Our Team
Meet the face behind the Mission 2535 Dominican Republic Outreach team
Rick Romano | Founder & President
Rick grew up in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. He started attending Cranbrook Alliance Church in his early teen years. It was there where God grabbed a hold of his heart, and gave him a passion for missions. Rick attended Canadian Bible College and graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Education with an emphasis on missions.
Rick and Tammie met at college and were married in 1990. Rick and Tammie have four children; Jonathon 23, Rebekah 19, Abby and Moriah 17. Rick served in four churches over 13 years; Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mt. View Alliance Church in Shelton, Washington, Owen Sound Alliance Church in Canada, and East Hills Alliance Church in Kelso, Washington. In the summer of 2004, Rick had the opportunity to help out at LIFE Youth Conference in Phoenix, AZ. At that point, he stepped out in faith to start the first short-term site with the C&MA in Ensenada, Mexico.
In 2005 moved to Ensenada, Mexico serving there for 6 and a half years. In 2011 the C&MA asked if he would be willing to start a new site in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Rick has been in the Dominican Republic since 2012, serving with Envision through 2014 in the DR. In the winter of 2014 he moved from Envision to Marketplace Ministries within the C&MA…at that same time he started his own non-profit organization called Mission 2535.
M25/35 is situated on 10 acres of land in the Cibao region where he has spent the last 2 years working: we have planted plantains and yuca, built a furniture/plastic recycling factory, aquaponics greenhouse, chicken coup, and purchased several goats. His desire is to reach the least of these through job training, food/water, education, and medical. Using these four foundations as ways to share the gospel, and meet the needs of people in remote areas of the DR.
Jon and Merary Romano
James and Katherine Isaac
James and Katherine Isaac have dedicated their entire adult lives serving in full-time ministry for over 14 years. Married in 2010, they have partnered in ministry, bringing leadership, vision, and a passion for helping others follow Jesus and grow in their faith.
James holds an undergraduate degree from Northwest University and a seminary degree from Biola University, equipping him with a strong theological foundation and practical ministry training. Together, James and Katherine have served in churches across the United States, including Albany, OR; Las Vegas, NV; Austin, TX; and Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout their ministry journey, they have focused on leading and growing vibrant ministries, developing staff and volunteer teams, and creating impactful discipleship opportunities.
A significant portion of their ministry has been dedicated to student ministries, where they have inspired and mentored countless young people to deepen their relationship with Christ. Additionally, James and Katherine have extensive experience in global missions, leading teams and organizing trips to locations such as Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Portugal, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Their hands-on involvement in these cross-cultural mission endeavors reflects their commitment to sharing the gospel and empowering others to serve.
James and Katherine along with their daughter, Juliette, are passionate about seeing the church thrive and helping individuals come to know Christ and grow in their faith. They are driven by a heart for fostering authentic community, encouraging spiritual growth, and equipping others to fulfill their God-given potential. Whether through local ministry or global outreach, the Isaacs strive to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scott Himes | Chairman of the Board
Scott Himes was born December 24, 1960 and raised in York Pennsylvania, self-employed,
owner of Controlled Environment Technologies since 1992. Was employed in 1985 as a field service technician before purchasing the company in 1992.
Controlled Environment
Technologies provides Design / Build solutions, service and installation of HVAC equipment and building automation control systems serving the industrial and commercial markets. He has been married to his wonderful wife Pam for (27) years and cherishes the time he can spend with his children, Matthew and Lauren. Scott is a member of ValleyView Alliance Church and currently serves on the Elder Board.
Since his time at ValleyView GOD has allowed him to serve in different ministries, Treasurer, Blessings-O-Hope, Team leader for missions to Africa and the Dominican Republic. He enjoys camping with his family and spending time with friends. He is excited to serve on the Mission 2535 board and is looking forward to building new relationships and expanding GOD’s vision in the Dominican Republic.
