Charles N. Sharpe - Chairman of the Board
an entrepreneur by trade, Charles Sharpe founded Ozark National Life Insurance Company in 1964. In 1995, Mr. Sharpe founded CNS International Ministries, Inc. a non-profit organization providing troubled youth and men and women coming out of drug and alcohol abuse, hope for the future. Today CNS International on the campus of Heartland Community is the home of micro-businesses such as Heartland Creamery, Ozark Lodge and Steakhouse, New Creation Country Store, Solid Rock Cafe, Cleansing Waters Laundry, and Scribbles & Scribes Ink.

Taysir Abu Saada - President and Founder of Seeds of Hope/ Vice President of the Board/C.O.O.
Mr. Abu Saada founded Seeds of Hope, Inc., a registered 501c3, in 2006 to meet the needs of the people in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel. He spent years in the restaurant and hotel industries in Kansas City, MO, and Los Angeles, CA. In 1997, he joined CNS International Ministries, Inc. where developed two restaurants, a lodge and managed all the food operations for the large campus.

David Barton - Member of Board
David Barton has more than 25 years experience in management. He received his B.S Degree in Industrial Technology and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree. Mr. Barton serves on the Administrative Council for Heartland Christian College and is also a board member for the Shelby County Economic Development.

Allan Hedrick - Member of Board
Mr. Hedrick has more than 35 years experience in global medical device start-up and emerging growth companies. He was a founder, CEO, President and Board member of AccelerTec, BraceTec, IntraLuminal Therapeutics and ADH Marketing and a senior executive for Novatrix, InterVentional Therapeutics, Oximetrix, Riverain, and NDM. He has had various directorship positions in four churches in California and Kansas.

Dean Callison - Member of Board
A financial planner for more than 20 years, Dean Callison joined Avant as Vice President of Development in 2003. Mr. Callison is responsible for donor relations, fundraising, and the oversight of Avant's public relations and media efforts. In 1990 he ventured out as an independent financial planner, obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional designation in 1992 and remains an active member in good standing with a number or professional associations. He is a Registered Representative with First Heartland Capital, Inc. in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, which is a member of the FINRA and SIPC.