning their retreats at Lake Yale. I have met so many wonderful people while here and look forward to seeing what the future holds for Lake Yale. Something my co-workers may not know about me – I grew up on a 800 acre cattle ranch, riding horses and motorcycles.

Savannah Parvu
Title:
Director of Accounting
Alter Ego:
Warrior Hero
About:
I'm a survivor warrior of human trafficking and have become one of the foremost voices on human trafficking at the state capital. Check out my blog at https://www.savannahparvu.com/.

Ashlee Roberts
Title:
Customer Experience Coordinator
Best Friends:
Bees
About:
I am a mom to a little human, 2 chihuahuas, and a couple thousand bees (beekeeper). I am also a Florida Master Gardener who has a love for Indian food, Mexican food, Disney, my husband and the Lord!

Jeff Yant
Title:
Director of Development
Catch Phrase:
"Fish Fear Me"
About:
I've been to and/or through every state in the union with only Alaska and Hawaii left to go on my list. I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, hiking in the mountains and watching my kids at the beach. When I'm not fishing or spending time with my 4(soon to be 5) kids, you can hear me on my new podcast discussing expositional preaching and theology.

Lance Graham
Title:
Director of Operations
Code Name:
"The Lifer"
About:
A 25-year, second generation employee of Lake Yale. I am 55 years old and have been married for 35 years. We have two children and two grandchildren. I am very grateful to be a part of the ministry here at Lake Yale.

Don Sawyer
Title:
Executive Director
AKA:
The Boss
About:
I arrived at Lake Yale over fifteen years ago answering God's call to serve Him here as director. After finishing seminary, I once had planned on being a full-time missionary but God led me to serve Him in the Christian camping ministry over thirty-four years ago. I am blessed to have been married over forty years to Jane Sawyer, who serves as the volunteer coordinator at Lake Yale. We have two wonderful children, Stephen and Carol.

Monica Cook
Title:
Director of Housekeeping
Favorite Job:
Grandma
About:
I enjoy spending time with my family, usually out boating in our local rivers and lakes. We fish, snorkel, and just enjoy the outside environment and wildlife. Of course in between being a sports mom and Girl Scout grandma/volunteer.

Tammy Jones
Title:
Assistant Director of Housekeeping
Sidekicks:
Fur Babies
About:
I enjoy spending quality time with my family, friends and fur babies. I also love to travel and experience new things.

Sheila Crisp
Title:
Team Leader
Top Skill:
Fighter
About:
I am learning to live my best life and take things one day at a time, battling cancer for the last 5 years has taught me this in so many ways.

Samantha Lane
Title:
Team Leader
Nickname:
Tex
About:
I enjoy being outside with my family, swimming, canoeing, camping. Always busy as a mom of three teens, I am always taking them somewhere.

Jane Sawyer
Title:
Volunteer Coordinator
Hidden Talent:
Putting up with Don (or Mandolin)
About:
I am a happy wife and proud mom of two grown children! I love: Jesus, My family and friends, Lake Yale volunteers, my pug, Percy, Jamming on my guitar and mandolin, and traveling to interesting places.

Ray Williams
Title:
Painter
Position:
Relief Pitcher
About:
The father of 34 year old triplets, grandfather of the sweetest boys (4yr and 2yr), Married to my wife for 42 years. I love attending FBC of Umatilla where I'm also involved in a men's Bible study group there. Played minor league baseball with the Cincinnati Reds organization

Jesse Truax
Title:
Media Services Director
Known for:
Being mistaken for the Lord in public
About:
My wife Connie and I have 2 daughters-Darla who is a Mt. Dora FL. Police Officer and Dalana who has gone to be our Lord in 2012, we have 4 grand children Zoe 21, Levi 20, Isabell 13, Miles 5. On my time off I enjoy having coffee on the porch with my wife on Saturday mornings. We often have our grandson Miles with us do to his mom being a police officer, he is a hoot but we love having him. Connie and I are very simple people, our free time is usually spent doing things around the house or in the yard. Sometimes we just go for a ride, spending time together. At church I sing in the choir and the praise team, we try to stay as involved as our work schedules will allow. In my work life I am the Media Services Director at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center, setting the conf. areas for the groups and taking care of any extra needs as they arise. My goal is to make the groups experience here be as blessed as possible. I enjoy meeting and working with the Leaders and conferences and to do my best to show the love of Jesus Christ in all situations and matters that may come up.

Scott Mulrey
Title:
Grounds Supervisor
Bumpah Stickah:
My other ride is a mower
About:
Husband, father to 1 daughter, grandfather to 1 grandaughter. Two dogs, Chitty & Kyra.

Charlie
Title:
Emotional Support Mascot
Often Found:
Hanging around the office
About:
I love to travel. I have been on numerous road trips to GA, NC, SC, KY & TN. Making people laugh is my favorite thing to do!

James Menditto
Title:
Media Services Assistant
Dream Job:
Shutterbug
About:
I enjoy doing photography as a hobby. I love the outdoors and being in nature. I also enjoy listening to music and playing video games.