Meet UGM-TC 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

<sub>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.</sub>

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.

Sarah Bramlett

Volunteer Coordinator

Jacky Harvey

Director of Warehouse Operations

Jordan Wright

Development Director

L.C. Dailey

Operations Manager

Juyun Lee

HSC Nurse Practitioner