Rick Cotton, Founder, Chairman of the Board – Rick’s ministry began as a young man on a 30-day trip to what is now known as Ukraine. While there he shared his faith, playing American football and working with children. It was on that trip that Rick realized he wanted to dedicate his life to working with kids in underprivileged parts of the world, and spent the next 10 years doing so. After following God’s leading and moving to Valenzuela, it was there that he met his wife Ann and together they realized that there must be a better way to do work in these countries and the idea for VivaKids was born.
Rick continues to be actively involved in VivaKids as its Chairman and has begun work on his next successful business enterprise, a joint venture with Blue Dog Business Services.
Ann Cotton, Founder, Director – As a young girl of 16, Ann went on a three-week trip to the barrios of Venezuela, and a vision was planted deep within her to work with the children of that country. That trip turned into dedicating years of her life working in Venezuela where she eventually met her husband Rick. As mentioned above, together they came up with the concept to launch VivaKids. Ann served as VivaKids Executive Director until 2014.
Ann’s heart still beats for the children, and faithfully serves on our Board of Directors. And also serves her local community through active involvement with The Buggy Bunch of Vero Beach, FL.
Jim Beckley, Director – Bio coming!
Dan Gower, Director – Dan was born and raised in Minnesota and felt a strong calling on his life to be a missionary from a very young age. After graduating high school, he immediately enrolled in missions training school and moved to the Ukraine at the end of 1993 to begin his adventure in full-time missions. Dan moved on to serve in Venezuela and Mexico before settling in the Dominican Republic in 2006.
Dan and his wife, Shana, have two fine young sons, Joshua and Gabriel, and as a family they currently serve as the Directors of Josiah’s House. This ministry serves orphan and abandoned children in the same city as VivaKids partner children centers. Josiah’s House also works with local churches to minster to the needs of children and families in crisis.
Bill Myers, Executive Director – See bio on Our Team page.
Marsha Myers, Executive Director – See bio on Our Team page.