LRAC Board of Directors

Marti Garrett

Marti Garrett

President

As a lifetime summer vacationer in Rehoboth Beach, it was a natural choice for my husband and me to choose retirement here. Over the years we have seen the Rehoboth/Lewes area grow from quiet, sleepy, family towns to vibrant, inclusive, population dense, cities. There is a real need for affordable, workforce housing at all levels of income. My goal is for LRAC to continue to contribute to the solution for permanent housing for the homeless and the financially insecure working class in Sussex County.

Betsy Fleetwood

Betsy Fleetwood

Vice President

I am a retired educator and administrator from the Colonial School District in New Castle, Delaware. Traveling with my husband, Ken, to both familiar and new destinations brings me a lot of enjoyment. My love of thrifting led me to volunteer at the New Life Thrift Shop. Joining the Board of the LRAC organization seemed to be a natural fit as I felt a strong desire to help those in need.

Karen Dettwyler

Karen Dettwyler

Secretary

I am a retired RN, having 41 years of experience in a variety of settings. I enjoy walking, yoga, playing piano and spending time with my family. I also volunteer for the Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach and the Capen Henlopen Food Basket which allowed me to be a good fit for LRAC. My volunteer work is an extension of my efforts to truly live out my Christian Faith.

David Carter

David Carter

Treasurer

I was a licensed CPA for 40 years. I served in executive finance positions at a university and graduate school as well as an international NGO and cancer research hospital.

I enjoy reading and hanging out with my two cats.

I was attracted to LRAC because I want to be a part of the impact it makes around homelessness in Sussex County. I especially appreciate the faith-based focus.

 

The Rev. Janice Bowker

The Rev. Janice Bowker

Board member

I’ve been an ordained minister for 22 years. I’ve been in ministry for over 27 years. I’m passionate about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have a passion for making sure that people are fed, both physically & spiritually.

I joined LRAC because our church (MCC Rehoboth) has been a member congregation for many years and I believe in the ethos of the organization and the good it does within the Lewes and Rehoboth community. I chose to become a member of theBoard of Directors to further use my gifts and talents from my secular and clergy backgrounds.

Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith

Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith

Board member

Prior to becoming a pastor, I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy. After graduating from The Divinity School at Duke University, I began serving local churches in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference of The United Methodist Church. I have served as a local pastor and a co-pastor, a District Superintendent and as Director of Connectional Ministries, prior to being appointed to serve Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. My husband, Bo, and I have three children, Joy, Eli, and our son, Elijah, who was killed in 2018.

I am honored to serve on the Board of the Lewes Rehoboth Area Congregations. I believe we participate in God’s ministry to this area through collaborating to serve people who are impoverished, food insecure, and without affordable housing. When we help people in need, we become the hands and feet of Christ, making Jesus’ presence tangible and visible to a hurting world.

Ralph Gooch

Ralph Gooch

Board member

Biographic information to come. 

The Rev. Eddie Justino

The Rev. Eddie Justino

Board member

I worked in corporate America for 16 years before I saw the ministry as my true calling. I love hiking with my wife, Pam, birdwatching and scattering sunflower seeds for the birds. At the end of the day, I love reading Guidepost stories with my wife. You can catch me at Rise Up coffee house.

I believe that joining LRAC is about belonging and about giving back. LRAC is a unique faith-based community organization that promotes the need of “the least of these.” Being part of LRAC allows the church I serve to leverage its resources in a collaborative way. Borrowing words from Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” I love the “we” that LRAC champions.

James Reed, J.D.

James Reed, J.D.

Board member

I spent most of my career helping working people in Sussex County who were struggling financially. As a long-time resident of Rehoboth, I am particularly interested in trying to provide affordable housing for those people in service jobs. I am on the Board of LRAC to work on addressing those issues.

In my spare time I enjoy sailing, traveling and spending time with family.

Todd Shultz

Todd Shultz

Board member

I joined the LRAC Board because I have a passion to help the under served in our community.  My clergy experience as well as my corporate project management experience  will help in the organization and planning of programs to serve others.  I have had the opportunity to work all over the world with people from other cultures during my project assignments, using interpersonal and negotiation skills to solve complex problems.  I am a family man who believes that our greatest responsibility in life is to care for those who God puts in our path.  That care is our greatest expression of our faith.

Anita Smulyan

Anita Smulyan

Board member

I am grateful to be where I am today; I’ve raised a family, had a great career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and enjoyed 12 years in Lewes prior to my husband, Samuel’s passing in 2020. It is important to me to give back to the community and we need to be inclusive.

I also feel that it is important to participate in an interfaith organization and I praised God when the vote passed to expand LRAC’s membership. I am happy to be a part of LRAC’s Board.