Terry McCormick | Vice Chairman of the Board
Terry was born and raised in Glenside, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Penn State University he successfully pursued a career in the Fashion Industry in NYC. Terry and his wife Adele settled in the Princeton, N.J. area with their children Megan and Matt. They are enjoying their new role as Grandparents.
Terry is most passionate about using his gifts and creative abilities building God’s kingdom. That journey has allowed Terry to serve on the boards of Princeton Alliance Church (6 years), Windsor Chapel (5 years) and now Mission 25/35 (3 years plus).
It is both exciting and rewarding to serve on the Mission 2535 board. The Godly leadership of Rick and Tammie Romano is inspiring. Their heart for missions and the desire to reach the less fortunate is evident through job training, food/water, education and supplying medical needs. Our desire is to use these four foundations as ways to share the word of God, while meeting the needs of people in remote areas of the Dominican Republic.
Corina Schoenke | Treasurer
Cori Schoenke lives in Waukesha, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee, and has been married to her loving husband Paul for 26 years. Cori is a CPA and an audit partner with Wipfli LLP, a national CPA firm. Cori’s passion for missions came about by a trip to China and Vietnam. Cori and Paul have always been weekend warriors, but after talking with a pastor on that trip, thought about putting those skills to use for God’s kingdom instead of our own. We started a fund at our church to see if anyone was interesting in helping to fund mission trips to members/friends of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greendale, WI. A mission was born called God’s Work Today. Paul, myself, and our pastor are co-leaders of God’s Work Today. We have been on 13 international short-term mission trips over 11 years and have about 15 to 20 dedicated people that come with us on the trips. The fund helps to cover about half of the cost of the trips to anyone who wants to go.
We met Rick and Tammie while on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic back in 2018 where we helped build the furniture factory and school at the Community of Hope. We were so impressed by the far-reaching ministry and how God is working through Mission2535 to reach the “least of these” in the Dominican Republic. I’m honored to be a part of Mission2535 and pray that God continues to use this mission to reach many for His kingdom.
Brad Farrow | Board Member
Brad is a finance executive with over 20 years of experience at publicly listed organizations primarily in the Consumer Goods industry. He holds a MBA in Finance from Villanova University, and spent his career across geographies such as Philadelphia, New York and most recently Toronto. Brad currently holds the position of Finance Director at Mondelez International.
Brad is passionate about missions and strives to bring professional experience to enhance the impact of Mission Twenty Five-35. He first met Rick and Tammie at Owen Sound Alliance church in Canada while Rick was leading the youth ministry. Since then, Brad has partnered with Rick and Tammie and other organizations in various missions trips to Mexico, Guatemala, and now Dominican Republic. Outside of work and missions, Brad enjoys spending time with his family, Heather (wife) and two children, Mya and Jaden.
Matthew Hall | Board Member
I was born and raised in the Central Valley of CA on a 40 acre almond ranch. I am 58 years old and married to Michelle for 35 years. I am a father of (2); Derek and Alexis and grandfather to Maverick. I am a U.S.M.C. veteran and Sheet Metal worker. I currently work for myself as a computer draftsman for mechanical contractors.
We have been involved in church leadership roles for home ministries, men’s/women’s groups, student ministries, Elder Board, Advisory Team, missions, etc. While the kids were in high school, I served as an adult leader; attending all camps, events and mission trips. This is where we first met the Romano’s way back in the Ensenada, Mexico days. We developed a solid friendship with the Romano’s and have led several teams to Ensenada, Mexicali and then the DR. After visiting the DR and understanding the mission of Mission 2535 we were sold on the model of bringing Jesus to a community and teaching sustainable living through clean water, food, health care and job training.
We currently attend HOPE Church Boulder City and I am actively involved in leadership for our campus security team.
Michael C. Zachariades | Board Member
Michael C. Zachariades, married to Georgene, for 41 years. We have 2 sons, our oldest Ian, married to Kristen and we have now three granddaughters Sophia, Zoe and Elaine. Ian is a partner in a large diner here in New Jersey, Kristen is a senior marketing analyst. Our second son, Christos is married to Lorena. They are married one year, this past October 2024. Christos works for one of the largest HVAC supply companies and Lorena is a music therapist.
