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

Tracie joined our team in November 2023 and was promoted to Director of Foster Care Homes in September of 2024. She lives in Canyon with her husband, Dan, and 3 children, Colton, Tyler, and Jace.  Tracie holds a B.B.A. in Finance from West Texas A&M University.  As a teacher and former foster mom, she has a deep passion for foster children and is honored to be part of ACH’s mission to restore the identity of children.

“We can’t help everyone. But everyone can help someone.”
– Ronald Reagan

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

John has been connected to Amarillo Children’s Home since 2001 when he and his wife, Michelle, moved from Kansas City to work as House Parents in one of our boy’s homes. The two years spent as a House Parent were invaluable to John in both his time spent as a youth minister and in his current capacity with ACH.

Since 2009 when John returned to ACH he has worked in several different capacities. Each of these roles when combined with the role as a House Parent and even the role of a youth pastor has prepared John for the role of overseeing campus operations. John has a passion for challenging people to see their value, discover their gifts and grow into who God has created them to be. John excels in guiding both kids and adults in these areas.

… make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves …
— Philippians 2:2-3

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

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.”