A native of Texas, Ray Buchanan earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Divinity from Shenandoah University and Conservatory. He co-founded Stop Hunger Now in 1998, following an 18-year career as the founder and co-director of the Society of St. Andrew, a Virginia based domestic food relief organization. Ray also served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

An ordained United Methodist minister, he is fueled by the vision of ending hunger in his lifetime and, to that end, has dedicated himself to helping those in the greatest need. Stop Hunger Now was created by Ray as an entrepreneurial model for providing rapid, cost-effective responses to international crisis situations. 

Ray is the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his humanitarian effort. His awards include the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Alumnus of the Year Award, the Caring Institute National Caring Award, the National Association of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award and the Maxwell House “Real American Hero Award,”  the North Carolina International Human Rights Award, and the International Affairs Council’s Citizen of the World award.

Articles on Ray and his work have appeared in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the San Francisco Examiner, the Houston Post, the Dallas Morning News, the Arizona Republic, the Raleigh News and Observer and the Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on the NBC Nightly News, the CBS Weekend News and the 700 Club.

Rod Brooks, CEO

Rod Brooks began serving in July 2006 as CEO of Stop Hunger Now. In this capacity, he provides leadership and direction toward the achievement of the organization’s mission to end world hunger, focusing on service programs, fundraising, financial and administrative management. Rod has spent nearly twenty years working in the non-profit sector. Prior to directing Stop Hunger Now, Rod worked for sixteen years creating Exploris (now titled Marbles Children’s Museum), an interactive museum about the world, ultimately serving as Vice President for Administration.
 
Rod is active in the community as a member of the Cary Rotary Club, Fairmont United Methodist Church, and NC Partners of the Americas. He has been recognized for his leadership of Kids Voting Wake County and received the James S. Bramham Humanitarian Award from NC Partners of the Americas. He received a B.A. in Economics and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989. He speaks Spanish fluently. Rod lives in Raleigh with his wife, Terry Jasper Brooks, and daughter, Vivian.

 SHN STAFF

Dominic Alexander, Program Coordinator - Richmond

Dominic Alexander was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and has since lived in Pakistan, New York, Virginia, Belgium, Belize, and Arizona.  After graduating from James Madison University in 2003 with a B.A. in Social Work, Dominic joined the Peace Corps and served as an HIV/AIDS educator in Belize.  Dominic then served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Prescott, Arizona, placing at-risk children in mentoring relationships.  Upon completing his AmeriCorps commitment, Dominic returned to Thailand to spend time with family. While in Thailand, he worked as a program manager at Rustic Pathways’ “Ricefields Base” in the northeast of the country. In this position, Dominic was responsible for facilitating community service projects for approximately 450 American high school students over the course of 10 weeks.  He also volunteered at an AIDS orphanage while in Thailand.

Dominic enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as serving in the community. Dominic and his girlfriend Shevaun, a nursing student at Georgetown University, have been together for over three years.

 William Bailey, Program Coordinator - Phoenix

William “Bill” Bailey is a Pennsylvania native and long term resident of the “Valley of the Sun,” Phoenix, Arizona. Bill and his family moved to the Phoenix area in February of 1970 from the suburbs of Philadelphia. 

Bill joins SHN after a career of more than 20 years in telecommunications. His background includes military service (US Army), employment with AT&T and USWEST and serving at his home church, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler, Arizona. Bill still serves as a worship leader for “Celebrate Recovery” and as a member of the praise team at Cornerstone.

Bill has spent time in Gail’s Point, Belize, Khayelitsha, South Africa, and Calexico, Mexico on short term mission trips. “I have a passion to serve the Kingdom,” Bill says. Bill is married to Phyllis Bailey and they have one daughter, Megan. Of his daughter, Bill says, “I am so proud of Megan, she is chasing her dream.” Megan is in her first year at Stephens College. In his spare time, Bill enjoys being with family, helping others, and jamming on his numerous guitars.

 Chessney Barrick, Director of Development

Chessney joins us from Virginia Beach, where she has resided for over 26 years. She is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a B.A. in Business Administration and a concentration in marketing. With over 5 years of business to business sales experience, she has worked specifically as a marketing consultant with local radio stations in Virginia Beach. In addition to her sales responsibilities, she also participated in special event and promotions planning.

Chessney enjoys volunteering as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher at her local church. This year, her interest in missions work allowed her to accompany her church’s youth group to Nicaragua. Chessney is very excited about dedicating her efforts, skill set, energy and passion to fulfill her new role with Stop Hunger Now. 

 Terry Brown, Program Coordinator - Raleigh

Terry was born in Erie, PA and raised in the very small town of Edinboro, PA. Later in life, he attended Penn State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice. Afterward, he attended Tiffin University in Tiffin, OH where he received his masters in Justice Administration and nearly completed a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology. Terry enjoys working with children and, for eight years, worked as a supervisor for the Head Start program in Pennsylvania. He hopes to continue his education, ultimately obtaining a PhD in either Organization Leadership Studies or Family Studies. 

Matt Casteel, Program Coordinator - Mississippi

Matt was born and raised in Mississippi. As his father is a Methodist minister, he has lived in many parts of the state. Matt attended Jones Jr. College for one year before transferring to Millsaps College. At Millsaps, he earned a B.S. in Anthropology and Sociology. He has spent much of his life volunteering for various local nonprofits such as Stewpot, Krista Kottage, the Ronald McDonald House, and he has been involved in mission based projects such as C.A.S.T OFF and Convo.

