The SoupTeam
Gene Rouzan
Master Chef
Gene cooks fabulous SouperSoup and other food for the homeless people we serve. The magic ingredient in his food is love!
Gene was born in New Orleans and worked for a utility company there for 34 years. He resettled his family after fleeing hurricane Katrina. He and his family liked Dallas, so he retired and made a new home in Dallas.
Gene is more than qualified to be Head Chef at the SoupMobile. In Viet Nam he served on the front lines cooking meals for his infantry company. Needless to say, the SoupMobile is challenging, but at least it doesn’t have bullets aimed right at you while dinner is cooking!!! When Gene finished his tour of duty, he was assigned to Germany, but snow in June was too much for him. “Coming from the South, I’d never seen so much snow in my life.”
Gene has a special place in his heart for the homeless and found the SoupMobile on the Internet. He decided right away that the SoupMobile was something he wanted to be a part of. A tasty decision, for sure….
His favorite soup is Green Pea.
Master Chef
Gene cooks fabulous SouperSoup and other food for the homeless people we serve. The magic ingredient in his food is love!
Gene was born in New Orleans and worked for a utility company there for 34 years. He resettled his family after fleeing hurricane Katrina. He and his family liked Dallas, so he retired and made a new home in Dallas.
Gene is more than qualified to be Head Chef at the SoupMobile. In Viet Nam he served on the front lines cooking meals for his infantry company. Needless to say, the SoupMobile is challenging, but at least it doesn’t have bullets aimed right at you while dinner is cooking!!! When Gene finished his tour of duty, he was assigned to Germany, but snow in June was too much for him. “Coming from the South, I’d never seen so much snow in my life.”
Gene has a special place in his heart for the homeless and found the SoupMobile on the Internet. He decided right away that the SoupMobile was something he wanted to be a part of. A tasty decision, for sure….
His favorite soup is Green Pea.
Sandra Davis
Warehouse Manager
Sandra was born in Liberty, Texas and raised in Dallas. She attended Roger Q. Mills Elementary, Oliver W. Holmes Jr. High and graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. She is the fourth child of eight children, so she certainly knows how to manage large groups of people! Her hobbies include swimming and decorating. She's blessed with the gift of singing. In 1977 she recorded a double gospel album. She came to the SoupMobile in April of 2008 and says it totally changed her life. "I found out that this is what I'm supposed to do. I love helping people, but most of all I love serving people. I enjoy preparing food and serving people in need gives me great joy. Being a part of the Soup Team is the best thing that has happened to me." By the way - she says that Chicken Noodle soup is M M Good!
Warehouse Manager
Sandra was born in Liberty, Texas and raised in Dallas. She attended Roger Q. Mills Elementary, Oliver W. Holmes Jr. High and graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. She is the fourth child of eight children, so she certainly knows how to manage large groups of people! Her hobbies include swimming and decorating. She's blessed with the gift of singing. In 1977 she recorded a double gospel album. She came to the SoupMobile in April of 2008 and says it totally changed her life. "I found out that this is what I'm supposed to do. I love helping people, but most of all I love serving people. I enjoy preparing food and serving people in need gives me great joy. Being a part of the Soup Team is the best thing that has happened to me." By the way - she says that Chicken Noodle soup is M M Good!
Lon Ricker
Director of Development
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.
Director of DevelopmentLon 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.
Jack & Kris
Jack and Kris moved to Texas in 1973 to bring Western Sizzlin Steak Houses to Texas.
He is a vet of the Korean War and has always played in sports, racquet ball being his favorite.
Kris likes baking, gardening and being outdoors.
Around 2003, we called in response to an article in a neighborhood newsletter about a “SoupMan”. This led us to one of the most caring and dedicated men, David Timothy, the SoupMan. Since then we’ve been privileged and blessed to share in his dream and love for the people that are homeless.
Jack’s favorite soup: Cheddar Cheese.
Kris’ favorite soup: Tomato.
Jack and Kris moved to Texas in 1973 to bring Western Sizzlin Steak Houses to Texas.
He is a vet of the Korean War and has always played in sports, racquet ball being his favorite.
