Meet our Board of Directors
Samson Cheffa, CEO
Samson Cheffa is fully committed to the Great Commission of Jesus, with a firm faith that all things are possible for those who believe and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. He serves Beside Bridge for Life ministers and assists in distributing Bible study materials throughout Ethiopia in connection with CrossConnect Ministries of Tustin, California. In addition, he serves in a worship band at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, California.
Professionally, Samson holds a doctoral degree in Business Intelligence and Data Analysis. With over 18 years of experience, he is now employed as Finance and Accounting Manager for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy in Irvine, California. His exceptional skills are developing new financial models and monitoring expenses, sales, and revenue. These skills have also been utilized by not-for-profit organizations that focus on Christ’s mission.
Before working for the Irvine Ranch Conservatory, he served in Ethiopia with the SOLARKIOSK company, which focused on renewable energy services, products, and solutions.
Yuichi Suda
Yuichi Suda was born and raised in Japan. At age 20, he came to the United States to pursue undergraduate and graduate education (Concordia University in Nebraska & Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri).
Yuichi has more than 35 years of business experience creating strategic business partnerships between investors, businesses, governments, and financial institutions in 17 countries. He has had broad-ranging success in various industries: banking, real estate investment, turnaround management, energy, avionics, and risk management in small to Fortune 500 firms. Yuichi has demonstrated knowledge and expertise in business management, bank credit, deal structuring, insurance, and investment to create win-win strategic partnerships in domestic and international markets.
For the past 17 years, Yuichi has worked as a business consultant primarily focused on start-ups, strategic partnership development, and transition management.
Jeff Berkel
Jeff Berkel is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a Certified Public Accountant. He held executive leadership roles within a number of successful companies in the service, consumer electronics, and recycling industries before becoming a principal of Project Insight, a leading SaaS project management software developer and seller. Jeff led the development of information systems to track geographically diverse operations and tie them together using a centralized network for information reporting and communication. He was involved in the development of key business processes and information systems including web-based applications and ERP that positioned the companies for further revenue and profitability growth, improved customer service, and enhanced employee productivity.
With extensive experience in business processes and strategic planning, Jeff helps clients leverage their existing business and technology infrastructures, enhance them where needed, and maximize their efficiency and technology ROI.
David Dupre
Gladys Kempe
Although I have lived in California since 1970, I spent the first significant years of my life in Illinois. My parents, my sister, and I lived in the Chicago area and were regular worshipers at our neighborhood Lutheran church. When it was time for me to attend college, I went to Augustana College, a Lutheran affiliated liberal arts college in Rock Island, Illinois. From there I went to the University of Chicago and earned a Master’s degree in German Language and Literature. (I had had a marvelous experience in Hamburg, Germany, as an exchange student during my senior year in high school.) With my new degree in hand, I taught German at a suburban high school for three years.
By this time I was also married, and my husband, 4 friends, and I decided to see what was happening in Southern California. Was it really filled with heathens and drug addicts? Could we make a difference to the questioning souls? We all got jobs, shared expenses, and tried to be a force for good in the San Diego area. After several years together, we all went our separate ways. My husband and I became active members of a San Diego church, and I became a full-time mother to our two sons. That was one of the more rewarding jobs in my life.
Time passed, and a job opportunity came for my husband in Orange County, California. Our sons were now in school, and I began work as a teacher of English to adult speakers of other languages. Though I had few students who spoke German, my training in both teaching and linguistics were beneficial as I taught students from around the world. Some of them were Christian, many of them were not. Although in a public school I was not allowed to share my Christian faith with them, I worked to shine my light and demonstrate loving my neighbors as myself.
We joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, and I continued to look for ways to be of service to people who needed better English language skills, both in my work and with church members. During one of our church social/fund raising events, I became acquainted with Samson Cheffa and the work he was going in his home country. As a now retired former teacher, I still wanted to help in areas of need. After a period of serious thought and prayer, when Samson asked me to become part of his ministry, I was grateful and cheerfully agreed. I pray that God will continue to show me how he can use me, my experience, and my skills.