We have attended Princeton Alliance Church since 1999. Georgene volunteers with K- 4-year-olds. I am long time Senior High Leader. I have been on more than a dozen various missions trips. Add in Life Conferences and Lake Champion events and I have lost count on the various trips over the years. Georgene is Special Ed teacher, in particular Autistic Children and on a part-time basis does in-home programs. I am now semi-retired and work as supply chain consultant. I specialized in liquid bulk logistics shipping chemicals and various other products in bulk on board vessels for international shipments. I had the great opportunity to travel quite a bit thru out the USA, Europe and other places.
Steve Wylie | Board Member
Steve Wylie has spent the majority of his life living in Ohio and discovered his love for international mission work back in 2012 when he took his first trip to Peru. Since then, Steve, often accompanied by his wife Stephanie, has made trips to work with a number of different missionaries in various locations around the world. In 2018 Steve first visited the Dominican Republic and was introduced to the Community of Hope Project as well as the Romano family. Since then, after falling in love with the ministry in the Dominican Republic, he has largely devoted his mission work to supporting Mission 2535.
Steve and Stephanie Wylie live in Columbus, OH (Go Buckeyes!) with their four children and are members of Worthington Christian Church.
To support Steve’s love for mission work, he spends his work days running the business for the eastern part of the United States for a technology consulting company called Trace3.
Jeff Brettell | Board Member
Jeff Brettell was born and raised in and around Toronto, Ontario. He has been married to his loving wife Yvette for 24 years. Their children are Tyler, Austin, Kent and Madison, all of whom are now adults living in the Toronto area (save for Austin who currently lives in Manchester, England.)
Jeff came to faith in Georgetown while attending Living Hope church, where he remains a member. It was while working with the youth of Living Hope that Jeff first participated on a mission trip and met Rick and Tammie. Over the course of multiple missions trips their relationship grew and Jeff developed a strong passion for the work being done through Mission 25/35. After prayer and thoughtful consideration (and an invitation from Rick) Jeff joined the Mission 25/35 board in 2019. He has hosted the Mission 25/35 Podcast since its creation in early 2020.
Jeff’s daily work life is a confluence of sales, technology, coaching and speaking engagements all of which he performs as a member of the CoreLogic team.
Brie Lucas | Board Member
Brie Lucas and her husband, Drew, reside in Manalapan, NJ with their four children where they operate a 100-acre cattle farm. They are active members of GraceWay Bible Church, and enjoy spending time remodeling their fixer-upper, hiking, reading, and traveling. Brie assists Drew with marketing for their outdoor landscape lighting company and runs a successful social media-based small business. She also homeschools their children, ranging in age from preschool to high school. Her passion for missions in the Dominican Republic began in May 2013 when she and Drew visited there on a church sponsored mission trip. Inspired by the ministry’s impact, she became a board member in January 2019, and is honored to partner with this organization to provide tangible support to communities in the DR in Jesus’ name.
Sharon Rossman-Ralph | Board Member
Sharon Rossman Ralph was born and raised in New Jersey. She has had a variety of careers including Thirty years in the dental field, home healthcare and for the past Thirty- Four years and currently works as Executive Assistant at Fairview Cemetery and is also the only person in the Cemetery Industry in NJ that is a Certified Celebrant. Sharon has two children, three step-children and seven grandchildren, who keep her busy and blessed.
Sharon and her Husband Richard reside in Westfield, NJ and are looking forward to retirement and heading down to Florida someday soon. Sharon has been on several Missions Committees throughout her life and is very involved with missions in her present church.
She has served on 20 years of mission trips and has been a supporter of the Romano's ministries both in Mexico and Dominican Republic. Sharon joined the board in January 2023. Sharon's passion is one of service, hospitality and working with people and her heart and support through Mission2535 is being fulfilled, no project is too small or too large that she won't take on.
