Meet the small but dedicated group of professionals who manage Riverwoods operations, lead our camp and community programs, and provide support services for the ministry. Motivated by an enthusiasm to serve Jesus Christ and see lives transformed by His power, each staff member is involved in ongoing professional training.

Management Staff

Jay Curtis, President, first became involved with Riverwoods as a volunteer in 1987. He then served several seasons on our summer staff and joined Riverwoods career staff in 1992. He served three years as the West Elgin Community Advocate, in 1995 became the Director of Operations and in 2001, he began became as Executive Director. Jay grew up in the Chicago suburbs and completed his MBA at Northern Illinois University. Jay and his wife Bella have three children. Bella also served several years on Riverwoods summer staff and school-year volunteer team. They are actively involved in the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Elgin.  Jay is a member of Rotary International and also serves on the board of the Chicago chapter of the Christian Management Association. E-mail Jay 

Tony Danhelka, President Emeritus, is the co-founder of Riverwoods. He and his wife, Donna, moved to St. Charles to begin Riverwoods in 1976. Tony's primary roles within the ministry include spiritual leadership, financial development, public speaking, board relations, and long-range planning for the growth of Riverwoods. Tony holds a B.A. degree from Trinity College in Deerfield and a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Evanston. He is an ordained Baptist minister and members of The First Baptist Church of Geneva. Tony is a native of the northeastern Illinois area. He and Donna, a retired high school art teacher, have one son, T.J. As a family they enjoy swimming, boating, nature walks, and photography. E-mail Tony

Randy Sampson, Development Director, Email Randy

Joel Jara, Program Director, grew up in central Mexico.  In 1996, Joel came to the U.S., following the Lord's leading to gain ministry experience and Christian Training.  Joel studied at Wheaton College and completed a BA in Christian Education and Biblical Theological studies in 2004.  Joel has worked with area immigrant and refugee children and their families while employed as a Community Liaison for DuPage County and as a Program Director for the B.R. Ryall YMCA.  He also serves on the board of Christ For Children International.  Joel and his wife Kim have three children.  E-mail Joel

Dennis Loppnow, Facilities Director, grew up a farm boy in Wisconsin. His father was a general contractor so from a young age he learned how to build and repair things. He remembers being inquisitive, taking things apart to see how they really worked. He now knows that was a God given desire and talent that the Lord has used in shaping him into the Craftsman he is today! Dennie spent 12 years in the Navy where he attributes that time to teaching him how to direct large groups of people to accomplish and completing large tasks. Dennie now sees this as his preparation and training for Riverwoods: "I wanted to Serve God and felt HE was calling me out of the Navy into His service. I wanted to be able to use the talent God gave me to honor and serve Him. He has blessed me with a job I love, where I am able to use my leadership and craftsman skills to serve Him. I would like to help Riverwoods be even a more useful tool for God through keeping buildings, equipment and grounds safe, functional and attractive. My deepest goal is to know God more and make Him known to the people I come in contact with." E-mail Dennis

Leanne Harbaugh, Business Director, grew up in St. Charles, IL and joined the Riverwoods staff in February 2007.  She brings to Riverwoods a unique blend of education and experience in both Business and ministry.  Leanne has a B.S in Business from Indiana University, IN and an M.B.A in Economic and Community Development from Eastern University, PA.  Before coming to Riverwoods, Leanne has had experience in the for-profit business sector and six years of economic and community development ministry work in South East Asia. "I'm excited to use my gifts/abilities and experience as a part of a local ministry that seeks to  serve those in under-resourced communities." - E-mail Leanne

Support Staff

Elizabeth Whitehead, Development Coordinator, came on staff with Riverwoods in December of 1996 as the Secretary for the ministry & enjoyed having her hand in many of the pots stirring at Riverwoods. Returning to Riverwoods in 1999 after a year off to spend time with her son, she took the position of Development Coordinator, where she has served ever since. After living in the tri-cities area for most of her life, she hopes to be able to make Riverwoods more visible to the community. Beth, her husband and three children live in the Huntley area.  "Being a mother makes me even more focused on making sure the children in our communities are getting the same chances as everyone else, regardless of their family dynamics or financial situation. I have personally been able to witness God's transformation in the lives of our teens. This is my inspiration and motivation."   E-mail Elizabeth

Sandy Falk, Bookkeeper Sandy came to Riverwoods in 2009 to assist in the Accounting Department part time.  She also works part-time doing accounting at another church and is persuing additional education to finish her psychology degree.   E-mail Sandy

Kyle Martin, Facilities Assistant - Kyle came to Riverwoods after serving as a summer missionary.  He then began full time in 2008.  Kyle is a great asset to Riverwoods because of his mechanical talents and desire to serve.  E-mail Kyle

Elijah Griffin, Facilities Assistant - Elijah or "Eli" as most of us call him came to Riverwoods in October of 2008. With multiple buildings, Eli's main role is keeping our facility looking great.  His tremendous servant's heart and continous smile make Eli a joy to work with.  E-mail Elijah

Community Advocates

Josenique Cherfils, Aurora Advocate (Southwind) - was born in Haiti, and came to the U.S. in 1991. She lived in Florida for 15 years before moving to Chicago in 2003 for college. She graduated from Trinity International University with a BA in Christian Ministry. Before becoming a Community Advocate, she worked on summer staff for five years. "I took this position because I saw a greater need to further my relationship with the youth and children I worked with during the summer. I love working with children, and my passion is building relationships, creating a safe environment for them to have fun, and most importantly teaching them about God.  I want to be salt and light for the orphans, the street kids, the abused, the outcast, and the unloved children of the world. As I minister to children and youth, I am trying to keep in mind that I am God's ambassador. Therefore, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the "ministry" the Lord Jesus has given me.""  Act 20:24 and "If I perish, I perish." Esther 4:16 Email Josenique