Kris likes baking, gardening and being outdoors. Around 2003, we called in response to an article in a neighborhood newsletter about a “SoupMan”. This led us to one of the most caring and dedicated men, David Timothy, the SoupMan. Since then we’ve been privileged and blessed to share in his dream and love for the people that are homeless.
Jack’s favorite soup: Cheddar Cheese.
Kris’ favorite soup: Tomato.
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.
Cynthia Leftrick
Consultant
Cynthia Leftrick was born in Longview. She is a Texas gal with a true Southern charm who attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and was active in softball. She enjoys decorating and fishing.
Cynthia has had a productive career in the field of home health care. In addition, she is the proud mother of two children. Her friends describe her as a people person who is honest and loyal. Her passion for helping people makes her a perfect match for the SoupMobile.
Cynthia's favorite soup is Chicken Noodle.
Consultant Cynthia Leftrick was born in Longview. She is a Texas gal with a true Southern charm who attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas and was active in softball. She enjoys decorating and fishing.
Cynthia has had a productive career in the field of home health care. In addition, she is the proud mother of two children. Her friends describe her as a people person who is honest and loyal. Her passion for helping people makes her a perfect match for the SoupMobile.
Cynthia's favorite soup is Chicken Noodle.
Shana Timothy
SoupMan's SouperVisor
Shana was born in Dallas and raised in Richardson.
After graduating from J.J. Pearce High School, she moved back to Dallas where she currently resides with her 2 cats and 2 dogs. Shana loves animals and she is constantly sheltering and feeding the stray cats in her neighborhood while she tries to find each one of them a loving home.
In her free time, Shana enjoys rollerblading and biking around the city. She also loves to peruse the local shops looking for unique buys at good prices.
Shana recently got married to a wonderful man. A man with a unique and caring heart that Shana just fell for the day she met him. You may know him, his name is David Timothy (but you may know him as The SoupMan). Shana feels like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world to find such a wonderful man who she will spend the rest of her life with.
Shana has an incredible giving and caring spirit when it comes to helping the homeless. She is a blessing to all those in need. The SoupMobile is proud to have her as a member of the SoupTeam.
Shana's favorite soup is Miso, a Japanese soup.
SoupMan's SouperVisor Shana was born in Dallas and raised in Richardson.
After graduating from J.J. Pearce High School, she moved back to Dallas where she currently resides with her 2 cats and 2 dogs. Shana loves animals and she is constantly sheltering and feeding the stray cats in her neighborhood while she tries to find each one of them a loving home.
In her free time, Shana enjoys rollerblading and biking around the city. She also loves to peruse the local shops looking for unique buys at good prices.
Shana recently got married to a wonderful man. A man with a unique and caring heart that Shana just fell for the day she met him. You may know him, his name is David Timothy (but you may know him as The SoupMan). Shana feels like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world to find such a wonderful man who she will spend the rest of her life with.
Shana has an incredible giving and caring spirit when it comes to helping the homeless. She is a blessing to all those in need. The SoupMobile is proud to have her as a member of the SoupTeam.
Shana's favorite soup is Miso, a Japanese soup.
Tom Pullen
Delivery Driver
Tom was born and raised in Dallas and graduated high school in DeSoto. He completed his undergraduate degree at The University of North Texas in journalism and advertising.
Tom spent much of his career of 34 years with The Dallas Morning News.
In his spare time he enjoys remodeling and home improvement projects. Tom is also interested in environmental preservation, and recycles as much as he can.
Around here, Tom is known to be reliable and a man of his word. He is dependable and can always be counted on to get the job done. His patient demeanor and thoughtful actions are an important contribution to our mission of helping the less fortunate in the community.
Tom's favorite soup is Chili.
Delivery Driver Tom was born and raised in Dallas and graduated high school in DeSoto. He completed his undergraduate degree at The University of North Texas in journalism and advertising.
Tom spent much of his career of 34 years with The Dallas Morning News.
In his spare time he enjoys remodeling and home improvement projects. Tom is also interested in environmental preservation, and recycles as much as he can.
Around here, Tom is known to be reliable and a man of his word. He is dependable and can always be counted on to get the job done. His patient demeanor and thoughtful actions are an important contribution to our mission of helping the less fortunate in the community.
Tom's favorite soup is Chili.
