Chad and Amy Houck – Founders and Directors, World Wins International

Chad’s journey to World Wins and Share5 follows a winding path that has included time in real estate, web development, project and event management, internet media and production, and even construction.  These various backgrounds create the broad understanding that allows him to look at the many projects Share5 is engaging with and see parallels that create great relationships with other nonprofits, churches, and individuals.  To deal with the constantly changing environments of living on the road, Chad often draws upon his last 5 years of problem solving as a part of the senior leadership teams at two different for-profit companies, where he served in the capacities of VP of Sales, VP of Operations, and VP of Strategic Partnerships.

Chad also served with his wife on staff at Life Church in Hailey, ID as Interim Youth Directors and as the Media and IT Director prior to relocating to Boise, ID in 2005.

Amy is a former hairstylist, Salon and Day Spa owner, and now lists full-time mom among her many talents.  Prior to the birth of their children Emily and Dillon, Amy spent over 9 years as a professional sytlist, 3 of those as the owner and principal of her own high-end Salon and Day Spa in the resort community of Hailey, ID.

She took her first overseas service trip to Belize, Central America with Chad in 2001, a trip which began a process that has changed not only her life, but how she looks at her role in the world.  Driven by a deep compassion for women and a desire to help them understand their worth, Amy has led women’s and small-group studies in the US and Mexico, and ministered to women and children in Central America, and Ghana, West Africa.  She looks forward to continuing to teach others about the value and treasure that they carry within themselves.

Rounding out the Houck family are Emily (turning 6 in June), Dillon (turning 5 in May) and the newest edition, Bethany, who was born February 17, 2010.

Additional Board Members

Lou Esposito – Spartac Consulting

Lou Esposito has over 30 years experience in business planning and operations, strategic communications and issues, and campaign management. He is known as someone who crafts innovative strategies, maximizes human and financial resources, and delivers successful projects on budget and ahead of schedule.

Lou’s professional and personal accomplishments are numerous. He served in various roles as manager, writer, producer, editor and media coordinator on multiple campaigns for national organizations and Fortune 500 companies including the Nuclear Energy Institute, Hewlett-Packard, Washington Group International and Blue Cross. In the late 1990’s, Lou also worked as chief strategist and manager of Idaho Power’s public affairs program.

In addition, Lou was co-founder, chairman, president, and CEO of a start-up public affairs/strategic and program planning company. Under his leadership, he built the firm into a successful 15-person, statewide business.

Furthermore, Lou has tackled the position of chief strategist and operations manager during several critical political campaigns. Recently, he guided a candidate for the U.S Congress through the 2006 primary and general elections and into office in January 2007. Lou also served as the on-site media production manager and consultant to Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin’s key advisors during his successful constitutional referendum campaign in 1993.

Personally, Lou lends his time and expertise as an officer, board member and volunteer advisor to numerous non-profit organizations and ministries. He and his wife Cindy also volunteered their leadership abilities for the Vineyard Church in Glasgow, Scotland in 2002-2003, where they helped establish an outreach center and managed the renovation and expansion of a missions college.

Lou enjoys spending time with Cindy, their 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Pastor Mark Boer – Life Church Boise

Mark Boer has been teaching the Word of God in full-time ministry since 1989. In 2001 he founded Life Church – a dynamic, growing church in Boise, Idaho, which he continues to pastor. His ministry is one of compassion and power. He teaches the Word of God with conviction and humor, believing that God is ever-willing to meet the needs of all who call upon Him in faith. His emphasis is bringing the Life of God to the lives of people. This life shows up not only in salvation, but also in healing, peace, prosperity, and wisdom.

Mark is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center and resides in the Boise area with his wife Amy and children; Whitley, Wesley and Windelyn.

Merlyn Knight – President, Royal Fork Restaurant Corporation

Merlyn has an amazing history that while simplistic on the surface (he’s only had one job since High School, only went to one college, and has only been married once, as he would say!) has provided him with a highly varied set of experiences.  At the age of 19 he began working at a McDonald’s restaurant (the first of its kind in Idaho), only to later find himself managing these restaurants in three different states for the same corporation as the franchises of this popular chain grew.  That company later became Royal Fork Restaurant Company, where Merlyn now serves as President.  He is a business builder, strategist, and team builder that lends his years of expertise to foundations, schools, non-profits, and Universities through board positions and advising.  World Wins is proud to have Merlyn as a member of our board and to draw on his years of business experience.