Matt has had extensive travel experience starting with a study abroad trip to Germany and Italy to study the development of urban architecture. Subsequently, he got involved with the Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve in Kiuic, Yucatan, Mexico. After spending one summer excavating Mayan ruins, Matt returned to Kiuic the next summer to spearhead the Ott Mentoring Program, which provided native Yucatecan teenagers with scholarships to high school in the adjacent town upon their completion of the program. After graduation, Matt spent one year managing a café in Madison, MS. From 2007 to 2008, Matt spent one year teaching Seamaster English to Chinese seafarers in Wuhan, China. After extensive travel in west China, Matt returned to the United States to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector.

Matt enjoys traveling, backpacking, and playing with his dog, Lucy. His immediate purpose is to serve others and work towards achieving a sustainable standard of living for all people hungry and suffering. Matt hopes to build a culture of cooperative volunteerism between all faiths, cultures, and ethnicities in Mississippi because he believes ending global poverty in our lifetime will require collaboration between all people in all walks of life.

 Nina DaSilva Batista, Administrative Operations Manager

A native of Pennsylvania, Nina has lived in North Carolina for over 12 years and earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her interest in international issues led her to spend several months in Brazil during 2007, living and volunteering in a slum where she taught English and cared for children. After working in diverse administrative positions and a stint in animal healthcare, Nina realized her career goal of working to assist the world’s destitute at Stop Hunger Now. She also enjoys serving in the children’s ministry at Calvary Chapel Cary, helping refugees through Lutheran Family Services, serving in the fundraising committee for Best Friend Pet Adoption and spending time with her family. 

Troy Henson, Program Coordinator - Lynchburg

Troy was born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. He attended Longwood University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Troy plans on furthering his education by pursuing a masters degree in Business. Spending the last four years in sales, he is ready to use his skills to help others. 

Troy joined the Stop Hunger Now team for the opportunity to educate society about hunger around the world. He knows he cannot help everyone but will strive everyday to change as many lives as he can.

Mickey Horner, Program Coordinator - Charlotte 

A North Carolina native, Mickey has over 20 years of experience in various management positions, including three years managing non-profit organizations.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University.  He also holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University.  Mickey enjoys spending time with his family, learning about new wines and wine-growing regions, and both professional and collegiate sports.  His goal is to use his business expertise and educational training to help Stop Hunger Now build the meal packaging program and abolish world hunger.

 Rick Kearney, Program Coordinator - Goldsboro 

Rick Kearney is a native of Goldsboro who currently resides in Kinston, NC. He graduated from Eastern Wayne High School and went on to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, where he received a B.S. in Business Administration. After 11 years in banking and sales, his career path took a new direction as he followed God’s call to ministry. This adventure has taken him to the coal fields of West Virginia, the villages of Belize, the mountains of Jamaica, the outskirts of Orlando, and back home to Eastern North Carolina. During these years of ministry, he has worked extensively with youth, Christian education, and missions.

Rick is excited about joining the Stop Hunger Now team. He hopes to utilize all of his experiences as a businessman, ministry worker, and local resident to further the mission of Stop Hunger Now. When he’s not busy working and doing missions work, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, and his son, Samuel.

Allen was born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He and his family moved to the United States when he was 17 years old. Allen is a graduate of East Carolina University with a B.S. in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Peace Corps, where he worked as an HIV/AIDS educator and as a teacher for primary and secondary schools in Belize, Central America. As a teacher, Allen organized many events including the first annual “Love for Life” HIV benefit concert in Belize.

Allen recently completed a Master's degree program in International Studies and Sustainable Development at NC State University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son and baby girl.

 Andrew Sullivan, Warehouse Manager

Andrew grew up in Ridley Park, PA, a suburb just outside of Philadelphia. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business with a specialized focus on management from Asbury College. While attending Asbury, he had the opportunity to be involved in numerous leadership roles around campus. Andrew also received a grant from a selection committee of professors and administrators, which allowed him to participate in a community development project in India for two months. While in India, Andrew collaborated with village leaders by planning and providing a variety of programs and educational opportunities for elementary to college-age students. This experience was instrumental in changing the focal point of his career interests.

Andrew recently moved to the Raleigh area with his wife, Amy, and spent one year in the recruiting industry before joining the SHN team. Andrew wants to do all he can in his lifetime to eliminate poverty and hunger around the world.

Lee Warren, Virginia Director

Lee is a native of Southside Virginia. She received a B.A. in French from Sweet Briar College, and her Master of Divinity, magna cum laude from Duke University. She became a licensed local pastor within the United Methodist Church in 2001 and served as pastor of two local churches before joining the Stop Hunger Now team in June, 2006. She is an active member of the South Hill Rotary Club.

Lee has long believed that caring for “the least of these” is a moral imperative that transforms the lives of both recipient and giver. She sought out Stop Hunger Now initially as a volunteer because of her concern for global relief as well as for the opportunity the volunteer packaging program provides for hands-on mission. As the VA Director of Stop Hunger Now, she is responsible for creating a network of meal packaging offices that will serve as a prototype for the future.

Lee lives in South Hill, Virginia with her husband, The Hon. Charles H. Warren. They are the parents of two grown children and one grandchild.