The Purpose of Trellis

Executive Director of Trellis

Ian joined Trellis in 2015 as Executive Director. He is also the Leader of Trellis’ Homelessness Initiative. Among his many duties, Ian is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of Trellis’ strategy.

Prior to joining Trellis full time, Ian was the Executive Director as a volunteer and a Pastor at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, California. He was the church’s second full-time staff member in 1989, and over the next 27 years focused on ministry development, outreach and teaching helping lead, manage and grow the church from 40 to approximately 2,000. Ian is an expert in volunteer mobilization and management and has an extensive background in strategic planning, budget preparation, goal setting, and facilitating partnerships. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University.

Ian is also currently a Lead Team Member for The Mission Network of Southern California.

Operations Director of Trellis

Debbie was born in Texas but has lived in Costa Mesa for 18 years.  She has senior leadership experience in multiple types of organizations both for profit and non-profit. She started her own business and maintained it for 10 years. She then became a pastor for 10 years at a large church in Orange County, providing excellent organizational skills and leadership development. She provides key insight with her knowledge and experience of leading, working with volunteers, and managing the day to day operations.  Debbie is married with 4 children who all reside with her and her husband in Costa Mesa.

Homelessness Initiative Director

A Follower and Believer of Christ whose desire is to Love God and Love others. Seeking to be His hands, Feet and Voice and to be a servant in a broken world.

Education Initiative Director

Ashley was born and raised in Westside Costa Mesa and has served in our city as a children’s pastor, credentialed teacher, and community group leader. Ashley is passionate about literacy development, educational equity, and building unity within her hometown.

Neighboring & Cultural Integration Initiative Director

Sharon Hurd is a Costa Mesa native who has intermingled with the local people and places in her community as a compassionate neighbor. Having grown up as a true Goat Hill girl with one of Costa Mesa’s original goat barns in her backyard, she has always treasured her beloved childhood city and is still actively exploring, walking, and connecting with all the natural beauty around her. She creatively uses her artistic eye and love of photography to make connections with people in our community. Sharon is a prayer warrior and is also very involved in our prayer efforts around the city. In her role as a freelance photographer, Sharon has skillfully captured some of the most beautiful, unique, and poignant moments locally, especially in her favorite local spot, Fairview Park.

Director of Prayer

Elaine has attended New Song Worship Center in Costa Mesa for 8 years.  She is passionate about Jesus our Beloved Bridegroom King, and I desire to see the John 17 mandate fulfilled, and to help His Bride come together in love, unity and oneness before His return.  "The Spirit and the Bride say come!"

Chairman

Mark joined Trellis as the Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2017. He prepares and runs the organization’s board meetings and facilitates board accountability.

Since 1990, Mark has successfully owned and run his Orange County consulting firm, Van Druff Consulting, which specializes in the healthcare industry. He is a proven business development expert and management executive with decades of experience applying his strategic, problem solving, negotiation, and communication skills to help his clients. In mid-2016, he completed a three-year engagement as Interim CEO of a highly regarded multi-specialty ophthalmology group, as well as of a multi-specialty surgery center. He is also a twice-ordained pastor.

Mark leads the Life Launch ministry of Shepherd’s Grove church and is also currently chairing the boards of Finally Home Foundation and SOULeader Resources.

Legal Officer

Michele joined Trellis in 2016  as the Legal Officer. She works with the Executive Director and  Director of Operations to make sure all taxes, payroll, and employment laws are being honored.

With over 40 years of experience, Michele is an attorney in private practice who specializes in trusts and estates, tax returns and strategies, audit resolution, and tax planning. She’s advised and assisted nonprofit corporations in various states in obtaining tax exempt status. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Laws and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law, in Fullerton, California.

Michele is licensed in the Federal Court and credentialed by the California Community Colleges.

Hospitality Officer

Lynell joined Trellis as the Hospitality Officer in 2014. She hosts various vision and leadership gatherings at her home and works with the Director of Operations to evaluate events.

