Board of Directors
Mark Walvoord
Mark Walvoord has had a life-long interest in Madagascar. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Biology, he traveled there to teach English for two months. Before completing his Masters degree in Zoology, he secured funding for a short-term side project performing research in the rainforests of northwestern Madagascar. He has published biological research papers about Malagasy wildlife and continues to work in higher-education as a Student Services Manager. He currently plans to begin work on his Ph.D. researching ecosystem and wildlife conservation in Madagascar.
Jeannette Ravelojaona Herndon
Jeannette R. Herndon is a native of Madagascar and is now a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She is a Certified Nurse's Assistant and has worked in the medical field for many years. She has been on a mission through her church to Uganda.
Jeannette's family in Madagascar comes from the Sihanaka region where most of the rice is grown. It is an important agricultural area.
Ira C. "Sam" Bass
Sam Bass has worked as a U.S. government contractor on many overseas projects. He is a licensed technician in communications and electronics. His hobbies include acting in Civil War re-enactments. Sam worked for the NASA tracking station in Arivonimamo, Madagascar for several years and it was during this time that Sam gained his knowledge of Malagasy life and history. Sam resides in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.
Clint Akins - Chair
Clint Akins, is the visionary who conceived and organized the non-profit Partners for Madagascar (PFM).
Clint has served and lived twenty-five years in Madagascar. He has served as Cross Cultural Team Leader, Field Coordinator, field researcher, field developer, trainer, and educator. His field work, (ten years), in Madagascar included community development and leadership training with the Antambahoaka and the southern Betsimisaraka peoples of southeast Madagascar.
He has been recognized for his outstanding results in cross-cultural work: -Award for Excellence in Field Service and Development, Worldventure 2001 -Who's Who in Religion as Cross Cultural Educator, 4th edition Through years of networking with Magalasy organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and governmental offices in Madagascar, Clint understands the channels and people through whom PFM's work can be accomplished.
He taught at two University level institutions in Madagascar for fifteen years, and was visiting lecturer at four post-secondary instituions in Madagascar. He taught Communications at HECMMA for one year just prior to his return to lead PFM from the U.S.
Jesalyn Cummins-Hill
Jesalyn Cummins-Hill, has twenty three years experience in administration. She has been in charge of writing and implementing policy, providing in-service training and education, working with builders and architects to coordinate the building of a state of the art dental practice. She is currently returning to the field of education to teach children.
Jesalyn commented, "Inspiration to serve is everywhere and at this particular time in my life, Yolande, with stories of her people in Madagascar, has moved me to action and participation with Partners for Madagascar."
