Advisory Board
SoupMobile, Inc. Advisory Council was created to help the SoupMobile manage its rapid growth. Advisory Council members provide:
- Professional advice and counsel as the executive director, staff, and volunteers execute the SoupMobile’s near-term strategic plan
- Guide goal-setting and help with the development of the SoupMobile three-year strategic plan
- Access to new funding opportunities and program resources
Lon Ricker
Chairman
Lon was born and raised in Michigan, moved to the Chicago area after college and relocated to Texas in the 90’s. After 20 years climbing the corporate ladder in the telecommunications industry, Lon decided that there was more to life than working for a paycheck. His desire to make a positive difference in the world led him to the Christmas Angel Project in 2007. As a result, he has been a regular volunteer at the SoupMobile in varying capacities, and looks forward to spearheading the grant writing program as well as the Christmas Angel Project for 2009.
In his spare time, Lon enjoys riding motorcycles, traveling and listening to blues music (and especially enjoys traveling on his motorcycle to blues music events).
His favorite soup is the wide noodle, chicken noodle soup that his mom makes, but Chef Gene’s Wednesday Spaghetti runs a very close second.
ChairmanLon was born and raised in Michigan, moved to the Chicago area after college and relocated to Texas in the 90’s. After 20 years climbing the corporate ladder in the telecommunications industry, Lon decided that there was more to life than working for a paycheck. His desire to make a positive difference in the world led him to the Christmas Angel Project in 2007. As a result, he has been a regular volunteer at the SoupMobile in varying capacities, and looks forward to spearheading the grant writing program as well as the Christmas Angel Project for 2009.
In his spare time, Lon enjoys riding motorcycles, traveling and listening to blues music (and especially enjoys traveling on his motorcycle to blues music events).
His favorite soup is the wide noodle, chicken noodle soup that his mom makes, but Chef Gene’s Wednesday Spaghetti runs a very close second.
Linda Graf
Social Media Coordinator
Linda was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. After graduating from high school, she worked where she met and married Rick, her husband of 27 years. Linda thought she’d start a family instead of going to college and was very successful, having 4 children in 5 years. She moved to Dallas in 1982, just before their first child was born. She spent the next 25 years raising their four wonderful blessings.
She did forget one thing, that as soon as children come into the house they leave the house so back to work she went. After working full time for three years she decided flexibility would be a wonderful thing. She found the SoupMobile on-line and the rest is history.
Linda loves to bake, read, and travel and has more interests than can be listed. She is currently using her office and organizational skills and is enjoying her new social life as well, meeting so many really nice people week after week.
Her favorite soup is her own broccoli cheese soup.
Social Media CoordinatorLinda was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. After graduating from high school, she worked where she met and married Rick, her husband of 27 years. Linda thought she’d start a family instead of going to college and was very successful, having 4 children in 5 years. She moved to Dallas in 1982, just before their first child was born. She spent the next 25 years raising their four wonderful blessings.
She did forget one thing, that as soon as children come into the house they leave the house so back to work she went. After working full time for three years she decided flexibility would be a wonderful thing. She found the SoupMobile on-line and the rest is history.
Linda loves to bake, read, and travel and has more interests than can be listed. She is currently using her office and organizational skills and is enjoying her new social life as well, meeting so many really nice people week after week.
Her favorite soup is her own broccoli cheese soup.
LeAnne Baird
Donations, Community Fundraising and Grant Writing
LeAnne hails from Nebraska and moved to Dallas in 1980. That wouldn't normally make her a native Dallas resident, except that that’s about average in her North Dallas neighborhood.
She attended college in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Folklore. Following her BA degree, LeAnne undertook Masters coursework and did extensive research in Historical Geography and Architecture History.
She owns a condo, has been married 30 years to an extraordinary man named Ron, and is kept company by a darling miniature poodle.
In her spare time, LeAnne enjoys reading mystery novels and collecting materials to make jewelry. In addition, she loves to cook … but only now and then, when the refrigerator has food in it.
As a valued member of the team, LeAnne's peaceful presence creates the tone for each new day.
Her favorite soup is Homemade Tomato Vegetable.
Donations, Community Fundraising and Grant Writing
LeAnne hails from Nebraska and moved to Dallas in 1980. That wouldn't normally make her a native Dallas resident, except that that’s about average in her North Dallas neighborhood.
She attended college in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Folklore. Following her BA degree, LeAnne undertook Masters coursework and did extensive research in Historical Geography and Architecture History.
She owns a condo, has been married 30 years to an extraordinary man named Ron, and is kept company by a darling miniature poodle.
In her spare time, LeAnne enjoys reading mystery novels and collecting materials to make jewelry. In addition, she loves to cook … but only now and then, when the refrigerator has food in it.
As a valued member of the team, LeAnne's peaceful presence creates the tone for each new day.
Her favorite soup is Homemade Tomato Vegetable.
Rusty Kennard
Rusty Kennard received a B.S. degree from Baylor University in 1977 and law degree from SMU in 1988. Practiced litigation for 10 years, mainly from the plaintiff's side. Co-founder of a financial services company in 1992 that was merged into a NYSE company in 1997. Thereafter, joined a software development/patent creation firm and has been CEO of that entity for the past few years.
He is married to Betsy, his college sweetheart, for 26 years. They have 3 kids: Kate, Elizabeth, and Will. Rusty enjoys bicycling, yoga, painting, and mission work—particularly building. His friends and family know him as a hard working, fun loving, and deeply spiritual individual.
His favorite soup is homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup with chips, avocados and plenty of Picante sauce.
Rusty Kennard received a B.S. degree from Baylor University in 1977 and law degree from SMU in 1988. Practiced litigation for 10 years, mainly from the plaintiff's side. Co-founder of a financial services company in 1992 that was merged into a NYSE company in 1997. Thereafter, joined a software development/patent creation firm and has been CEO of that entity for the past few years.
He is married to Betsy, his college sweetheart, for 26 years. They have 3 kids: Kate, Elizabeth, and Will. Rusty enjoys bicycling, yoga, painting, and mission work—particularly building. His friends and family know him as a hard working, fun loving, and deeply spiritual individual.
His favorite soup is homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup with chips, avocados and plenty of Picante sauce.
Mariana Griggs
Mariana Griggs is a native of Texas. She attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas where she received a B.A. in Business Management. After brief employment in the business world Mrs. Griggs attended Texas A&M University where she attained an M.S. in Entomology. Currently, Mariana is a Science teacher at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas.
Mariana’s volunteer activities include work with the Soupmobile, Crossroads Community Services and Community Gardens of Oak Cliff. Through these organizations she hopes to provide assistance and love to those in need.
Her favorite soup is Loaded Baked Potato.
Mariana Griggs is a native of Texas. She attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas where she received a B.A. in Business Management. After brief employment in the business world Mrs. Griggs attended Texas A&M University where she attained an M.S. in Entomology. Currently, Mariana is a Science teacher at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas.Mariana’s volunteer activities include work with the Soupmobile, Crossroads Community Services and Community Gardens of Oak Cliff. Through these organizations she hopes to provide assistance and love to those in need.
Her favorite soup is Loaded Baked Potato.
