Our Leadership
Don Shisler
President/CEO
Don got his start at UGM-TC as a volunteer in 1993 before becoming the President and CEO in 1995. He is currently in the second strategic plan of the 6-acre campus.
Don has served on numerous boards, such as Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, consulted with many Tarrant County organizations, such as Recovery Resource Council, as well as contributed to the Downtown Rotary since 1995. He also served as an officer and helped to launch the Near Eastside Neighborhood Association.
Don has been married to his wife, Vicki, since 1989, has a blended family of 4 children and one granddaughter. He has dedicated his life to serving our Lord, Jesus Christ for his glory.
Father Andy Powell
Chaplain
Father Andy Powell has been a priest for fifteen years and currently serves as a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth (Anglican). He joined the staff at the Union Gospel Mission in January 2019. Previously, he served as a parish priest in Monroe LA, Midland TX, and Grand Prairie TX. Before becoming a priest, he served for eight years as a staff member in the U. S. House of Representatives.
He is passionate about helping people be transformed by the power and love of Jesus Christ. He has extensive experience running The Alpha Course, and has gone on short-term mission trips to Nigeria, Ireland, North Dakota, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
Father Andy earned his Master of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Seminary in Wisconsin in 2004, plus a Master’s degree in international affairs from the George Washington University in 1988.
Father Andy enjoys reading history, theology, and he likes to follow professional sports and politics. He also likes spending time with friends and family, visiting art museums, and going on walks with his dog, Morrie.
Keith A. Ackerman
Chief Operating Officer
Keith serves as the Chief Operations Officer. Prior to joining UGM-TC, he served as the Executive Director of The Cottages at Hickory Crossing from 2014 – 2016, a position he transitioned into after having served as the Chief Operations Officer for CitySquare from 2005 to 2014 and the CitySquare Community Health Services Practice Administrator from 2003 to 2005. From 1991 – 2003, he served in various capacities for Millwood Psychiatric Hospital in Arlington Texas, the last position being the Corporate Director of Human Resources. In addition, Keith has served as a consulting Social Worker to a Hospice Home Health agency, Youth Director for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, served as an After School Tutor with the Boys and Girls Club of Arlington, a Shift Supervisor for the Volunteers of America Riverside Facility Halfway House in Fort Worth, a house arrest electronic monitor for Volunteers of America and has served on several community Advisory Boards in Dallas.
Keith is a Licensed Master Social Worker having received his BSW and MSSW from the University of Texas at Arlington. He also holds accreditation as a Human Services – Board Certified Practitioner and the Non-Profit Leadership Certificate from Southern Methodist University through the Center for Non-Profit Management.
Keith is active in the Boy Scouts of America, having been an Eagle Scout himself, and has served in various roles for units and districts in the Circle Ten and Longhorn Councils. He is a native of Charleroi (Pittsburgh), PA and is the son of Bishop K.L and Joann Ackerman, Diocese of Quincy (retired).
Ben Escobal
Men’s Building Program Director
Ben joined the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County in 2013 as a part-time Facility Manager. Through his hard work and dedication, he was promoted to the Case Management Department as a Men’s Case Manager by the end of 2013, having acquired his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Ben’s attentiveness in serving the homeless population advanced him as a team-player and he recognized this was where he belonged.
Strong-minded to further pursue his passion in serving others, learn administrative roles, and community advocacy, Ben enrolled back into the School of Social Work – at the University of Texas at Arlington, as a Community and Administrative Practice (CAP) student, and will be graduating December 2017 with his Master’s Degree in Social Work. Presently, Ben performs as the Men’s Building Program Manager where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Program, guides the Case Management Team, Skill Building Program, and cohesively collaborates with the Mission Support Services Team to ensure a safe, welcoming, and productive environment for both the participating residents and overnight guest.
