Alex Russel: Chairman
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Alex is the oldest of seven children born to Dr. Alex B. and Sarah Russell. He is married to Judy (Furry) and they have two daughters and four grandchildren. Alex grew up in Georgia, where he attended Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia. Alex did his pediatric residency at Emory University School of Medicine and he completed a rotating internship at the naval hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, followed by two years of active duty - one at sea, and one with the Marines.
Alex had a friend from medical school who purchased an airplane in Anchorage, asking Alex to fly it back to Georgia for him. One look at Alaska convinced Alex that he and his family needed to move here, and after a short visit and house hunting trip, Judy agreed. They moved to Anchorage in 1968 and to Soldotna in 1976 where he became the town's first practicing pediatrician.
He first heard about MARC at church, where he met and became friends with Roald and Harriett Amundsen and several of the other MARC families. In 1980 Roald asked Alex to fly a mission for MARC and since that time he has remained involved. When he was asked to join the Board, he did so because he loves the work that MARC does and what they enable others to do. He saw a need and felt like he could do something worthwhile to further Christ's Kingdom.
One of Alex's favorite missions was when he flew a group of children to summer camp, then remained at the camp for the entire week as the camp doctor, and then flew the children home at the end of the week. His life verse is 1 Corinthians 2:2 which says, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Mike Harwood: Vice-Chairman
Mike was born in Waco, Texas and grew up in the same area. He is married to Morganna (Lowe) and they have two daughters and 5 grandchildren. Mike and Morganna currently reside in Corsicana, Texas and Soldotna, Alaska.
Mike attended Texas Tech and Texas A&M Commerce, where he received a double major in business and math. In 1969 he attended US Army Aviation School, where he was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class. Upon completion of his time in the army, he became an entrepreneur opening and managing several businesses, and eventually becoming CEO of TLH Enterprises, Inc. Mike has flown all over the world, including several ferry trips across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for different mission organizations. He also served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee on the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service Board (JAARS - the aviation and communication arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators) for 12 years.
Mike came to Alaska in 2006 to fly for Samaritan's Purse. It was through that relationship that he became aware of MARC and the work they do in rural Alaska. When asked why he wanted to serve on the Board, Mike said, "I felt like I could contribute some of my experience to help the organization grow." His life verse is Psalm 1: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (ESV)
Tom Dwinnell: Treasurer
Tom was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and is married to Pat (Jones). They have seven children, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He moved to Soldotna in 1968 to work for Collier Carbon & Chemical (now Agrium) as Instrument/Electrical Superintendent. Tom started his own business, Air Tek, in 1973. His first shop building was the old MARC hanger after MARC moved into the new shop (which has since been destroyed by fire).
Tom says it feels as if he has always been a part of MARC, as it was Dave Cochran (a long time MARC member) who taught him how to fly. He bought an airplane from MARC and often traveled with Roald Amundsen to the villages to speak, sing, and help with summer camps.
When asked why he joined the MARC Board, Tom said it was after he went with founder Roald Amundsen on several trips. He said he was able to see first hand the impact and affect that just a simple visit sometimes made to not only the native people, but also the encouragement it gave the resident missionaries. God laid on my heart a desire to assist in any way I could. Tom also said that words cannot explain the joy he had when he saw tears of joy and appreciation flowing down the missionaries' cheeks as the pilots would worship with them through music and the spoken Word and the missionaries would realize that they were not alone in their efforts to proclaim God's word in the villages of Alaska.
Tom says like most other people, he could claim many life verses but one that has been especially close is Psalm 16:11 "Lord, you will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." (NLT)
Donny Olson
The oldest of three boys, Donny was born in Nome, Alaska to Martin and Maggie Olson, but grew up in the village of Golovin. Donny is married to Willow (Seay) and he has three sons, Colby, Martin, and Donald, Jr. The Olson's continue to make their home in Golovin.
Growing up in a traditional Eskimo household Donny is no stranger to chores like chopping wood, hauling water and ice, and hunting and fishing; but Donny's father also had a high regard for education and instilled this in his sons. It was during high school that Martin began to teach his son to fly, a skill which Donny continues to enjoy using in a variety of arenas. Donny majored in Chemistry in college; attended medical school becoming an M.D. in 1983; and studied law both in the United States and abroad. From 1994-2000 Donny served on the Alaska State Medical Board, and in 2000 he was elected to the State Legislature as a Senator. He continues to serve the people of Alaska as a Senator, practicing physician, search and rescue participant, and reindeer herder. Donny has logged more than 16,000 hours of flight time. He currently holds 4 Airline Transport Licenses, single and multi-engine, land and sea aircraft, and a Commercial License for helicopters, gyroplanes, and gliders. Donny also holds an A&P license and maintains a current Inspection Authorization certificate.
Donny knew MARC founder, Roald Amundsen, and has known about MARC since its inception. When asked why he wanted to join the MARC board, Donny said, "I learned to fly at MARC and wanted to give back to the organization. MARC is a blessing to rural Alaska and I want to show my appreciation for their service!" Donny's life verse is Psalm 37:4 which says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (ESV)
Chuck Griffey
Chuck grew up in San Diego, California and first came to Alaska when his family drove the Alaska Highway in 1963. He is married to Barbara (Kay) and they have 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Chuck and Barbara currently make their home in Gig Harbor, Washington.
In 1972, following a tour in the Army, Chuck moved to Fairbanks to complete his undergrad studies in biology at the University of Alaska. During college he worked construction in Fairbanks and fished commercially during the summer in Kake. From 1974-1977 Chuck lived in Sand Point, Alaska where he worked as a postmaster and commercial fisherman. It was while living in Sand Point that he decided to turn his hobby (flying) into his vocation. He moved back to Fairbanks and flew out of Fairbanks for the next ten years before going to work for United Airlines. It was during this time in Fairbanks that he first became aware of MARC's ministry to rural Alaska.
Chuck believes that Alaska's youth are its future, but without Christ they have no future. The vital support which MARC provides to mission agencies which are serving the village youth of Alaska through Bible camps, weekly Bible clubs, and other venues is what got Chuck to join the Board of Directors. His life verse is Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." (NIV)
Tim Amundsen
Tim is the youngest of three children born to Evangelical Covenant Missionaries Roald & Harriett Amundsen. Tim and his family lived in Nome until 1964, when his father moved the family to Soldotna with the vision of starting a flying and repair service for bush missionaries. One of Tim's earliest memories of MARC is working with his father on weekends at the hangar that MARC purchased at the Soldotna Airport.
Tim attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and then went on to learn carpentry and become an electrician. He spent more than twenty three years working in the oil industry first as an electrician, and eventually as a construction foreman and a production foreman. He is currently a full-time volunteer, working on projects as God leads. Tim credits his volunteer work with allowing him to get back out into the Alaskan bush. Those early volunteer trips reminded him of all the needs that those living and working in the bush have, and of the vital role that MARC plays in Alaskan Missions.
When asked why he joined the Board, Tim said, "I wanted to help where I could!" Tim feels he is discerning when it comes to people and their needs and desires, and he hopes to use that gift to support all of the people involved in the organization. Among the many life verses that Tim claims, Philippians 3:13-14 hold a special place in his heart. "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)