board member bios
Ed Franklin, PRESIDENT
Board President Dr. Ed Franklin has over 40 years’ experience in various positions at community colleges in three states. He is fluent in American Sign Language and worked for Gallaudet University in Washington DC. He finished his career as CEO of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges.
Ed has always been involved in volunteer work, including with the international L’Arche community. He retired to Hot Springs, Arkansas where he continues to work with Achieving the Dream and is a senior fellow at the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Ed is a member of Piney Grove Methodist Church in Hot Springs. He trains his own bird dogs and enjoys pheasant hunting and fishing. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for over 50 years.
Ed is involved with Wesley College because he knows the value in providing education to persons who would not otherwise have a chance at success. Ed knows that the education of one individual impacts a family for generations to come.
Kenneth schwab, Vice-President
Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab graduated from Purdue University and completed his doctorate at Indiana University. He has more than 45 years of experience in higher education. He began his career at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and he then served the University of South Carolina before accepting the position of President at Centenary College of Louisiana. He retired in 2015 from his role as President of Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia.
Ken has been involved in multiple mission trips and volunteer work since his retirement. He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Ken and his wife, Kathy, enjoy traveling, golf, reading and grandkids.
Why is Ken involved with Wesley College? "I'm involved because of my continued desire to provide access to higher education for young people around the world."
Jade Carter, board member
Dr. Jade Carter is the Founding Director of the Horizons School- a non-degree residential post secondary private school for young adults ages 18 to 26 who have mild to moderate learning differences. The school specifically helps students as they transition from home to work and independent living. During her time- the school moved locations, retired debt in 3 years, and purchased an apartment building for students.
As well as her time at Horizons School- Jade chaired a national accreditation organization. Before that, she was a psychometrist and special education resource teacher. Her heart for others runs deep with her work training vocational rehabilitation specialists who work with adults with learning disabilities.
Jade’s continuing education provided so much for her that she feels the call to support others in that journey. More specifically, Jade has a passion for helping the foundation and faculty obtain the resources, staff development and opportunities needed to make Wesley College the most excellent educational experience around.
Why does Jade serve Wesley College? “As Americans, we have abundant blessings and opportunities to access educational opportunities and improve our status in life. The students at Wesley College have already faced overwhelming obstacles. We have this avenue to support those committed men and women who choose to continue a life of learning and growth in the face of monumental obstacles.”
Glenn Ford, Board member
Glenn E. Ford is Chairman Emeritus of GSLA (Green Solar Louisiana), a leading provider of management consulting, technology, construction, engineering and manufacturing services. GSLA provides its expertise to the U.S. government, major corporations, and global not-for-profit organizations. With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Glenn has personally managed in excess of $100 million in construction projects.
Glenn is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in accounting. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in finance from Atlanta University where he was the Augustus Sterne Fellow for academic achievement. He has been recognized as the Birmingham Minority Contractor of the year by the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency. He is former Vice Chairman of the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority.
Glenn has spent over three years developing relationships and establishing strategic objectives in East Africa, and he is working to export American products to Tanzania. Green Solar plans to supply energy, housing, and clean cooking to 700 villages in rural Tanzania. Ultimately, the company intends to affect millions of people and empower women and children. Glenn is married to his wife, Velma, and they have one adult daughter, Lindsey.
benito Lubazibwa, Board Member
Benito Lubazibwa is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ReMix Ideas, LLC. Benito grew up in Tanzania, in the region of Kagera, close to Mwanza where Wesley College is located. An alumnus of Central Arkansas University, he now resides in Little Rock. In early 2019, Benito founded Remix Ideas, with the mission to remove barriers Black entrepreneurs face in accessing knowledge, capital, opportunities and resources -- to start, grow and scale their businesses.
Benito is also the Founder of Africa Day Fest, a community festival showcasing African culture and art and Little Rock Night Market, a family friendly event that provides a platform for startups, artists, and entrepreneurs to showcase and test their ideas/products. Also, in June 2020, Benito launched Shop Black Live (SBL), a weekly show and online marketplace showcasing and selling Black-owned products.
Benito is an advocate for upward economic mobility and intergenerational wealth through entrepreneurship. He was recently honored for his efforts by the Center on Community Philanthropy at the Clinton School of Public Service with the 2020 Advancing Equity Award and honored by the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus with the 2020 Calvin King Economic Development Award.
Why does Benito serve Wesley College? He believes that education is the key to transform lives and communities. He says, “In Africa, we say if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Benito wants to be part of the solution, to help young people in Tanzania change their lives through education.
kristi mcclellan, Secretary
Kristi McClellan is a contract Grant Writer for several non-profit organizations. She began working with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama in 2002, overseeing its grant-funded outreach programs. She concluded this work in 2010 to complete her Master’s in Public Health and has since worked to secure funding for nonprofit organizations and churches of all sizes, budgets, and missions. In the last few years, she has helped the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church secure millions of dollars to aid long-term recovery from Hurricane Michael.
Kristi has had a heart for helping others since her youth. Her first mission trip was to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Andrew in south Florida. She was honored to be a part of a team to Tanzania in March 2019 and then enthusiastically joined the board of Tanzania Wesley Education Foundation. Kristi lives in south Alabama with her husband and three boys. She serves on the Spanish Fort High School Parent Advisory Committee and is a regular volunteer in the Chaplain's Office at the Mobile Metro Jail. She enjoys running, going to the beach, and reading.
Why does Kristi serve Wesley College? “I am excited to be part of the work that TWEF is accomplishing because I feel called to serve my sisters and brothers, regardless of where they live. Wesley College is doing important, well-planned work to strengthen individuals, families and communities in Tanzania and I am honored to play a small part in that success.”
mark schnarr, Board member
Mark Schnarr retired in 2005 after ten years as Senior Vice-President of Heifer International, headquartered in Little Rock, AR. Prior to that, Mark served in executive management positions with The Quaker Oates Company in Chicago, IL and Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville, KY. He currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
Mark previously served as Chairman of the Board of City of Hope Outreach and Treasurer of Lutheran Indian Ministries. Currently he serves as “Master Gardener” for his church’s Plot Against Hunger garden, whose fresh produce is distributed through local food banks.
Mark has been married for 35 years to his wife Kristine, and they have one son who is a manager for DC Central Kitchen, a Washington DC nonprofit.
Why does Mark serve Wesley College? With an affinity for Africa and the work being done there by Wesley College, Mark believes that receiving an education is one of the most important steps a person can take to make a positive difference for themselves, their family, their community, and their nation.
JOHN WAYNE SMITH, Board member
Dr. John Wayne Smith is a retired physician, having enjoyed a 35 year career in the practice of nephrology in Arkansas until 2019. He then led the development of a new medical residency program in Hot Springs and retired in 2022. He has served on the boards of Baptist Health, Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Health. He led a community effort to establish the Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic in 1997 and serves as Emeritus of the board. He also has been active in mission work in Senegal, Russia and Trinidad. He served on the board of Global Focus, a missions mobilization ministry. He has been active in First Baptist Church of Hot Springs, serving as deacon and trustee for many years.
John Wayne has a BS in pre-medicine from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) and Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He and his wife, Laura moved from Hot Springs to Rogers, AR, in 2023. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Why is John Wayne involved with Wesley College? He has worked extensively in the area of disruption of poverty and has been a supporter of several educational endeavors. He became interested in Wesley College through his friendship with Ed Franklin, who introduced him to Eric Soard.