Lynell has been a registered nurse at Hoag Hospital and in the Home Health field, with the exception of a seven-year period as a stay-at-home mother. For 20 years, she served as Director of Auxiliary Services at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. Lynell has obtained her associate’s and registered nursing degrees from Chaffey College, and her bachelor’s in Organizational Management and BSN in Nursing from Vanguard University. Most recently, she received a certificate as a Faith Community Nurse from Hoag Hospital.

Lynell has also served as the Director of Royal Family Kids Camp, Director of Women’s Ministries at Newport Mesa Church, and on the Board of Elders at the same church.

Worship Community Officer

Mike joined Trellis in 2014 as the Worship Community Officer. He works to build community between worship leaders and musicians in the city, as well as plan the “Trellis Night of Worship” event.

Since 1994, Mike has been a partner of the marketing firm, The Brainyard LLC. He leads the sales team and manages the agency’s core clientele, companies like Fender Guitars, Taylor Guitars, Pioneer Pro Audio, and Two-Rock Amplifiers. Mike earned his degree in Music from Pasadena City College and his degree in Bible from LIFE Bible College.

Mike is a founding Board Member of the Colorado-based Finally Home Foundation and a longtime member of the Creative Arts Team of The Crossing Church.

Business Development Officer

Scott joined Trellis in 2014 as the Business Development Officer. He helps with the business development side of Trellis and participates on The Business Advisory Team to engage with and cultivate interest from businesses in the area.

Scott is the co-founder and Vice President of CALbath & Kitchen, a professional bathroom and kitchen remodeling company. Since 1991, Scott and his partner have grown their business from a two-man side gig to a 70-person operation with five locations and a client list that includes UCLA, The Beverly Hilton, The Irvine Company, and even the U.S. Marines. As an entrepreneur and employer, he leads with integrity and the motto, “Do what you say you are going to do.”

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Management from UC Irvine.

Prayer Officer

Pete joined Trellis as the Prayer Officer in 2016. His role is to connect with Prayer Coordinators in quarterly meetings to help build and inspire a prayer movement in the city.  

As an entrepreneur of over 20 years, Pete has successful careers in real estate and finance. He is also the Chief Prayer Officer & Marketing Manager for Genergy LLC, a renewable energy company. Pete graduated with honors from the University of Huddersfield in England with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and specialization in Engineering.

Pete is currently a Prayer Ambassador for Global Media Outreach, a technology and missions organization based in Plano, Texas.

Secretary

Janice joined Trellis in 2016 as Secretary. She manages the Board notebooks, by taking valuable notes during meetings and distributing them to the board members.

Janice is the Database Administrator at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, California. Having been on staff since 2004, her responsibilities grew and her passion for organizing people flourished. She served as an administrator for multiple ministry leaders prior to her current role.

Janice has a bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University, and recently studied Database Management at UC Irvine.

Costa Mesa Living Center - Project Manager

Thomas joined Trellis in 2016 as Living Center Project Manager. As part of the Homeless Initiative Leadership Team he is helping drive the Living Center project, establishing the plan, key players and getting it to a place of execution.

Thomas is President & CEO of The Carlton Company, a strategy and management consulting services firm in Orange County, and COO & Director of Internal Operations for the Chrysalis Insurance Agency. For more than 20 years, he founded and then ran one of LA County’s “Top 25 Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Companies” (LA Business Journal) with offices in both Los Angeles and Orange County. C. Thomas is an incisive business leader with expertise directing corporate operations and an extensive background in strategic planning and development, and budget and financial management.

Thomas is currently Founding Director & Officer at both the C. Thomas Ruppert Foundation and the Southern California Sailing Foundation. In addition to Trellis, C. Thomas is also on the board of more than 10 philanthropic organizations.

CPA and Tax Partner

Richard is a tax partner in BDO’s Costa Mesa, CA office. He has over 25 years of experience providing tax consulting services to a wide spectrum of clients which closely held businesses to large publicly traded companies. He specializes in real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. He received his undergraduate degree from University of California at Los Angeles and is a California certified public accountant.

He has prior experience serving on not for profit boards and has volunteered his time and services to numerous charities.