Brian Fikkert
Dr. Brian Fikkert is an Associate Professor of Economics and the founder and Executive Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.  Dr. Fikkert earned a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University, specializing in international economics and economic development.  He has been a consultant to the World Bank and is the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular journals.  Prior to coming to Covenant College, he was a professor at the University of Maryland—College Park and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector.

Russell Mask
Dr. Russell Mask is an Assistant Professor of Community Development and the Chairman of the Department of Economics and Community Development department.  He also serves as the International Microenterprise Technical Advisor for the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.  Dr. Mask earned a B.A. from Wheaton College, an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his Ph.D. in Development from the Land Tenure Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He has extensive experience in village-level development practice and research in both Asia and Africa.  Dr. Mask is the co-author of “Christian Microenterprise Development: An Introduction”, with David Bussau of Maranatha Trust.

Lance Wescher
Dr. Lance Wescher is an assistant professor of economics at Covenant College.  He also serves as the U.S. Economic Development Specialist and is the Director of the IDA Pilot Program for the Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Development at Covenant College.  Dr. Wescher earned his B.A. in Economics with a minor in Theology from Wheaton College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.  Lance has worked in banking with Wells Fargo and Company and consulting with Hewitt Associates.  His areas of research include Labor Economics, Health Economics, Pensions and Finance.  Prior to coming to Covenant College he taught Economics at Wheaton College.

Steve Corbett
Mr. Steve Corbett is an Assistant Professor of Community Development at Covenant College and serves as a Community Development Specialist for the Chalmers Center.  Previously, Mr. Corbett served as Director of Field Operations and Training for the Chalmers Center.  Prior to coming to Covenant College, Steve worked for Food for the Hungry International (FHI) as the Regional Director for Central and South America for two years.  Before assuming these responsibilities, he served as the Director of Staff Training for nine years.  In this capacity, he participated in the orientation and training of 1500 staff working in 25 countries.  Mr. Corbett has a B.A. from Covenant College and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.

Smita Donthamsetty
Ms. Smita Donthamsetty is currently Senior Field Trainer/Researcher and works in the Dominican Republic.  She researches and trains church leaders and members in economic development strategies that can be implemented by local churches.  Previously, Ms. Donthamsetty served as the Program Officer for the Chalmers Center in the head office at Lookout Mountain where her primary roles were creating systems for Chalmers' efforts to develop prototypes of church-centered, economic development programs and producing training materials for use by church-centered ministries. Ms. Donthamsetty earned a B.A. in Sociology from Davidson College, and an MA in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training. Her work experiences involve church-centered community development focusing on children, housing, and microfinance both in the United States and abroad.

Tom LePage
Mr. Tom LePage is the Senior Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.  Mr. LePage has a B.S. in Economics from Montana State University and a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Regent College.  Mr. LePage has served in International Relief and Development in Haiti and across Africa for 17 yrs.  He has held service, management or board positions progressing from the village to the continental level.  Prior to coming to the Chalmers Center, Mr. LePage served 11 yrs as the Africa Area Director for World Concern.  He is married and has three children.

Bernie Alimonti
Mr. Bernie Alimonti is the Director of Special Projects for the Chalmers Center.  Mr. Alimonti has a combination of non-profit and corporate experience.  Prior to joining the Chalmers Center, he was the marketing manager for an international, short-term mission agency in Atlanta, Georgia.  Mr. Alimonti held field and headquarter positions in sales, marketing, and product development for Digital Equipment Corporation, and for a start-up technology company.  In recognition of his long-term effort and contribution, he received a number of corporate awards, including a Marketing Excellence Award, and a Marketing Achievement Award.  Bernie has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

J. Mark Bowers
Mr. John Mark Bowers is the Curriculum Project Manager at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development where he coordinates the development of a curriculum entitled Training Low Income People in Business, Home, and Health.   He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor for Quest at Covenant College. He has a BA in Psychology from Bryan College and an MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College. Mr. Bowers has a rich intercultural background having spent several years studying in Central America and leading trips to a number of countries. Most recently, Mr. Bowers taught English at a university in Vietnam for 3 years and piloted several small development projects.  Mark's interests include teaching and training, professional writing, languages, cultural reconciliation, and international development work.

Grace Bateman
Miss Grace Bateman is a Representative with the Chalmers Center for Economic Development. She has a B.A. in Social Work and Spanish from Mississippi College with additional Spanish language studies in Spain and Peru. She received an MS in International Community Economic Development with a specialization in Microenterprise Development from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as completing the International course work for the Chalmers Center certificate program. Grace's international experience includes several years working with Peru Mission in Trujillo, Peru, running a business that employs local women, organizing church-based savings groups, and teaching English.

Amy Kuenzel
Mrs. Amy Kuenzel is the Office Coordinator in the Chalmers Center. She has a BA in Corporate Communications from the College of Charleston, SC. Her experience includes accounting as a consultant and in small business development, international shipping in the area of expediting and validation, website development, customer service and a home-based religious products supply business, founded and operated during the formative years as a stay-at-home parent.

Joy Stanton
Mrs. Stanton is the Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.  Mrs. Stanton has a B.A. in Psychology from Covenant College.  Previously, she was the Project Manager for Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, a marketing/advertising/public relations agency located in Chattanooga, TN.