Tom grew up in the Boston area where he owned a construction company, he moved to Sacramento in 1972. There he pursued a degree in Business Management and worked as a lumber broker. Later with Masonite Corporation, he imported lumber and furniture components from Southeast Asia and traveled extensively in that area. In 1988 Tom joined Peace Corps and was posted to Swaziland, where he met Elizabeth Bara. In 1992 he co-founded ASAP Africa and moved to Zimbabwe with Elizabeth in 1994. After completing a brief consultancy as a Vocational Education Consultant for the US Peace Corps, Tom worked to develop both the staff and the long term program of ASAP in Zimbabwe until 2005. Tom then returned to the US, in Peachtree City near Atlanta and establish a strategy and social enterprise to ensure long-term program sustainability.

Elizabeth holds a BS in Biology and a certificate of Executive Leadership for Non-Profit Organizations from Emory University. Liz co-founded ASAP Africa after teaching Math/Science as a Peace Corps volunteer for 2 years in Swaziland. She worked as Training Director for the US Peace Corps in Zimbabwe, and as a Forestry Technician US Forest Service tree improvement program on Mt. Hood. She has 15 years business management experience prior to taking up her work with ASAP in 1992.

Publications:

• Fayette Women
• UN Chronicle
• PSU Feature

Ed has extensive experience with tax credits and incentives. Prior to founding Outlaw Consulting in 1998, he specialized in state tax credits and economic development incentives as a consultant with various Big 5 accounting firms.

Dennis Rainey:
After serving in the military, Dennis earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree and moved into the field of engineering for many years at Mattel Toys. A move to Sacramento led to a second career of owning a small business in Sacramento, CA. He shares these experiences in engineering and business management with ASAP.

Pat Rainey:
With her M.S. Ed, Pat served in many capacities in the field of education in her 35-year career. Her early years included teaching in the classroom at the elementary and college level. Pat spent the last 17 years in administrative work for the California Department of Education assisting schools in their efforts to provide healthy, safe, and supportive environments for students.

Co-author of seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books, beginning with the best-selling anthology, Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, is also the creator of a 2 book series titled TRUE—Real Stories about God showing Up in the Lives of Teens. She is anticipating the release of her tenth book, Superman Pajamas: True Tales of Heroic Little Boys in 2010. Also an advocate for those who struggle with food insecurity, Irene hosts an annual event, A Harvest of Hope, to raise funds for and educate people about self-reliance through organic gardening and farming methods.

Owns Wild Earth Woodworking School, Hudson WI. He was in 6th grade when he had his first shop class and he decided he wanted to be a shop teacher. George went on to take every shop class he could, got his teaching degree in Industrial Education and taught junior and senior high school. George found his niche is teaching adults in his woodworking school. George spent three years with the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa teaching hand tool joinery. George has done three woodworking videos, contributed numerous stories to American Woodworker Magazine and is currently writing for Woodworkers Journal.

Matt is the Director of the 501c3 non profit organization, Western North Carolina Green Building Council and passionate about creating a more sustainable, equitable world for all. Matt has explored and funded several projects involving appropriate technology as it relates to sustainable development including efficient stoves, solar ovens, natural building and sustainable agriculture. In 1997-98 Matt spent 5 months in Zimbabwe primarily in the Gudyanga area near Chimanimani living with a rural family studying traditional healing. He fell in love with the people and culture of Zimbabwe and stays in contact with his family even today.