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Leadership

David Holsten, President and Chief Executive Officer

David assumed the presidency of MAF on July 16, 2018. He and his wife, Natalie, joined MAF in 2000.

During his years of service, initially as pilot/mechanic, David served in a variety of leadership roles, including chief pilot, program manager, and regional director for Indonesia.

He became a Christian at an early age and was nurtured in his faith by his family, as well as by his church and youth group.
David received a Bachelor of Science degree in Missionary Aviation Technology from Moody Aviation, and holds a commercial pilot’s license with multi-engine rating, as well an airframe and power plant mechanic’s license. Prior to joining MAF he worked as a flight instructor with Moody Aviation for two years. 

In leading MAF, David relies on God’s guidance and actively seeks the counsel of the executive leadership team and the board of directors, as well as that of MAF staff. He says, “It has been my privilege to see the impact that MAF’s ministry is having in the lives of isolated people all around the world. I’m grateful to be a part of this work and love it deeply. It’s my prayer that the gospel will clearly be displayed in all we do as we serve together with others to see isolated people changed by the love of Christ.”

David and Natalie reside in Nampa, Idaho, and have four children.

Joseph (Joe) Barraclough, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Joe Barraclough joined MAF in 2018, after having served as director of Financial Services at Seed Company (a Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate) in Arlington, Texas. Joe comes to MAF with 20 years of nonprofit financial leadership.

Joe began his career in public accounting, then as CFO of a nonprofit organization. In 2002, he felt the tug of God’s call to transplant his family to South America, where they ministered until 2013.

He and his wife, Judith, are seasoned missionaries who ministered in the slums of Caracas, Venezuela, and in the least-reached areas of the Amazon Rainforest in southern Perú. Pioneer evangelism, church-planting, pastoral guidance, member care, and leadership development were activities that Joe carried out while fulfilling his financial leadership responsibilities.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration in Accounting.

Joe and Judith are the parents of seven children and reside in Nampa, Idaho.

Aaron Bear, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer

Aaron provides strategic direction to all MAF fundraising, marketing, and communication channels.

Since joining MAF in 2006, Aaron has held various management positions, including director of Major Funding and Planned Giving, a role that provided him opportunities to visit MAF programs overseas as well as to become acquainted with ministry supporters in the U.S.

Prior to joining MAF, Aaron served as an associate pastor in Mountain Home, Idaho. A pilot who enjoys flying, Aaron’s strong call to ministry and missions led him to apply his leadership and administrative skills to benefit MAF.

Aaron holds the degrees of Bachelor of Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Global University, and Master of Organizational Leadership from George Fox University. He also volunteers locally with the Nampa Airport Commission and Crossroads Community Church, where he worships with his wife, Rachel, and their three children.

Ruth Harrison, Vice President and Chief People Officer

Ruth oversees the recruiting of staff for the home office and missionaries who serve overseas; non-technical training; member care; benefits; and the management of the MAF headquarters facilities in Nampa, Idaho.

Ruth and her husband, Doug, joined MAF in 2004 in a management role in Central Asia. Dedicated to help build God’s kingdom in unreached areas, Ruth applied her skills in education and spiritual formation to encourage the faith of missionaries serving with MAF and client agencies.

In 2014, Ruth was appointed director of Member Care to provide debriefing, coaching and discipleship to MAF staff families. Under her leadership, existing programs were strengthened, and new initiatives successfully implemented.

Ruth’s keen understanding of the MAF culture and values, and the ministry impact of personnel functions, led to her current assignment in 2019. Ruth was the candidate of choice to succeed the seventeen-year incumbent, Gene Jordan, an MAF veteran of 42 years.

A graduate of Biola University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Ruth is also certified in trauma care, coaching, debriefing, and facilitation. A fifth-generation missionary who taught children and adults in Central Asia, Ruth served on the local school board and led an interagency member care team for some 500 expatriates working with international organizations.

Ruth and Doug have four adult children. The couple resides in Boise, Idaho, and worship at Calvary Church where they invest in young church leaders and Christian professionals.

Brock Larson, Vice President of Global Impact

As the first person to hold this newly created executive position, Brock will provide leadership to MAF’s regional directors who guide our staff serving overseas. His responsibility is to improve our overall mission effectiveness in ministry activity, strategic planning, and to administer the many aspects of serving overseas. He’ll bring an increased level of collaboration between the MAF team in Nampa and those leading them throughout the world.

Brock and his wife, Lisa, joined MAF after finishing a 21-year career in the U.S. Air Force. During his career he primarily flew as an instructor pilot and held leadership positions as a flight commander, squadron commander, and deputy group commander. During the last years of their service in the Air Force, Brock and Lisa knew that God was leading them towards serving in missions.

After joining MAF in 2015, Brock and Lisa moved to Indonesia where they studied language and culture before serving in the Papua program. He flew the Kodiak in Papua for just over a year before accepting the regional director (RD) position for Indonesia. He served as the RD for the next 4+ years. Brock’s experience in leadership led to him being selected to fill the new Global Impact position.