Aretha McJimson
Women and Families Program Director
Aretha McJimson began her career at UGM-TC in 2016 as a Case Manager for the Women’s Overnight Dorm. After serving as a case manager of the Women's Overnight Dorm, Aretha was promoted to a Women's Case Manager. She has worked with countless residents in the Women’s Center to complete the program successfully. Aretha’s passion for serving those who are experiencing homelessness, led her to become Program Manager for the Women and Families Center in May 2017. Aretha continues to work closely with community partners and oversee the day-to-day operation of case managers, skill building program and the Children's Enrichment Program.
Aretha received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Tarleton State University in May 2016. She then went on to enroll at the University of Texas at Arlington, as an advanced standing student and completed her Master Degree in Social Work in August 2017. Aretha is dedicated to improving the lives of all of the residents at UGM-TC. Aretha says that “working with the homeless population has been rewarding and allowed [her] to see the resiliency in people and the compassion of humanity.
Robert Clethen
Food Services Director
Robert began work at UGM-TC in June 2015 as the Pantry Supervisor before being promoted to Food Services Director in April of 2017. Before coming to UGM-TC he had 6 years of previous experience in similar roles. Robert is responsible for ordering and creating all the meals that are served to our residents and guests from the street. A large part of his job duties include directing residents in the Skills Building Program. This program focuses on improving residents personal and social behaviors to increase their chances of keeping meaningful employment.
Lezlee Kinney
Volunteer Coordinator
Before moving to Texas and working at UGM-TC, Lezlee received a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.
Beverly Lewis
Accounting Manager
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hardin Simmons University with a double major in accounting and finance Beverly served as the Controller for a multi-faceted home health care company in Abilene, Texas. She later returned to Fort Worth where she served as Controller for Volunteers of America and Family services. Beverly has also served as Chief Financial Officer for Texas Neighborhood Services and CFO/COO for meals on Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County.
Beverly sees the non-profit industry as her calling from the Lord and delights in the growth she sees in the clients that are served at the Mission. She says, "to watch the client's growth is like watching a spring flower blossom, it truly is God's work."
Jacky Harvey
Director of Warehouse Operations
He enjoys this position because it allows him to mentor the men who participate in the Warehouse Program and donation operations. He is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to coming to UGM-TC he pastored inner-city, at risk youth for over fifteen years. With a deep desire to help the hurting, he continued in ministry as Senior Pastor of City of Hope Fellowship Church in Hurst, Texas for over four years.
Jordan Wright
Development Director
L.C. Dailey
Manager of Mission Support Services
Before coming to UGM-TC, L.C. worked for Area Youth Ministries as a Youth Counselor in Indiana. He has also worked as a Dorm Director at Job Corps, and a variety of positions at the Boys and Girls Club.
Juyun Lee
HSC Nurse Practitioner
As a nurse/nurse practitioner, she has worked in a variety of health settings prior to coming to UGM-TC. She is board certified as a family nurse practitioner. At the Healing Shepherd Clinic one of her primary goals is disease prevention. She strives to empower patients by educating them on their health condition and also works with clinic staff to help decrease unnecessary visits to the ER or hospital. She loves being part of a team that works collaboratively to improve health of residents at UGM-TC.
Board of Directors
- Chairman: Charlie Allen, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Vice Chairman: Mary Jane Edwards, Christ Redeemer Anglican Church
- Treasurer: Eddie Broussard, Waremark Community Church
- Secretary: Columba J. Reid, St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church
- President & CEO: Don Shisler, Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
- Chaplain: Fr. Andrew Powell, Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church
- Bill E. Bailey, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Carl R. Brumley, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Larry Chilton, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Ronald Clinkscale, First Presbyterian Church
- Larry D. Eason, First United Methodist Church
- Gene Gray, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Crawford Gupton, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Pat Hawkins, Doxology Bible Church
- Barcus Hunter, Christ Church Anglican
- Robert J. Keffler, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Otis Lemley, Without Walls Church
- John Mitchell, Watermark Community Church
- Terry Montesi, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- Peter Philpott, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
- Caroline Stephens Samis, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- JD Stotts, White’s Chapel Methodist Church
- Allison Wagner, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- W. David White, Christ Chapel Bible Church
- J.W. Wilson, St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
- Robbie Zimmerman, Trinity Presbyterian