COOKSON HILLS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Secretary / Nominating
April Graney first visited Cookson Hills in high school when her Tulsa Christin School cheerleading squad came to cheer at a basketball tournament. Later, she attended Northeastern State University where she visited Cookson Hills for a retreat with Campus Christian Fellowship. April graduated with her degree in Secondary English Education, but she and her husband Tom felt called to full-time ministry and so they attended Dallas Theological Seminary, graduated together, and finally ended up serving full-time at New Life Ranch, a Christian Camp and Retreat Center 20 minutes from Cookson Hills.
As their family grew, April homeschooled their 5 children for many years. Her children joined the Cookson Hills basketball team as homeschoolers, and through interacting and cheering at the basketball games for the team, April and her family grew to love the Cookson family. April joined the middle school teaching staff in 2019. Her three boys attend middle school and high school at Cookson. April is also the author of two children's books that are available at bookstores nationwide, The Marvelous Maker, a Creation and Redemption Parable (B&H Kids, 2020) and The Marvelous Mud House, a true story based on her family trip to Kenya (B&H Kids 2017). Her passions are telling stories, investing in kids' lives, and sharing the gospel with a heart for the Lord and His word. In addition to teaching and writing, April also enjoys napping, running, and changing her hair color frequently.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager of Maintenance & Grounds
The Lord directed Ken and his wife, Benita, to Cookson Hills as Houseparents in 2011. After taking a short break from 2016 to 2018, he came back to restart our Music Education program as the lead Music Teacher and also, Athletic Director. Ken is a rehearsal-conducting, theory-instructing, practice-assigning, rhythm-keeping, always-leading, hands-on-training, always-entertaining, life-changing music teacher! Ken has a Bachelor of Arts in Music with concentrations in Contemporary Worship and Instrumental Performance, plus minors in Biblical Studies and Business Administration from Trinity Bible College. Team Kelly is led by Coach Ken Kelly, and made up of his wife, best friend, and assistant coach, Benita, and their two daughters, Eliana and Emma. Ken loves being intentional about pouring into his family team! As a family, they love to bake, kayak, hike, play disc golf, play dress up, and use their dinner table and home to impact the friends and family around them.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Treasurer
- Director of Business & Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Nominating
Job Titles:
- Accounts Payable / HR Assistant
Carol first learned about Cookson Hills after her friend had attended Hilltop (formerly Open House) in 2015. Shortly after, Carol joined the team as our HR Assistant & Accounts Payable. She maintains Cookson Hills employee files, payroll, expenditures, new hire orientation trainings, and pays the bills. Carol loves the variety of her job. She has a Bachelor of Science in Missions and a Minor in Business from Grace University. If you cannot find Carol in her office, it's probably because she is relaxing with a good book, or working in the garden.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Manager of Maintenance
- Manager of Maintenance & Grounds
Dalton first learned of Cookson Hills through small group members, Brandon and Melissa Jackson back in 2017. He officially joined our team as a maintenance technician in July of 2020. Dalton oversees the grounds departments, and enjoys working alongside our volunteers and student workers, and building relationships with his co-workers. Dalton is married to our Equine Specialist, Lynnette, and they have three amazing children; Paul, Logan, and Lydia. If you can't find Dalton on campus, you're not alone! Overseeing nearly 1000 acres of property is no easy task. But if it isn't normal work hours and you can't find him, then he is probably working on projects around the house or volunteering at church.
About ten-plus years ago, Dianne's son played against Cookson Hills during basketball season. She drove out from Tulsa to cheer on his Mingo Valley Christian team. When she and her husband, Monte, moved to the area a few years ago, she remembered us and our mission became her mission. Dianne joined us as our High School English Teacher in 2017. Teaching has been her passion for many years. She endeavors to take students from where they are in their language development to the next level, specifically in written expression, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension. Dianne has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education from Oklahoma Baptist University. She and her husband have 7 children, plus 10 grandchildren altogether. If Dianne isn't her in her classroom, she is probably off on a traveling adventure, working outdoors, taking an ordinary space and turning it into something warm and beautiful, or entertaining friends and family.
