BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Robert Clayton, President
Dr. Robert Clayton was born and raised in Wheaton and Geneva, Illinois. He briefly resided in Atlanta, Georgia, and Raleigh, North Carolina, and has been in Colorado since 2010. Dr. Clayton spent his childhood summers in Buena Vista, Colorado, which holds a special place in his heart.
Dr. Clayton is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in government roles. Currently serving as the Program Manager for Public Assistance Benefits at Adams County Human Services, he brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. Driven by a passion for improving the lives of the community's most vulnerable members, he has made customer experience and community outreach his primary focus.
With an impressive track record of over 15 years in leadership positions, Dr. Clayton has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead, motivate, and inspire teams to achieve their goals. He holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in leadership theories, showcasing his commitment to excellence in leadership practices.
Dr. Clayton's educational journey is a testament to his dedication to personal and professional growth. He also possesses a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in management, a Master of Divinity (MDiv), a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Currently, he is diligently working towards a Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) in ministry leadership, further enhancing his qualifications in this area.
Dr. Robert Clayton's extensive experience, academic achievements, and unwavering commitment to community service make him a standout professional in the fields of government, non-profit, and community leadership. His dedication to improving the lives of others is a driving force behind his impressive career.
Dr. Michael Noel, Interim Vice President
Dr. Michael Noel was born in San Jose, California, but was raised in Colorado. He has been an ordained minister in the State of Colorado since 1995, working as a pastor since that time. He also has been a teacher in the Jefferson County Public School system for the last 15 years, at Two Roads Charter School. He teaches Psychology, Speech & Debate, and Film Studies.
In addition, Dr. Noel has his Doctorate degree, receiving a double major from Denver Seminary. His first major is in Leadership and his second major is in Marriage & Family Counseling. He is also a registered psychotherapist in the State of Colorado and has a private therapy practice in Westminster, Colorado. In Dr. Noel’s previous education, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with two Bachelor of Arts degrees from CCU, focusing specifically on Communication. He also graduated with a Master’s degree from Gateway Seminary in 2003. He has been married for 21 years and has three children.
Dr. Noel finds great satisfaction in helping others and has been on the board of TJCCC since it was founded. Overall, he personally finds great enjoyment in life, spending lots of time with friends and family, and enjoying many hobbies, including working out, basketball, movies, and travel.
JamieLeah Mahler, Secretary
JamieLeah Mahler serves as the Secretary of this non-profit organization, combining her extensive customer service and operational management expertise to support the organization’s mission and activities. In her role, JamieLeah is responsible for ensuring effective communication within the organization and maintaining meticulous records, which are critical for meeting regulatory compliance and fostering organizational transparency. Her proficiency with various software tools, including Microsoft Office Suite and project management platforms, enables her to manage and document meetings efficiently and effectively.
In addition to her secretarial duties, JamieLeah also holds a pivotal role as a Contact Center Supervisor at United Power in Brighton, Colorado. Here, she excels in managing customer interactions and resolving inquiries with exceptional proficiency, demonstrating her strong commitment to service excellence. Her background includes impactful tenures at companies like Outrigger, where she significantly enhanced operational procedures and team performance, and Target, where she led service improvements and managed high-volume retail operations.
JamieLeah’s blend of leadership in both the non-profit and corporate sectors showcases her versatile skill set and her dedication to making a positive impact. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and her strong organizational skills make her an invaluable asset to the non-profit organization, ensuring that it operates smoothly and aligns with its core values and goals. In her free time, JamieLeah enjoys spending time with family and friends, including her husband and young son.
Samuel Noel, Treasurer
Mr. Noel was the managing director of three non-profit organizations for over 20 years. He prepared and administered annual budgets for these organizations. He was responsible for hiring, evaluating, encouraging and motivating all staff members. Sam has lead fundraisers in two non-profit organizations that resulted in $300,000 being raised in these capital campaigns.
He was a lay Pastor/Elder for eight years. Along with his wife, he has been a marriage, individual, and family counselor for over 30 years. During this same time period, he taught many educational seminars across America. Sam holds an MS in Engineering and an MA in Counseling Psychology. His leadership style is to let others know that we are all equals as we work together to help others. His goal is to motivate others through love and acceptance while working in their lives through our outreach programs at TJCCC.
Ryan Lepro, Board Member
Ryan has been serving as a pastor at The Journey Church since 2016. He finds great joy in serving others & by spending time with his three children, & his family & friends. He is a Colorado native who obtained his bachelor's degree in Engineering Geology & works for a consulting engineering firm in Thornton, CO. Ryan also enjoys serving at church and participating in many hobbies, including trail running, biking, basketball, rock climbing, & snowboarding.
Cherie Noel, Board Member
Cherie was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Her husband, Sam, and she met and married soon after high school and attended the University of Washington together, graduating in 1962 with a degree in elementary education. Because of Sam’s job, they moved to San Jose, CA, in 1964. Cherie had been teaching, but in 1968, she started a Christian school in her church. Later, her husband joined her, and they soon had two schools in San Jose. After moving to Denver in 1980, they administered one school and started a fourth.
During this time, Cherie wrote a history and Bible curriculum. The Bible material is published by POSACT and used in Christian schools and homeschools nationwide. After 30+ years, Cherie left Christian education and taught ESL for 25 years to students from all over the world. Sam and Cherie have three children and eight grandchildren. Today, Cherie’s priority is her family. She also enjoys reading, her friends, the church, and Bible studies.