Board Members

Homelessness and poverty can destroy hope and devastate lives. Many live just one paycheck away from a downward spiral that can lead to despair, substance abuse, and even death. Breaking this cycle takes much more than just meeting the physical needs of food and shelter. True change comes from inside. It is God’s touch on a person’s soul that brings hope, value, and lasting change.

The Rescue Mission Alliance has systematically grown a coalition of exemplary biblically-based missions throughout Southern California that brings both physical and spiritual life-essential services to the thousands of downtrodden in our area. The staff, volunteers, pastors, board of directors, and eventually many of those who graduate the program desire to be the hands and feet of Christ on this earth, offering refuge, recovery, and restoration in His name.

As the Board of Directors of the Rescue Mission Alliance, we strive to:

  • Interpret the needs of those we serve to the ministry, and interpret the actions of the ministry to those we serve.
  • Recognize that our job is to ensure that the ministry is well managed.
  • Represent all those whom this ministry serves and not a particular geographic area or interest group.
  • Consider ourselves “trustees” of the ministry and do our best to ensure that it is well maintained, financially secure, growing, and always operating in the best interests of those we serve.
  • Guide and guard the vision of refuge, recovery, and restoration to hopeless men, women, and families through programs that minister to the body, mind, and spirit.

We are grateful for the generous support and volunteer assistance we receive from individuals, churches, school groups, businesses, and service organizations. We are blessed to have so many who share in our ministry. If you would like to know how you can help us help others, please contact us.

Jim Owens, Chairman
Business Owner | Ventura, CA
Tenure: 16 years
1999-2012; 2020 to Present

Jim Owens

Jim Owens, board chair, is a Christian first and a local business leader and entrepreneur, having founded and owned a variety of construction-related businesses. He is currently the chief estimator for Shoreline Constructors and President of EZ Rig Cranes of Ventura, and previously founded Craftsmen Construction, Inc.

Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and three master’s degrees from California Lutheran University including in business administration, management and organization behavior, and marketing.

Jim is the father of eight, grandfather of eight, and great grandfather of one.  He is devoted to and serves in several roles for Mission Church, and lives in Ventura.

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Andy Stay, Vice Chairman
Business Owner | Somis CA
Tenure: 26 years

Andy Stay

Andy Stay joined the Rescue Mission Alliance board in 1997, has served as board chair, and currently serves as vice-chair. 

A graduate of LaSalle University, Andy spent a few years teaching before turning to the private sector where he owned and operated a new car dealership in Oxnard.

Andy says his father taught him to keep God first, work hard and serve others to the glory and honor of God. Andy has served on the board of directors for more than 10 local nonprofit organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Salvation Army, St. John’s Hospital, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Andy is past president of the Lion Club/Noontime Lions, and a long-time volunteer for the city of Oxnard and Ventura County. 

Andy lives in Somis and says his greatest gifts from God are his wife Flora, their two children and five grandchildren.

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Brad Pennington, Secretary
Construction Manager – Retired | Simi Valley, CA
Tenure: 2 year

Brad Pennington

Brad Pennington joined the Rescue Mission Alliance board of directors in 2019 and currently serves as board secretary. A 40-year veteran of the construction industry, Brad is retired from IBEW Local as a union electrical contractor. He currently provides design and consulting services for small kitchen and bath renovations.

In addition to serving on the Rescue Mission Alliance board, Brad also volunteers with Action Ventura County, providing services primarily to elderly men and women. Service projects range from house cleaning, yard work and handyman services. He also periodically serves meals at Samaritan Center in Simi Valley.

Brad and his wife of 25 years Lois, attend Calvary Chapel at Chino Hills and they enjoy leading and hosting a small home group bible study. They call Simi Valley home and have two children and five grandchildren.

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John Gardner, Board Member
Executive | Camarillo, CA
Tenure: New Member

John Gardner

John Gardner, MBA, is the founder and leader of Center for Mission Effectiveness (CME), a program of Christian Foundation of America, where he also serves on the advisory board.  CME helps Christian donors and Christian nonprofit organizations and their leaders be effective and impactful in their stewardship, for the people they serve, and for God’s glory.

John’s 40-plus year career comprises serving in senior level leadership roles, including the for-profit and non-profit health industry, and organizations in hospital administration, physician practices, skilled nursing and rehab and diagnostic services. He is a certified member of the John Maxwell Team for coaching and training of adults and youth.

John serves on the Rescue Mission board of directors and also leads the board’s development committee. He and his wife Lucy of 56 years have lived in the Conejo Valley area for 45 years with their two adult children, spouses, and seven grandchildren living nearby. The family has been active in Calvary Community Church where John is Elder Emeritus.

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Gail Morgan, Board Member
Marketing & Public Relations Consultant | Oxnard, CA
Tenure: 1 Year

Gail Morgan

Gail Morgan brings her love of the Lord and over 40 years of award-winning public relations, marketing and crisis management experience to her Rescue Mission Alliance board position, where she also leads the communications committee. She began her career working in hospital public relations, including a stint as Media Manager at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. She was hired in 1990 as the City of Santa Clarita’s first communications manager/Public Information Officer, a job she held for 28 years, followed by six years as Chief Strategist for Stacy Miller Public Affairs, Inc.

Gail enjoys dedicating her time and talent and has served on several boards including Bridge to Home, Family Promise, Child and Family Center Foundation and the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita. She currently serves as the volunteer publicist for Caregivers of Ventura County.  Gail and her husband Joe worship and serve at Mission Church Ventura and reside in Oxnard.

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Scott West, Board Member
Vice President/Construction | Camarillo, CA
Tenure: 4 years

Scott West

Scott West brings a lifetime of business experience to the Rescue Mission Alliance board of directors where he also leads the facilities committee. Currently, Scott works as the vice president of sales and production for Forest Construction, Inc.

Scott is a 42-year member of Chapel City Church (previously E.V. Free Church) in Camarillo. He has served on the elder board and as a presiding elder, has led mission outreach and small group study, and serves as the audio technician for the sound department.

Scott also serves on the board of directors for God’s Manly Man, an organization that hosts an annual men’s retreat in a rural setting to help bring men to Christ and help bolster believers’ commitments to follow Christ.

Married for 45 years, Scott and his wife Patty live in Camarillo and enjoy spending time with their three daughters and five grandchildren.

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