As a junior in college, I received new life in Christ. Initially floundering in my spiritual growth, God graciously placed mature mentors into my life. Daily intentional quiet times of Scripture and prayer were established. Throughout dental school, marriage, raising children, church leadership and retirement after 42 years of practicing dentistry, I have seen the great fruit of intentional spiritual disciplines in my Christian life. My heart has continually been drawn by God toward mentorship of younger believers. It is a major calling of God in my life since conversion.

When the Briarwood Fellows program began in 2012, I was immediately involved. Hosting, mentoring, and going on every event and mission trip became my passion. I became our director's greatest supporter and friend. In 2016 I was privileged to begin serving on TFI's Board and in 2020 became its chair. It has been my great blessing to serve in this outstanding and impactful ministry for the cause of Christ. I could not be more excited and confident in the vision and ever-increasing impact of the Fellows movement in building the Kingdom of God, flush with well-grounded believers. To God alone be all glory for among us great things He is doing!

Karen Parks has dedicated over 4years to cultivating potential and equipping next-generation leaders across educational and nonprofit organizations. She has served with MomCo (formerly MOPS) in Director level positions for Organizational Development and for the Global Ministry development. She has served on the Board for The Center for Relationship Education and is currently Vice Chair of The Fellows Initiative Board. Prior to relocating to Colorado, Karen was Dean of Academic Affairs and on the faculty for at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. An experienced speaker and author, Karen has led workshops and training for the Christian Leadership Alliance, the National Outreach Convention, various denominational conferences, MOPS International Convention, and internal staff teams.She co-authored the cookbook Beyond Macaroni and Cheese. Karen holds a Master’s degree in Education (Reading and Critical Thinking) from Oklahoma State University and a B.A. in Communications from Wheaton College, Illinois. Active in her local community, she attends Rockland Community Church in Golden, Colorado, and was the Board Chair for the Fellows program there. Karen lives in Colorado with her husband, Richard.They have three adult children and three grandchildren.

Vicki Simmons has been involved with the Memphis Fellows program since prior to its establishment in 2006. She has worked with all four of its program directors, focusing on identifying and organizing weekly speakers from the community that are tailored to each class of Fellows; assisting each of the directors on targeted goals and strategies of the program; and serving on the Executive Committee which oversees the program. She and her husband are the parents of two daughters who participated in Fellows programs.

She has served TFI since 2013 and for some time as Secretary as well as on the Executive Committee. She coordinates all arrangements for in-person Board meetings at the sites of local programs, working with the program director.

Rick is a lifelong Knoxvillian, the son of F.B. and Katherine Kuhlman and the brother of Russell Kuhlman. He graduated from West High School and achieved Eagle Scout. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. At UT he served as 2-term president of his fraternity, advisor to the President of IFC, and Commander of the Arnold Air Society in Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the USAF, where he served over 30 years (active and reserve), retiring in the rank of Colonel. Rick still serves as an Air Liaison Officer for the United States Air Force Academy. During his time in the Air Force, he deployed to the Middle East for Desert Shield and was the senior reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) for Security Forces for Air Force Material Command, serving during the period of 9-11 and its aftermath.

When Knoxville hosted the 1982 World's Fair, he developed and marketed World's Fair Beer. He also launched the introduction of Adolph Coors' beverages during their expansion into the Knoxville market. Kuhlman was active in business, owning and operating four pizza restaurants, Stefanos, from 1986–2003. In 2006 he was asked to lead an endeavor to attract and retain young leaders to Knoxville. Kuhlman led the renovation of two buildings on Market Square that would house the Knoxville Fellows, Café 4, and the Square Room. Kuhlman developed the Knoxville Fellows Program into an important attractor for recent college graduates to spend 10 months in Knoxville integrating their Christian faith in the marketplace and achieving a master's degree through Johnson University. To date, 226 recent college graduates have participated in this program. Currently each cohort consists of 7 women and 7 men per class.

Rick has a passion for raising the next generation. On active duty in the Air Force, he served as the Myrtle Beach Air Base Scoutmaster, and served in an assistant role when his son was a scout in Knoxville. He was on the leadership team that took Knoxville Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in 1994, 1997, and 2000. Rick was the Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter Advisor from 1977–1994 and led the Chapter Bible Study from 2000–2016. Rick was a youth advisor in his church's youth group from 1977–2007. He also pioneered a weekly Boys Bible Study at West High School that has continued since 1997. In addition, Rick partners with young men to lead individual high school boys' small groups during the week at his home, with each grade meeting on a different day. In 2004 he began facilitating the Father Teen Adventure through Officers' Christian Fellowship in Buena Vista, Colorado — a time to deepen relationships between dads and teenagers, divided into weeks for fathers and daughters and fathers and sons. Rick continues to facilitate the father-son weeks.

Rick has been married to his college sweetheart, Beverley, for 52 years. They have one son, Rick III, wife Jamie, and two granddaughters, Ella Katherine and Charlotte.