Brad Holcomb, Co-Founder and Executive Director
Brad was born and raised through age 13 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. His family then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended high school and later college at Arizona State University, earning two engineering degrees. Between high school and college, Brad served for 4 years in the US Air Force and was stationed in England as an aircraft maintenance technician.
After college, Brad began his career with Kodak in Rochester, NY, where he worked for 20 years. This experience fueled his lifelong passion for photography. Over his next 15 years as a supply chain management professional, he worked for 5 companies in 5 different industries, and is now gainfully retired in Dallas, Texas! Since 2013, Brad has been a member of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, where he met his future wife, Cheryl, who worked for the church, and also met Pastor Jacob (see below).
One of Brad’s favorite volunteer activities has been his involvement since 2004 with the R. Gene Richter Foundation, which awards scholarships to college juniors to support their senior year. These scholars are also matched with experienced business professionals who serve as mentors. Brad served as a mentor to 6 of these students, taking on a new student every other year, and has maintained contact with them ever since.
Brad married Cheryl in 2016, and together they have four adult children, including one daughter and three sons.
Rev. Dr. Jacob Kiogora Keega, Co-Founder
Jacob grew up in Meru, Kenya, and was educated there through primary, secondary and seminary schools with support from the Methodist Church of Kenya and his community. In 2009-2010, Jacob and his family relocated to Dallas, Texas, so that he and his wife, Ceciliah, could both take advantage of the opportunity to attend SMU/Perkins School of Theology.
From 2012 through May of 2020, Rev. Jacob served at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas as Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor of the Heart of Africa congregation. While serving at Lovers Lane, Jacob attained his Masters and Doctorate degrees from SMU/Perkins School of Theology. Ceciliah also attained her Master of Theological Studies degree from Perkins.
In April 2020, Jacob and his wife, Rev. Ceciliah Igweta, both received appointments by the Bishop of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church to be Senior Pastors for five churches in the Great West District beginning July 1st, 2020. Their family has relocated to Chappell, Nebraska. Jacob and Ceciliah are blessed with two sons, Emmanuel and Theo.
Harrison Marete, Project Coordinator
Harrison was born and raised in Meru, and has a deep love for his community. He is a family man, businessman, and an active leader in his community. He is a life member of the Red Cross Society, and is a recipient of the prestigious Kenya Presidential “Long & Royal Service” Award.
Harrison enjoys his career that has spanned 12 years in banking and 15 years as a marketing and sales manager for two motor vehicle companies. He holds two diplomas, one in Marketing and Administration, and one in Sales and Marketing. Also, he is currently engaged in coffee farming on 1.5 acres with 2000 coffee plants.
His volunteer positions include 6 years as Chairman and 2 years as Treasurer of the MCK Kirogine Church, and 6 years as Chairman of the nearby Kiraria Primary School. He served as Chairman of the Teaching and Referral Hospital - Meru, and is currently Vice Chairman of the Meru County Municipality Board.
Harrison and his wife, Josephine, have four adult children including two daughters and two sons, and have seven grandchildren.
Daniel Kanyuru,
Project Coordinator
Daniel lives with his wife, Nancy, in Meru. Both are very active in their local community church, MCK Kirogine, where Daniel served as Chairman for two consecutive 2-year terms. They have three adult children, two sons and a daughter, and three grandchildren.
Daniel’s profession is in building and construction, primarily in Meru County. He put his high school education to work and learned the rest of his career knowledge through “on the job” experience. While Daniel did not have the opportunity to attend college after high school, all three of his children are college graduates, with his daughter earning her degree in communications, and both sons earning degrees in engineering.
One of Daniel’s passions is getting to know all of the families in his surrounding community, and being available to them for guidance and support when needed. With the church and primary school nearby, he knows the church leaders and school administrators and teachers, as well as the students and their families. These close relationships have been key to identifying which students might become ideal candidates for sponsorship when nearing graduation from primary school.
When selecting graduating 8th graders for sponsorship consideration, Daniel and Harrison working together form a powerful team.