Meet Our Board
Get to know the amazing individuals serving on our Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees
Eric Escobar
Chair
Principal Consultant, SecureWorks
To me, Calvin Crest is where I’ve experienced closeness to God through the beauty of his creation, the relationships I’ve formed and in the growth I’ve experienced each and every summer. I’ve been making the trip up the mountain to Calvin Crest for over 20 years. I started my camp journey in Sherwood Forest (go Greenwell), to junior high camp, winter camp, and high school camps. I’ve also served as a counselor, volunteer, and staff member. The beauty of this place is that it is always so familiar even through the multitude of changes over the years. Through Calvin Crest I’ve met many of my closest lifelong friends, as well as my best friend and wife. It’s been extra sweet the past few years to take our growing family up the hill and watch our children play and explore.
Rev. Dr. Bill Ekhardt
Vice Chair
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines
I have been part of the Calvin Crest family since 1977 as a camper, AIMer, counselor, 10-year summer staffer, Associate Executive Director, and board president. I am husband to Tracy, Chief Medical Officer and pediatric intensive care physician at UnityPoint Des Moines in Iowa. I am the father of Asher, Indigo, Liam, and Miles. I am the former executive pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines and continue to serve as Parish Associate for Finance and Administration. I was ordained in 1998 and received an MDiv and DMin from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Iowa. I have helped found several non-profits and serve on other boards when I am not cooking, having philosophical conversations with my kids, or woodworking with my wife in our woodshop.
Ginny Harrison
Treasurer
Retired, Presbyterian Camps & Conference Center
Calvin Crest has played an integral role in my life and faith journey through multiple seasons of life. I got engaged at Calvin Crest, spent my formative 20’s working summers and then year-round at CC, and raised my family within the CC community while my husband Rick was the Executive Director. Woven throughout, my walk with the Lord has grown and been challenged, my theology sharpened, and relationships and lifelong friendships formed. It is impossible to imagine what I would be like without the influence of Calvin Crest’s unique ministry in my life. One of my favorite places on earth is Sherwood Forest! It is an honor and privilege to be returning to ministry at Calvin Crest as a member of the Board after 13 years of living and working in camping ministry in Southern California. It has been so fun to be on the grounds again and to reconnect with the CC community. I look forward to many more years of service and association.
Doug Haas
Secretary
Retired, Chief Deputy District Attorney
I am honored and humbled to serve on the CC Board. My connection is via my children, Josh and Abby, who both started out as MIWOK campers many years ago, and my wife Marci’s volunteer work at Calvin Crest. When Josh attended MIWOK it rained, and that group was literally showered with God’s love. He was happy, exuberant, and excited when I brought him home. God obviously had blessed him richly despite the rain. Josh went to camp every summer through high school, then became a staff member, and ultimately, served as the head of food services. Abby camped every year through high school as well as served as CCA and AIMer. She served a term as a CC board member just a few years ago. Seeing both their love of and faith in God while walking with Jesus is truly an inspiration to me. As an adult, I attended UPC Session retreats and men’s retreats at Calvin Crest, and I always feel a sense of excitement and the presence of God after I turn onto Calvin Crest Road. My faith has been strengthened exponentially by my association with Calvin Crest, and my prayer is to learn to work to further and promote the mission and dream of Calvin Crest.
Board Members
Paul Barrett
St. Peter's by the Sea
As a 9-year-old, my parents let me go to church summer camp with my soccer teammate. The wonder that is Sherwood Forest introduced me to Jesus and a lifetime relationship with Calvin Crest. As a kid, I spent as much time as I could on these sacred grounds. I served on summer staff (1987-1994) where I met my wife, Devon. My call to pastoral ministry was discerned at Calvin Crest. Many of my closest friends were formed during formative summers on the mountain. I served on the pastoral staff at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA for 13.5 years. I currently serve as Lead Pastor on the ministry team at St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. My children are forming their own history with Calvin Crest which makes my heart glad. St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” I am humbled to serve on the Board working with gifted colleagues and serving in support of amazing staff to ensure Calvin Crest remains a place of rest, renewal, and resurrection for current and next generations.
