LEADERSHIP
STAFF LEADERSHIP
JOHN MUCKRIDGE III
President/CEO
John Muckridge III currently serves as the CEO of Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. He came to the Rescue Mission as a volunteer in 2011 teaching and tutoring clients in the Mission’s Learning Center. During this time as a volunteer, he grew to love the ministry and accepted a staff position as Learning Center Instructor. From there his roles with the Mission progressively increased as he became the Director of Education in 2013, the Director of Client Services in 2014 and then was promoted to Deputy Director in 2015.
John is a graduate of Youngstown State University where he earned his B.S in Business Administration in 2005. In August of 2010, he was awarded an M. A. in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Previously he has held positions as a Senior Credit Manager with Wells Fargo Financial, Sales & Service Development Manager with First National Bank of Pennsylvania in Hermitage, Pa. and Online Adjunct Faculty with San Diego Christian College.
John believes that the Lord has clearly communicated His vision for a ministry like the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley in Matthew 25:31-46, where we learn that we serve Jesus by serving the “least of these” and we love Jesus by loving the “least of these.” We are a Gospel-centered ministry who believes in the inerrancy, sufficiency and authority of Scripture which teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and by Grace alone, through Faith alone, for God’s glory alone we receive forgiveness of our sins through Christ alone. The Lord has allowed us to share this good news with the people He sends through our doors and we will continue doing so.”
LYNN WYANT
Chief Development Officer
Lynn Wyant, CFRE, came to the Mission in 2006 and currently serves in the role of Chief Development Officer. She is tasked with linking donors and the community to the vision God has for the ministry of rescue in Youngstown. Engaging with donors and prayerfully helping community members move from observers to owners of the charity, Lynn’s role, along with the team she manages, is to oversee a nearly three million dollar annual fundraising campaign.
Her responsibilities include database and direct mail management, marketing, writing grants, creating and supporting third-party and Mission-sponsored special events, managing fundraisers, media relations and overall supervision of the development department. Additionally she is challenged with esuring our volunteers have the best experience possible as they serve our guests and leveraging the Mission's social media platforms and integrating available marketing channels to maximize community exposure to the Mission.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Youngstown State University and earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials in 2012. Lynn is an Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning/Shenango Chapter member, previously sering on the Board and as Treasurer, Scholarship Chair and Vice President of Communications. Lynn believes that as donors dig deep in their hearts, that fundraising and donor development comes down to people being called by God to give and serve. With this in mind, her role is to merely present donors with a ministry platform for their service to God and to watch as the Lord meets the needs of the community, in His time and for His glory.
Lynn and her husband Dave live in Austintown and are members of Bethel Church of the Brethren in New Middletown, OH.
TERRY WEYAND
Chief Support Officer
Bio Coming Soon
JACK TRICKETT
Chief Program Officer
Jack Trickett began working for the Rescue Mission in July of 2021and is currently the Chief Program Officer, overseeing the operation of the Men’s, Women and Families, and Kitchen departments. His responsibilities include equipping department directors with the resources and support necessary to manage their staff effectively and promote accountability for the clients as they work toward growing out of homelessness, coordinating with community agencies to equip the Rescue Mission with supportive programs for client success, building curriculums to provide clients with essential life skills, and developing policies that properly steward the responsibility granted by the Lord to the Rescue Mission.
Jack started with the Rescue Mission as the Men’s Services Director in 2021. Leaving behind a union electrical apprenticeship, Jack was drawn to the Rescue Mission by it’s emphasis on God’s Word and the hope of the gospel to those in need. He was promoted to Chief Program Officer in May of 2024.
Jack and his wife and two daughters belong to belong to Steel Valley Church in Youngstown. He finds great hope and purpose in the words of the Lord in Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.”
Jenna Hoffsmith
Chief Finance/HR Officer
Jenna Hoffsmith currently serves as the Chief Finance/HR Officer at the Rescue Mission. Within this role, she oversees the Finance and HR department which analyzes and controls financial planning and reports as well as oversees all payroll and benefit functions.
In 2014, Jenna graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with an Early Education (Birth-4th grade) bachelor degree as well as a Special Education (Birth-8th grade) bachelor degree. In this career, the Lord placed individuals in her life that revealed the importance of Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is better than great riches.” This is why to this day Jenna strives to live a life of high integrity in all that she does for the Lord.
In 2018, Jenna started at the Rescue Mission as the Development Coordinator where she left behind a teaching career because she recognized the importance of following the Lord’s plan rather than her own. From 2021 to 2024, the Lord gifted her the opportunity to stay home and raise her children from babies to preschoolers. With always having Proverbs 22:1 in mind, Jenna has returned to the Rescue Mission in July of 2024 as she desires to serve and glorify the Lord in this role as Chief Finance/HR Officer.
Jenna and her husband, along with their two children, are members of Old North Church in Canfield.
BOARD MEMBERS
RON STARCHER
Board President
Ron Starcher joined the staff of the Mission in 1994 and before his retirement in 2023, held various positions throughout the ministry. Many of those years, Ron was bi-vocational serving in the local church. A graduate of Tennessee Temple and current pastor at First Baptist Church in Howland, he brings to our board a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience with our program, support, development, and finance departments. Ron enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Lois reside in Girard.
Jason Norbo
Board Vice President
Board Member
Jason Norbo is a husband to Alysha and a dad to 6 children. He was saved by grace and has been a follower of Jesus for over 30 years.
