Our Staff

John has spent over 20 years working with youth as an educator, school administrator and ministry volunteer. After graduating from Texas A&M University, he worked in public schools in Lewisville and Bryan. In 2015, he and his wife, Alisha, moved their growing family to Amarillo and have planted deep roots in this community. Throughout this time, John served in leadership roles for Canyon ISD and most recently at BSA Health System. John and Alisha have also personally opened their home to foster and adoption. John is honored to serve in this role and blessed to be part of all that God is doing in the lives of children at ACH.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.
—Psalm 107:1-2

Emily joined our team in May as Director of Development. Hailing from Amarillo, TX, where she and her husband, Rob, live with their daughters, Allison and Sophie, Emily brings 18 years of experience in marketing, development and communication. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication from Baylor University. Her passion is connecting donors to real community needs – caring for the most vulnerable to help bring about the transformative work the Lord is doing. She is honored to be a part of what God is doing at Amarillo Children’s Home.

Guard what has been entrusted to your care.
— 1 Timothy 6:20

Cecilia Limas moved to Amarillo at the age of eight and has since built her life and career around serving children and families in the Texas Panhandle. She graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and began working in foster care immediately after graduation. She now brings six years of experience in the foster care field, grounded in both professional training and a deep commitment to children.

Prior to earning her degree, Cecilia spent five years with Amarillo ISD as a paraprofessional, where she developed a strong understanding of children’s educational, emotional, and developmental needs. This experience continues to shape her thoughtful, child-centered approach to care.

Cecilia has a strong passion for working with children and believes deeply in their potential. She finds fulfillment in helping them navigate the world, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential. She is also the proud mother of two beautiful twin girls, who inspire her daily to be the best version of herself and to keep reaching for the stars.

Do not lose hope in times of trouble, for God is working in the unseen. His hand is steady, and His timing is perfect in bringing good out of difficulty.
– Isaiah 43:19

Cole Smith brings more than a decade of experience in residential childcare to his role as Director of Programs at Amarillo Children’s Home. With a degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University, Cole has served in both direct care and program leadership, equipping him with a deep understanding of what children and caregivers need most.

Cole has completed hundreds of hours in trauma-informed care training and is passionate about creating safe, stable environments where children can heal, grow in confidence, and experience restoration. His leadership is marked by compassion, humility, and a strong commitment to the mission of changing the stories of youth in foster care.

Cole and his wife, Chelsea, have been married since 2012 and are raising three children. Their family enjoys playing board games, cheering on their kids in gymnastics and flag football, and spending time outdoors—especially on the disc golf course. Cole is an active church volunteer and lives by his favorite verse.

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
— Micah 6:8

Dianne has over 30 years of experience in financial and nonprofit management, and loves working at Amarillo Children’s Home! She holds a B.A. in English and has completed post-baccalaureate hours in Accounting and Business Management including graduate coursework towards an MBA. Before joining Amarillo Children’s Home in 2011, she served for 10 years as the Executive Director for Opportunity School. She also worked at the Amarillo Area Foundation, was the Office Manager for a local family-owned lumber business, and worked in banking. Her husband, King Hill, is a retired theatre arts teacher, who now writes, directs and consults, and she enjoys helping with his creative projects. She and King have no children and one dog. Dianne has lived in Amarillo for over 40 years.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
— Aesop

On my career path to Amarillo Children’s Home, I was the Middle School Director of Amarillo Young Life’s “Wyldlife” and College/Career Director at First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo. My life-long passion is to invest in the lives of kids and young adults. I’m also compassionate about connecting others to a community that is making a difference and to guide them through the process. In my position as ACH Executive Administrator & Aftercare Director, I’m given the opportunity to work from the skills I developed in my prior careers and from my passion. I’m humbled and grateful to be part of an amazing team of coworkers, who not only believe in the mission of Amarillo Children’s Home, but also eagerly live it out.

Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
— Leonard Cohen

Terri is from Plainview Texas but has lived in Amarillo for the past 28 years. She recently joined the amazing team at ACH in May 2022 as the Director of Intake and Compliance.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from West Texas A & M University and hold a lifetime teaching certificate for grades 1 – 8. She holds a Master of Arts in Management degree from Wayland Baptist University and is a Licensed Child Care Administrator.  She brings substantial work history with at risk youth, their families and special needs populations including case management, program management, and administrator for an emergency youth shelter. 

In addition to her ACH role, she currently serves as an active member of the Potter and Randall Counties Community Resources Coordination Group of Texas (CRCG) as a family representative with lived experience.

Terri experiences true fulfillment and joy working with children that are in the foster care system as well as working alongside of the adults that provide care and services to them.  She plans to advocate for them for years to come.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and two adult children, Dakota and Rainey. She loves gardening, playing with her dogs, and shooting pool with her husband as well.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
— Philippians 4:13

Alana Mitchell brings extensive experience in ministry and administration to her role as Development Coordinator at Amarillo Children’s Home. She served for eleven years in an administrative role at First Presbyterian Church and spent ten years as Mentoring Director at Hope Choice Pregnancy Centers. Her background includes coordinating camps, retreats, and youth programs—skills she now applies to supporting ACH’s mission of restoring the identity of every child in our care. Outside of work, Alana enjoys volunteering in the toddler room at her church and supporting her husband’s ministry. She’s a proud mom of two—cheering at football and volleyball games, and enjoying the music her children create on clarinet and piano.

But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.’
— Exodus 14:13

Laura Bownds brings a wealth of experience to her role as Treatment Director, holding a Master’s in Counseling from West Texas A&M and credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Dedicated to child and family services throughout her career, Laura is inspired by the ACH mission and takes pride in contributing to the team’s transformative work.

Outside of her professional life, Laura enjoys attending church, volunteering with community organizations, and supporting her children’s activities in cheer, volleyball, and basketball. She and her husband have three daughters, a son-in-law, and two grandsons. Her favorite quote, by Mother Teresa, serves as a guiding principle: “You are greater than you know.”