Both Brock and Lisa graduated from Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree. He also earned his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. Brock and Lisa have four adult children and currently live in Meridian, Idaho.

Jonathan Raney, Vice President of Safety & Quality

Jonathan leads our Safety and Quality Group providing insight, guidance, and growth towards excellence in service for a safe and effective ministry.

Both Jonathan and his wife, Cindee, were born overseas and grew up in MAF as their parents served faithfully in the Philippines, Ecuador, and then together in Indonesia in the 1960’s,70’s, and 80’s respectively. Jonathan and Cindee joined MAF in 1990 and served in Indonesia for nearly 30 years.

Jonathan filled a number of roles, starting in Kalimantan as a pilot/mechanic, maintenance instructor, and eventually program manager. In 2000, with a move to Papua, Jonathan oversaw MAF’s largest flight and maintenance operations as Operations Manager and Assistant Program Manager.

In 2014, Jonathan led MAF’s Indonesia area office in the capital city of Jakarta, interfacing with the Indonesian aviation regulator and all government entities necessary to obtain needed permissions and permits for MAF to operate in Indonesia. With a transition back to the USA in January 2021, Jonathan moved into the Director of Safety/Quality position, and was eventually chosen to become the VP of our Safety and Quality Group.

Jonathan received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mission Aviation Technology from Moody Bible Institute. He holds an airframe and power plant mechanic’s license, and a commercial pilot license. Jonathan and Cindee have four adult children and reside in Meridian, Idaho, and are passionate to live each day to the honor and glory of our Lord

Ted Van Zwol, Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Ted leads the development, maintenance, and usage of systems, software, and computers that process and distribute data throughout MAF worldwide. The complexity of MAF's ministry, coupled with the rapidity of technological advancements, necessitate a cohesive and cost-effective approach to meeting MAF's internal information technology (IT) needs.

Ted, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science/Business, brings a wealth of experience to his role. His successful business career includes positions as principal software engineering manager at Microsoft, and as systems analyst and software design engineer at Boeing Computer Services.

Further, his earlier five-year service with MAF as a pilot and IT specialist in Papua, Indonesia, enhances his ability to effectively address MAF needs overseas.

Ted and his wife, Nancy, live in Meridian, Idaho, and have three sons.

Dan Whitehead, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

Dan oversees all MAF ministry programs throughout the world.

Dan and his wife, Tracey, began their missionary service with MAF in 1993. Dan was served as a pilot/mechanic in Nicaragua, then in Venezuela. After 11 years of service, he was appointed program manager in Shell, Ecuador, until 2009 when, with his help, that program transitioned into a national entity and affiliate.

For the next four years, Dan led the MAF programs in Latin America as regional director. In 2014, he responded to the request for assistance from MAF affiliate Alas de Socorro de Ecuador (ADSE), a role he held until becoming vice president for MAF operations in 2018.

Dan learned about missionary aviation and MAF in his 20s, while travelling overseas with a Christian music group. Sensing it would be a perfect fit for him, he pursued the Advanced Studies Program at Moody Bible Institute. He also earned his commercial pilot’s license with instrument rating at Moody Aviation.

Dan and Tracey enjoy music, leading a worship team, and teaching Sunday School. Recently relocated to the U.S.A., they look forward to becoming similarly involved in their new local church.

Dan shares, “I keep returning to God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10 whenever I start to worry about things. He is the One who keeps me and gives me strength.”

The Whiteheads reside in Nampa, Idaho, and have three children.

Board of Directors

Joel Barker

Board Chair, Mission Aviation Fellowship
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
J.R. Simplot Company
Boise, ID

Mona Gisler

Chief Financial Officer
Post Real Estate Group
Santa Monica, CA

Jennifer Holloran

President and CEO
American Bible Society
Philadelphia, PA

Edner Jeanty

Executive Director
Barnabas Christian Leadership Center
Fort Pierce, FL

Larry Jones, PH.D.

Chief Executive Officer
The Seed Company
Arlington, TX

Jeff Kramer

VP of Fundraising
The Internet Society
Pearland, TX

Grantley Martelly

Chief Operating Officer
Pierce Transit
Lakewood, WA

Ken McKenzie

Principal, Meridian Blue, LLC
Wilton Manors, FL

Lacey Pittman

Vice-Chair, Mission Aviation Fellowship
Vice President Global Aviation Safety
Boeing
Seattle, WA

Montie C. Ralstin, Jr.

Retired Pastor
Boise, ID

Mike Tachick

Owner and Chief Executive Officer
Dairyland Electrical Industries
Stoughton, WI

Dan Elwell

President
Elwell & Associates
Fairfax Station, VA

Rebecca Mares

Counsel to the Firm
Lane Powell
Seattle, WA

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