Board of Directors

Dr. Tom Fortson - President/CEO

Thomas S. Fortson, Jr. was named President and CEO of Promise Keepers on October 1, 2003. He had served as Chief Operating Officer since 1996. Dr. Fortson spent many years in corporate America, serving as an administrator at General Motors Corporation in Detroit and as the Vice President of Human Resources at Edwards Baking Company in Atlanta, Georgia. He has served as Dean at the Atlanta Center for Theological Studies and as President of Next Step Consultants, a Christian consulting group based in Atlanta. Dr. Fortson sits on the Board of Trustees for Moody Bible Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters. He and his wife, Toni, have been speakers for Campus Crusade's Family Life Seminars. He holds a Ph.D. in Administration and Higher Education, and an honorary doctorate in Christian Ministries from Belhaven College.

Mr. Samuel Winder, Esq. - Chairman

Samuel Winder is, of Counsel, to Modrall Sperling, the largest law firm in the State of New Mexico. Mr. Winder’s principal expertise is in the area of Federal Indian Law and litigation. Previously, Mr. Winder served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico where he prosecuted violent crimes for thirteen years. Mr. Winder also has served as General Counsel to the Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado, of which he is a member. Mr. Winder also served as Deputy Counsel to Senator John McCain for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Prior to that, Mr. Winder practiced law in Washington, D.C. working for Indian tribes throughout the country. Mr. Winder also served as an advisory Board Member for Christ for Native Youth. Mr. Winder has a Civil Engineering Degree from Stanford University and graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Mr. Winder also serves on the Board of Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque.

Mr. Gordon C. Martin - Vice Chair and Treasurer

Gordon Martin is the President of Peak Up Time Inc., a leading Technology Solutions Provider providing applications, managed services and networking and IT infrastructure. Previously, Mr. Martin was the president of Communication Services, one of EDS’s global segments of business responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and growth of the EDS global communications services portfolio. Before joining EDS, he served as Executive Vice President of Global Wholesale Markets at Qwest Communications, CEO of AFN Communications and Senior Vice President, Williams Communications. Mr. Martin holds an undergraduate degree in management and a master of business administration degree from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma. Mr. Martin has been married to Michele for 27+ years and has four children; Erik, Ryan, Shelby and Ashley.

Mr. Cloide C. Branning - Secretary

Cloide Branning is Chairman and CEO of Empowerment4Healthcare whose mission is to recognize the inner city is in a health care crisis and make the local church the go-to place for health insurance needs and wellness education. Previously, Cloide was involved in golf course development in Atlanta and land development along the South Carolina coast. In more recent years, he served as the Senior V.P. of Triangle Laboratories in Raleigh, N.C. Cloide attended Texas A&M University, is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, a member of Everyman’s Sunday school class, a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club, is active in Habitat for Humanity and the Salisbury Symphony. He and his wife Patricia are the parents of three grown children.

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, Jr.

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez is an Assemblies of God Ordained Minister and is the Current President of The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (The Hispanic NAE) in Sacramento, CA. He leads an organization regarded as the leaders of the Hispanic/Latino Church in America. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of some of America’s leading Evangelical organizations such as: Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, Promise Keepers and Alliance For Marriage. Pastor Rodriguez earned his Masters degree in educational leadership in Agile Organizations from Lehigh University. He is an Assemblies of God Ordained Minister since the age of 23. He resides in California with his wife of 17 years, Eva, also an Assemblies of God minister. An award winning writer, Samuel Rodriguez writes and contributes to world recognized publications.

Pastor Dobie Weasel

Pastor Dobie Weasel has been preaching the gospel throughout North America for over twenty five years. Dobie and his wife Jamie are both Native American, which has given them a unique perspective on ministering to various ethnic peoples. God has blessed his ministry with unusual acceptance and favor across a wide landscape of racial diversities and cultural heritages. Dobie is a graduate of Trinity Bible College and holds credentials and ordination through the Assemblies of God. Dobie has been honored to be a featured speaker at several Promise Keepers Events which allowed him the opportunity to challenge men to a deeper and more committed life in Christ. These events have given Dobie an even stronger burden for the men of this nation to be all they are called to be for the kingdom of God; men who take the spiritual lead in their homes and families. Dobie also serves as the President of Native Excellence Resources, a company committed to the development of excellence in the Native community.