C. Ted Mettetal, M.D
Founder
Dr. Mettetal is an Arkansas native, born and raised in Monticello. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock, Arkansas. From 1975 to 1979, Dr. Mettetal served in the U.S. Navy as Medical Officer. He later did his residency in Family Practice medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital, Ft. Worth, TX. In 1982, he opened his own practice in Family Medicine in Athens, TX, where he remains today. In addition to his practice and his work with Hope Springs Water, Dr. Mettetal still finds time to go overseas regularly, serving as a member of a medical mission team.
Steve Akin
Co-Founder, Trustee
Every organization needs a Steve Akin. When Dr. Mettetal began his vision of founding Hope Springs Water, the person he went to was his friend and Missions Pastor at his church, Steve Akin. Together, they fleshed out what has become a team of dedicated individuals bringing clean water to others around the world.
Mr. Akin received his Master of Church Music in 1976 from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served in churches across Texas before settling at First Baptist Church Athens in 2001, where he remains today. In 2010, he brought his talent of never meeting a stranger to HSW, garnering the support the young organization required. Together with Dr. Mettetal, he has traveled to nearly every region Hope Springs Water serves.
Mike Gillert
Central America Coordinator
Mike gained his BBA degree in Accounting from the University of Texas, which started his career to become a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.
Later, Mike became the Vice President/Treasurer with LM Ericsson an international telecommunications company
Mike is a devote Husband, Father, and Grandfather to three wonderful granddaughters
Now, Mike works with TBM (Texas Baptist Men) as one of the leaders in the Disaster Relief Feeding Ministry. By meeting physical needs of those in need, they are able to share God's love and serve Him in tangible ways.
“I believe that every Christian has a calling. Mine is to serve those in need.”
Being fully committed to helping others, HSW provides the opportunity for Mike to involve others in the same mission.
“My goal is to expand our ministry in Central America. We now have drilling rigs in Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. By working with the government and local ministries in these areas, we hope to provide clean water to the residents of rural areas of these countries.”
Jimmy Leatherwood
Central America Coordinator
Jimmy retired from Chevron after 40 years in drilling. He worked 19 years internationally in various countries. His final position before retiring was Development Drilling Advisor, training new Chevron personnel for Drilling supervisory positions.
Jimmy is married to Debbie and has 2 daughters, Jessica and Katie. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Athens Texas. Jimmy is active in FBC local missions working with clothes closet and furniture warehouse. International Missions has allowed him to travel to Latvia, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Ethiopia, where he was involved in construction projects, vision clinics, water well projects, and church planting. Jimmy is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief. He has been with Hope Springs Water since its conception in 2009.
Jim Palmer
Ethiopia Country Coordinator
Jim and his wife Viola served with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board as missionaries for 30 years in Central America. Their work included Church Planting, Community Development Projects, and Leadership Training. Jim now serves as Missionary-In-Residence at First Baptist Church, and directs two mission networks, one that coordinates mission work in Nicaragua among indigenous people groups and the other that coordinates mission work in Ethiopia among the Oromo people of Southwestern Shewa. In addition, Jim facilities leadership training in Ethiopia through the Global Leadership Network.
Jim was on the founding board of Hope Spring Water and coordinated the development of drilling projects and WASH programs in Ethiopia and Nicaragua. He travels frequently giving direction to Hope Spring Water’s projects encouraging national leadership and developing culturally appropriate training.
“I believe that everyone should have a church and a source of clean water within walking distance of their home.”
Jim has a Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Truett Baptist Theological Seminary.
When he is not traveling overseas, Jim enjoys gardening, sailing, and spending time with his 10 grandchildren.
Damon Donnell
Kenya Country Coordinator
Damon, a man of God and family, has background in international design projects across the water & infrastructure, and energy arenas. He has a true gift at building and connecting relationships, as he clearly demonstrates within his private consulting firm, domestic, and multi-national reach. His experience takes him across the globe to projects involved within war-torn countries in the Middle East, to assisting multi-billion-dollar firms transition into digital transformation and operational intelligence. He currently serves as president of the board of directors for his local, community water supply company and is also a member of Rotary International.
With a dedicated ear for the Lord’s direction, he knew when the opportunity aligned itself to join efforts with HSW to bring clean water to western Kenya, that it was divine inspiration. He was all-in.
Damon enjoys family, traveling, entertaining, and hours of contemplation while mowing fields on his tractor.
Candace Donnell
Kenya Country Coordinator
Candace is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, wife, mother of three, and follows a passionate pursuit of the truth for abundant life of all people. She is a speaker, writer, and Certified Natural Health Practitioner with an emphasis on Triune health. Having existing international relationships propelled her ‘interest in serving Hope Springs Water to further advance their territory. Recognizing this involvement with Hope Springs was such an immensely rewarding assignment, she was ecstatic to join the effort.
She also very much enjoys chasing her three small children, serving the community, traveling, stealing quiet moments for reading, cooking, and opening her home for hospitality.