Our Board of Directors and Staff
Our team is dedicated to serving the neglected, widows, orphans and those in need.
Terry — Board Member and Carol DeGraff -— Executive Director
Terry and Carol have 3 adult children, and 2 grandchildren. Serving with COC for over 20 years, they love the vision to reach the needy and have been on most of the Missions Trip. Terry serves on the Board, and Carol became Executive Director in 2017 when George Wakeling retired. Terry is a graphic designer by trade, and loves to draw and hike. Carol volunteers at her church and loves hanging out with her kids and grandkids.
Chad and Thersa Fitzgerald — Board Members
Chad and Thersa live in Capistrano Beach, CA and have served with Circle of Concern for over 15 years. They both have a heart for children, having served for years as Sunday School Teachers at their local church. Chad is in the construction industry and has brought his skills on every mission trip with COC. Thersa works at a local dentist office, loves people, has a big heart, and is known as Mama T.
Hugh Margesson — Board Member
Hugh lives with his wife Marlene in San Clemente. Hugh has served in the nonprofit world for over 30 years, with organizations ranging from Native American causes to foster children programs and parenting projects. He is heading up Hope Beyond Borders, which procures and distributes donated medical supplies to the underserved. He has obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars of brand new medical supplies and equipment and donated them to the needy. He has resourced COC with thousands of medical grade masks, gloves, first aid supplies and more for our Tijuana ministries and local clinics serving the poor and homeless.
Chris Marshall — Board Member
Chris and his family serve with Novo and live in San Clemente, CA. Novo is a band of creative missionaries sent to multiply movements of the gospel and mobilize the church for that mission around the world. Chris' main focus is supporting the movement that God is currently doing in 15 countries in the Middle East where over 270,000 people are discovering who Jesus is in 18,000+ Discovery Bible Studies. He has served on the Board for over 10 years and gone on a number of outreaches with Circle of Concern
Jim Robertson — Board Member
Jim and his wife Pam live in Apple Valley, CA and have 1 daughter and 1 granddaughter. Jim also has a son from a prior marriage. Jim and Pam serve the homeless community by providing meals, clothes and other supplies on a regular basis. They serve with the Warming Center in Victorville, and the Rescue Center where they help run a mobile shower system for the homeless. Jim is accomplished in all types of construction and has used his skills on most every COC mission trip.
George Spraker — Board President
George is a native Californian who lives in San Juan Capistrano with his wife Heather. He is the father of four adult children, one with special needs. He has been working with Circle of Concern since the early 90s and has served on numerous outreach trips. George loves to see the Lord work through his people as they serve those in need.
George Wakeling — Founder and Staff Member
George and his wife, Betty, founded Circle of Concern in 1989 and he has served in many different ministry roles over the years - from starting foster family agencies to pastoring in a church. He is gifted at administration and leadership and continues to provide support in these areas, planning our Outreach trips and more. George also loves to connect with all the people who have supported COC over the years.
Tommy and Alyssa Welty — Board Members
Tommy and Alyssa live in Fallbrook, CA. Tommy is Pastor of the new church, CrossWay Community Church of Fallbrook. They have 2 young children, Atticus and Gwendolyn. Alyssa and Tommy served as missionaries in Liverpool, United Kingdom for 2 years before returning home to California. They love people, and have a heart to help the poor and needy and are new members to the Board.