Revella Daniel, Aurora Advocate (Eastwood) - Revella Daniel was born and raised by her mother and grandmother in Atlanta GA.  She served on Riverwoods summer staff for three summers before joining the advocate team in 2007. Revella heard about Riverwoods in 2004 through a campus channel add @ Savannah State University, Savannah GA. She became interested and didn’t stop coming back. “God used Riverwoods to bring me back to my first love, serving & working with children and teens”.  Revella received a BA in Spanish from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah GA, while beginning her first year of Advocacy. Revella  resides in Aurora, where she attends Main Baptist Church.  When asked why she wanted to work for Riverwoods, she replied, “I want to empower the youth that we serve and help them see that God has more for their lives than what society tells them. I believe that this is possible because ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13.”  - Email Revella

Sheppard Deese, Elgin Advocate (Clifford & Owasco Court), grew up as a farm boy in rural North Carolina. He became a Christian at the age of eight but true discipleship never took place. He drifted away from the Lord and became a troubled youth, but rededicated his life after he encountered authentic, cross-cultural, Christians who befriended him, lived, and spoke of Christ's kingdom while he was an undergrad at East Carolina University. Later, he became the Director of the ministry that reached out to him. After awhile, his desire was to become a more competent communicator and servant of the gospel, so he moved to Illinois and got his M.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry with an emphasis in Educational Ministries at Wheaton College Graduate School. He worked with the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton College. Then, God's desire for him to become a servant leader led him onward to "the school of humility" and the Lord taught him priceless lessons about who God is and what service is all about; he worked as a roofer, carpenter, concrete worker, warehouse employee, and an office worker. Out of his love for God he wanted to continue doing the same thing for others that was done unto him while in college: love others for the sake of the gospel; hence Riverwoods. Sheppard and his wife Kristen live locally with thier two children. Email Sheppard

Brad Harris, Camp Program Manager/Retreat Host, joined the Riverwoods staff at the beginning of 2005 after serving as a school-year volunteer in Aurora and on summer leadership staff.  Brad grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Auburn University in 1999 with a degree in public relations.  He worked in the fields of graphic and web design, radio production and sales, journalism and sports marketing before returning to school in 2002.  In 2003 Brad received a graduate certificate in leadership and camp ministry from Wheaton College, where he also received his Master's Degree in educational ministries in 2004.  After serving two years as east Aurora advocate, Brad became the summer camp program manager and retreats coordinator in early 2007.  "I was changed by summer camp growing up - I got to know the Lord and grow in Him a lot during my times at camp.  I'm excited to provide opportunities for God to work like that in the lives of kids from our communities."  Brad, his wife and three sons live local to the camp. E-mail Brad

Ervin Tucker, Aurora Advoate (Jericho Circle) - "I grew up on the south-side of Chicago and had my fair share of trials and tribulations.  At the age of five, I was taken from my biological mother and placed into the foster care system.  I was moved from five different families before being taken in by a loving woman called Grandma Dee.   I struggled with controlling my anger, fighting, stealing, and just being disruptive, but it was the grace of God that saved me from heading toward that path of self-destruction.  In December of 2001, I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s in Sport Management.  After finishing undergraduate school, I enlisted into the United States Army for 4 ˝ years.  I had the opportunity to serve two oversea tours in Iraq.  It was in Iraq where I experienced first-hand how God can bring a person through extreme war and conflict.  After my 4 ˝ year stint in the military, I attempted to reenter the field of recreation and earned my master’s in Recreation Administration in 2007.  After trying to land a position with a park district, I was blessed with an opportunity to work with Riverwoods.  I never thought I would work in ministry, but like they say God works in mysterious ways.  I currently reside in Aurora, happily married with two beautiful children." E-mail Ervin

Patsy Ellis Vanbuskirk, Aurora Advocate (Indian Trail) - Patsy's arrival was a day to celebrate as she marked another milestone of becoming the 8th Advocate area that we serve.  Even though Patsy didn't officially begin her work here until April of 2010, Patsy already had history with Riverwoods as a longtime volunteer. Her enthusiasm for the Lord's work inspires her co-workers. E-mail Patsy 

Zena Tate, East Elgin Advocate - Even though Zena lives in Chicago, Zena felt God calling her to work at Riverwoods.  Her passion for youth make her commute worth it.  Zena began her mission here in June of 2009 and spent her first days immersed into our summer program.  You could tell although exhausted, her eyes would shine when she told you about the youth she had spoken to that day. E-mail Zena

Luke Preussler, East Elgin Advocate, (Poplar Creek/Squire Village) - recently arrived at Riverwoods in July of 2010.  He brings unique experiences to the table with a vast background.  He is currently getting himself aquainted with the youth in his communities.   E-mail Luke

Azzie Forbes, Elgin Advocate (Mark Ave.) - Azzie first came to Riverwoods through her church's partnership with Riverwoods.  She participated in Riverwoods' Community Leadership Program for Teens and successfully graduated the program.  She continued on to get her BA before becoming a replacement for her own Community Advocate Monica.  Riverwoods is very proud to have Azzie as our first Riverwoods graduate to become a Community Advocate.  E-mail Azzie

"Those who give their lives to Riverwoods seem to be truly humble and driven by the Lord to work with this ministry. We can tell it's not just their 'job' it's their life and they give their all to it." --Kimm Pilditch, Riverwoods Donor