Rev. Dave Dack
Lemoore Presbyterian Church
Calvin Crest is my favorite “thin place,” a place where heaven and earth seem to merge and God’s presence is more easily discerned. God has been meeting me at Calvin Crest since childhood, first as a camper starting in third grade, then summer staff (200-2002), guest group hosting, numerous retreats, and now as a board member. It’s where my faith was forged, where I first sensed a call to pastoral ministry, where I met my wife, and where we now take our children as part of the next generation to encounter Jesus Christ in a uniquely sacred setting. I believe with all my heart that God has plans to prosper the ministry of Calvin Crest in the years to come, and it’s truly an honor to participate in God’s on-going work by serving on the board.
Tyler Davis
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Calvin Crest has made life changing impacts on many lives, and I have been lucky enough to witness those changed lives since I was a young camper in Sherwood First. Shortly after my first summers in Sherwood Forest my father was offered the opportunity to serve as the Buildings and Grounds Director. During that 7 year period Calvin Crest also changed my life forever. I met my wife at CC, developed long lasting relationships with the CC community and my faith became my own. It has been 15 years since I was a summer staffer and 17 years since I was a staff kid. A lot has changed since then, but the mission of Calvin Crest has not. There are more exciting changes ahead. I am blessed to have been asked to serve again and I look forward to using my gifts and past knowledge of CC to humbly serve God, the holy grounds, the staff, and campers.
Sarah Friesen
Community Volunteer
I became a Christian while a camper in Sherwood Forest, renewed my commitment to God while participating in the AIM program, and was honored to serve others on their faith journeys during my five summers on staff. I love the campfire area in Sherwood Forest. This area provides the perfect combination of bright colorful banners and playful, fun, and silly songs as well as serving as the ideal location for the staff and the Friar to proclaim God’s message of love and salvation. I enjoy serving as a volunteer at Calvin Crest, at our church, at my kid’s schools, and in community organizations. I appreciate opportunities to invest in my friendships, and I love to spend time with my husband and three children. I am excited to see where God is leading Calvin Crest in this new season. I look forward to expanding the tribe of people we serve and see a new generation rise up as leaders. I am hopeful that we can invest in the current facilities and invest in new ones that will increase our capacity to be increasingly hospitable to our guests. Calvin Crest is my very favorite place on Earth.
Suzanne Grimmesey
County Of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness
My family moved from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara when I was 7 years old. Meeting our church family friends from Las Vegas at Calvin Crest Family Camp is what kept us connected to each other and to our shared faith. It is also what began my relationship with Calvin Crest, lifelong friendships, and ultimately what has shaped my faith and who I am as a person today. I was blessed to spend every summer thereafter, returning to the excitement and life-changing experiences of Calvin Crest, and as a parent, watching my children do the same. Experiencing the staff at Calvin Crest as a camper and later joining this team on staff has provided the richest leadership skills training imaginable and has shaped my work within my local community. I look forward to returning each summer to the magic of Week in the Forest, basking in the serenity of the grounds, feeling God’s powerful presence, watching the amazing staff team at work, and seeing God’s work every moment of the day. I am richly blessed with the opportunity to serve on the Calvin Crest Board and be a part of the many lives it shapes and changes.
Diane Vaccaro
Western Sierra Charter Schools
Calvin Crest has been a special part of my life since I was a Sherwood Forest camper. I gave my life to Jesus as a junior high camper and returned year after year because of the life changing moments that camp provided. My time as a counselor and an AIMer, as well as 6 years on summer staff, provided opportunities to grow as a leader, deepen my faith, and understand what it means to be engaged in ministry. I met my husband while on summer staff, and we have served the Lord together ever since. I have always loved what camp offers – a place for people to experience God, His love, and His community. I’m honored to serve on the board and to continue to participate in the ongoing ministry of Calvin Crest
Cindy Zellman
Retired, Trinity Presbyterian Church
My first experience at Calvin Crest was in 1968 as a Jr. High camper. Then as a high school camper, I made the personal commitment to follow Jesus. I served on both summer and year-round staff for several years and have previously served on the board. Before retirement, I was the Business Administrator at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Modesto. I met my husband at Calvin Crest, and we have been married for over 40 years. We have three children who have been campers, AIMers, and staffers at Calvin Crest. Our oldest grandson will soon be old enough to attend Sherwood Forest, and we look forward to our grandchildren growing closer to Jesus at this place we love so much!