He began volunteering at the Mission in 2003. He has also had the opportunity to lead chapel at the Mission on multiple occasions. He became a member of the board in 2021.
Jason graduated from Hiram College with a BS in Business. He currently works as a Diabetes Care Specialist for Novo Nordisk. He has been in that roll for over 8 years.
He and his family live in Columbiana. He also has the opportunity to serve on the board of Heartland Christian School.
RICHARD C. MORROW, CPA, CFP®
Board Treasurer
Rich is a Principal in the Youngstown, Ohio office of HBK CPAs & Consultants. Rich began his public accounting career in 1991, joined HBK in 1994 and then joined HBKS Wealth Advisors in 2000.
Rich has extensive experience in comprehensive financial planning, estates and trusts, income tax, retirement planning and asset management services. He serves a variety of clients from individuals to various business entities.
Education
- BS in Business Administration degree in Accounting and Pre-Law from Ohio University
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant (CFP®) awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- NASD Series 7 and 66 Licenses
Professional/Civic Associations
- Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Member, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA)
- Member, Financial Planning Association (FPA)
- Treasurer/Board Member, Salvation Army
- Board Member, Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley
NORA BYERS
Board Secretary
Nora Byers came to the Mission in 2014 and retired in 2025 from the role of Chief Financial Officer. She now serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Nora started her career at the Mission as a volunteer in 2010. From the first visit she knew this is where her heart was. She was hired in 2014 in the development department and quickly moved to the finance department. She became the Vice President of Finance in January 2017.
Nora along with her husband, Mike belongs to First Baptist Church of Howland and her life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
DOUG GOUGH
Board Member
Doug Gough serves as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. With a strong commitment to serving the community, Doug brings valuable leadership, insight, and a heart for helping individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship. His passion for the Mission’s work supports its efforts to provide shelter, meals, and recovery for those in need. Doug’s involvement reflects his deep belief in compassion, dignity, and the power of community to transform lives. He and his wife Dana reside in Florida.
RON COHEN
Board Member
Ron and his wife Marianne moved from the suburbs of Philadelphia to The Mahoning Valley in 2009. Together they have 5 adult children, 10 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter!
Ron was President and COO of a franchise company which specialized in the franchising of Dollar Stores, called Dollar Discount Stores of America, Inc. Ron and his family also own and operate a Farmer’s Market which is like a mall environment with many of the vendors being Amish. Shortly after moving to Ohio, Ron and Marianne decided to rent a large building and after extensive renovations they subleased to 18 Amish Vendors and are opened year-round every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Ron has been in the retail environment for all his adult life.
Shortly after moving to Ohio in 2009, they started attending a local church, where Ron met one of the Elders of that church and was informed that he had a position at The Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley. Ron asked him some questions about the mission and he said ”you really need to come down and take a tour”. During Ron’s tour, he fell in love with the mission and how Jesus was transforming lives and very soon thereafter Ron started volunteering there.
Ron was asked, in 2016, if he would be interested in joining the Board of Directors of The Rescue Mission for reasons such as : 1) His love of our Lord 2) His background in retail 3) His love for The Mission and the people there! 4) His personal, previous experience with addiction, although over 35 years ago, he was truly transformed by God’s amazing Grace!
Ron has been blessed by being on the Board of Directors for the Rescue Mission and was asked, in March 2018, to become the President of the board. After much prayer, he humbly accepted that position.
JOHN MUCKRIDGE III
Board Member
John Muckridge III currently serves as the President and CEO of Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. He came to the Rescue Mission as a volunteer in 2011 teaching and tutoring clients in the Mission’s Learning Center. During this time as a volunteer, he grew to love the ministry and accepted a staff position as Learning Center Instructor. From there his roles with the Mission progressively increased as he became the Director of Education in 2013, the Director of Client Services in 2014 and then was promoted to Deputy Director in 2015.
John is a graduate of Youngstown State University where he earned his B.S in Business Administration in 2005. In August of 2010, he was awarded an M. A. in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Previously he has held positions as a Senior Credit Manager with Wells Fargo Financial, Sales & Service Development Manager with First National Bank of Pennsylvania in Hermitage, Pa. and Online Adjunct Faculty with San Diego Christian College.
John believes that the Lord has clearly communicated His vision for a ministry like the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley in Matthew 25:31-46, where we learn that we serve Jesus by serving the “least of these” and we love Jesus by loving the “least of these.” We are a Gospel-centered ministry who believes in the inerrancy, sufficiency and authority of Scripture which teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and by Grace alone, through Faith alone, for God’s glory alone we receive forgiveness of our sins through Christ alone. The Lord has allowed us to share this good news with the people He sends through our doors and we will continue doing so.”
Chris Gault
Board Member
Chris Gault is the husband of Sandra and the father of their four children Aaron, Drew, Hannah, and Sarah. He is a pastor at Sovereign Grace Chapel of Youngstown Ohio where he leads their music ministry and serves the body through biblical counseling and discipleship. Chris received his Biblical Counseling training through The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), and has been a member for the past ten years. In 2017, Chris became the Director of the Biblical Counseling Institute of Sovereign Grace Chapel through BCI of Ohio. Chris is a graduate of Youngstown State University, where he earned a Master of Science in Education in 2001. He became a Christian 1997 and has been following Jesus ever since.
