Board of Directors

In 1998, Gil Stricklin organized the Marketplace Ministries Foundation and serves as its Founding President, along with the Board of Directors headed by O.R. “Butch” Smith as Chairman. Craig Shaver recently joined the Marketplace Foundation team and serves as the Executive Vice President of the Foundation and the Chief Development Officer of Marketplace Ministries. He is the first full-time employee of the Foundation and is responsible for all fundraising efforts. From a very small beginning of only a few hundred dollars, until today, when the Foundation has more than $5 million in assets, and generous givers who have established 28 endowment funds that total more than $2.2 million. The first financial goal of $5 million was achieved nearly two years prior to the established goal date. Even with the worst financial crises in the USA since 1929, the Foundation’s temporary loss was small compared to other individuals and foundations’ loses. The Board, along with Stricklin and Shaver, make a well rounded team to lead further Foundation development. Foundation funds are targeted to expand the ministry nationally and internationally, provide chaplains to major USA cities without cost to taxpayers, seminary intern scholarships, and other general financial support as needed for operations. The goal for the Foundation is $500 million by the end of this century.

Founding President—Dallas, Texas

With an impression from the Almighty as a part of Divine Providence, Gil A. Stricklin had the idea some individuals wanted their gifts to be of an eternal nature, long lasting as an endowment. It was from that idea that in 1999, he established the Marketplace Ministries Foundation and began serving as the Founding President, a leadership position he fulfills today.

Total Foundation assets $5.1 million.
Total Foundation endowed assets $2.2 million.
28 families and individuals have established endowments in the Foundation.
Largest endowment stands at more than $300,000
Initial gift to establish an endowment is $25,000.
The Board of Directors has established a goal of $500 million to be reached by century end.

Butch Smith is the Founder/CEO of McRight-Smith Holdings, Inc., a private equity, investment and real estate development firm. Butch has served on multiple Advisory Groups and industry panels and as a Director of the Association of Sales and Marketing Companies. In 2001, Butch was honored by receiving the prestigious designation as Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year for the southwest region. Butch is married to Katherine McRight of Bridge City, Texas and they have two adult children. They are members of Prestonwood Baptist Church.

Fred Evans

Fred is a graduate of UT Arlington and served as the Senior Vice President of Carter Burgess until his retirement in October of 2008. He has served on the Marketplace Ministries Foundation board since 2009. He is married to Andra and currently resides in Benbrook, Texas.

Tom Freet

A Native from Texas, Tom graduated from SMU in 1977 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and has worked in a variety of engineering, operations, and supervisory roles during his 33 year career in the oil and gas industry. Tom and his wife Janice have three children (Allison, Laura and Tommy) and reside in The Woodlands, Texas, where he is employed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.

Casey Gurganus

Casey joined Goldman Sachs in 2003. He is an investment professional working with individuals and foundations within the Private Wealth Management Group. Casey received a double major from Baylor University in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for a private oil and gas services company in East Texas. Casey sits on the Board of Directors at the Notre Dame School of Dallas, a school for children with mental disabilities. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Dallas-Ft Worth.

Pat Hamner

Pat is a Principal with Valesco Commerce Street Capital, a Dallas, Texas based Small Business Investment Company-in-formation. He currently serves on the steering committee of the Southwest Venture Forum and is Chairman of the advisory board to the SMU Cox MBA Venture Fund. He is married to Janie Simms Hamner, M.D. a pediatrician, and they have three sons. They live in the Park Cities area and attend Park Cities Presbyterian where Pat is a Deacon.

Kyle Hearon

Kyle is the founder of KJ Hearon & Associates, LLC, a commercial appraisal company. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Southern Methodist University and Baylor University. Married to Kim Hearon in 1984, Kyle and Kim have four children. Kyle has been a member of First Baptist Church in Dallas since 1972 and a deacon since 1991.

Calvin McKaig

Calvin is a retired Ophthalmologist who lives with his wife, Mary Lou, in Arlington, Texas. After retirement from active practice, he served as a consultant for Ophthalmic Innovations International and has made numerous medical mission trips to West Africa. Dr. McKaig has served as past Chairman of the Board of Marketplace Ministries.

Phil McKinzie

Phil McKinzie brings more than three decades of experience as a banker, financier, and rancher to undergird Marketplace Ministries Foundation. This Albany, Oklahoma native, who is now retired, continues to serve on several boards, as well as being active in his church. He his two grown married daughters, and five grandchildren.

Will Thomas

Will Thomas is a venture capital investor with Capital Southwest Corporation who lives with his wife and three children in Dallas, Texas. Previously, Will served as a U.S. Air Force officer for eleven years in varied positions including chief pilot of an airlift group, director of worldwide logistics operations and chief of aircraft development contracts. Will has served on the boards of 10 companies and serves on the board of Marketplace Ministries. Will is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and Harvard Business School.