Jordan did not grow up knowing about Cookson Hills, but we are so glad that changed. It started with a woman who picked up a pamphlet about Cookson Hills from her supporting church. She brought it home and when her home health nurse arrived (Jordan's sister-in-law), she asked her to read it to her. Jordan's sister-in-law called her right away because she remembered that this type of ministry was Jordan's dream, and we were hiring! Jordan joined the team at Cookson Hills in January of 2019 as a Social Worker in our Children and Family Services Department. She is a supervisor over houseparents and case manager for the kids within their homes. She loves building relationships with the kids and being a support for the houseparents who pour into the kids on a daily basis. Jordan has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Pittsburg State University. If you cannot find Jordan in the office, it's probably because she's on the Hilltop serving our houseparents and our kids. But if she really is off the clock, then she's probably curled up with a good book, playing card games & board games, or just relaxing outside.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Governance Comm. Chair
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director of Children and Family Services
Job Titles:
- Teacher
- Equine Specialist
Through her church's small group, Lynnette connected with Cookson Hills team members, Melissa & Brandon Jackson. Thanks to the Lord's leading, she attended Hilltop 2018, where her eyes were opened to the incredible ways He was using Cookson Hills to reach kids who were at-risk. Lynnette officially joined the team in 2019 as our Equine Specialist & Reading Resource Teacher. She manages the equine program and leads horsemanship classes. She also works with students who need extra support in their reading skills. Lynnette has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from John Brown University. If you cannot find Lynnette at the barns or the school, then she is probably spending time with her husband, Dalton, and children, Paul, Logan, and Lydia, riding her own horses, or reading.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director of Educational Services
Melissa first learned about Cookson Hills at the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). An elementary teacher at the time, the Lord had given her and her husband, Brandon, a desire to serve students in a different way. So in 2011, they began serving at Cookson Hills as Houseparents. In 2014, Melissa became the Director of Educational Services. Melissa oversees the daily operations and long-term growth of our educational and extra-curricular programs on campus- a.k.a. she is "the principal." Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Kentucky Christian University and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning- Leadership from Liberty University. Outside of the office, you will likely find Melissa spending time with her husband and two daughters, finding good shopping deals, regretting her decision to get a perm in middle school, practicing photography, and cheering on the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Reds.
Nate and his wife, Wendy, first heard about Cookson Hills through their college friends, the Kellys. Upon reading the stories from our kids and learning more about the ministry, they were super impressed and wanted to be a part of this Kingdom working team. Nate has been with us since 2019 as a Social Worker in our Children & Family Services department. As a Social Worker he gets to spend time with kids and advocate for them while also supporting our amazing houseparents. Nate has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with a Youth Minor. Outside of work, Nate can be found hanging out with his wife and their three daughters- Lana, Laurel, and Lundyn, playing games- the video and board kind (not the "with my heart" kind that a 90's boy band begged us to stop doing), manicuring lawns, watching movies, hunting, or fishing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Finance Comm. Chair
Pat first heard about Cookson Hills from a family who had placed their grandchild here. He and his wife attended a regional meeting on campus in 2018. Once they saw how God was working here in the lives of children, they knew that they wanted to be a part of the mission. Pat officially joined our team in May of 2020. As the Executive Assistant, Pat supports our Executive Director and works to communicate and build relationships with our partner churches. He is married to our CFS Director, Kerry Hubbartt and their blended family is composed of 7 children and 2 grandchildren, with only one left in the house! If you cannot find Pat in the office he is probably playing his guitar, spending time with his family, or relaxing at the river!
Robb learned about Cookson Hills while sitting in his living room in Portugal searching for teaching job openings. He and his wife, Anna, were looking for the next thing God had in store for them. They both immediately recognized that working at Cookson Hills was pretty much their dream job. Robb began serving at Cookson Hills as a teacher and coach in 2012. He teaches High School Mathematics (Algebra and Geometry) and Independent Living Skills. He enjoys seeing his math students come to understand that making mistakes is part of learning and not failure. It brings him joy to know that in Independent Living Skills, our students are getting a foundation of knowledge and skills that they can use as they transition into adulthood. Robb has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Toledo. He and his wife are recent empty nesters, but still the proud parents of Isaac, Ezri, and Shyanna. If you cannot find Robb in his classroom, he is probably coaching whichever sport is in season at the time. But if by chance he is not in the gym, he is probably in conversations with his wife, playing strategy games, or listening to good music.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Ex - Officio Board Member
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Manager of Storytelling Group
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistance & HR
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
Wendy and her husband, Nate, first heard about Cookson Hills through their college friends, the Kellys. Upon reading the stories from our kids and learning more about the ministry, they were super impressed and wanted to be a part of this Kingdom working team. Wendy has been with us since 2019 as the CFS Assistant. She supports the main CFS staff with any extra jobs that they have, which usually involves filing, paperwork, and keeping track of records. Wendy loves being the extra hand for such a great team. Wendy has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Biblical Studies from Trinity Bible College. If you cannot find Wendy in her office, check wherever there may be crafting supplies; no glue stick is safe! If all of those locations are clear, then she's probably devouring her newest library book, enjoying the outdoors, or playing games with their girls, Lana, Laurel, and Lundyn.